Don’t Necessarily Believe the Hype
Every company related to skincare and beauty products will place a heavy emphasis upon
marketing. However, there is a big difference between making unfounded claims and
backing up these statements with real evidence. Unfortunately, many skincare products
simply do not deliver what they promise.
This is why it is important to select items that have been vetted by industry professionals.
For example, ISDIN, the skincare brand trusted by dermatologists employs the research to
ensure the potency of their products. This also helps to ensure that customers can choose
from a kaleidoscope of skincare and beauty solutions. While clever marketing slogans may

appear attractive at first glance, it is always crucial to determine if such advertisements are
backed up by industry-proven reviews and analyses.

Determine Your Unique Requirements
Black Friday provides consumers with an ideal opportunity to shop for items that might have
been slightly out of their price range in the past. Still, it is always better to carefully choose
which products are the most suitable. You can then examine each selection in greater detail
in order to better appreciate the unique benefits that it has to offer. It might also be a good
idea to break your choices down into a handful of broad categories such as:

● Facial care products
● Specific formulations such as serums, exfoliators and moisturizers
● Solutions to help combat the effects of photoaging
● Hair and nail treatments

That way, it will be much easier to make an informed decision well before Black Friday. But
don’t wait too long. Remember that some products may very well be sold out in advance.

Compare and Contrast with the Help of Online Portals
One major advantage of the Internet is that you have the ability to contrast different skin care
items with the click of a button. This is the best way to encounter quality and reputable Black Friday skincare products while avoiding those that have been rated poorly.
In terms of skin and body care, always listen to what dermatologists and reputable review
portals have to say. Furthermore, examine the history of the brand in question. Highly
reputable brands are associated with positive reviews and the chances are high that you will
be quite satisfied with the end results. Now that Black Friday is only weeks away, why not
shop for the products your skin deserves?

The post Where to Find the Best Dermatologist- Recommended Skincare Products this Black Friday 2022 appeared first on Eco-Chick.

Editor’s Note: Welcome to my new column, Annals of Wonder. I find the natural world to be an endless source of fascination and joy, and I know there are others out there who feel the same. This column, Annals of Wonder, will explore and celebrate life on Earth. 

This isn’t a tiny sandstone tidal pool filled with stones. It’s the waiting room for these snails—all alive—to hunker. We humans have given them the name of Little Blue Periwinkles.

Little Blues must patiently wait for the next tide to come in and render the world watery and wet, so they can crawl around and make extraordinary patterns in the algae (munch munch) on the floor of larger tidepools. You can find them many places, but these live along the Illawarra Coast south of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia (also known as the Coal Coast for the massive extraction of fossil fuels historically made there. I prefer the Indigenous name, it’s so lovely.)

Together, these tidepools are connected by ancient rock formations that jut out into the waves, exposed during low tides to the exploring human (me!).

These Little Blue Periwinkles also serve as an important food source for the threatened Sooty Oystercatcher, a black seabird with bright purple legs and brilliant orange beak (the color combo is WILD and to my color-adoring eye, exactly perfect, like Pantone perfect).

Imagine creating beautiful artworks as part of your basic existence, cuddling inside your shell when need be, and in death, helping to create both life and perfect color in another being?

I have to admit I’m jealous of these wee black snails called Little Blue Periwinkles.

The post Little Blue Periwinkles: Annals of Wonder appeared first on Eco-Chick.

Cost, cleanliness, size, environmental friendliness and ethical ownership are all important parts of finding a great storage unit. Nobody enjoys the process of moving/relocating, but it doesn’t have to be a headache especially if hire movers who are reliable. With this article, we hope to help you find a quality, clean self-storage solution that’s right for your lifestyle.

Use a storage finding service to check out potential self-storage units

Finding a storage unit that perfectly suits your needs is a challenge in the best of times, but has potential to get a little complicated if you don’t know where to begin your search. Moving is much simpler when you have easy-to-use options available at your fingertips. Using a self-storage locating service is an elegant solution to a simple problem. A service like Self Storage Finders is perfect for finding clean and efficient storage units in San Diego with a large database of options. This allows you to thoroughly research, reserve or visit an array of economically viable solutions and get an idea of storage unit quality, but to book them from the comfort of your brand new home.

Learn about storage unit sizes to help with comparison searches

After you’ve become familiar with your new self-storage locating service, be sure to check out what type of storage unit options are available. Depending on what you plan to store—and how long you need to keep it there—it’s important to choose the storage unit size that’s right for you. Standard sizes run from five feet by five feet (equivalent to a small closet) to 10 feet by 30 feet (the size of a large room).

Each unit can hold a surprisingly large amount of stuff, so once you understand the sizes it’s possible to store your possessions efficiently and compactly without any hassle. Utilizing the entire space of the unit is key to maximizing, so it’s best to stack your stuff toward the ceiling with heavier items on the bottom. Keep in mind local fire codes and safety by leaving at least 18 inches of clearance for the sprinkler system and to reduce the possibility of damage or injury after you’ve finished moving.

Read the reviews to get perspective of other user experiences

It’s always good practice to look at the experience of others when making decisions related to your move. According to recent consumer research, 72 percent of consumers are more likely to use a service with mostly positive reviews. Per that same study, reading anywhere from four to ten reviews helps most people decide whether to trust a particular business or not. On top of the reviews are more than just a means of gaging the worth of the service—reviews actively provide social proof for determining how to think about the storage unit and its proprietors in a complex and meaningful way.

Research the owners of the facility to ensure ethical business practice and behaviour

In a high-demand service like self-storage, trust is key. By using a combination of reviews and the Better Business Bureau, along with researching the business location/business owner, you can ensure you find a trustworthy and ethically run storage facility. There are a number of methods to accomplish this, like talking to them over the phone or reaching out via social media. Thorough research will help you find facilities working toward reducing the environmental impact through landscaping (to reduce land erosion that can damage surrounding areas), recycling solutions, building LEED certified structures and implementing energy star appliances wherever

Find a unit with energy efficient climate control

Climate controlled solutions for storage units are important for storing certain items like furniture, wine, artwork and various types of media. In a climate controlled storage unit, the temperature stays between a predetermined range (typically between 55 and 80 degrees) to protect the unit’s contents from extreme weather and the elements. An energy efficient, climate controlled facility is beneficial in  high humidity or high temperature environments. Climate control keeps your belongings from being damaged by weather or developing mold/mildew and serves to maintain more fragile items. With proper research and a bit of planning, your search for storage units in San Diego will transform a difficult move into the next great chapter of your life.

The post Finding friendly and clean self-storage solutions in San Diego, CA appeared first on Eco-Chick.

This guide will give you a breakdown of the three most popular mined diamond alternatives and why you should consider them for your next jewelry purchase. Let’s dive in!

1. Birthstones

One of the most common mined diamond alternatives on the market is birthstones.
These gemstones are used to represent a specific month in the calendar year and are
said to have origins that can be traced back to biblical times. The practice of using
birthstones to commemorate or celebrate an individual’s birth month was cemented by
the National Association of Jewelers in 1912.

Each month has at least one gemstone that represents it, however, most months have
an alternative stone. For example, the month of March is represented by the gemstones
aquamarine and a bloodstone.

Pros
● Birthstones offer a personalized touch, as each stone represents a person’s
month of birth.
● Wide variety of stones.
● Many, not all, birthstones are more affordable than mined diamonds.

Cons
● Limited options, each month may only have a single stone option.
● Birthstones don’t always match the style of the person they are given to.

2. Lab-Grown Diamonds

Whether it’s cost, environmental impact, or ethical concerns — there are many reasons
why someone wouldn’t want to purchase a mined diamond. However, lab-grown diamonds offer the perfect solution to all the common reasons not to buy a mined diamond.

Lab-grown diamonds are a recent technological development. By using cutting edge
equipment, scientists are able to mimic the natural conditions, extreme heat, and
pressure, that create diamonds. These lab-grown diamonds are virtually identical to
mined diamonds both in appearance and molecularly.

Pros
● More bang for your buck. Buy a larger diamond at a fraction of the price.
● Lab-grown diamonds are ethically sourced — there’s no need to worry about the
implications of purchasing a so-called “blood diamond.”
● Lab-grown diamonds are graded using the same 4 C’s as mined diamonds, so
there is a diamond and price point for everyone.

Cons
● A lot of individuals have incorrect or misinformed opinions about lab-created
diamonds. If you go with this diamond alternative, you’ll likely be explaining that it
is, in fact, a real diamond for often than not.

3. Moissanite

This stone, discovered in 1893, is extremely rare. Moissanite was initially thought to
only occur naturally in space, as it was discovered in a crater left by a meteor. However,
later on, it was discovered that moissanite can be found in extremely low quantities on
Earth. As it’s so rare, all moissanite on the market is lab-grown.

Moissanite is similar to diamonds in appearance. However, moissanite refracts much
more colored-light than diamonds. This stone is known for its colorful brilliance.

Pros
● Diamond-like brilliance with more color.
● Moissanite is a significantly more affordable stone option than any other stone on
this list.
● Moissanite is an eco-friendly option, as it is lab-grown

Cons
● Many people dislike the brilliance of moissanite and it’s “disco-ball” effect.
● Moissanite can be colored and can appear more grey or yellow in certain light.

Final Thoughts

Shopping for unique jewelry pieces can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Not
only are jewelry choices dominated by mined diamond options, but they can also make
it difficult to source mined diamond alternatives. Difficult, but not impossible. As a buyer,
you have the ultimate power to research alternatives. Just make sure that you choose a
stone that you absolutely love!

This post sponsored by Clean Origins.

The post Top 3 Alternatives to Mined Diamonds appeared first on Eco-Chick.

Eco-friendly mattress for the best rest

A new mattress can be a big expense; when you have the right one, it’s worth the cost in exchange for that quality sleep. This is green furniture that is not just made sustainably, but is also good for your health. 

For starters, an eco-friendly mattress without harmful chemicals does not ruin the air quality in your room. You get the best sleep without worrying about laying on bedding that’s soaked in pesticides. They’re also hypoallergenic, breathable, and easy to wash. By the time you have to throw them away, you don’t have to feel guilty since they biodegrade faster than a mattress made with synthetic materials. It’s worth having a look at the best mattress made from bamboo.

Blankets, sheets, and pillows

In addition to investing in an eco-friendly mattress, beddings that are covered in organic sheets can help contribute to a greener, cleaner room. Think wool, cotton, and hemp. These are sustainable materials that can help enhance the air quality in your room, resulting in a better, more relaxing sleep. Visit Afulltable to learn more.

Sustainable shelves

There are plenty of beautiful shelves in the market but nothing beats used furniture made with natural materials. By the time it’s in your possession, it’s already rid of the gas contained in the paint and varnish. If you’re buying brand new, opt for spacious ones made of recycled paper wood that uses low-VOC paints, glues, and finishes.

One of the reasons why you’ll want a spacious shelf is so you can immediately put away things when it’s time for bed. A cluttered room is a cluttered mind. When you have room to put your clutter away, you won’t have a hard time falling asleep.

LED light bulbs

This is another easy way that green furniture can improve your sleep. Simply switch your fluorescent light bulbs to LED lights. Fluorescent lighting has been found to emit more UVC and UVA rays than any other kind of lighting. 

By organising your lighting space using LED lights, you’ll have the option to adjust the dimness of a room. The right amount of light during evenings makes it easy to maintain your circadian rhythm which regulates your sleep cycle. LED strip lights also last longer than conventional bulbs! You may be asking, what is an LED strip light? An LED strip light is a flexible circuit board that is populated with LEDs that you can stick almost anywhere you want. Less waste is always good for the environment.

Natural air purifiers

When it comes to purifying your home, you always want to opt for the most natural form: plants! They have the ability to get rid of harmful gases in their air, thus improving the air you breathe. Opt for indoor plants known for improving air quality such as aloe vera, bamboo or reed palm, rubber plant, chinese evergreen, and spider plant. It’s also worth doing some deeper research of your own to find indoor plants that fit your bedroom’s aesthetic.

If you can’t bring plants in but still want to enjoy better air quality, consider other natural alternatives such as candles and essential oils. You’ll want to opt for candles that are soy-based since most traditional candles are made with paraffin that actually pollute the air.

As for essential oils, the best choices for sleep include lavender, rose, jasmine, and marjoram. Have these ready beside your essential oil diffuser or mix it with water and spray on your linens.

By having pleasant natural smells in your room, you not only have better sleep but possibly better dreams as well! So make sure to follow the nose on this tip. 

This is a sponsored post.

The post 5 Ways Green Furniture Can Improve Your Sleep Patterns—and the Science Behind It appeared first on Eco-Chick.

While it’s fun to buy new clothing, the reality is that most of us have plenty of stuff in our closets and can make do if we change our mindsets and habits.

Inventory Your Wardrobe

The first step is to go through your closet bit by bit to work out what you already own. If you’re like most of us, you have a lot more than you think, and if you get creative with how you mix and match and create outfits, you’ll have many more clothing sets ready to go than you’d think.

Another benefit of scrutinizing your current closet is that it helps you to see where you might be able to buy one or two simple, cost-effective pieces to create and complete multiple outfits. We often don’t wear tops or pants or skirts etc., because we don’t have the right accompaniments for them but could get a lot of wear out of them if we remedied the situation.

Hire a Stylist

While you’re trying to save money, and it can seem counter-intuitive to outlay funds on hiring a stylist for a couple of hours or a day, you can quickly see a return on your investment. A stylist will show you how to combine clothing in new, creative ways to make up lots more outfits than you would ever expect.

Plus, they can advise you on what does and doesn’t suit your body shape. In turn, you’ll stop wasting money on clothes that you think are a good idea when trying them on in shops but then never wear once you get them home since you’re uncertain about whether they work for you or not.

If you don’t have the spare cash flow to hire a stylist, you can get plenty of inspiration these days. Pore over some Instagram posts, blogs, magazines, and other content with a critical, analytical eye to understand how outfits are put together and what goes well with what. Look at pictures of people with the same body shape as you, so you can get a good idea of what should work best for your figure.

Shop Out of Season

When you’re ready to buy new Delta Sigma Theta apparel, it pays to shop out of season. That is, pick up last season’s clothing items when they’re significantly discounted because new season stock has arrived. Keep an eye out for affordable coats and boots right now, or search for quality graphic tees for women at the end of summer or in fall.

Whenever the shops bring in clothing for the upcoming season, they need to make room for it. As such, they’ll try to clear out older stock and discount it handsomely. This can be a fantastic way to pick up items for much less than usual. You can also visit a site like https://www.hoteudeals.com if you wish to get more discounts and coupons.

Maintain Your Clothing

Another tip is to ensure you take good care of what you already own. You won’t have to buy too much that’s new if you keep the things already in your closet maintained. Sew buttons back on or replace zippers as need be, and be gentle when you wash pieces, especially the more fragile ones.

Avoid popping things in the tumble dryer if you can help it, and don’t over-wash goods, either. You may also be able to patch clothing with holes in it or take some stained or temperamental garments to dry cleaners for a more thorough cleaning, steaming, or other care.

Rent or Borrow Special Fashion Items

If you have a special occasion coming up, such as a hot date, wedding to attend, graduation, 21^st birthday do, corporate party, or the like, it’s natural to want to go out and buy something new to wear. However, this won’t save you money and can just mean you end up with items in your closet that you hardly ever wear because they’re too formal.

Instead of outlaying money on something new, what about renting it instead? There are many excellent fashion rental firms these days. You can go online and search designer threads and accessories that are available to rent for a specified time. Going down this path enables you to save significant money, be kinder to the planet by buying less clothing, and have fun wearing and using different pieces every so often.

Alternatively, see if you can borrow a dress or other gear from a friend or family member. You might like to set up clothes swaps, too, as a way of expanding your wardrobe without hurting your bank account balance. But if you really are short on your budget and is in dire need of cash, there are tons of ways which you can earn right now.

Some other ideas for reducing your fashion spend in 2022 include shopping in thrift stores and at garage sales, learning to mend and make your own pieces, and buying for your actual, current body shape and size, rather than what you wish you were. It isn’t as hard as you may think to spend a lot less on fashion every year, provided you commit and then see it through.

The post Tips for Reducing Your Fashion Spend in 2022 appeared first on Eco-Chick.

The beauty of kaftans is their versatility—you can wear them in almost any style and with nearly any outfit.

Have you just bought your kaftan from Kaftko or any other store, and you would love to wear it with a pair of jeans?

Here is how to wear a kaftan with jeans:

Go for fit slim jeans

The key to looking good with jeans is to choose jeans with a slim fit. Great options are cigarette pants, skinny jeans, and cropped pedal pusher jeans.

When it comes to the color of the jeans, the world is literary your oyster, but you need to ensure that the color complements your kaftan.

You will find most people wearing their kaftans with white jeans as they add a light, bright and summery feel. But you don’t have to limit yourself to these as plenty of other colors are available.

There are black and blue jeans that are universal classics, and they coordinate with almost anything. If you aren’t sure about the right color to go with, these are the ones to go for.

For that great look, wear your jeans with a slightly larger kaftan. If you are concerned that this might add too much width and bulk to your frame, replace your flat sandals or pumps with leg-lengthening wedges.

You can also wear shoes in nude shades that will make your legs look longer and leaner, complimenting any kaftan color and pattern.

Besides wearing your kaftan with jeans, there are plenty of other ways you can wear it. Some of these ways include: wearing the kaftan with leggings, a belt, a short kaftan, and in winter.

How to wear a kaftan with leggings

Leggings are more comfortable than jeans, so you can stay in them for a long time.

While leggings are great, they are best suited for casual events, so avoid wearing them to formal events.

The key to looking good with leggings is to keep it simple. If the leggings are a color or pattern you wouldn’t wear as tights, don’t wear them.

Like jeans, always wear tight-fitting leggings. Avoid looser leggings as they risk making you look saggy. The only time you should wear the loose leggings is when wearing an extremely loose, flowing kaftan, and in such a case, ensure that the kaftan and leggings match in style and fabric, as it’s the case with Punjabi suits.

You can wear leggings with kaftans of different sizes, so whether you have a short, mid-length, or long kaftan, you are good to go.

Although leggings under your kaftan are stylish and beautiful, avoid wearing them to an evening event as they look out of place.

If going out on a hot summer night, you are better off going bare-legged rather than wearing leggings.

You also should avoid wearing leggings with your kaftans to a cocktail or any other semi-formal event.

As mentioned above, keep your leggings simple. Even if you wear leggings to a casual event, always save the livelier patterns for the kaftan and go for neutral-colored leggings such as black and navy blue.

If you want to show off your wild leggings, wear them under a pair of shorts or tunic. Not under a kaftan.

How to wear a kaftan with a belt

Adding a belt to a kaftan is an excellent way to add a structured look. When you cinch up the kaftan fabric with a stylish belt, you create a more defined silhouette that is beautiful and inviting.

Like with the leggings and jeans, always wear plain, simple belts when wearing colored kaftans.

If you don’t have a belt, you can always use your scarf or any other belt-looking accessories.

How to wear a short kaftan

Most kaftans are long, but if you love wearing short outfits, there is nothing wrong with wearing a short kaftan.

To look the best with the short kaftan, choose the right length. As a rule of thumb, avoid an outfit that is too short.

An ideal length is right below your fingertips when you rest your arms on either side. Don’t go shorter than this.

Remember that a kaftan of the right length is not only comfortable, but also complements your body, giving you an inviting look.

When wearing a short accessory, your legs are your biggest accessory, so let them be the center of attention by keeping the rest of the accessories minimal and straightforward.

When it comes to shoes, stay away from high heels as they make it harder to walk, doubling your stress, as you have to worry about the short dress and the risk of tipping or falling over.

The elevated heel height also gives the impression of an even shorter dress, making you even more uncomfortable.

Go for comfy flats or sneakers to have an easier time and look beautiful. If you have to wear heels, go for smaller heels such as kitten heels.

How to wear a kaftan in winter

Although kaftans look summery and most people wear them then, you can always wear yours in winter. At this time, the aim is to look good and remain warm.

And the cool thing is that with proper styling and teaming with the right accessories, you can have that perfect warm winter look.

The quickest way to add warmth to your kaftan is to pick up a scarf. Wear a scarf made from wool or a knit-based textile for maximum warmth. The scarf should have colors that blend with or are present in the kaftan’s color tone to avoid looking out of place.

You can add a pair of thick stockings and if the kaftan is short, add a pair of jeans. While you can wear any jeans color, black jeans often look the best.

Throw on a coat, jacket, gloves, and a beanie for those extra bitter days. And for the super chilly days, wear a thermal singlet underneath. You can’t see through the kaftan, so you discreetly keep your body nice and toasty through the silk.

The post How to Wear a Kaftan with Jeans appeared first on Eco-Chick.

In a surprising move, the Swedish Fashion Council recently canceled Stockholm Fashion Week in the name of sustainability. Think about it: Fashion weeks the world over consume an incredible amount of resources, racking up the greenhouse gas emissions as fashion insiders convene to check out new collections in cities around the world. 

“If the industry should have a chance to survive together with the planet, it must self-disrupt. Sticking your head in the sand does not make the problem go away, neither does the traditional Fashion Week format. In order to make the transformation towards becoming sustainable, the industry needs support, new tools, and platforms that extend across industries as well as national borders,” said Jennie Rosén, CEO of Swedish Fashion Council, at the time of the cancellation, in a statement.

Yes, it’s a very, very bold move. But it’s time for bold moves—we have no time to waste in correcting some of the damage done to the planet (remember those effects, from rising seas to less fresh water will be felt more intensively by the people on the planet with less, which is unjust).

In lieu of a fashion week, Sweden instead held the 1st Annual Sustainability Forum at The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in New York,which included an eclectic mix of sustainably-oriented Swedish brands and innovations.

The evening began with a mix and mingle segment in a room dotted with products made by local artisans from northern Sweden’s Lapland region featuring metal work by Erica Huuva, outdoor hot bathtubs by Hikki, hand-made hats by Catharina Carlsson Millinery, and more.

The forum began with a nod to the strong business partnership between the United States and Sweden. Sweden is a huge hub within the innovation realm, second to Silicon Valley in unicorn companies produced (Spotify was one of them!).

Anna Throne-Holst, President of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that “sustainability is good business,” leading the theme of the evening. Stockholm boasts a thriving fashion district, featuring 150 showrooms open 365 days a year. The Swedes themselves are mainly informed consumers putting their money where their heart is and demanding that companies make a positive contribution.

The forum’s panel featured representatives from brands Fjallraven Kanken, House of Dagmar, Nudie Jeans, H&M, and Gudrun Sjödén. Country Manager for the US and Canada of Nudie Jeans, Corey Spencer, emphasized the importance of consumer habits gravitating towards convenience as the main avenue when shopping and companies needing to absorb this psychological preference. Emily Scarlett, Head of Communications and PR for H&M USA, noted that “fashion should never be a question of price” with the aim of H&M trickling sustainability into the affordable marketplace.

A common theme of the event centered around the importance of technology in innovating the sustainable fashion realm. Companies Spindye, a dying method using less water and chemicals, and Circulose by re:newcell, a fiber made from recycled cellulose pulp, prove that new technology has a great influence on creating a greener fashion landscape with recycling efforts.

Jennie Rosén, CEO of the Swedish Fashion Council, told ID Magazine, “We need to put the past to rest and to stimulate the development of a platform that is relevant for today’s fashion industry … [and] support brands in their development of next-generation fashion experiences. By doing this we can adapt to new demands, reach sustainability goals and be able to set new standards for fashion.”

The post Stockholm Fashion Week Canceled—for the Planet appeared first on Eco-Chick.

Raise your hand if you, like me, have ever scrolled through your Instagram feed and all-but-drooled over photos of epic scenery in the far reaches of the world. Don’t be shy, I too am raising my hand. 

Now raise your hand if you’ve ever dreamed of quitting your day job, ditching the fluorescent-lit-office life and business clothes, and traveling to some of those epic destinations for a living. Again, my hand is raised!

Meet Coach Cass 

Enter Cassandra Nuamah (Cass). She may not be able to help you with ditching that gawd-awful cubicle and if you also need translation services you can use legal translations by Espresso Translations for working on your projects, definitely get you some prime photo-ops to juice up that humdrum instagram feed of yours! Cass, along with her mother, is the co-founder and co-owner of ‘Africa With Us’, a travel company that curates group tours to countries within the African continent. 

When I first met Cass back in 2014, she was curating annual trips to only one location: the country of Ghana in West Africa. Now, almost six years later, her tour business has grown to include several more destinations: Morocco, Zambia,Tanzania, and Kenya, to name only a few. 

How did Cass expand her business exponentially within just five years? One phenomenon that may have helped is that past participants return and book multiple tours with the company year after year. During a recent chat, I asked Cass to share with me some insights about starting a travel company as a woman of color, and how the Africa with Us travel experience is unique. 

The Africa With Us Experience 

“It’s the community aspect of the experience,” Cass tells me. That’s what makes the Africa With Us travel experience so special. “It’s about US. ‘Us’ meaning: Travel with Us, Eat with Us, Be one of Us. We’re like a family when we’re out there. Always having fun.”

In five years, she’d like to expand her tour business to include at least 25 more locations within the continent of Africa. “You know most Americans only know about five countries in [Sub-Saharan] Africa? Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Ethiopia. But there are so many more countries than that! I guess it kind of makes sense” Cass says, “since most Africans probably wouldn’t be able to name all of the American states, either. It’s just different cultural reference points.”

Inspiration

Fittingly dubbed “Coach Cass” for her fitness and wellness-centric brand, Cass is not only a travel guide and business owner but also a certified fitness coach and nutrition expert who trains with the best SARMs stack for bulking. Cass, who has been teaching dance since college, learned the craft from her mother.  “She’s a legend,” Cass gushes.

Cass’s mom, Kukuwa, founded a self-named dance movement over 30 years ago. “I was actually born while my mother was dancing. [She went into labor] while she was teaching a class.” When Cass travels she incorporates elements of fitness into the tour’s daily itinerary. Whether it be through a Kukuwa dance morning workout or a 5k that Cass recently ran while traveling through

*Kukuwa in Swahili (Kukua) means “to be” and in the Ghanian tribal language  means “born on Wednesday.”

Travel Stories 

I asked Cass about her favorite place to visit. “It’s hard because I have a favorite thing in every place I visit. But if we’re talking Africa specifically, I’d have to say my favorite in terms of beaches and beauty are the Seychelles and Zanzibar.”

For food Cass prefers Ghana “no place like home” and her favorite safari is Chobe National Park in Botswana. She loves Durban, South Africa for day party vibes and tells me that Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Uganda are the best for dance, fitness and community service. 

As for her most memorable moment: “dancing with over 500 Zambian children in the village. [It brought] unexplainable joy to my soul.”

The Return

This year, Africa With Us has teamed up with Girltrek, an organization spearheading a health movement with the mission of inspiring women to exercise by taking daily walks. The two companies, will host a series of journeys designed to trace the transatlantic slave trade.

“Girltrek is taking 150 Black women on an epic journey across the African Diaspora to learn the healing traditions of our foremothers,” reads Girltrek’s website. This year marks 400 years since the first African woman was enslaved. For Girltrek and Africa With Us this epic and tragic anniversary is an opportunity to revisit African history in a meaningful way.

The women-only journeys start this November when the first group will touch down in Ghana. Soon after tours to Kingston, Jamaica; Bahia, Brazil; Savannah, Georgia and the Gullah Sea Islands; and New Orleans, Louisiana will take place. Each tour has space for 25 women and will be led by Coach Cass herself.

Advice for Travel Entrepreneurs

Cass didn’t finish our interview up without imparting a bit of wisdom for those of us with entrepreneurial ambitions. If you’re looking to take your first steps into either business ownership or the travel industry Cass has some wisdom to share:

First start with what you know; if you know a country start there. Plan an informal trip with family and friends at the beginning, advises Cass.

When someone tells you it’s not possible it’s only because it’s not possible for them, not for you. Keep going!

Don’t talk about your plans. Instead, write them down and make actual schedules to make them real.

Always remember your ‘why’ when you get discouraged, because you will get discouraged.

Find your strengths and do that/those thing(s) well. Then, delegate your weak areas to others that you know can do those things well.

It meant a lot for me to be able to pick Cass’ brain for all the better part of an hour. I’ve admired her for a long time. I mean, to me anyone who’s doing what they love EVERY DAY is definitively Living the Dream. And is, therefore, aspirational.

I hung up the phone from my interview with Coach Cass feeling fully motivated and empowered. Her story rekindled a bit of the ‘entrepreneur’ fire in me; stay tuned to see what it brings about! 

The post Meet Coach Cass, the Millennial Face of African travel appeared first on Eco-Chick.

Te Awa Tupua [Whanganui River Claims Settlement] is an indivisible and living whole, comprising the Whanganui River from the mountains to the sea, incorporating all its physical and metaphysical elements.

Te Awa Tupua  [Whanganui River Claims Settlement] is a spiritual and physical entity that supports and sustains both the life and natural resources within the Whanganui River and the health and well-being of the iwi, hapū, [Māori tribes] and other communities of the River.

Te Awa Tupua [Whanganui River Claims Settlement] is a singular entity comprised of many elements and communities, working collaboratively for the common purpose of the health and well-being of Te Awa Tupua. 

The iwi and hapū  [Māori tribes] of the Whanganui River have an inalienable connection with, and responsibility to, Te Awa Tupua and its health and well-being.

— Te Awa Tupua [Whanganui River Claims Settlement] Act 2017

With these words, something remarkable happened. New Zealand was the first country to enshrine into law that a river is a living being. On March 20, 2017, Parliament passed legislation declaring that Te Awa Tupua — or Whanganui river — is an indivisible, living whole, and henceforth possesses “all the rights, powers, duties, and liabilities” of a legal person. Not long after,  820 square miles of forests, lakes, and rivers—a former national park known as Te Urewera—also gained legal personhood based on this precedent. Then came the mountain named Taranaki who became the third geographical location to become a person.

So is a river, mountain or a rainforest really a living entity and entitled to a set of legal rights?

According to the Māori tribes of Whanganui, New Zealand, certain forests, rivers and mountains are considered ancestors and Whānau, or family members. And just as New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote, it’s also the first country to grant personhood to the land and bodies of water. 

“We have fought to find an approximation in law so that all others can understand that from our perspective treating the river as a living entity is the correct way to approach it, as in indivisible whole, instead of the traditional model for the last 100 years of treating it from a perspective of ownership and management” said Gerrard Albert, who led the negotiations for the Whanganui iwi [tribe].

This acknowledgement of indigenous people’s relationship to nature means if someone harms their sacred land, it is legally the same as harming the tribe.

I can’t help but wonder: in the face of our ecological crisis, is this a model that should be adopted elsewhere? 

It’s starting to happen.

Four days after New Zealand granted legal status to the Whanganui River, the high court in India’s northern Uttarakhand state said the Ganges and its longest tributary, the Yamuna will have personhood, which includes protections against its mistreatment and being parties to disputes. 

Apparently, the Indian court looked to the example of the Whanganui in New Zealand as a case study for these two rivers held sacred by millions of Hindus.  

Then, astoundingly, earlier this year on March 4th 2019, voters in Toledo, Ohio passed the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, granting the body of water the same rights as a U.S. citizen. This measure was taken to the ballot box after the Toledo water crisis, where the cities residents were advised to stop drinking tap water for three days after chemical fertilizer runoff triggered toxic algae blooms in the lake and polluted the water source for 12 million people. 

According to The Hill, the Lake Erie Bill of Rights aims to prevent similar incidents from happening again by allowing Toledo citizens to sue government or business entities on behalf of the water source. And according to the legislation, the Lake Erie ecosystem has the legal right “to exist, flourish and naturally evolve” without being harmed by human activity.

Supporters of the measure say the law is the first of its kind in the U.S. and will guarantee the body of water protection from significant environmental harm.

These ideas have begun to take root with the Rights of Nature Movement spreading across the globe to other countries including Bolivia and El Salvador where courts and lawmakers have also granted ecosystems legal standing. Leading the way for this movement was Ecuador — the first country to recognize the right for nature to “exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles”, along with the people having the legal authority to enforce these rights on its behalf and the ecosystem itself being named the defendant. 

This is really exciting news! But the question becomes, will these measures hold up in a courtroom? Will nature be able to sue humans for the damage they inflict?

In the case of Lake Erie, so far, the answer is no.

In May earlier this year, just two months after the ballot measure was passed, a federal judge in Ohio said that he would not allow Lake Erie to participate in a lawsuit filed by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce to challenge a law Toledo residents passed to protect the lake’s ecosystem.

According to The Intercept, business advocates — primarily the fossil fuel giant BP, which has fracking interests in the state — spent more than $300,000 to campaign against the Lake Erie Bill of Rights prior to its passage in Toledo.

In another case of courts ruling in the favor of corporate interests over democracy, U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary wrote that the request to let the lake’s ecosystem into a federal lawsuit was “unusual” and “meritless.”

So while corporations in the United States are granted personhood, I can’t help but wonder: Why can’t the Earth?

In 1972 the law professor Christopher Stone published a groundbreaking article, Should Trees Have Standing? He explored the possibility of recognizing the legal rights of nature and compared how women and slaves did not originally have rights under the law. He suggested that just as they eventually had to attain rights for society to be just, so should trees and other nonhuman living beings. 

And in the wake of burning rainforests, collapsing glaciers, and decapitated mountains, I believe it’s time we enter a new paradigm shift that places nature over profits and grants it the right to exist.

The post These Rivers, Mountains, and Lakes Are Getting Legal Rights: It’s About Time appeared first on Eco-Chick.