Conscious Living: What's on the Radar this week?
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL:
fair fashion that's caught our eye
Made to order in the USA (which means no leftover stock) and yet available in only 2 weeks from order, this incredibly graceful evening gown from Orgotton has a special secret. The top can be tied in 5 different styles, including strapless, one shoulder, cross-back and this fabulous twisted-back detail. From one of our favourite ethical boutiques (who only stock vegan goodies, BTW - double fab), Los Angeles based Bead & Reel. (Global shipping available.)
SOMETHING NEW TO TRY: natural, cruelty-free beauty find
Discovered during our recent interview with natural-beauty makeup artist Liv Lundelius (which you can read here ), we were delighted to discover her own favourite cruelty-free, natural cosmetics. Amongst them was this Ageless Serum from Edible Beauty Australia, a small Sydney-based company who pledge that their products are so good, you can eat them. While we aren't planning on serving up moisturiser on our scones anytime soon, we love the idea that as the body's largest organ, the skin needs to be nourished and not poisoned with chemicals which are absorbed and ingested into the rest of the body. After all, if we don't want to eat artificial preservatives and synthetic plasticisers, why should we make our skin eat it?
SOMETHING DELICIOUS: wholefoods, plant-based
We're feeling inspired by the bakery windows in France, and can't wait to make the colourful zucchini & tomato tarts that we saw in Paris and Aix-en-Provence, but in a more animal-friendly version without butter. Here's a recipe we found that looks so colourful, and derives its flavour from good-quality, fresh veggies, without the need for dairy :
Is it a work of art or something deliciously nourishing? We think it's both, and reckon that Canberra's vegan foodie blogger Rainbow Nourishment has outdone herself with this beauty. Click here for the recipe.
SOMETHING EXCITING: vegan lifestyle news
New Mayor in Turin, Italy, puts Vegan and Vegetarian high on the priority list
The new mayor of Turin has provoked much debate with her decision to make vegan diets a priority in the northern Italian city over the next five years.
Chiara Appendino, who defeated the incumbent Democrat Piero Fassino in June, belongs to anti-establishment party, Five Star Movement which was founded by Italian comic Beppe Grillo in 2009 and has come out of nowhere to become what appears to be a dominant force in Italian politics.
The party's 62-page manifesto stated: 'The promotion of vegan and vegetarian diets is a fundamental act in safeguarding our environment, the health of our citizens and the welfare of our animals.'
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: is it time for an ethical city?
We were incredibly smitten with the Eco-credentials of Edinburgh on our recent trip there, and one of the places we fell in love with, was the much-admired Botanic Garden, which showcases the importance of plants to our healthy future. As populations rise, and housing becomes more dense, the role that gardens such as this play, in creating healthy spaces, cannot be underestimated.
Globally, there is intense discussion about the future of urban life through the World Urban Campaign. The central proposition is that:
… the battle for a more sustainable future will be won or lost in cities.
Presumably, this is predicated on the fact that 54% of the world’s people live in cities, where 70% of global GDP is generated. By 2050 the urban population will have risen to 66%.
In parallel, following the Paris climate agreement, major cities are committing to measures designed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The poster for this campaign should read “Coming to your city soon".
It is clear 2016 will be the “urban year” as the global community prepares for the Habitat III summit in Quito, Ecuador, this October.