Sensible Threads

Since media outlets today are filled with 420 statuses and various marijuana references, I figured now would be the best time to introduce the idea of sustainable threads.

We can make so many aspects of our lives sustainable; food, means of transportation, bringing a cloth bag to the supermarket (or better yet, farmer's market!). So why not switch to more sustainable clothing? I'm talking about hemp, kids. No matter what your views are on the the uses of marijuana, there is no denying the benefits of using hemp to make clothing and other products. It is one of the most renewable resources that can be found on the planet. Clothing made from hemp is not only easy to care for but is durable and will last a lot longer than that Abercrombie polyester blend shirt. Hemp can be grown without the aid of pesticides and is able to yield a wide variety of products, unlike other natural fibers. It is a fuel in two senses: hemp is nutritional, high in proteins and amino acids and on a larger scale, could be used to solve the energy crisis.

Of course, if it was legal to grow in the United States. I am not going to use the remainder of this post to rant about legalization but it is something to consider. If hemp was to be a regulated crop in this country, we could significantly lower our dependency on imported goods while doing much less damage to the environment. Legalization would also mean that hemp clothing becomes more readily available and at a lower cost (I think people would be much more willing to buy it if it didn't cost $40 for a t-shirt, don't you?). That is not to say that hemp would dominate the sustainable fiber market; organic cotton is beginning to appear in many stores and though more expensive than a typical factory-brand cotton shirt, it does cost a little less than a hemp shirt. Legalizing would simply broaden the domestic market, giving Americans more options while helping their country, environmentally and economically.

Some of my personal favorite hemp products include lotion and perfume, and I met a girl on the bus today who loves her hemp messenger bag. I've listed some links under the images to hemp clothing stores and to some informational sites. For those who are into that sort of thing, enjoy the rest of your day and crank up that Bob Marley ;)

The Hempest
Vote Hemp
Legalize

Reclaiming Yourself

 Empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social, or economic strength of individuals and communities. It often involves the empowered developing confidence in their own capacities. (Thanks Wiki!)

In this hectic world, it is easy to lose ourselves. We find ourselves getting caught up in mundane things, mass media, and of course the messiness of our own lives. Sometimes we need to take a step back, let everything go, and pay attention to the self. Why is this my first blog post in over a month? Answer: Because I have let myself get wrapped up in classes, college drama, and difficulties at home. Something needed to change in my life, and maybe something needs to change in your life too. The following five things have helped me get my head back on my shoulders and find my inner self. I'm dedicating this week to self-empowerment and here are the steps I am taking.

1. Yoga

There is no better way to clear your mind and strengthen both your physical and mental self. Yoga challenges the student and brings focus back to the body. I personally have started taking heated or "hot" yoga classes, which allows me to truly reconnect with myself. There is no better feeling than sweating out the emotional (worries, anxieties) and physical (all the bad things we consume). Yoga Finder is a great website that lists all the studios in your area and it's how I found my little sanctuary.

2. Reading

There is nothing more relaxing than a good book. When I'm really feeling down or just need a boost in confidence, I usually pick up one the Toltec Wisdom books. They're short, easy to read, but pack a big message. Of course, any read that you find inspirational will have you back on your feet and ready to take on the world in no time.


3. Picking up an old hobby

Nobody knows you better than yourself, so why not pick up something that you know you love and have not done in a long time? You may be a little rusty, but practicing will only make you better. As skill and confidence grow, you will feel as though there is a new light shining inside you.

4. A healthy meal

It's hard to eat right every single day, especially when schedules get packed. We run ourselves down, filling up on fast food, snacks or skipping meals all together. Even a strict vegan can manage to add some pretty unhealthy things to their diet. Take the time to make a full, balanced meal or go out to your favorite veg restaurant that packs their meals with fresh organic ingredients filled with the vitamins and minerals your body is craving. You will feel refreshed and energized and your body will thank you. (Pictured here is my favorite restaurant, Life Alive. They currently have two locations, Cambridge and Lowell MA).

5. Sleep

Let's face it, most things can be cured by a full night of sleep. Why wait until you are sick to catch up on sleep? Dedicate at least one night a week to a full rest, no interruptions. Turn the cell phone off, make sure no light can get into the room, and let your body go through its natural cycle. When your body tells you to wake up naturally (not by an alarm clock or annoying phone call), you will be happily surprised. The mind will be sharp, and the body will be willing to get up and go. You will enjoy the day so much more, and have a much more positive outlook.

Sensible Listening

I cannot live without music. No matter where I am or what I am doing, I need music to be playing (probably because there was never a moment growing up that I did not hear some kind of folk-rock band being played throughout the house). Most people are content with little iPod ear buds, while others go for the over-sized headphones that are a mass of plastic and other non-biodegradable parts and packaging. I essentially stopped listening to my iPod unless it was hooked up to a dock or speaker system, since those little buds did nothing except leave me with an earache, and I really did not want to walk around campus with a massive headset on.

That is, until this Christmas. I got these little guys:

Definitely one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received. Produced by a company called Timbre Sound, these thinksound ts02+ ear buds are not only compact and comfortable, but they sound fantastic and are eco-friendly. They're 8mm high definition and have noise isolation and a pause/play control, which is great for when I'm in an office setting. Oh yea, and they are made out of wood! The packaging is from recycled cardboard, so just pop it into the recycling bin if you don't want to keep it.

Here is a statement from the company, printed on the back of the box.

"Sound with a Conscience: thinksound (TM)  began with a simple goal; to create incredible sounding headphones with the smallest eco-footprint possible.Our headphones are made of real wood, creating a more natural resonance and unaparalleled acoustics. We choose as many renewable resources and recyclable materials as we can to minimize our overall environmental impact."

Now, you are probably wondering how they actually sound. Does a sensible product sacrifice quality sound? No! These headphones have a fantastic sound that is in part due to the interchangeable ear pieces. The package comes with four sizes, xlarge to small. I tried all of them before deciding on which ear insert I wanted. The best fit creates the best sound for the listener and since they are made from silicone, it won't hurt to keep them in for as long as you want. The package also includes a cotton carrying pouch to keep the little guys safe during travel and transport.

The only thing I cannot tell you is how much they cost, since they were a gift. They were ordered on-line, so I'm sure the Google could find them for you. Definitely look into it and make your listening into sensible listening.

Information and Inspiration

Tonight I thought I would share with you my two favorite magazines: FOCUS, put out by the World Wildlife Fund and allanimals by The Humane Society.

FOCUS updates readers wild animals and the environment, how they are threatened and what is being done in the world of conservation. It's a fairly small publication, but the quick-hit stories and articles make it not only accessible but an easy read that is packed with information. I just received the January/February issue (shown here) and I cannot read up on a year in tiger conservation. You can get this publication by becoming a member of WWF (min donation of $15).


Allanimals focuses more on domestic and farm animals, although they usually have at least one article about an issue involving their wild counterparts. There are informational article, stories that will make you angry, and many that will make you cry, but there are also a good amount of inspirational stories (usually involving a homeless animal finding a good home or pets rescued from a devastating situation). This publication can both make the reader despise and love what humans can do with animals, which is a powerful trait for any media source.

One story from allanimals in the January/February issue (not shown) really opened my eyes to something I had no idea about (and honestly, I am very ashamed that I was clueless about this, but I suppose life is about learning)...the saltwater aquarium fish industry. I had no idea that these poor fish are being harvested in mass quantities, inhumanely, and die at such rapid rates. I own a freshwater tropical tank, and those fish are captive-bred. I have considered starting a salt tank, but now that this issue has been brought to my attention, I doubt I could even look at a saltwater fish in the pet store without feeling like a terrible person. I have one close friend who has a salt tank and many of her fish are very expensive and die within a month. Now I know why. I plan to give her the article, in hopes that once all the fish have passed, she will consider converting the tank to a freshwater. There are so many gorgeous freshwater tropical fish out there and most people can easily breed them themselves, which quickly populates a tank. Plus freshwater fish are much more inexpensive. This just goes to show that everyone needs to do research before they bring any kind of animal into their home.

There are so many other great animal welfare publications out there, and I hope to get my hands on some of them soon. Feel free to send any suggestions my way!

Kentucky-Fried Tofu

Since I thought up the idea for a blog of this nature while cooking a tofu dinner, I figured it would only be appropriate to post the recipe. Anyone who is veg hopefully knows both the environmental and personal benefits of refraining from animal consumption. This dish is a play on the American "classic" KFC, but entirely animal and cruelty-free. Plus, it is ten times healthier for you that any of that fast-food junk. The original recipe comes from The Kripalu Cookbook. 

Original Recipe
2 pounds firm tofu, rinsed, drained, and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
1/2 cup tamari
1 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 cup cornmeal or unbleached white flour
2-3 tablespoons canola oil

Amy's Version
2 pounds Nasoya cubed tofu, extra firm
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
3 tablespoons sesame oil

Mix the nutritional yeast (which is named this for a reason, it is packed with protein and vitamins!) and flour in a large bowl. Pour the soy sauce into a separate bowl. Once you have the tofu cut or pre-cubed, marinate the slices in the soy sauce until they turn a brownish color. At the same time, heat a large skillet and sesame oil on medium heat. Take the tofu out of the sauce with a slotted spoon or tongs and  place into the yeast-flour mix. Entirely coat the tofu in the mix, then again with a slotted spoon or tongs place the tofu onto the skillet. Cook the tofu until the yeast has turned a golden-brown, occasionally adding more of the yeast mix into the skillet. The idea is to create a crispy outside and soft inside.

With this, I had  homemade mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. I wish I took photos, but as soon as it was ready my dad (who is not a veg, by the way) and I just had to eat it up. It was delish, but don't take my word for it, try it out!