When the weather gets cold, it’s natural to want to boost your body heat with delicious food. But this doesn’t have to pile on the pounds! Here are some tips to choosing heat-generating foods to keep you cosy this winter.

1. Whole Grains

Foods such as brown rice, oats and brown bread help to create warmth in the body because they are complex carbohydrates. These are essential to fuel your body when it’s cold, but they also contain B Vitamins and selenium. Such nutrients help to keep your thyroid and adrenal glands working well.

2. Soya

This is a great source of protein for vegetarians that should form part of your eating plan. Soya helps to raise blood pressure and keep the body feeling warm during the colder months. It’s nutritious and also comforting because it’s filling.

3. Soup

Of course hot soup is a great way to make you zap cold from your body, but it also has that comforting element to it which helps to warm you psychologically. Make soups more nutritious and delicious by adding croutons and vegetables to them. The more nutrients the better as you’ll also be warding off colds and flu that go around in winter.

4. Spices and Ginger

Sprinkle cinnamon on your cereal or soy milk for a soothing treat. Throwing some pepper onto your pumpkin soup can also add some zing to it. Spices help to boost your metabolism and generate body heat. Another winter must is ginger. It is hailed for helping to beat conditions such as nausea, but it also generates heat in the body. Make a delicious ginger and honey tea to replace highly caffeinated drinks that dehydrate your body of water.

5. Get More Iron

Foods that are rich in iron, such as leafy green vegetables, help your body to make the thyroid hormone which stimulates heat production. Add spinach, asparagus and broccoli to your soups, stir fries and baked vegetable dishes.

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On 25 May, 2013, Open Streets Cape Town will launch its programme for an Open Streets network in Cape Town to help connect different communities, encourage residents to use alternative and environmentally sustainable modes of transport, support local businesses and expose people to healthy and creative ways of using streets as public space.

Inspired in Bogota’s Ciclovia and projects in other cities like San Francisco and Jakarta, the aim of Open Streets is to enable all citizens to move and use streets freely and safely. The concept has been implemented in approximately one hundred cities around the world and it entails the creation of a temporary network of car-free areas and routes. Lower Main Road – between Main Road and Albert Road – is the first leg of an envisaged network throughout Cape Town.

As one of its strongest supporters, Mayoral Committee member for Transport, Road and Stormwater Councillor Brett Herron says “Open Streets can assist in the creation of a low carbon future through the promotion of more sustainable forms of transport.  Also, taking cars out of Lower Main for a number of hours will allow people to foster relationships with their neighbours, which means increased community cohesion and improved safety.”

The event is free and activities planned for the day include a skateboarding park, bicycle activation points, Zumba and yoga lessons, theatre, music busking and arts installations. Moreover, residents have organised a family ‘corner’ with braai and games for kids; street football, giant chess, puppets, folk circle dancing, chalk-drawing and more.

According to Justin Ashley, chairman of the Observatory Improvement District “residents want to have a more pedestrian-friendly space on Lower Main Road and Open Streets is an opportunity for all to experience what that would be like. Besides, it will be a good opportunity for local businesses and for residents of Obs and Salt River to interact”

Open Streets is linking to other activities taking place on May 25; namely Africa Day, the Moonlight Mass monthly bicycle ride and “100 in 1 day”, which is a global movement to encourage people to utilize public space in creative ways.

The City of Cape Town supports the roll out of this programme as part of its policy for alternative transport as well as the agenda for the World Design Capital in 2014.

Watch the video below for more on Open Streets Cape Town and follow them on twitter @openstreetsCT for updates.

Watch this video on YouTube.

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Fairtrade, The WORLD’S MOST RECOGNIZED ETHICAL LABEL IS A GROWING FOOD TREND IN SA

In 2012 the sale of Fairtrade food products in South Africa reached a record high of R234 million, a 220% increase from 2011’s R73.2 million. For the third year in a row South African consumers and businesses have chosen Fairtrade as their preferred sustainability choice, making the world’s most recognised ethical food label a growing trend in South Africa too.

In 2012 Fairtrade coffee, wine and now chocolate are the leading sales categories of Fairtrade in South Africa:

• With the introduction of three new Fairtrade coffees last year, Ciro, Woolworths and Espresseco’s coffee capsules, the flagship product for Fairtrade globally is on a steep rise in South Africa. Last year shoppers bought over 120 tons of Fairtrade coffee with an estimated value of R30 million, a 167% increase from 2011;
• South Africans drank 410,000 bottles of Fairtrade wine with an estimated value of R23 million, a 60% increase from 2011;
• and 2117 tons of Fairtrade chocolate was consumed by South Africans in 2012, mainly through the sale of Cadbury Dairy Milk plain chocolate bars.

Fairtrade coffee and chocolate are core product categories internationally; unique to the South African market however is Fairtrade wine as leading product category.  As the biggest Fairtrade wine producing country, this translates into additional benefits for South African farm workers, who not only benefit from better working and living conditions, but also from the Fairtrade Development Premium, which is generated through sales of Fairtrade products. Research conducted in April 2013 concerning the spending of the premium during 2012 shows that investments in community development, education and infrastructure are the priority for South African farm workers.

“The steep increase in sales can be credited to both the increased awareness of Fairtrade among South African consumers and the growth in the number of certified products available on retail shelves and in the hospitality space”, says Boudewijn Goossens, Executive Director of Fairtrade Label South Africa. He continues “Increased sales of Fairtrade products have far-reaching benefits for the producers and their communities. On behalf of all the small-scale farmers and farm workers throughout Africa we wish to congratulate South Africa for choosing Fairtrade and contributing to a more equal and sustainable Africa.”

In addition to the introduction of new coffees, various other Fairtrade product ranges were successfully introduced in 2012: PUMA’s Wilderness Collection made of Fairtrade cotton, a range of locally produced rooibos teas and olives from Palestine. With more exciting product introductions planned for 2013, the future for Fairtrade in South Africa looks positive.

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Not everyone feels happy during the colder months, and sometimes depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) strikes. Here are some natural ways to beat Seasonal Affective Disorder and bad moods.

Step Outside

Being stuck indoors can get anyone down, but we’re lucky to have the gorgeous sun making a regular appearance during winter. Get out there to top up on your Vitamin D which boosts your immune system. Just don’t forget the eco-friendly sunblock.

A bit of exercise while you’re outside will also boost your endorphins or ‘feel good’ hormones. A study by Canadian researchers has found that some depression may be linked to a vitamin D deficiency.

Have a Bit of Fun

Whether that means snuggling up with your partner in front of a feel-good movie, playing board games with friends or going out for some delicious warm beverages at Organic at Heart, there’s still fun to be had to lift your spirits.

Score Energy

It’s normal to want to hit that snooze button repeatedly during winter, but by eating foods such as fruits and vegetables you can keep your energy levels up. This also helps prevent colds and flu. Adding some complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, pasta and rice, to your diet is also a good way to sustain you throughout the day. Preventing bouts of hunger help you avoid bad moods and feeling under the weather.

Get a Makeover

Sometimes if you’re down, one of the best ways to feel better is to change your image. This doesn’t have to put a hole in your wallet or require lots of effort. Purchase an item of clothing that you wouldn’t ordinarily try, get a funky new haircut or pamper yourself with some organic skincare bath and skincare products from Meadow Sweet. This pampering boosts your mood and makes you feel invigorated to take control of your life. Be the sun in your life without letting winter get you down!

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Depending on whom you ask, H&M is either the problem or the solution for bringing sustainable fashion to the consumer. The Swedish retailer isn’t just any apparel firm, after all. When it comes perpetuating our culture of “fast fashion”—low-quality, inexpensive garments, churned out at a dizzying pace—H&M, with its more than 2,800 stores in 49 markets, is second only to Zara in terms of reach. But while H&M’s global influence isn’t a matter of debate, the company’s recent campaign to reposition itself as a bulwark of sustainability is far more controversial. Equally polarizing? H&M’s new, self-appointed role as ecological thought leader, which it parlayed last month into its first-ever “Conscious Talk” panel on the fashion industry’s role in creating a sustainable future.

The Conscious Talk video can be viewed here.

CONSCIOUS TALK

Hosted by Vogue at the Condé Nast auditorium in New York City, the roster of experts comprised Helena Helmersson, H&M’s global head of sustainability; Catarina Midby, H&M’s global head of fashion and sustainability communication; fashion consultant (and former Barneys fashion director) Julie Gilhart; Loomstate founder Scott Mackinlay Hahn; Honest By’s Bruno Pieters; and Ecouterre’s managing editor, Jasmin Malik Chua.

Key points we picked out from the discussion were the following:

• the customer is key to bringing about change when it comes to sustainable fashion
• your average customer doesn’t really care about the environment, they buy what makes them feel good and what’s easy therefore we need to make the “easy” purchase the “right” purchase; the more ethical and sustainable option.
• perhaps it’s not up to giant corporations to bring sustainable fashion to the market and instead the consumer who needs to demand ethical and sustainable fashion from the retailers. Retailers will sell what makes them the biggest profit after all…
• institutions should offer courses on sustainability and educate our future designers and buyers about the environment and making sustainable fashion choices. I like to think this is what we, at Live Eco, are encouraging with our annual Avant Garde dress competition
• do we need to embark on a fashion revolution?
• consumers have lost the art of mending items; purchases hold less value to consumers as a result of fast fashion
• consumer incentive programmes need to be created in order to encourage consumers to “buy conscious”
• change will depend on the conscious individuals

So what are the solutions?

Collins noted that all the answers to finding a sustainable future for fashion certainly wouldn’t be found at the panel, but it was a big step getting a company like H&M to start a conversation about sustainable fashion.

Chua offered up to the panel a real look at the challenge of bringing sustainable fashion to the masses. “People won’t always do the right thing,” she said, “but they’ll always do the easy thing. Our challenge is making the right thing the easy thing.”

Midby echoed the sentiment pre-panel that the idea of creating something like the Conscious Collection was to offer customers a better choice of fashion with the added value of sustainability. “Our sustainability work is very extensive but people come to us for fashion, so if we want to get the message out and start a dialogue, we need to work around fashion and the collection.”

Gilhart sees a more aggressive future. “Everyone will eventually be responsible for what they make or get fined,” she said.

Thanks to Greenpeace’s aggressive “Detox” campaign, many big brands including luxury names like Chanel and Prada who have been contributing to massive deforestation and water pollution, are getting negative attention to force them to change. Even popular outerwear brands including Patagonia and The North Face haven’t escaped scrutiny.

Mackinlay Hahn offered perhaps the best advice for a takeaway, “Know where the top 10 things you use everyday come from and that will start bringing you to a higher level of thinking when it comes to consuming,” he said. “Also meditate. You’ll soon feel a difference.”

Sage words from one of the more sustainable designers out there.

Via ecouterre.com

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It’s time to bring out your warm clothing and update your wardrobe with the latest winter fashion trends. This winter is all about chunky, comfortable sweaters, timeless pieces like camel coats that will last you many years, classy, sophisticated sports attire that is perfect for non-sporting environments and sweater dresses that allow you to be casual or formal while keeping warm. Take a look at our favourite winter fashion trends from runways around the world.

Chunky-knit cardigans

Instead of the traditional tighter, form-fitting cardigan sweaters, this winter is all about loose, comfortable cardigans that look like you grabbed them straight out of your boyfriend’s closet before heading out the door. We’ve seen chunky knit cardigans going down many winter runways and we know they are here to stay, and not to mention a must-have item in order to keep you warm and cosy during the winter months.

Camel coats

A camel coat is a necessary staple in your winter wardrobe. Camel is timeless, and a good camel coat will keep you warm and in style for many years to come. It’s also versatile and able to be worn with blacks, browns, greys, navies and many other colours. Keep it casual during the day when you pair a camel coat with jeans, then dress it up at night by pairing it with dress slacks or your favourite evening dress.

Sophisticated sports attire

You probably never thought that classy sports attire could double as evening wear, but the latest winter fashions have proven that indeed it can. Sleek black riding boots that are comfortable to walk in can easily be substituted for boots with a high, uncomfortable heel. Pair them with flattering leggings and a chic turtleneck, and you’ve got the perfect outfit for a night out with friends. Best of all, this look is comfortable, classy and easy to assemble.

Sweater dresses

Versatile, comfortable and warm, sweater dresses are a must-have for your wardrobe this winter. They come in a wide variety of different lengths, thicknesses and styles and you can easily dress them up or down depending on where you’re going. Slip on a pair of funky tights and solid coloured flats with your sweater dress for a fun, flirty daytime look, or wear it with a sexy pair of heels and a coat for the perfect night time style.

Image here

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Winter is finally upon us, and what better way to spend the cool sunny days than browsing through the wonderfully diverse markets in Pretoria? You’ll find a wide variety of markets where you can find everything from organic make-up to antiques.  Take a look at some of the best winter markets Pretoria has to offer.

Irene Village Market

This market is a must for all art lovers and it takes place on the second and last Saturday of each month. Located on the beautiful grounds of the Smuts House Museum, you’ll find over 300 exhibits with arts and crafts from many different categories, including antiques, clothing, delicacies and flowers. If you love beautiful and unique things, this market is a must-see.

Montana Family Market

If you’re looking for fun for the entire family, the Montana Family Market is the place to be. Open Tuesday – Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., you’ll find over 500 stalls, live shows on weekends and public holidays, as well as a wide selection of different cuisine. Think your little ones might get bored browsing this market? Don’t worry, there are two on-site parks that your kids are guaranteed to love.

Green Market

This market is open on the first Saturday of every month and is essential for anyone who is into green products, green activities and environmentalism in general. Here you’ll find organic and natural foods and drinks, organic skin-care and makeup products, as well as other environmentally-friendly items. The Green Market will soon have a recycling station where you can dispose safely of items such as glass, cans, old electronics, CDs, plastics and more.  It’s only open from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., so get the whole family together and spend the morning browsing through eco-friendly products and doing something good for the environment.

Hazel Food Market

Do you love food? Then you will love Hazel Food Market, dedicated exclusively to delicious cuisine. You’ll find over 60 stalls filled with delectable and local food items such as organic vegetables, handmade cheeses, cupcakes, meat and many more. Hazel Food Market’s goal is to provide people with fresh and tasty food that comes directly from the producers, and every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. you can browse through delicacies from Italy, Portugal, Greece and South Africa, just to name a few. All you need to bring is your friends and your appetite!

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New Red Threads

British designer Vivienne Westwood has joined hands with airlines group Virgin Atlantic to design eco-friendly uniforms for its cabin crew and ground staff.

The crew of the airlines is known for its signature red uniform with the perfect fit and design but now it might just get better with Westwood’s expert talent and an eye for detail. The uniforms will feature a blazer clinched at the waist with grey wool under the pockets and lapels and a pencil cut skirt.

The designer aims to create a different kind of uniform that exudes the aura of classic French couture from the 40s but the colour of the outfits will still be the same.

“My clothes have always got a very strong dynamic rapport with the body- they are very body conscious, they help you to look glamorous, more hourglass, more woman,”  says Westwood. “I design things to help people to hopefully express their personality. I am always trying to find fabrics that are more friendly to the environment – working with Virgin Atlantic they managed to research into this and find more eco fabrics.”

The crew will try out the uniforms and provide feedback about its designs and ease and after the required changes are made, the brand new uniform will officially be launched in 2014.

Westwood as well as Sir Richard Branson, president of the group, agreed on using sustainable material for the new uniforms keeping nature in mind and in a bid to fulfil their social responsibility. One of the materials that will be used for the suits is recycled polyester made from used plastic bottles.

“Virgin Atlantic has a distinct spirit and, from a design perspective, we continually try to challenge the norm and stand out from the crowd,” Branson told WWD, reports tv3.ie. “When we were choosing the designer for this project, we wanted to work with a group of people who share our spirit of adventure, who believe in challenging the status quo and creating something truly memorable.”

Check out the video below to see Westwood and Branson discuss the new look.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Via idigitaltimes

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Going to the doctor for another script of antibiotics when you’re down with a cold or flu is not always a good thing. Such medications can kill off many healthy cells in the body and they often have side-effects. Here are some natural healing tips to prevent and fight colds and flu this winter.

Work it off

Exercise is a great way to prevent colds and flu from striking. Aerobic exercise makes the heart pump more blood, making you breathe faster and sweat. These all help to increase the body’s healthy cells that attack and kill viruses.

Eat Phytochemicals

Natural chemicals found in plants are essential to building immunity in the body. Eat more dark green, red and yellow fruits and vegetables.

Take an ‘Under the Duvet’ Day

Stress can make you predisposed to colds and flu because it weakens the immune system. Find ways to relax and unwind regularly to give your immune system more strength. According to health website WebMD, interleukins in the body are leaders in the immune system and they fight cold and flu viruses. When you relax you increase the amount of interleukins in the blood.

Drink Hot Liquids

These help to relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration and they soothe the membranes of the throat and nose that can become inflamed. Eat chicken soup, drink herbal teas and avoid caffeinated drinks as these make you dehydrated.

Echinacea and Zinc

The minute you start feeling like you’re coming down with something try taking zinc and Echinacea. These work together to nip viruses in the bud. However, don’t take them for longer than two weeks because then they lose effect. Speak to your doctor before taking any supplements as they might counteract other medications you’re taking or could be risky if you are suffering from certain health conditions.

Avoid Alcohol

Those pink drinks look appealing but go easy on them. Alcohol suppresses the immune system so you are more vulnerable to colds and flu.

Get Pampered

A massage boosts the body’s circulation, helping to release toxins. It also enables nutrients in the body to be transported to organs more effectively. A massage is a great way to de-stress too!

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Eco-friendly leather is growing into a huge fashion trend, with top fashion companies and celebrities jumping on the bandwagon.

Gucci has joined Livia Firth’s Green Carpet Challenge to create the first line of handbags produced with Rainforest Alliance certified leather. Leather that is certified by the Rainforest Alliance means that it is produced under strict controls to limit deforestation and protect wildlife habitats. This certification also does its bit to ensure that farmers treat livestock ethically and promote the well-being and rights of their workers.

Gucci is not the only company to be creating eco-friendly leather. Embellished Truth uses green leather that is vegetable-tanned in Europe. Vegetable tanning involves vegetable, chrome, synthetic, aldehyde and alum means of tanning hides. The ingredients used in tanning are from vegetable matter, such as tree bark, so that the colour is more subtle.  Designer Heidi Mottram creates her leather goods from environmentally friendly eel skins that have been discarded. These are much stronger than cowhide.

What Goes into Leather Production

The production of leather hides uses 20 times more energy than what is used to create a synthetic material. It includes breeding and raising animals, removing animal waste, transporting food, transferring pelts and treating the hides at the tannery, where they are soaked, fleshed and tanned before being transported to the garment and wholesaler.

Is it Really Eco-Friendly?

The point is that although leather might be produced by some companies in more eco-friendly way, providing less pressure to the environmental resources, animals are still being killed for their hides. When it comes to vegetable tanning of leather, it is seen as less harmful to the environment but it can be equally dangerous as other tanning methods. In the United States, all chromium products are seen as hazardous, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

You can view the Gucci eco handbags here.

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One of the greatest things you can do in your home to live greener is to save water. With these easy and practical water saving tips, you won’t even feel the changes, but you’ll definitely be making a difference.

Watch What Goes to Waste

Use the water you need – but only what you really need. When brushing your teeth or washing your face, don’t let water run down the drain. By being more vigilant in this way, you can save gallons of water a year!

Fix Toilet Leaks

Place a bit of food colouring into your toilet tank and without flushing, note what happens. If the colour can be seen in the toilet bowl within half an hour or so, there’s a toilet leak that requires repair.

Use Mulch in the Garden

Placing a layer of mulch around trees and plants helps the water get evaporated more slowly and boosts the soil’s ability to hold onto moisture. You can make your own organic mulch by collecting fallen leaves, grass clippings or pine needles and distributing them over your garden soil. A layer of dry grass that is two inches thick is also a great way to protect your garden against weeds.

Wash the Car Wisely

Forget keeping the watering hose on throughout the process of washing your car. Rather fill a bucket with soapy water and use this to scrub your wheels down. This can save up to 150 gallons of water! Only use the hose when rinsing off your car and go one step further by using a spray nozzle as this allows a more effective way of rinsing off your car with less water usage.

Use Your Grey Water

Grey water around the house consists of the water that usually goes to waste but actually can still be used. For instance, the full sink of water that has been used to rinse off plates can be used around the garden; excess water from hand-washing laundry can be used to wash paintbrushes, and so on. Grey water is also useful for toilet flushing and irrigation. This prevents a lot of water wastage, since grey water is the biggest contributor to water wastage. However, note that soapy water which contains chemicals should never be used on fruits or vegetables.

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Founder and President of Vancouver’s Eco Fashion Week, Myriam Laroche talks to the Vancouver Sun in this video below and states why she decided to found the event and what her thoughts on sustainable fashion are. Vancouver’s Eco Fashion Week was held this week from 21 – 24 April in Vancouver.

This is my dream for Live Eco’s own Avant Garde dress competition, to inspire other local designers to upcycle and embrace sustainable design. The key is taking eco fashion mainstream and encouraging consumers to ask questions about where items are made and who is making them and if they are paid a fair wage.

Check out this video from Hey Jude & My Sister’s Closet, inspiration for our Avant Garde dress designers.

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When the temperature cools, we might have the tendency to reach for comforting treats that are loaded with fat. But these aren’t healthy and they totally hamper your confidence when bikini season swings around again!

Here are much more weight-friendly and organic ideas for comfort food.

1. Use Fruits and Vegetables

Although you might not think of fruits and vegetables as foods that provide comfort, it’s all in the preparation. Eating fruits with custard that is free of AZO dyes (that contain synthetic colours) as well as tartrazine (available at Woolworths) is delicious. Placing vegetables such as potatoes or sweet potatoes into the oven with a topping of low-fat cream can also be tasty and satisfying.

2. Make Unhealthy Comfort Food Healthier

You might love things like macaroni and cheese when you’re in dire need of something satisfying and warm during the cooler months. You can prevent these from being unhealthy or fattening by choosing healthy ingredients. Use butternut instead of cheese in the macaroni dish for a much healthier dish.

3. Choose Organic Chocolate

Chocolate is always a winner when you’re in the mood for a snack, but make sure you choose chocolate that has been made from raw, organic cacao. Honest Chocolate contains no emulsifiers, preservatives or artificial flavouring, so the chocolate is pure and natural. It is also free of dairy and processed sugars, making it a healthier snack than the regular chocolate options out there.

4. Reach for Fatty Acids

There’s a reason why comfort food is such a mood booster! Researchers in Belgium recently used MRI scans to survey the brains of 12 healthy, non-obese people when they were sad. Some participants were given a fatty acid via a feeding tube (fatty acids are a component of many comfort foods), while others were given a saline solution, and all participants were closely studied. The researchers found that the participants who received the fatty acid were half as sad as the ones who were given the saline infusion.

Choose fatty acids when you need a bit of comfort – but opt for the healthy ones! Great foods containing fatty acids can include seafood, seeds and nuts, or beans. Although these might not strike one as comforting, they are packed with healthy fatty acids and nutrients that make one feel satisfied after their consumption. Plus, when you feel fuller for longer, you avoid reaching for unhealthy treats.

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You’re not the only one who benefits from eco-friendly accessories – so does Fido. Here are some tips on green goodies for your furry friends.

Just think about it: Your dog’s or cat’s toys always end up in his or her mouth. If they’re not organic, this can result in chemicals being a little too close for comfort, especially if your pet tears the toy to shreds and ingests some of it. Pet toys usually contain dangerous ingredients such as phthalates and bisphenol (BPA) that can leak into the mouths and bodies of pets. These chemicals are usually found in plastic and vinyl products. They are dangerous because they are hailed as endocrine disruptors which mimic the estrogen hormone. They can lead to health problems in your pet.

Choosing eco toys for your pets means looking after their health and keeping them safe.

Where to Find Eco Friendly Pet Toys

Toys that are green will usually be made from sustainable materials such as bamboo or cotton. Check out Hund for some local hemp-based toys and Shinga Vet for a range of interesting and fun organic goodies.

Make Your Own

To save you money and also recycle old items you no longer use, why not give your pet something to play with that’s just taking up space around the house? Take old organic cotton tees and tie them up into knots. This is a great chew toy for pets and you can even tie sweet treats to the t-shirt that will make it fun for them to fetch. Old jeans and towels can also be great tug toys. Whatever you use as a toy for your pet, always make sure it is not plastic and that the original items are eco-friendly, otherwise these can be unsafe.

Fetch!

Natural pet toys are important, not just for your dog’s health but also for your carbon footprint. Always check where the toy is made. If it had to travel many miles to reach you, then this has resulted in a higher carbon footprint. Locally produced toys are always the best option, plus you’ll be supporting our local communities and industries.

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For those of you who don’t know, The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (commonly known as Coachella) is an annual thee-day music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California in the Inland Empire’s Coachella Valley. The event features many music genres, including rock, indie, hip hop, electronic music as well as sculpture. Across the grounds, several stages continuously host live music. Part 1 took place this past weekend with Part 2 happening this coming weekend.

Coachella showcases popular and established music artists as well as emerging acts and reunited groups. Notable appearances include: Dr Dre, Pince, Madonna, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Oasis, The Cure, Kanye West, Swedish House Mafia and The Black Keys.

Sustainability Rocks

Not to mention being a bit of a fashion fest and stomping ground of the Modern Hippy, Coachella also manages its carbon footprint by invoking employees and attendees. The festival organizers promote carpooling and reward people who participate: cars with four or more people that display the word “carpoolchella” somewhere on their car may be selected by a secret spotter to win VIP tickets/pass for life for everyone in the car.

In 2007, Coachella teamed up with Global Inheritance to start a 10 for 1 recycling program, in which anyone who collects ten empty water bottles receives a free one. In 2009, the festival introduced ten dollar refillable water bottles, which purchasers could refill at water stations inside the festival and within the campgrounds.

Images here

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