Is Your Fashion “Slow” Fashion?

Image courtesy of janinejust.com

If you were to talk to your grandparents or great-grandparents today, chances are they lived much simpler lives with fewer personal items and articles of clothing than you. Fast-fashion has become the norm, as people desire to keep up with trends and dress like their favorite celebrities, and become easily enticed by pretty storefront windows and glossy magazines.

Companies have taken note of this behavioral shift over the years and have gone to great lengths to not only reply to the growing consumer demand, but also to create one. Factories and sweatshops are included in many business models and society has learned how to overlook the harm it causes not only the workers in these places, but the environment as well.

If we look at the infographic below we can see the impact the production of just one single t-shirt has on the planet. If more people were to buy less clothing and try to reuse and recycle what they already have, it will benefit nature, the workers that have to mass manufacture our clothing and accessories, and our wallets.

Image courtesy of asianfashionlaw.com

More and more companies and activists are starting to investigate how to improve working conditions and be eco-friendly, and they are doing what they can to revise business plans and raise awareness about the impact our insatiable consumerism has on the environment and on those around us. The advocacy group Canadian Fair Trade Network recently created an emotional campaign, “The Label Doesn’t Tell the Whole story”, that reveals some of the horrors workers in many third world countries face daily, many of which we are hardly ever informed about.

Image courtesy of The Canadian Fair Trade Network. The label reads, “Made in Cambodia by Behnly, nine years old. He gets up at 5am every morning to make his way to the garment factory where he works. It will be dark when he arrives and dark when he leaves. He dresses lightly because the temperature in the room he works reaches 30 degrees. The dust in the room fills his nose and mouth. He will make less than a dollar, for a day spent slowly suffocating. A mask would cost the company ten cents.The label doesn’t tell the whole story.”

The Slow Fashion Movement, coined in 2007 by design consultant Kate Fletcher, was established to go against the injustices factory workers face as well as an attempt to help save the environment. The movement is meant to encourage people to consume less and in a more intelligent manner, and give them peace of mind that they are spending their money on products that are of high-quality and were created in an ethical and sustainable way.

In order to create more sustainable fashion, people have gotten creative in the materials they are using. Designers and companies like Heidi and Adele are experimenting and toying with unique materials like waste salmon and eel skins, a byproduct of the food industry that’s becoming the new alternative to python, a popular fashion material that is unethically sourced. Take a look at these hot clutches that were produced from this more sustainable material:

Image courtesy of http://www.telegraph.co.uk

The goal of using different resources is to reuse, recycle, and reduce waste, as well as find ways to produce fashionable items. Many individuals are starting to take an interest in buying products that are made of these unique materials because not only are they attractive, but they they are “one-of-a-kind,” which makes people feel special and like they own exclusive pieces.

At Maxim Hygiene it is our goal to deliver high-quality sustainable and ethical products, as well as inform you about how to lead a more environmentally friendly and health conscious way of life that benefits the planet as well as mankind.

If you are interested in learning even more about how to live a sustainable and ethical but savvy lifestyle, then check out this article by Fashion Hedge that includes some of her favorite bloggers to follow.

So, Green Queens, what do you think about the Slow Fashion Movement? Have you already joined it yourself? Let us know and share some your fave finds here!

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Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning

Image courtesy of hbtinsurance.com

The origins of consumerism can be traced back hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that it started taking root in the United States. The values of leading a simple way of life decreased and people became more and more interested in buying and owning more things.

Today we have evolved into a hyper consumerist society, and we believe ads that promise to solve all of our problems and allow ourselves to be enticed by pretty packaging. This standard of living takes us away from the reality that we are negatively impacting the Earth as well as our own bodies, and it has created the false impression that we need more things in order to be happy.

With Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, we felt that it was important to address this problem head-on and dedicate our April blog posts to celebrating Mother Nature as well as give you Green Goddesses some tips and insight into how you can be more environmentally responsible. As you all know, Maxim Hygiene products are made of 100% certified organic and natural cotton so it is our goal to protect not only you but also the planet.

We want to kick off this “going green adventure” by discussing cleaning products used in another intimate place other than the one we’re so used to talking about, your home. Our guess is that if you are like most people, you use big name brand cleaning products that contain ingredients you can’t even pronounce because you have been under the impression that they clean “better” than organic or DIY products. However, this impression is a false one, and there is no reason that you should pollute your sanctuary with things you do not even know the origin of.

In 2012 the Environmental Defense Fund did a study on toxic chemicals found in homes, and what we personally find the most alarming is that 232 toxic chemicals alone were found in the umbilical cord blood of U.S. newborns. Not only are we negatively affecting ourselves, but we are harming our innocent unborn loved ones.

Image courtesy of edf.org

Many of your cleaning products are main culprits of this toxicity, and the chemicals that are contained in them are even known to alter our hormones. However, the good news is that this issue can be remedied in two ways: By purchasing cleaning products from trustworthy eco-friendly companies that do not use any harsh chemicals or toxic ingredients in their products, as can be seen in this TreeHugger slideshow, or by creating your own at home. Personally we prefer the latter because it saves you money, limits your waste by reusing bottles, and protects your health because you know exactly what you are putting into your environment and in the air.

Take a look below to see our top 5 personal favorite DIY Cleaning products:

Image courtesy of lushsg.com

All-Purpose Cleaner: 

Mix 9 parts water + 1 part white vinegar in a spray bottle and shake. Feel free to add a few drops of essential oil to make the mixture smell more pleasant.

Air Freshener: 

Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda + 15-20 drops of essential oil (choose your favorite scent) in a bowl and mix well. Next add two cups of water to the mixture and stir together until the baking soda is dissolved. Pour the whole mixture in a spray bottle and spritz around the house, as needed.

Antibacterial Spray (great for Kitchen Bathroom):

An antibacterial spray is great and goes beyond our favorite all-purpose cleaner DIY. Fill a spray bottle with ¼ cup of water + ¾ cup hydrogen peroxide + 40 drops of tea-tree oil + 10 drops of another essential oil like orange or lemon and shake together to combine.

Laundry Powder:

Combine ½ cup of soap flakes (can be grated from a bar of soap you have on hand) + ½ cup of borax and ½ cup washing soda, and place them in a jar that has an airtight lid. When you wash your clothes only use ½ to 1 tablespoon per load, and keep in mind that this laundry powder was created for warm-water loads, so we are not positive of the effectiveness of it for cold-water washes.

Window Cleaner: 

Mix ¼ cup of vinegar + 2 cups of water + ½ teaspoon of all natural liquid soap in a spray bottle and shake well. Spritz the mixture onto windows as needed, but try to avoid cleaning your windows on extremely hot days, as it can leave streaks.

Let us know if you are able to try any of the above DIY ideas out and tell us what you think! Also, check out this great DIY infographic for even more do it yourself cleaning product ideas. Huffington Post also created a great infographic about 4 products you should always have in your home, but we cut one of them out of the diagram as can be seen below (petroleum jelly) as it is not an eco-friendly nor a sustainable resource, and we don’t think you should be smearing yourself in something that blocks toxins from getting out of your skin anyway. The other three ingredients in this infographic are great to have around the home. They are so versatile we don’t know why you wouldn’t want to have them around and make as much use of them as possible.

Original image curtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Happy Spring cleaning little green fairies and let’s thank Mother Nature by showing her some tender loving care starting at home sweet home!

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Your Menstrual Cycle and the Moon

Photo courtesy of stormgrounds.com

Today’s society is very contradictory when it comes to women and their health. On one hand, you are constantly told to go to the doctor, get your breasts checked, and take your vitamins. On the other hand, you are expected to be able to juggle work, family and friends all at the same time, virtually leaving you with only a few hours of sleep and perhaps one or two hours to yourself in the day, if you’re lucky.

Due to this constant imbalance, it is only normal that you lose touch with your inner goddess and understanding of your connection to Mother Nature. In the past women were in sync with nature, and especially with their periods. When women menstruated in the past it was known as “Moon Time” which was a very fitting name, seeing as moon cycles last 29.5 days, and women’s menstrual cycles generally last around 28 to 29.5 days.

Before the industrial revolution women often ovulated around the full moon, and menstruated around the new moon. Most women in today’s society unfortunately do not follow this same cycle naturally, and often ovulate during the new moon and even menstruate during the full moon, throwing the body out of balance. For a better understanding of the cycles of the moon, see the picture below.

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

This connection between the moon and the menstrual cycle is not as widely discussed as it could be, because people often see it as taboo or silly. We have been wired as a society to believe that we should control our bodies with man-made medicines like the pill. At Maxim Hygiene we believe that women should not only use natural feminine products, but natural methods to get in sync with their bodies, so syncing your period up with the moon is a great way to start.

The first step to getting your period back on track with the cycle of the moon is to figure out when you ovulate. These easy to use period tracking apps can help you with this. The second step is paying close attention to your lifestyle habits, like what time you generally go to bed and wake up, what you eat, and even how much light filters into your bedroom. Ideally you want as little artificial light in your room as possible (computer screens, cell phones and alarm clocks are all culprits of this artificial light!), so try to shut down your devices or cover them up with something while you sleep.

As for your diet, there are different kinds of foods that are recommended to be eaten at different stages of your menstrual cycle. Check out this article for advice on what those foods are and if you want your menstrual cycle to be synced up with the moon.

Syncing your menstrual cycle to the cycles of the moon will not be easy, but after a few months you should start to feel more in tune with nature as well as alleviate any uncomfortable symptoms you may currently experience during your period. This in turn, will help you stay on your “A-game” and help you keep being the fierce woman you are!

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Fun Children’s Museums to Keep the Kids Busy This Summer

Children are climbing in that net structure! Photo of the Boston Children’s Museum via vanderweil.com/

The summer is flying by but there are still a few more weeks or days (for some) left before the school year starts.  As Fierce Women and Green Queens, we believe education is the best method to changing the world for the better and that there’s always a way to have fun while doing it! Museums are the perfect example of this philosophy and will provide a great way to keep your kids entertained this summer.

One of my favorite memories from childhood was our 8th grade trip to Boston. Besides being super psyched to get away from school for a day, what I remember most is having so much fun at the Children’s Museum. Even though we thought we were so grown up, we ran through that place playing, listening, touching and learning. The Boston Children’s Museum is still one the most popular in the country, and one of the few green museums (though the list is growing!). It is also the second oldest, founded in 1913 by the Science Teachers’ Bureau. Take a visit there this summer and check out the newly-opened amazing NASA and Smithsonian exhibit, “Our Sky,” where you can create a human sundial, touch the moon and explore the constellations. There’s also “The Green Trail,” a 6,000 foot exhibit which teaches children about recycling, lighting conservation, and being green in their daily lives.

Children’s Museum Indianapolis (via planetterry.wordpress.com)

Indianapolis boasts the #1 must-see children’s museum according to Forbes and Parenting. The Children’s Museum Indianapolis is the largest children’s museum in the world. Built in 1925, it now gets over a million visitors a year and sits on 29 acres of land so bring your sneakers and strollers! Some of the highlights are the “Dinoscope Paleo Prep Lab” where paleontologists work on real fossil bones discovered at dinosaur digs, and “Carousel Dreams and Wishes” featuring a restored carousel from 1917 where you can go for a ride. The museum, in collaboration with National Geographic, holds the permanent exhibit “Treasures of the Earth” which is the 7,400-square-foot exhibit showing visitors what it’s like to be an archaeologist digging for ancient artifacts in Egypt, China and the Dominican Republic.

Houston Children’s Museum (photo via Destination360.com)

If you’re in the south, or just passing through, make a stop at the Children’s Museum of Houston. It was founded in 1980 so is much newer than some of its counterparts but still has some “wow” factor. One of the best exhibits is “Kidtropolis, USA,” and this is why:

It “mirrors a real city, “complete with its own city hall, municipal building, mercantile center, bank, news center, market, diner, art school, and even a vet clinic. Children can even elect a mayor, run for office and decide what ordinances to pass!”

That seems like a clever and creative way to help kids understand civic engagement and how communities work. There’s also a massive “Ecostation” an indoor/outdoor environmental exhibit with a pond, native plant garden, woodland area and research center. Visitors can participate in insect collecting, footprint identification, leaf rubbings and something called “nature journals” that my inner child got excited about. It’s also almost entirely powered by solar energy with a special exhibit dedicated to solar power.

There are over 200 children’s museums in the United States so you don’t have to travel far to visit one. Click here for a list and enjoy some learning and laughter with the young folks in your life.

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Earth Day: Rainforests

Kinkajou, Capuchin, Jaguar, Zodiac Moth.

Dart Frog, Bird of Paradise, Three-Toed Sloth.

(OK, we’re clearly not as lyrical as Dr. Seuss, but that bird of paradise video from BBC’s Planet Earth is pretty phenomenal!)

In continuation of last week’s post on Our Oceans and April’s theme of protecting and celebrating our Earth, this week’s post aims to raise awareness about the robust biodiversity contained in our rainforests as well as the threat to their survival.

A typical four square-mile patch of tropical rainforest contains as many as 1,500 flowering plants, 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds and 150 species of butterflies.

But, The World Wildlife Fund estimates that some 46-58 million square miles of forest are lost each year—equivalent to 36 football fields every minute – to deforestation (unsustainable agricultural, ranching, mining and logging practices). Already, the area of our rainforests has been halved from 14% of our Earth’s surface to a mere 6%.

The loss of forest has not only led to a drastic decrease in the world’s biodiversity, but also a 15% increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The New York Times explains that forests act as carbon sinks—soaking up the CO2 that would otherwise be free in the atmosphere and contributing to ongoing changes in climate patterns.

It is estimated that rainforest ecosystems and the water they release, supports the lives of billions of people and meets the needs of 40% of the farmers in underdeveloped countries. Unknowingly, we support deforestation by buying products that originally come from farmers with unsustainable habits or manufacturers using wood pulp (a byproduct of tree felling) to make sanitary pads! Yes, it’s hard to believe but what looks like cotton in your average sanitary pad is usually bleached tree fibers! Maxim Hygiene sanitary pads are not your average sanitary pad. They are made with 100% cotton instead of the irritating “cotton like” tree based materials that are contributing to deforestation.

Another reason rainforests are so vital? Seventy percent of the 2000 plants identified by the U.S. National Cancer Institute to be “active against cancer cells” are found exclusively in rainforests. In fact, a whopping 121 prescription drugs (and about 25% of Western pharmaceutical meds) are derived from rainforest ingredients. And, it is estimated that less than 1% of tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists!!

To find out more about how you can save the rainforests, please visit some of the sites below. We encourage you to learn as much as you can, make your friends and family care too and educate as many people as you can! Make them watch videos or show them photographs to pique their interests and then go from there.

Resources:

–          http://ran.org/top-five-ways-protect-rainforests-2011-0

–          http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/rainforests/index.htm

–          http://www.coolearth.org/407/category/the-solution-185.html#active_exmenu

–          http://www.kidssavingtherainforest.org/

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Dr. Seuss & Earth Day: Ocean Life

 

 

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.
Angler fish, Cuttlefish, Narwhal, Jellyfish.

 

Dr. Seuss, a literary genius and retrospectively – an environmental activist, knew the potential scope of our destructiveness. About one half of the world’s endangered species are in the U.S. alone.

April encompasses the great day, 4/22, a.k.a. Earth Day, in which we take the time to honor this great Earth, so our posts this month will be celebrating our Earth; today’s will celebrate our oceans.

Did you know that about ¾ of our planet is covered in water? Oceans provide 99 percent of the Earth’s living space- the largest space in our universe to be inhabited by living organisms.

Water, and the life within it, sustains our lives, our industries, and our environment. From influencing the weather to feeding us and bringing in tourists to boost our economies, the oceans play a vital role in our lives.

But, due to coastal development, sedimentation, destructive fishing practices, pollution, irresponsible tourism and global warming our oceans and its populations are threatened.

Our lifestyles, habits, and disregard for the fragility of the ocean’s ecosystems have led to a crippling decrease of our world’s biodiversity.

Bleaching our clothes, flushing tampons, standing on coral reefs, trawling for fish, building hotels on the beach, even driving – these activities all lead to the destruction of marine species and their environments.

Like the environmental lesson in The Lorax, we as consumers are responsible for driving trends in the industry. If you choose to support products or businesses that pollute the environment, they will only grow, agrees CBS.

We at Maxim Hygiene urge you to develop habits that are sustainable and non-damaging to the Earth. That’s why our products are organic and natural, chlorine-free, and biodegradable.

Tell us how you’re protecting and celebrating the Earth, and we’ll feature you in our last post of April. For inspiration and an interesting perspective on the importance of our oceans, check out The Ocean Lorax.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s just not.

 

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