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Seeds of Change
There’s a shocking statistic in the city of Chicago: over 600,000 of our 2.8-plus million residents live in so-called “food deserts.” Local food policy consultant Mari Gallagher’s groundbreaking reports on food deserts have helped put our city on the map as a national focal point for food disparities. According to Gallagher, food deserts are neighborhoods where residents lack access to fresh, healthy produce. In Chicago, the majority of food desert residents are African-American women and children.
Meat-Y Reasons for Global Warming
“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” --Albert Einstein

Did you know that animal agriculture is the number 1 polluter of our planet and that it wastes much of our natural resources?
Toxin-Free Spring Cleaning
A perfect time to make a fresh start by cleaning house. But what are you cleaning up with? According to the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), levels of indoor air pollutants can be from two to more than 100 times higher than outdoors. This indoor pollution is due in large part to volatile organic compounds (V.O.C.s) that evaporate, or "offgas," from home decorating and cleaning products. Due to a lack of federal labeling standards, most consumers aren’t aware of the hidden dangers these products can pose to their health. Under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, cleaners are the only household products for which manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients. Most traditional cleaning products on the market, e.g., Tide, Lysol, and Mr. Clean to name a few--are made with hundreds of poisonous chemicals like phosphates, phthalates, formaldehyde, surfactants and pesticides. They pollute our water and contribute to global warming. They are also bio-accumulative, meaning they aren’t easily purged from the body. Over time, even mild exposure can add up to dangerously toxic levels.
B's Cool List: It's Easy Being Green When You Travel
Did you know that CO2 emission from travel is one of the largest contributors to global warming? Before you hit the road or jump on a plane, train or automobile, think about being more conscious of minimizing--or at least offsetting--your environmental footprint on the planet. From the latest in green transportation to and from the airport, eco-friendly water bottles, and even luxury green hotels, this week's Cool List will help you travel green all year long.
Conscious Consumerism: Power to the People
We live in a Supersize Me society where over-consumption and instant gratification are the norm. We have become accustomed to indulging ourselves by buying whatever makes us feel good from one moment to the next. For the most part, we are unconscious consumers. We consume unconsciously for a myriad of reasons: to fill our bellies, to fill the void in our lives, to pass the time, or just to keep up with the ‘Joneses’. We consume without giving thought to where our products are produced or where they go after we “throw them away.” As a result, obesity and disease rates are higher than ever, our landfills are overflowing, and the planet is slowly but surely warming up.
Organic Food on the Rise
There is growing consumer demand for organic food--and for good reason. Due to profit-driven practices in the agriculture and livestock industries, the majority of food we eat contains toxic chemicals that are dangerous for our bodies, and for the planet. Conventionally grown crops are sprayed with tons of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, and chemical fertilizers that contaminate our water, air and soil. These chemicals are designed to kill other forms of life, but are harmful to human cells and organs, leading to degenerative diseases like cancer, liver failure and obesity. Although washing food helps, many chemicals are deeply absorbed and cannot be rinsed off. Also, many conventional crops like apples, tomatoes and corn are genetically engineered, or GMO’s (genetically modified organisms) to yield larger, tastier, more resilient crops. GMO’s have been linked to allergies in humans and overgrowth of plant monocultures that wreak havoc on our eco-system.
Toxin-Free Cosmetics
The average adult in the U.S. uses about ten cosmetics per day, including soap, toothpaste and styling products. With aisles of choices in the drug store, it’s not always easy determining which products are safe. Alarmingly, fewer than 20% of products on the shelves have been assessed for safety by the FDA. In fact, the majority of traditional cosmetics, including baby shampoo and lipstick, contain chemicals linked to degenerative diseases like cancer and brain dysfunction.
Bi's Cool List: So Fresh & So Green
With ski season in full swing, it reminds me that our summers are lasting longer, our winters are growing shorter, and snow is becoming an ever more precious resource. But not to worry, you can still enjoy the slopes without having a meltdown. Whether you're hitting the half-pipe or sipping apres-ski cocktails, green skiing is always an option. Here's our favorite ways to do it.
B's Cool List: A Sexy and Sustainable Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to show love for your honey—and the planet. Here are 10 eco-friendly gift ideas, as well as fun ways to make this Valentine’s Day both sexy and sustainable.
Go Green for Earth Day!
You don’t have to be Al Gore to understand that going green is vital to Mother Earth’s survival—and our own. Most of us want to do our part to prevent global warming, but aren’t sure how. The good news is, scientists have reported that if each of us did our part to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by just 2% a year, we could actually prevent the worst effects of global warming by the year 2050! So celebrate Earth Day every day by making a few small lifestyle changes. Not only will they help save our planet, but they can also save you money. Here’s how:
!Organic Cinco de Mayo Celebration!
To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we headed South of the Border to Rancho La Puerta, a destination spa routinely named by Travel & Leisure as one of the best resorts in Mexico. Located just an hour and 1/2 drive from San Diego at the base of majestic Mt. Kuchumaa, one of the most unique aspects of Rancho La Puerta is their organic gourmet cooking school, La Cocina que Canta.
Eco-Trippin’ on the Green Dot
I can’t tell you how psyched I was when I first heard that the Discovery Channel was launching Planet Green, the first and only network-tv channel dedicated to “all things green”. Even though I’ve sworn off of network TV (except for Oprah, of course), I’ve always loved Discovery for being one of the few networks that offered conscious programming, like the now-defunct Discovery Health and the humanitarian-oriented Animal Planet. And then, on a recent trip, I actually got the chance to sit back and watch the channel for a couple of hours. (Though we’re tv producers, we don’t actually own a TV set. With literally thousands of channels on broadband TV, why bother?).
What's In Bianca's Make-Up Bag?
Ready to update your look? Then now is a perfect time to clean out your medicine cabinet and update your old, chemical-laden make-up bag with more natural cosmetics. Making the switch may require some effort, but it will keep harmful toxins away from your body and the environment. Here are a few favorite cosmetics from my make-up bag:
Conscious Gift Extravaganza: EcoGift 2008
One of the highlights from our holiday was the second annual EcoGift Festival, held in December at the Santa Monica Civic Center. Besides being jam-packed with three days of some of the best live bands I've heard in a while, including The Luminaries, awesome organic food, and of course, the Conscious Living Lounge presented by the new Philips Eco TV, this event was the place to be for conscious shoppers looking for unique gifts that also give back.
Making Green Design Choices
We hear and see more and more news stories and popular television interior design programs focused on “green” and its impact on our country and the world. So, do you wonder exactly how it impacts you personally?
23 Ways to Save Energy in Your Home
Check out Co-op America's list of tips you can implement in your home today, and save up to 66 percent of the energy you currently use — saving you money on your electricity bill, and helping you live more lightly on the Earth!
Don't Miss 2012 Quantum Leap March 13-15, 2009
Buy tickets now and get two for the price of one! For more information or to reserve your ticket, visit www.2012quantumleap.com.
The Fashionista's Guide to Rocking Eco-Fashion
Rocking eco-fashion doesn't mean you have to give up your soulful sense of style. From wearing sustainable materials like bamboo, peace silk and organic cotton to one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, read below for tips on the latest and greatest in eco-fashion.
Conscious Living Goes Platinum at our Earth Day Birthday in Chicago!
We celebrated Earth Day in sustainable style at our eco-chic Earth Day Birthday/5th Season Anniversary/Chicago Launch Party last night! In honor of the launch of our 5th Season Anniversary and move to Chicago to join the Platinum LEED Green Exchange community, we'd like to thank everyone who took a walk on the green carpet and came out to share in the conscious vibes, food, wine, and eco-friendly recycled art by Gregory Coates. Big thanks to the GrNnamdi Gallery for hosting us.
Community Village Building: Blacks in Green
With global warming, access to fresh, healthy food and economic disempowerment ravaging our communities, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the problems that face us. Thankfully, organizations like Blacks in Green (B.I.G.), a Chicago-based community education and trade organization founded by Naomi Davis, are digging deep for lasting solutions that will save our planet and our neighborhoods.
Conscious Living TV Covers Carrotmob Chicago!
Want to put your spending dollars toward greening your community? Recently, Conscious Living and hundreds of Chicagoans did just that by shopping at the gourmet food store Fox & Obel! Fox and Obel was host to the Carrotmob, an organization of individuals who create excitement around a particular business in order to increase that business’ profits for one day. Proceeds of the profits from that day go toward making the business more energy efficient.
Eco-Sexy Mineral Makeup: Stript Cosmetics
When it comes to wearing make-up, why be eco-friendly when you can be “eco-sexy?” This is the mantra of Gina Austin, founder and Creative Director of Stript Makeup, a line of vegan, paraben-free mineral cosmetics that is taking the concept of natural beauty and mineral make-up to another level.
Easy Green Resolutions for 2010
Now that “green” has gone mainstream, we all know the importance of living in a more environmentally friendly way. Nevertheless, if you have yet to take a first step, making a big lifestyle change may still seem a little daunting. To get you started, here are 10 easy resolutions you can make this year to go green and reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and improve your health in 2010.
Chicago Fashion Week Goes Green! Sunday October 24th
Mercedes Benz of Chicago Presents: Vert Couture, Sexy & Sustainable Eco-Conscious Fashion Show and Benefit. As part of Chicago’s commitment to becoming the greenest city in the U.S., Conscious Living TV, Mercedes Benz of Chicago and Chicago Gateway Green are pleased to present the second annual eco-fashion experience, Vert Couture, as a culmination to Chicago Fashion Focus 2010. Vert Couture is an eco-conscious runway show and charity event benefiting Chicago Gateway Green. The catwalk will feature the SS2011 lines of some of Chicago’s top sustainable and fair trade designers, including: Modahnik, 71Jules, Crescendo Apparel, Vintage Style by Bryant McLemore Smith and sustainable jewelry and accessories by Choosy Jewels by Manny B. & Susan Pool, Fanta Celah, and Sophia Forero. Mohop Shoes and Kailia Footwear will equip the runway with conscious, fabulous footwear. Karyn’s on Green, Chicago’s pre-eminent luxury vegan restaurant, will provide the cuisine for the VIP Reception, with sustainable, gluten-free, ultra premium cocktails by Krome Vodka. Kehoe Designs will provide sustainable and fabulous decor. Native Energy will offset all carbon generated from the event. Invited celebrities include: Oprah, Cindy Crawford, Christie Hefner, Anna Getty, Alicia Silverstone, Amy Smart, Vince Vaughn, Ginger Zee (confirmed), Joffrey Ballet's Fabrice, IL Governor Pat Quinn & Chicago Mayor Daley.
Guaranteed Green: Chicago’s Green Restaurant Co-Op Sets the Bar High for The Windy City Food Industry
Chicago’s food scene is going green--one restaurant at a time. A destination known worldwide for its decadent cuisine, the windy city will soon be recognized for having some of the greenest restaurants in the U.S. This summer, the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op launched the Guaranteed Green Restaurant certification program. The Co-op was formed last year in order to provide a clear path for Chicago restaurants to become more environmentally friendly, and a way for consumers to choose to dine green when eating out. The Guaranteed Green program launched with an inaugural class of twenty of Chicago’s finest restaurants, including celebrity chef Rick Bayless’ world-famous Frontera Grill, and local favorites like Uncommon Ground and the Bleeding Heart Bakery. To qualify for Guaranteed Green certification, each restaurant must demonstrate adherence to a rigorous checklist of sustainability practices, including the purchase of eco-friendly food, cleaning products, serviceware, furnishings and environmentally-friendly management of energy, waste, and water.
The Catwalk Will Never Be The Same
Vert Couture 2010: Sexy & Sustainable With a rising crop of designers around the world creating high-end, environmentally-friendly garments, gone are the days of choosing between high fashion and sustainability. Helping to bridge the gap between both worlds, last week, green TV production company Conscious Planet Media wrapped Chicago Fashion Focus Week with its second-annual Vert Couture eco-fashion show and benefit. With a theme of “Sexy & Sustainable”, this year's show debuted some of the top up and coming eco-friendly, fair trade designers in Chicago and beyond. Profits from this charitable event benefited Chicago Gateway Green, an environmental non-profit dedicated to planting 15,000 trees by the year 2015.
Umoja! Celebrating Kwanzaa
When I was little, I believed in Santa Claus. It was part of my family’s annual Christmas ritual. Each year, the day after Thanksgiving, dad climbed into the attic and pulled down dozens of trash bags filled with recycled Christmas decorations. There was wrapping paper and tinsel, strings of colored lights, a jolly white Santa head and stockings, and old faithful: a forest-green artificial tree that took forever to put together. But the pièce-de-résistance was a plug-in nativity scene featuring Mary, Joseph and three wise men huddled over a wooden cradle with an eight inch, blond-haired, white baby Jesus. He looked like a younger version of the blue-eyed “Jesus” we all prayed to on Christmas day—and every other Sunday--at our all-black A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) church.
Conscious Shopping Resolutions for 2011
Unconscious consumption is one of the biggest culprits responsible for over-pollution, global warming, and the deterioration of our planet and our pocketbooks. But in our modern society where most people don’t grow their own food or sew their own clothes, it’s unrealistic to just stop shopping all together. To do my part to shop more consciously this year, I’m resolving to vote with my spending dollars wherever possible. Here are a few of the ways I’m planning to do it:
The Greener Side of Tulum
Pick your Own Shade of Green When Hitting the Beaches, Yoga and Bikini Bootcamps in Tulum, Mexico There are many shades of green when it comes to eco-travel. And in a magical, remote, yoga-inspired beachfront town like Tulum, the green-minded globetrotter can easily find a way to dial it up or down, depending on how minimalist, rustic or eco-chic you want your vacation to be.
The Year in Conscious Fashion - Part One
2011 is only half way over and already it has been a record year for conscious fashion. For starters, color is back in a major way. Not long ago, the book on style began and ended with the elegant and oh-so-predictable LBD (little black dress), required reading as a simple cure-all for every fashion occasion. By contrast, this year’s designers are mixing cool metallic fibers with an out of the ordinary spectrum of cobalt blues, tribal tangerines and royal magentas. This expanded color palette offers modern fashionistas more authentic means of self-expression, allowing them to reflect a more complex continuum of mood and emotion through their personal style choices.
Soul Mating
Before getting married, my life was like a rerun of Sex & the City. On an endless quest for Mr. Right, I dated every loser in the book. The nice guy next door: he was a perfect gentleman but boring in bed; the jet-setting playboy who made my spine tingle: he was a verbally abusive philanderer; the freakishly handsome jock with 6-pack abs but the IQ and emotional maturity of a 12 year-old; the artistically talented but tortured artist with an incurable drug problem; and the brilliantly insecure attorney who wanted me to shelf my career to become his stay-at-home trophy wife. I could go on, but I'll spare you the drama.
Top Eco-Shops in Chicago
Whether you’re a certified tree-hugger or just looking for fun ways to live more sustainably, Chicago’s shopping scene is chock-full of green gems. From eco-fair trade clothing, accessories and one of a kind vintage finds, to cutting-edge environmentally-friendly furniture, Chicago is sure to delight your shopping senses—so get out there and vote with your spending dollars. Happy shopping!
Winter White is Right
Nothing quite does it for me like the color white. Brides wear it to their weddings. Babies wear it to their christenings. Back in the ‘70s, John Lennon and Yoko wore it almost everywhere. Not surprising. It’s the color of purity, the color of clouds, and in winter, the color of falling snow.
Style Spotlight: The Green Goddess in Ebony
This month's Ebony magazine features Bianca's favorite green picks from eco-fashion designers to her favorite vegan ice cream. Check it out!
Mad About Plaid
Perhaps it’s part of my ongoing fashion crush on the Mad Hatter, played by the lovable Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Perhaps it’s this season’s emphasis on mixing and matching colors, prints and textures from all walks of life. Or perhaps, like the inevitable turning of leaves, I’m simply in the mood for a fresh change. Whatever the reason, right now, I’m mad about plaid.
Shaving With Benefits
I discovered Shave With Benefits when shopping for my husband Michael, and in a pinch one day in the shower, decided to use it instead of my normal soap and water.
I Heart Ikat
With a creative juxtaposition of texture, tone and pattern and universal appeal to diverse color palettes, Ikat has quickly become a symbol for global cool. Despite its prevalence in both runway and interior design motifs over the past decade, Ikat’s origins predate our modern times. The textile has been traced back as far as the Dark Ages, appearing across numerous cultures and continents since then, including pre-Columbian Peru and Guatemala, 10th century Yemen, Japan, Indonesia, India and Uzbekistan.
The Purest Thread
Under the cacophony of honking taxi cabs and revving engines, four inch stilettos pound the sooty streets between 5th and 8th Avenues on the East Side. It’s an average day in the New York Fashion District. Buyers, designers and fashionistas dressed to the nines hurry to and fro without making eye contact. They’ve come far and wide to shop and peddle the latest runway trends, hoping to set the bar for what the rest of us will be wearing next season.
The New Rules of Style
For centuries, fashion has been dictated by an elite handful of magazine editors, red-carpet critics and self-appointed trendsetters. With brazen authority, they tell us what colors to wear this season, which designers are hot and who is a fashion don’t. Keeping us in line, they’ve taught us how to dress like a lady, how long or short our hemlines should be and why wearing white after Labor Day is a no-no. With the best of intentions, they’re quick to point out whether we’re too pale, too kinky, too plump or flat-chested; what role we need to play in the world and how to dress the part to find love, acceptance, and success.
Let Your Voice Be Heard
Help us to grow! Take our 2013 viewer survey to tell us what we're doing right, where we need to improve, and what stories you want to see in the coming year.
Fall Steam Ahead!
Without even trying, one piece of clothing prevails in my wardrobe season after season. No matter the trend—retro, boho, or neon—it consistently reappears like a magic cloak. On a good day, it has the power to pull together a look, effortlessly. On a bad day, it can mysteriously camouflage any unfortunate mishap that may be lurking underneath.
Fun Ways to Spend Earth Day
Spring marks the 41st anniversary of Earth Day, a holiday adopted globally on April 22, 1970 to foster greater levels of environmental awareness and protection. With Chicago’s commitment to being one of the greenest cities in the U.S., there’s no shortage of fun events this season to help you and yours celebrate Mother Earth and learn how to live more sustainably.
The Return of Tribal Style
In a society where looking like everybody else and “fitting in” is often embraced over stepping out as an individual, it’s refreshing to see a unique fashion trend dominating the Paris, Milan and New York runways: tribal style. From ethnic fabrics to exotic prints, almost every designer has incorporated aspects of this look into their current lines.
Couture for a Cause: Runway to Green
At last, the fashion industry has responded en masse to consumer demand for ethical apparel. Last week, the global Runway to Green (www.runwaytogreen.com) initiative was launched in New York City to raise awareness about sustainable practices in garment design and manufacturing, and to generate funds for several leading environmental organizations.
And the Emmy Goes to...
And the Emmy goes to…Bianca Alexander for Soul of Green on Next TV This week, Soul of Green Correspondent Bianca Alexander, Esq. took home the coveted Chicago/Midwest EMMY for Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence on Camera: Programming – Program Host/Moderator/Contributor. The EMMY honored her work on the groundbreaking first season of Soul of Green on nextTV on Saturday, November 6, 2010.
Balancing the Scales
The true cost of cheap fashion and the case for Fair Trade. According to the Department of Labor, over half of the garment factories in the United States are sweatshops. The popularity of sweatshops began at the turn of the 20th century, as consumer demand rose for trendy but inexpensive off-the-rack clothing. Given the difficulty of mechanizing the clothing manufacture process, cheap human labor was needed to produce more garments by hand. Manufacturers reacted by outsourcing production globally to countries like Asia for low-wage, union-free “sweatshop” contractors, allowing them to cut costs and increase profits at the expense of human labor.
Keep Loving Each Other
For some children, heading back to school is about more than saying goodbye to summer, stocking up on school supplies and deciding what to wear the first day of school; it’s about returning to violence. Last year, 39 Chicago Public School students were murdered. Local teen violence made national news when 16-year old honor student Darrien Albert was beaten to death during a gang fight on his way home from school. The entire incident was filmed and posted on YouTube, which put Chicago on the map as a hotbed for youth violence.
The Power to Make a Difference
How can we break the cycle of poverty for millions of at-risk youth in America? Better Education? Sports? After School Programs? Parents that are involved in their child’s education and engagement in school?
Visionary Mobile Eco-Chic Boutique
When fashonista entrepreneur Magda Rod opened her eco-chic Visionary Boutique on trendy Melrose in 2007, she envisioned a space where she could offer customers a taste of environmental and social consciousness without having to sacrifice quality or style. After doing just that, when the recession hit she moved her store (now located on Pico) and gave it a second life with the Visionary Mobile Boutique.
Eco-Fashion That Gives Back: Do-Ni Shoes
Before you run to the mall for a new pair of flats that was more than likely sewn by child laborers in a third world country, think about ordering a pair of Do-Ni shoes. Designed by Nancy Dong of Kailia Shoes and Carlotta Fiorini, Do-Ni is a vegan footwear company that aims to “create great looking shoes that are eco-friendly and help those without a voice.”
Power to the Peaceful: The Inaugural Peace Ball
It had been Barack Obama’s day but the night, at least in one corner of Washington, D.C. belonged to the peace community, a moment to celebrate the sweet taste of victory. Not even the frigid Washington evening could cool the sizzling heat emanating from the nation’s first Inaugural Peace Ball, a night of inspiration and celebration. Nearly 1500 activists and optimists from around the country streamed into the grand hall of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum to sing, dance and give a shout out to joy. Indeed, “our time had come.”
The Truth About CFLs
Q: I just made the switch to CFL light bulbs in my home, but heard they contain mercury. Is this true? If so, is it better to switch back to my old incandescents?
Green Up Your Bathroom
With the green movement taking over the production world, selling everything from toxin-free lamp shades to organic jeans, morphing your bathroom into an environmentally friendly zone is relatively simple. Greening your bathroom is not only good for the environment, but it is also great for your and your family’s health!
Toxin-Free Sun Care
Many holistic health care practitioners recommend 20 minutes of sun exposure per day for optimum health and a daily dose of vitamin D. However, during the past few decades doctors have become increasingly aware of the rise in skin cancer and the need to protect ourselves from ultraviolet radiation, which is intensified by the effects of global warming. The harm caused by UV rays can include premature aging (such as wrinkling and age spots), skin cancer, and permanent, sometimes blinding, damage to the eyes. In addition, certain over the counter drugs like antibiotics, antidepressants, diuretics and retinoids can cause increased sensitivity to the sun. As such, it’s critical to apply UV protection anytime you head outdoors.
Give Yourself a Green Spring Makeover
Ready to update your look? The new season is a perfect time to clean out your medicine cabinet and swap out that old, chemical-laden make-up bag for some of the hottest natural cosmetics on the market. Making the switch may require some effort (after all, it may be hard giving up formaldehyde in your nail polish) but it will keep your skin, hair, nails and the planet looking and feeling great! Here are a few tips to get started:
Easy Ways to Stay Green This Winter
You don’t have to be Al Gore to understand that going green is vital to Mother Earth’s survival—and our own. Most of us want to do our part to prevent global warming, but don’t really know how. The good news is, if each of us did our part to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by just 2% a year, we could actually prevent the worst effects of global warming by the year 2050!
Bi's Cool List: What I'm Grateful for This Holiday Season
With all of the stress, over-consumption and waste this season can bring, now is a perfect time to go against the grain and make your holiday more conscious. Here are some products I'm grateful for that help me stay happy, healthy and green--even during the yuletide season.
Toxin-Free Sun Care
Recent studies show that 20 minutes of sun exposure per day is ideal for optimum health—it’s like taking a daily dose of vitamin D. However, during the past few decades, incidents of skin cancer have steadily been on the rise. Some experts blame this on damaging ultraviolet rays, which have intensified over the past several years due to global warming. In addition, popular pharmaceutical drugs like antibiotics, antidepressants, diuretics and retinoids are known to cause increased sun sensitivity. As such, it’s critical to apply UV protection before heading outdoors.
Bi's Cool List: Conscious Style 101
Organic Threads Are Pimp. As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing sexier than a fresh, white cotton t-shirt. But with all of the eco-friendly fashion on the market these days, wearing tees made from traditionally grown cotton is not only passé, it’s played. To stay sexy this fall without hurting the planet, make your next cotton purchase 100% organic. Bi’s Favorites: Preppy polos and tees from Twice Shy.
Do Black and Green Go Together?
What’s a black girl from the Nation’s Capital (aka: the Chocolate City) care about compact fluorescent light bulbs, reforestation in the Brazilian rainforest, or endangered wolf packs in Colorado? Had you met me ten years ago, I would’ve told you “not a damn thing!” But today, I stand proudly as an advocate for renewable energy, toxin-free personal care products, and organic food for the masses.
The New Cool
Living in the hot age, doing your part to Step it Up to prevent global warming doesn’t mean you have to give up living the good life. From the latest epicurean treats to fancy runway threads turned street smart, The New Cool will give you the heads up on the latest trends in Conscious Living.
Healthy Beauty Makeover
Ready to update your look? The new season is a perfect time to clean out your medicine cabinet and swap out that old, chemical-laden make-up bag for some of the hottest natural cosmetics on the market. Making the switch may require some effort (after all, it may be hard giving up formaldehyde in your nail polish) but it will keep your skin, hair, nails and the planet looking and feeling great! Here are a few tips to get started:
Conscious Living TV Goes Rooftop for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Uncommon Ground's Certified Organic Garden
It was a gorgeous day when we shot our latest episode from the rooftop of the Uncommon Ground restaurant in Edgewater! We came to Uncommon Ground this past weekend, along with other members of the press (and Mayor Daley!), to cover the ribbon cutting ceremony of the nation’s first certified organic rooftop garden at Uncommon Ground.
Eco-Friendly Travel Tips
Did you know that carbon dioxide emissions from travel are one of the largest contributors to global warming? Before you hit the road this summer to jump on a plane, train or automobile, or book your next hotel room, think about becoming more conscious of minimizing--or at least offsetting--your total footprint on the planet. Here are just a few ways to help get you moving in a greener direction:
A Man A Bike And A Food Fight
Determined to raise $50,000 for the Nature Conservancy, Nathan Winters spent 5 months pedaling 4,300 miles across the country. I met Nathan on twitter of all places—where he’s been touted as one of “The Top 20 Real Food Advocates to Follow”—and was intrigued by what could possibly motivate a man to set out on such a journey.
Biodegradable Design
The way people view pulp materials is about to change. There was a time indeed when many people would shy away from fiber materials, due to the stigma they once bore; they were inferior in appearance, and were often not as durable as their non-eco-friendly alternatives.
Wolf Song
With “Wolf 06,” and “Running Free,” master guitarist and composer John Sheldon offers a memorial tribute that he hopes will bring attention to senseless wolf killings. Last December, wildlife advocates were stunned when a hunter shot Wolf 06, the alpha female of Yellowstone’s Lamar Canyon Pack and the park’s most famous wolf.
Finding Your Soul Voice
Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so he is. --Publilius Syrus
Chicago Eco-Fashion Focus Cafe: Hosted by City of Chicago and Conscious Living TV
It was an exciting night of fashion and environmental responsibility recently at the historic Chicago Cultural Center. Hosted by Melissa Gamble, Director of Fashion, Arts and Events at the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, and Michael and Bianca Alexander of Conscious Living TV, the Fashion Café brought home an important message: you can take responsibility for the environment and still dress fabulously!
Eco Trippin'
I just read in the Sierra Club newsletter that the “biggest single step we can take to cut global warming pollution is to make our cars go farther on a gallon of gas.”
Toxin-Free Cleaning
Still cleaning your sacred space with toxic cleaning products?
Best of D.C., Beyond The Beaten Path
For an authentic adventure in the Nation’s Capitol, step away from Museum Row and lose yourself in the bohemian U Street District.
Conscious Consumption: The Evolutionary Solution to Our Water and Energy Challenges
John Neville and Jawn McKinley are taking their retirement seriously. Their ranch-style hacienda sits at the end of a nondescript cul-de-sac in Sedona, Arizona. Like Clark Kent, it’s unassuming exterior makes it look like the average middle-class suburban home. But just beyond the front gate, this carbon neutral abode is a super hero of sustainability.
Fashionably Late
For years, I boycotted wearing a watch. This was no doubt an act of rebellion against my time-worshipping family, to whom arriving anywhere on time meant showing up thirty minutes early. In the case of air travel, it was three hours--five for international flights. Ugh.
Making Conscious Holiday Makeup Choices
In this season of joy many of us gather to celebrate traditions with loved ones, whether enjoying the hospitality of others or acting the gracious host. Dressing up for parties is part of the excitement and anticipation of the fun to come. It is normal to apply more than the typical amount of makeup at these special times. Women who typically go bare faced will venture into unknown territory in search of the much bandied about term the “flawless face”.

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The Purest Thread

Jill Heller, founder, Pure Thread, in her Upper West Side atelier. Photo, Bianca Alexander

By Bianca Alexander

Under the cacophony of honking taxi cabs and revving engines, four inch stilettos pound the sooty streets between 5th and 8th Avenues on the East Side. It’s an average day in the New York Fashion District. Buyers, designers and fashionistas dressed to the nines hurry to and fro without making eye contact. They’ve come far and wide to shop and peddle the latest runway trends, hoping to set the bar for what the rest of us will be wearing next season.

On the other side of town--the Upper West Side--a different scene unfolds. Perhaps because of its proximity to Central Park West, the vibe is cleaner, quieter, greener. Sidewalk cafés abound. Chic moms in colorful ballet flats chat over lattes while pushing baby strollers. Patches of sage-colored trees create a soft hammock over this residential neighborhood, making it feel more livable than other parts of the city.

Perhaps that’s why eco-stylist Jill Heller, founder of Pure Thread, calls this neighborhood home. After twenty years of success in retail, she launched Pure Thread four years ago as an alternative to the hustle, bustle and waste of the conventional fashion industry.

The PureThread ambiance: candles, flowers and inspirational literature.

Bianca: How did you get started in the fashion industry?
Jill: I was born loving clothes. My grandfather and father manufactured women’s clothing. As a young girl I was fascinated with the idea of connecting the designers’ sketch to the fabric, the final design, and the people who wear them. I realized early on that I was best suited for a retail environment where I could trust my natural instincts and curate my own looks. In the late ‘80's I launched Chilly, a profitable young contemporary boutique on NYC's Columbus Avenue, noted for great fashion and innovative window and merchandising displays. In 2003, I launched another successful boutique in Westchester, On the One, which captured my vision of sophisticated American and International style.

As a fashion expert, and a person who has always been interested in health, wellness and concern for the environment, I couldn’t help but notice how wasteful and destructive the conventional garment industry is to people and the planet. As such, I decided to become a catalyst for ethical positive change and founded Pure Thread, a company that sources beautifully designed clothing that puts environmental and social responsibility at the forefront.

Jill styling me for my SS/resort wardrobe, including this luxurious georgette silk scarf by Privatsacken.

Bianca: What is your philosophy as a stylist?
Jill: We have a niche: making ethical fashion an easier, more accessible choice for consumers. Our commitment to pushing the needle on sustainable fashion means staying up on the latest trends, materials, innovations and designers. As stylists, we spend a lot of time at first getting to know our clients’ goals and needs. Then, we select looks that fit their lifestyle but are also ethically sourced, well-made and will make them feel gorgeous.

Customer education is key: each product has a story and we love to share it in an intimate, upbeat setting. Because of our personal relationships with designers, we can form a bridge between clients and designers, allowing them to visit their favorite designer studios to create one of a kind items, including jewelry and accessories. As a result, PureThread clients become collectors, and I am grateful to be a catalyst for that. Our clients love the results. Shopping and transforming wardrobes for the good of the world is so much fun, and thankfully our clients do a great job of spreading the word about us to their friends.

Vintage copy of LIFE magazine in Jill’s office.

Bianca: What are some of your favorite sustainable brands?
Jill: At the core of PureThread's merchandising mix is a strategy of curating styles from eco-conscious brands who are redefining the fashion industry in a variety of ways: using alternative materials; more efficient manufacturing, dyeing and supply chain processes; local production; and a commitment to fair trade and human rights. There are dozens of brands on the market revolutionizing the way we dress, but some of my favorites are Stewart + Brown, Kami, Suzanne Rae, Titania Inglis, Indigenous, H Fredriksson, MarYsol, Panchaculi, Loomstate 321, Upstate and Edun. They are all taking very creative approaches to evolving the fashion industry.

On location in Maui at the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel. Silk vegetable dyed dress and scarf by Upstate, styled by Jill Heller of Pure Thread. Recycled brass and citrine jewelry, Bittersweet.

Bianca: The fashion world can be very professionally demanding, unconscious and superficial. What keeps you centered and conscious in your work?
Jill: People like you! Love and emotional support from family and friends, proper nutrition, yoga, walking in nature and shedding tears when necessary...all of which have nothing to do with business and fashion. For me personally, it’s about being good to myself and others and having faith that I am on the right path. Faith in something much larger than myself. I also work closely with 3 expert stylists: Tracey Ravdin, Wendi Winshall, and Jocelyn Whipple in London, who work passionately to promote sustainability in fashion and textiles, and whose advice, wisdom and encouragement help keep me going.

On location in Hilo, Hawaii at the Kalani yoga retreat and eco-resort. Organic cotton sheath dress, Suzanne Rae, gyspy earrings, Hearts.com.

Bianca: What’s next for Pure Thread and the sustainable fashion industry?
Jill: I am thrilled to announce that in addition to running Pure Thread, I am providing fashion direction for online sustainable fashion retailer Modavant i, who seeks to establish itself as the premiere site for socially conscious fashionistas looking for clothing that fits their values without compromising style. With Modavanti, I’ll be adding luxury products from leading brands in the industry as it continues on its path to becoming the go-to online destination for sustainable fashion.

The Pure Thread label, which serves to educate consumers about the materials and ethics and design approach of each garment.

Bianca Alexander is the Emmy© award winning host of Conscious Living. A passionate eco-fashionista and yogi, she has covered the latest trends in sustainable design from Paris to L.A since 2006.