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Instagram post 2175537093789369494_305816307 Do you rent or buy your clothes? I rent! And these days if I buy, I mostly thrift. ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ✨ FuN FaCt: I’ve only revamped my wardrobe once in my adult life and it was when I was 27. Up until then I had mostly been wearing clothes from high school and college over and over again. I figured back at 27, it was finally time to update my look and get some chic big girl clothes. ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ 🗑️ NoT sO fUn fAcT: The U.S. alone sends about 21 billion pounds of textile waste to landfills every year. Eeek! Wanna know what else is nuts? A lot of what gets donated to national charities is packed up and re-sold overseas or sent to landfills, cuzzzz they get way more donations than they can handle. Only 10-15% of donated clothes actually end up at secondhand stores. Whomp.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ 👖 Adopting a sustainable, reusable mindset when it comes to clothes is a good way to cut down on wardrobe waste and save money in the process. ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ 📱 In my stories today: links to all the fall dresses I rented for my Cleveland trip and these vegan suede boots I found online.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ 📷: My tripod⁣⁣⁣⁣ 👗: @renttherunway⁣⁣⁣⁣ 👢: @amazon⁣⁣⁣⁣ 📍: “Cleveland Sign”⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ #myrtr #slowfashion #consciousfashion #responsiblefashion #sustainableclothing
Instagram post 2171970717430739494_305816307 WHY RECYCLING ISN’T AS IMPORTANT AS YOU THINK. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 😅 First of all, here in America, we’re kinda bad at recycling to begin with. For those who do try, if you don’t clean and sort your recyclables properly, it can contaminate entire batches and end up not being processed.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🚢 WAIT! If contaminated recyclables don’t get recycled, then where does it go? Around 1992, US cities and trash companies started offshoring their most contaminated, least valuable "recyclables" overseas. Much of it was simply dumped, washing down rivers to feed the crisis of ocean plastic pollution.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🚫 PLOT TWIST. Recently overseas countries decided to push back and began refusing the dirty trash of Western countries. As they should. So now countries like the US are scrambling to figure what to do with all this trash. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🤦🏽‍♀️ Le sigh. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ♻️ So does that mean stop recycling? No of course not! Keep recycling. The US will be forced to invest in the infrastructure needed to actually fix the problem instead of shuffling it off to other countries.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 💡 But if you really want to help—remember this:⁣⁣ 1. REDUCE ⁣⁣ 2. REUSE ⁣⁣ 3. RECYCLE⁣⁣ In that order. Recycling should be your last resort. Reducing your consumption of single-use plastics is the priority. When you can’t do that, find ways to reuse it. When you can’t do that, thennnn recycle it.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🙃 What’s something you’re trying to reduce your use of?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ✮✮✮ ⁣⁣ #zerowasteliving #zerowastecollective #lifewithoutplastic #lessplastic #goingzerowaste #sustainablelifestyle #ecofriendlyliving #environmentallyfriendly #wastefree #waronwaste #lesswaste #lowwaste #lowwasteliving #lowimpact #lowimpactmovement #planetorplastic #choosetoreuse #ditchthedisposables #reducereuserecycle #zerowastehome #ecolifestyle
Instagram post 2171310949359804109_305816307 Just about everything is more fun (and easy) when you throw it in a bowl! Power bowls are super simple and quick vegan lunch + dinner ideas. You often see me making these in my stories.⁣ ⁣ You can get creative and mix together whatever you like the most. You can do noodle bowls, grain bowls, veggie bowls, etc. The combos are endless and usually only take about 30 minutes to make.⁣ ⁣ I usually begin with a light protein base like quinoa or couscous and then layer it with different veggies and top it with a heavier protein source like tofu or chickpeas. I'll sometimes finish it with a yummy sauce.⁣ ⁣ 🍜 Lunch/Dinner Power Bowl Examples:⁣ ⁣ GRAIN BOWL IDEA - Black Bean Sweet Potato Burrito Bowl with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce. You could use ingredients like sweet potatoes, red onions, garlic cloves, kale, fresh cilantro, cumin, a can of black beans, and rice.⁣ ⁣ NOODLE BOWL IDEA- Rice Noodles with Broccoli and Chickpeas. You can use ingredients like a large head of broccoli, a can of chickpeas, rice noodles, a few handfuls of cherry tomatoes, some soy sauce, ground black pepper and top with sunflower sour cream.⁣ ⁣ VEGGIE BOWL IDEA - Baked Pumpkin Falafel with Maple Tahini. For this you could make traditional falafels but with pumpkins! Use a food processor to mix everything together and form your patties. Throw the patties on top of a bed of fresh spinach and tomatoes, top with some maple tahini and boom. Lunch is served.⁣ ⁣ 🥗 What kind of power bowls have you tried?⁣ ⁣ ✮✮✮ ⁣ #veganhealth #veganiseasy #veganblogger #veganfoodideas #veganbowls #vegan_veganfood #eeeeeats #whatveganseat #plantbaseddiet #santamonica #vegantravel #vegantraveler #veganlunchideas #veganpowerbowl #healthyrecipes
Instagram post 2170576951335498240_305816307 Thank you to everyone who participated in this eco-themed gifting! Learn more about the wonderful, conscious London-based brands who provided these gifts: ♻️💚 ⁣ 🌿 @goodhotel.co is a socially conscious hotel 🌿@studio_cossac is a sustainable fashion brand 🌿@revenvert boyish is a sustainable clothing brand 🌿Been London is a sustainable brand that turns waste into accessories - they have a #vegan collection made from 🍍s! The more we support brands that genuinely care about people and the planet, the more of a demand there will be for companies who follow these kinds of business practices. Supply and demand, let's make it happen 👌🏽
Instagram post 2167544489709921858_305816307 NATURE: 👌🏽Just one of the not-so-secret ingredients to my recipe for a happy, healthy life. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ And there was plenty of it to go around in Cleveland!⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Ecotherapy is legit good for you. Here are 3 ways spending time outside improves your health according to science:⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 1. 🤧 THE OUTDOORS BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. Scientists think that breathing in phytoncides—airborne chemicals produced by plants—increases our levels of white blood cells, helping us fight off infections and diseases. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 2. ❄️ THE OUTDOORS HELPS WITH SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD). Winter is coming. The shorter days and lower light levels can trigger anxiety, exhaustion, and sadness. Doctors say spending time outside can lessen SAD’s severity!⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 3. ☕️ BEING OUTDOORS BOOSTS YOUR ENERGY. A study showed 20 minutes in the open air gives your brain an energy boost comparable to one cup of coffee. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I spent the majority of my time in Cleveland outdoors and I could feel the positive effects it had on me. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🌳 When’s the last time you got out into nature and treated your body to a nice little hike in the woods? ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #ThisisCLE @thisiscle⁣⁣ 📍: Cuyahoga Valley National Park⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆⁣⁣ #clevelandgram #clegram #cle #ohiogram #ohioexplored #naturalohio #autumnvibes #autumncolors #autumnfashion #autumnstyle #autumnlove #fall2019 #myrtr #cuyahoga #diversifyoutdoors #hikingtherapy #hikingvibes #ecotherapy
Instagram post 2167043930456084290_305816307 SWEET PUMPKIN SMOOTHIE RECIPE 🎃 My healthy Halloween treat today! ☺️⁣ ⁣ 🌱 INGREDIENTS:⁣ 1 can pumpkin ⁣ 5.3 oz dairy-free peach yogurt alternative (I used one with a coconut milk base)⁣ 1/2 banana⁣ 1-2 TBS vanilla extract⁣ 1-2 TBS cinnamon or nutmeg⁣ 1-2 TBS syrup (optional) ⁣ ✮ Tip: If you don't like the taste of peaches, try a different flavor of dairy-free yogurt (or plain). The peach flavored yogurt I used was definitely prominent, but I liked it.⁣ ⁣ 🌱 INSTRUCTIONS:⁣ Add ice and blend together well so the different flavors are distributed evenly. Pour into a jar, pop in a stylish, reusable straw and enjoy!⁣ ⁣ 🍁🎃 What’s your favorite Halloween treat?⁣ ⁣ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆⁣ #avidofood #smoothietime #veganhealth #veganiseasy #veganblogger #veganfoodideas #nicecream #pumpkinsmoothie #pumpkinlover #pumpkinrecipes #halloweenfood #halloweendrinks #falldrinks #fallflavors #fallfood #veganbreakfast #veganicecream #whatveganseat
Instagram post 2166090013153339871_305816307 These colors in Cleveland were unbe-leaf-able 🍁😍 #ThisisCLE⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Yep Cleveland, Ohio y'all! 😳 I was so surprised when I went there at all the options I had for mini day trips out to beautiful gardens, national parks, and forests to experience the colors of autumn. Here are just a few:⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🍁 Holden Arboretum (38 min drive): Main photo spots - Murch Canopy Walk & on top of the Kalberer Tower (swipe left to see more of this place)⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🍁 Cuyahoga Valley National Park (35 min drive): Main photo spots - Brandywine Falls, Blue Hen Falls, Buttermilk Falls & Virginia Kendall Ledges⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🍁 Rocky River Reservation (23 min drive): The trails will lead you to the river’s edge, a wetland forest, ponds, and hilltops.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Everything is still hella green in my neighborhood down in the good ole’ south, so this little fall getaway with @thisiscle was a special treat.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Are the leaves changing colors yet where you live?
Instagram post 2161746799851738129_305816307 #ad What’s on my travel music playlist these days? Y’all I’m so blown away by the music of the young @notesfornotes artists I discovered recently! @statefarm invited me to @musicmidtown in Atlanta to see how they’re #HeretoHelp by giving back to music education--and now I’m jammin to the kids' songs I heard while I was there.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🎧 My friend @jasminehasclout and I tested our musical abilities in the State Farm Neighborhood of Good, a fun set of activities that give music fans the opportunity to turn up and support a good cause at the same time. Each time an attendee scans their wristband at an activity, State Farm donates to Notes for Notes!⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🎼 State Farm has raised so much money to give these young Notes For Notes musicians the opportunity to make their music dreams come true. If you happen to be going to ACL in Austin or Voodoo in New Orleans this month, please stop by to be apart of this fun initiative!⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 💃🏽 A big THANK YOU to State Farm for allowing me to experience this beautiful opportunity.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🎬 Peep the new video to see a recap of everything we got into! Swipe up in my stories.
Instagram post 2161020110066736924_305816307 [#ad21] Because...wine not? Despite popular belief, pairing plant based food with wine is not that hard! I even find ways to work wine into my vegan recipes like I did with this #CastelloBanfi red wine pasta dish I whipped up. All it takes is a little deconstructing of traditional food narratives and thinking outside the formulaic “meat + wine pairing” box.⁣ ⁣ 🍷 A creamy, rich vegan pasta dish will pair pretty nicely with a high-tannin red, as the tannins will cut through the ‘fattiness’ of the sauce. ⁣ ⁣ 🍝 White Bean Spaghetti with Red Wine Recipe (21g Protein):⁣ ⁣ INGREDIENTS⁣ 1 Bottle of @CastelloBanfiusa Centine Red blend⁣ White Beans⁣ Whole-wheat Spaghetti⁣ Roasted Red Pepper Sauce⁣ Artichoke Hearts (chop it)⁣ Kalamata Olives (chop it)⁣ Capers⁣ Garlic (mince it)⁣ ⁣ 1. Bake the Beans: Season white beans with your favorite blend of sweet spices (I used ground fennel, garlic, black pepper, orange peel granules, & ground rosemary) and bake for 15 mins.
⁣ 2. Cook the Pasta: Set aside some wine and pour the rest of it into a large pot with boiling water and cook spaghetti (strain and reserve some of the water when done).
⁣ 3. Make the Sauce: Sautée artichokes, olives, and capers in large pan for 3-4 mins. Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes. Add roasted red pepper sauce and reserved wine + pasta cooking water. Cook 2-3 mins.
⁣ 4. Combine it All: Transfer pasta and beans to pan with sauce. Stir and season to taste. ENJOY! #CastelloColletivo
⁣ * See my IG stories to watch how I did it! ⁣ ⁣ 👩🏽‍🍳 Do you ever cook with wine?
Instagram post 2160298332759724143_305816307 *PLEASE SHARE THIS POST* IS CAMEL RIDING ETHICAL? We went ATV riding instead (swipe left for 🎥) and here’s why:⁣ ⁣ 🐫 Our stomachs turned when we saw the working conditions of camels, horses, and donkeys in #Egypt. My new blog post takes a deep dive into the complexities of animal tourism & poverty and ideas on how to solve this issue! Here's a snippet:⁣ ⁣ 🐎 WHAT WE SAW - Camels, horses, and donkeys alike were all miserably being worked to death as they entertained tourists. Most looked malnourished, ribs and bones poking out through their bloodied, bruised skin. We even saw a dead horse being eaten by a dog (more deets on blog).⁣ ⁣ 🗣 WHY PEOPLE DON’T ADVOCATE - Travel bloggers condemn animal tourist attractions like elephant rides and drugged tiger selfies because they are wild animals. Domesticated animals like camels, horses and donkeys? Not so much. When it comes to domesticated animals, we are trained to look the other way. ⁣ ⁣ 💰 WHO’S TO BLAME? That’s complicated. 1/3 of Egyptians live in extreme poverty. Egypt stated that those who earn less than LE 8,282 (US$ 501.03) annually and $1.3 daily, live under the poverty line. It's safe to assume that if people are struggling to take care of themselves + their families, they def aren’t going out their way to care for their animals. However, while that explains the starvation, it doesn’t rationalize the extreme physical abuse. ⁣ ⁣ 💡 SOLUTIONS? Many actions must take place in order to improve animal welfare while also considering the needs of local populations. A few things that need to happen include economic improvement, tourists calling the abuse out, alternative transportation options, and there’s also a petition to Egypt’s Minister of Tourism you can sign (see blog).⁣ ⁣ 🐪 I know those sunset desert camel selfies look dope, but consider an ATV ride instead. Animals feel things physically, mentally, and emotionally like we do. Domesticated animal abuse issues deserve just as much attention as wild ones. These animals deserve the opportunity to live a good life like anyone else does. Stand up, speak out, and by all means—skip that ride y’all.⁣ ⁣ What do you think about it?
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Ashley Renne

Live an adventurously green life

My thoughts, opinions, and personal essays on travel, being vegan, green living, smart tech, and blogging as a mixed race Black and Indian woman.

Category: Opinion

Posted on 22 Oct 20194 Nov 2019
Is Camel Riding Ethical? | Sustainable Travel in Egypt

Animal Activism, Blog, Destinations, Middle East, Opinion, Sustainable Tourism

Is Camel Riding Ethical? | Sustainable Travel in Egypt

Is camel riding ethical? In Egypt I witnessed cruel working conditions for camels, horses and donkeys. Here are my thoughts. 

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Posted on 16 Sep 201917 Sep 2019
Self-Driving Electric Cars Don’t Exist | It Can Wait Pledge

Blog, Opinion, Smart Tech

Self-Driving Electric Cars Don’t Exist | It Can Wait Pledge

Distracted driving is outdated. Whatever it is, it can wait. Here are 5 ways to prevent distractions from happening!  

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Posted on 10 Sep 20175 Jan 2019
Tiger Escape in Atlanta – The REAL Issue Nobody is Talking About

Blog, Opinion, Sustainable Tourism, Vegan Lifestyle

Tiger Escape in Atlanta – The REAL Issue Nobody is Talking About

For the past few days or so, my Facebook timeline has been flooded with news about the tiger that had been roaming the streets of Atlanta. Many seemed bewildered for the most part. C’mon, is it really that shocking? Let me explain. FIRST, WHAT HAPPENED? The Bengal tiger wandering around Atlanta was named Suzy and

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Posted on 13 Jul 201724 Nov 2018
Is 1st Class Worth the Money On a Short Flight?

Blog, Opinion

Is 1st Class Worth the Money On a Short Flight?

Let’s talk about irony. I’m the quintessential travel addict who eats, sleeps, and breathes globetrotting. Yet my husband Karl, who is more content in his man cave, is the one who always gets us upgraded to 1st class for free when I do happen to convince him to travel with me somewhere. HOW SWAY? It’s

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Posted on 30 Apr 20177 Jan 2019
The Middle East is a Scary Place? | Layover in Doha, Qatar

Asia, Blog, Destinations, Hotels, Middle East, Opinion

The Middle East is a Scary Place? | Layover in Doha, Qatar

When I was looking up flights to India, without hesitation, I chose whatever was the most convenient to my schedule. In this instance, Qatar Airlines was the best choice since it meant I’d only have to deal with one stop in Doha, Qatar. I booked my flight without batting an eyelash. I realized later though

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