A Day in the City with ‘Super Eco Girl’…

It’s an absolutely gorgeous Saturday and I’ve started the day by finishing up a juicy murder mystery on my Kindle before heading out the door just before 9am.  Along with my purse, I always carry a spare cotton bag to carry any of my day’s purchases (I just hate all those plastic bags…).

Today I have quite a list going – “to do’s” of which several will become “ to - didn’t really have time for that on this beautiful sunny day” before long.  But first, I’m headed only a few blocks away where several vintage and thrift shop stores line the street.

How lucky I am to have great vintage and thrift shops.  These are not the old, dusty shops that feel like you’re rummaging through your grandmother’s attic.  These shops are clean, neat, even some with trendy décor.  Racks are full of dresses, skirts, many well know designers such as DVF; gently worn, that are great to get another few years use out of. 

After raking through hangers of clothes from the shops in my neighborhood, I’m ready for some lunch.  Never a shortage of places to eat, but a favorite of mine is Caravan of Dreams.  The food is all organic, vegan and kosher certified so I know no pesky chemicals will enter my body today.  I order a glass of the sangria and the Caravan Burrito which is oh so yummy!

On TV, in magazines and other media I often see the "top 10" tips to being green or eco-friendly…and rarely do I see or hear “natural or organic eating” on the list.  Eating natural, whole foods and avoiding processed foods, is a key factor in helping the environment.  Why?  One example is chemicals used in farming and food production.  Many chemicals cannot be disposed of, leaving residue or traces in our drinking water, our produce and our animals. Heavy topic but in short eating whole non processed foods can make you feel energetic and healthy as well as helping the environment.

Last week, I was at this party wearing my new (lightly used) favorite top and some awkward individual’s can of beer tipped to far forward onto my sleeve.  So off next to the dry cleaners….

Many organic and natural dry cleaners have popped up in the last year.  Why did they start appearing? Well, interestingly the major synthetic chemical used in dry cleaning is linked with several side effects such as irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat.  It can also cause dizziness, headaches and nausea.  So due to more public scrutiny and the EPA watching, the industry has started to look for safer, less harmful ways to dry clean.   It turns out that California plans to phase out the major synthetic chemical used called perc by 2023.

And how fast the afternoon has come and I’m a little spent - looking for a nice bench to park on for a bit.  Many parks hide in and around the pavement of the city.  I walk past this small neighborhood one and find a small little quiet area.  It's lovely - surrounded by lush plants and newly planted tulips and other spring flowers.  I take out my Kindle and try to find another great murder mystery to start….

Natural Fabrics make Spirit of Living's Fall 2010 Line Amazing!

I can't even tell you how excited I am that today (finally!) Spirit of Living is launching our Fall 2010 line - active wear that you can move in and will want to live in, made of amazing natural fabrics including bamboo viscose, hemp and a fabulous soy blend.

You may be wondering why we took the effort to use these exotic fabrics rather than using something more common - there are two reasons. Not only are these natural fabrics eco-friendly, there are also health benefits of placing only natural fibers against your skin. These plant-based fibers offer superior durability, breathability, and even antimicrobial properties!

Did you know that the low breathability, suboptimal temperature regulation and absorbency of synthetic fabrics can disrupt the normal function of your body? Wearing these fabrics can cause your body to overheat, even increasing the likelihood of heat stroke or hypothermia!

Your skin can even react to synthetic fabrics, due to a "greenhouse effect" which creates conditions that encourage bacterial growth and can exacerbate skin disorders and allergic reactions.

Yuck! Wouldn't it be better to put your body and your skin in an optimal environment? Of course it would!

Why Bamboo?

Bamboo creates one of the softest fabrics imaginable, with a texture similar to silk and an amazing drape that makes it extremely flattering to wear. With excellent wicking properties, this light, strong fabric is breathable and keeps you cooler in the heat and warmer in the cold than most fabrics. Bamboo fabric even offers some antibacterial properties that can help to maintain the health of your skin and even inhibit body odor. Fabrics made from bamboo are even anti-static so clothing won't stick to your skin (or hair, or socks)! Many people who are prone to sensitivities with other natural fabrics are able to wear bamboo without issues.

In addition to the benefits to the wearer, the use of bamboo fabric also offers abundant benefits to the environment. Because bamboo grows so quickly and is self-replenishing, it is a sustainable and renewable resource. Bamboo is grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides and requires very little water, so the production of bamboo fabric and clothing has a lower impact on the environment than conventional cotton farming methods. And, as if all that wasn't enough, bamboo plants release more oxygen into the atmosphere than trees and can help reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the air as well as reducing soil erosion.

Bamboo fabric is created from bamboo pulp. The fabric is bleached without the use of chlorine. Bamboo fabric is easy to dye without the use of harsh chemicals and uses methods requiring less water than conventional dyeing methods.

Want to see what bamboo is all about? Check out our gorgeous Scoop Necked Top!

Why Hemp?

Clothing made of hemp fiber is lightweight, absorbent, strong and long-lasting - in fact hemp fibers are three times stronger than cotton! Hemp fabrics are also weather resistant, mold-resistant and excellent for outdoor wear. Hemp is frequently blended with other fibers to offer different benefits. Hemp/silk and hemp/cotton garments are now available.

Hemp makes an amazingly strong, long-lasting fabric that is easily machine washable and handles extreme water temperatures well. Over time, investing in hemp clothing can lead to cost-saving benefits as the fabric has a much longer lifespan than most natural fabrics. In fact, hemp becomes softer with each washing and improves over time!

Hemp is another fiber than offers benefits to the environment as it is less expensive to farm because of its minimal growth requirements. Similar to bamboo, hemp requires very little water to grow, does not require the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers, and is a readily renewable resource. Nothing is wasted in the production process: seeds are used to make oil and food supplements, while the stalks are used for fiber. Hemp also produces more fiber per acre than trees, and can be renewed two to three times per year!

Sound like something you'd like to try? Our Tunic Style Top is made of an amazing blend of hemp and cotton. You can feel the difference right away and it will get better and better over time!

Why Soy?

Fabrics made from soy have many properties similar to bamboo fabrics - they dry more quickly than linen or cotton, they are biodegradable, allow perspiration to evaporate and are cool and comfortable during hot weather. Soy fabrics are made using the by-products left over from processing tofu, soybean oil, and other soy foods and they are generally manufactured in China. Our soy-blend fabrics are made using organic soybeans, reducing the wearer's exposure to unnecessary chemicals.

All of our bottoms are made from a soy/cotton blend that you will want to live in. Try the Signature Active Tank and Full Length Yoga Pants for a go-to outfit that you will pull out time and time again!

Natural is Better

We hope you will join us on this exciting journey! Clothing that brings the best of nature together with never-want-to-take-it-off style is what we are all about. Let us know what you think and stay tuned for more exciting styles and developments!

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