ColumnThe year in food, in the form of things you never would have heard a foodie–or anyone for that matter–say. Ever. Or perhaps, only once or twice.

Consider this the official “said no one ever” list of the foodie world in 2013. What did we miss?

1. “When I grow up, I want to be a fast food worker.”

2. “I feel so sorry for Paula Deen.”

3. “The yoga studio stopped serving kale smoothies.”

4. “I am such a fan of Sriracha, I am hoping to get hired at the factory.”

5. “What’s a cronut?”

6. “I can afford my entire juice diet on a week’s worth of food stamps!”

7. “I love that moment of beautiful serendipity when everyone at the table snaps a food photo at the same time.”

8. “My kombucha jar is the best looking part of my kitchen.”

9. “I can’t find a food app for that.”

10. “Cavemen loved coconut flour.”

11. “I love the artisan feel of the shell of the Doritos Locos Taco.”

12. “The fact that I drink Soylent gets me more dates.”

13. “I am already mourning the end of the International Year of Quinoa.”

Related on EcoSalon:

11 Food Trucks That Would Make a Killing
14 Awesome Cookbooks We Wish Someone Would Write
25 Things You Wish You Overheard a Foodie Saying

This is the latest installment of Anna Brones’ weekly column at EcoSalon: Foodie Underground, an exploration of what’s new and different in the underground movement, and how we make the topic of good food more accessible to everyone. More musings on the topic can be found at www.foodieunderground.com.

Image: arnold inuyaki

The post 13 Things You Didn’t Hear Someone Say About Food in 2013: Foodie Underground appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnSex and love made the headlines again and again in 2013 (as they do most years), but this one was a little different – leading me to believe that we’re finally getting somewhere with that whole Sexual Revolution thing. This installment of Sexual Healing looks at some of the (good, bad, and ugly) stories that gripped us, in no particular order:

• Eight states approved marriage equality, DOMA was struck down, and the Prez said “our gay brothers and sisters” in his inaugural address, leading Fred Sainz of the Human Rights Campaign to call 2013 “the gayest year in gay history”.
• Miley got slut-shamed for twerking at the VMA’s; “slut-shaming” grew into a meme, leading it to become a far less useful term; no one realized that twerking was appropriated from the transgender club scene of New Orleans.
• A brutal gang rape in India led to a global uprising against misogyny.
• But then India turned back the clock with a gay sex ban.
• “Masters of Sex.” MASTERS OF SEX. If you’re not watching yet, go stream some Showtime posthaste.
• “Reign” cut out a scene depicting female masturbation because it was too scandalous.
• Daniel Bergner’s “What Do Women Want? Adventures in the Science of Female Desire” opened our eyes. About time!
• Naomi Wolf’s “Vagina” came out in paperback, with an apologia/explanation to the feminists that called out the first edition for being essentialist and heteronormative.
• MakeLoveNotPorn launched.
• Adult Magazine launched.
• Tindr made hookups easier.
• “Blue is the Warmest Color” and “Lovelace” brought lesbian sex and blowjobs to the big screen.
• Anthony Weiner (sorry).
• What we believed was settled law turned out not to be, with Roe v. Wade at risk. Shutting down of abortion clinics. Frightening setbacks in reproductive rights. Personhood laws.
• We began having a dialogue about sex workers as something more than just victims.
• The Child-free movement was on the cover of Time Magazine.

But enough about the world, what about YOU? Did you have a pleasurable year in sex? Did you explore, smash your own hang-ups, develop your communication skills? Did you experiment? Did you learn to love your own body? Did you fantasize enough? Did you have an orgasm a day?

If not, you best get to work on your Sexual Resolution list for 2014. Don’t let another year go to waste.
Got a question for Stefanie? Email stefanie at ecosalon dot com and she’ll answer it in the next Sexual Healing column.

Keep in touch with Stefanie on Twitter: @ecosexuality

Related on EcoSalon

Monogamy is  Patriarchal Myth (& Other Things Your Parents Probably Never Taught You)
Sex and Intimacy: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
9 Natural Ways To Spice Up Your Sex Life

Image: CarbonNYC

The post The Year in Sex – In Your Bed & Around the World in 2013: Sexual Healing appeared first on EcoSalon.

Tempting style lovers out of the mall and into museums for a low-impact fashion experience, fashion-focused  museum exhibits are increasingly entertainment-driven.

Beyond last week’s red carpet fashion frenzy–the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as the “Met Ball”–the event marked the opening of the Costume Institute’s latest exhibit: “Punk: Chaos to Couture.”

Since the MET’s landmark Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty show attracted huge crowds in 2011, museum programming committees have got the message and planned more fashion-themed exhibits. Capturing the imaginations of fashion’s growing audience, the new amped-up shows explore the industry as a mirror of cultural values and highlights our common histories as entertainingly as possible.

Here are four must-see fashion exhibitions of 2013 to check out:

Image: RISD

1. “Artist/Rebel/Dandy: Men of Fashion.” RISD Museum, Providence, Rhode Island. From April 28 – August 18, 2013

As menswear increasingly shares the spotlight with women’s fashion, this timely exhibit “celebrates the dandy, tracing the variety of ways in which this personality has blazed through two centuries and investigating where he resides today.” Focusing on the tailored, bespoke garments and the figures that wore them, expect to see pieces once owned by George “Beau” Brummell, Oscar Wilde and modern-day dandies like Thom Browne and Waris Ahluwalia.

Image: MET

2. “Punk: Chaos to Couture.” Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. From May 9 – August 11, 2013

Like grunge, punk was a revolution in music that heavily influenced the fashion scene. This year’s Costume Institute exhibition takes a look at punk’s style influence from mohawks and studded leather jackets to safety pin jewelry. With work from Givenchy, Rodarte and Vivienne Westwood, the show examines the “relationship between the punk concept of ‘do-it-yourself’ and the couture concept of ‘made-to-measure.’”

Image: Phaidon

3. “Future Beauty: Thirty Years of Japanese Fashion.” Seattle Art Museum, Washington. From June 27 – September 8, 2013.

Take a peek at some of fashion’s most avant-garde silhouettes and innovative creations at this exhibit, which promises to show how three decades of designs by Japanese designers revolutionized the way we think of fashion and “reshaped our Western aesthetics of dress.” Designs by Rei Kawakubo, Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake, Kenzo Takada and Junya Watanabe will be part of the exhibit.

Image: De Young

4. “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.” Brooklyn Museum, New York. From October 25, 2013 – February 23, 2014

After stops in Dallas and San Francisco, this engaging multimedia installation will open for its only East Coast venue at New York’s Brooklyn Museum. Tracing the extraordinary output of one of France’s most iconic designers, the show explores themes of equality, diversity and creative virtuosity. Highlights include the notorious conical bra and corsets Madonna wore during her 1990 Blonde Ambition World Tour and 2006 Confessions Tour plus costumes from film The Fifth Element.

Top Image: MET

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ColumnSeven sustainable sneakers to live in this summer.

Sneakers are super trendy right now — something we should all be very excited about. Looking fashionable while speedwalking down the street? Oh yes. High fashion labels like Lanvin, Celine, Chanel and Balenciaga have all made versions of the humble sneaker. However, there are better options out there for us conscious fashionistas, made without sneaky materials or production methods. Here are seven of our favorite sustainable sneakers.

1. Blue Sneaker by OAT Shoes
This pair of sneakers by OAT Shoes, based in Amsterdam, isn’t just pretty, it’s also biodegradable and made entirely from sustainable materials. And, they also grow pretty flowers when you’re done with them. Just plant the shoes in the ground, and the embedded seeds will begin to sprout. This model is from the company’s inaugural line, the Virgin Collection.
€149, OAT Shoes

2. Bianca Sneaker from Jambu
Many of the high fashion house’s sneakers incorporate neon details. This ultra-light sneaker not only delivers bright color but also all day walkability and support, toe-bumpers to provide protection on uneven surfaces, a memory foam footbed which conforms to the unique contours of your feet and eco-friendly outsoles.
$89, Moo Shoes

3. Veja Volley
Made from organic cotton from the Northest of Brazil, wild Amazonian rubber and ecological leather, Veja‘s sneakers have set a standard for sustainable sneaker production. This model, The Volley, is inspired by a Brazilian trainer from the 1970s. It feels both retro and current at the same time, and would work as well paired with a minimalistic suit as they would with a cute summer dress.
€89, Veja

4. Jade Navy from MOVMT
Inspired by Isabel Marant’s groundbreaking style, this hidden sneaker wedge is a tasteful blend of irreverence and elegance. It sneakily adds two inches to your height, without sacrificing comfort or style. Made with organic cotton canvas, water-based glues, nickel-free eyelets and natural dyes, they’re as conscious as they’re fun.
$109.95, Moo Shoes

The post On Trend: 7 Sustainable (Not Sneaky) Sneakers appeared first on EcoSalon.

Here at EcoSalon, we’d never tell you there are any rules when it comes to looking you’re best. The confidence that comes from choosing to embrace your unique self is what true beauty is. Glamour, on the other hand, is a totally different animal. As Dita Von Teese remarked, “glamour is the process of turning yourself into something.” Admittedly, most of us aren’t heading off to jobs as vintage burlesque performers every morning, but women throughout history have put their “face on” to deal with the challenges in front of them.

Making friends with make-up is key. Wrapping our heads around the fun and creativity of exaggerating the feminine form as an empowering ritual, rather than an oppressive one, is the beginning of our journeys towards authentic glamour.

The other essential part comes down to recognizing there really is an art to it. The difference between lipstick that is quickly smudged on and one applied with a sense of artful delight is always evident. Thankfully, there’s a wealth of knowledge from the cosmetic industry’s top innovators available on every Internet-connected device in your home.  Now that every one has access to the latest insider beauty secrets, it’s up to you to define and create your best face forward.

Here are our picks for the best tutorials on the top seasonal make up trends to enhance and inspire your personal make up technique.

1. Sisters Sam and Nic Chapman, known to over 650K subscribers as Pixiwoo, have made their focus recreating the kind of make up seen on film and on the red carpet. Their popular Bond Girl series are fun looks to recreate, this ’70s shimmer Solitaire Make-up from 1973’s Live & Let Die exemplifies what spring 2013 runways were all about – smoldering eyes with loads of highlights and pointy bow lips.

2. Helping you to finally master liquid eyeliner is Michelle Phan’s goal in this instructive Easy Ways to Use Liquid Liner tutorial. With more than 2.25 million subscribers, she’s the Internet’s most popular make up blogger. Take a look at her tips for achieving the perfect cat eye, an enduring and flattering vintage look.

3. Lisa Eldridge is the talented industry insider providing insight into the world of the editorial make up artist. Her stunning make up applications reveal the art and technical prowess behind the process. In this tutorial, Eldridge shows how two items – bronzer and highlighter – can totally transform by creating the ultimate in ‘no make up’ looks.

Image: Brendan W. Brown

The post Spring Glamour Guide: The 3 Best Video Makeup Tutorials appeared first on EcoSalon.

Gretchen Jones put sustainable fashion on the minds of mainstream America when she won Season 8 of the reality show Project Runway. Since then, Jones has produced several acclaimed collections for her eponymous label — the latest one unveiled just yesterday on Refinery29. This fall collection is a refreshing mix of subdued neutrals and vibrant yellows, blues and purples.

As in previous collections, patterns are masterfully integrated. Here, geometric tribal prints mix with more fluid organic ones with a distinct edgy, almost digital vibe. There is a lot of play with volume, but the silhouette stills feels very feminine. Patchwork details, elongated peplums, drop waists, ankle-length pants and wide trousers and skirts are some of the stand-out details. I also love the styling detail of shoes with contrasting ankle straps — something you can copy right now, while you wait for this collection to hit the stores.

photos courtesy of Gretchen Jones NYC

The post Vibrant Color, Bold Prints and Distinct Silhouettes: Gretchen Jones’ Fall 2013 Collection appeared first on EcoSalon.

New York Fashion Week got a glimpse of a growing trend in fashion with Vaute Couture’s vegan show.

Anna Wintour would surely shudder at the lack of fur, but vegan fashionistas rejoiced as the first all-vegan animal rights fashion show hit NYFW last week when Vaute Couture took to the runway. Designer Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart expanded on her established outerwear and tee shirt line with ready-to-wear tops, dress, pants, skirts and sweaters all made from vegan and eco-friendly fabrics.

It couldn’t have been better timing for the vegan debut at Fashion Week. Just last week, a huge victory came for animals and animal advocates as the EU announced a permanent move away from allowing the sale of any cosmetics that have been tested on animals. And the vegan diet continues to gain popularity with celebs, athletes and politicians advocating a plant-based diet. Just recently, Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, urged his city’s residents to consider adopting a vegetarian diet.

And Hilgart showed off the glamorous side of veganism with sexy garments that were both lively and edgy. Colors were rich  in blacks, blues, greys and tans, reports Ecouterre. Hilgard also highlighted the development of new fabrics, including a luxe organic cotton velvet, recycled Thinsulate, 100 percent recycled satin and organic fleece, according to Ecoouterre. Hilgart said: “I want to show that we don’t have any excuse to wear animals.”

The show was sponsored in part by the Humane Society of the United States, one of the biggest animal advocacy groups in the country. The show also included several dogs (on the runway!) that were available for adoption.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Images: Courtesy of Eco-Chick

The post First All-Vegan Fashion Show Debuts at NYFW Fall/Winter 2013 appeared first on EcoSalon.

If you made it through the holiday season without accumulating hoards of stuff, congratulations, you’re ahead of the game. Since those well-meaning Mayans and their oooh the world is going to end prophesy left us a little, shall we say, not-entirely-disappointed, there’s much to look forward to in 2013. And credit that brush with the apocalypse for resetting many of our personal and collective priorities. I mean, we could have been obliterated by an errant asteroid, magnetic pole shifts, or a vengeful race of aliens…and the fact that we somehow survived has lightened the load a little, even if just slightly. Perhaps you’ve begun to notice this lightness by finding more meaning in experiences rather than things. Or maybe you’re taking more time to smell those roses…You’re in good company, as you’ll see a lot more emphasis on experiences as well as a few other important eco options trending this year. Read on for our top eco trend predictions for 2013.

1. Quality: The word quality has come to mean the same as “expensive,” “indulgent,” even (gasp) “elite.” But that’s not accurate. While high quality items may often be more of an investment, they’re worth it. In fact, I’m calling it: the word “quality” is going to be this year’s new black–no matter what color it comes in. You’ll see a lot more emphasis on making quality investments in a number of areas—be that in your food and health choices, products, services or experiences. There are more reasons than ever to stop choosing the cheaper items that soon end up in landfills and cheaper quality foods that send our bodies into downward spirals. The healthier we are, the less likely we are to feel those impulses to buy poor quality products in the first place. Choose quality.
2. Less: Like the upturn of quality, we’ll also start to see a lot more…of “less.” Whether that’s our own personal commitments to purchasing fewer items, or eco-minded businesses thinning out their offerings, 2013 will see a growing number of conscientious approaches to better uses of resources emphasizing less of an impact on the environment (such as fewer transport miles for food), and just how much more there can be in a whole lot less.
3. Local: Quality + Less in many cases = Local. This growing trend is most noticeable in our food supply: farmers markets, CSA programs, community gardens, etc. Interest in local food will continue to grow and 2013 will also see interests in local business like credit unions instead of large banks, small retailers instead of big box stores and my personal favorite: the staycation.Cheaper and less stressful, people are going to enjoy more local parks and attractions getting to know and adore their local community.
4. Fracking Out: Thanks to celebs like Mark Ruffalo and Robert Redford, along with the movie Promised Land, fracking is a trending topic. (So much so in fact that it toppled “climate change” in Google searches last year.) If you don’t know what fracking is yet, here’s a little 101 on its effects on our environment and our health. Be on the lookout for more activism opportunities and campaigns to stop this environmental nightmare.
5. Non-GMO: Another source of activism is genetically modified foods. A contentious issue for some time, the failure of California’s Prop 37 measure in November  led to a number of viral Facebook campaigns and a groundswell of DIY labeling on foods suspected of containing GMOs. More brands, retailers and restaurants will be featuring non-GMO labeling and ingredients for better health and a safer environment.
6. Eco/voluntourism: Everyone needs a little time away. But it doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet or regional communities. So be on the lookout for eco resorts and tours when planning your next get away. Even working vacations such as volunteering on an organic farm or helping to plant trees in deforested areas are becoming quite popular. Experiences like these are not only memorable, but they can teach you great skills that can dramatically improve your quality of life.
7. Co-op housing: Cooperative living is nothing new, but it’s trending more than ever right now says Oz Ragland, a co-housing expert. That may be because of the sluggish economy in recent years, but it’s also incredibly beneficial on the environment (9 people use my kitchen!). It also provides support and safety as well as creative and inspiring opportunities.
8. DIY: Homesteaders and urban farmers have taught us a thing or two in recent years about how to eat, and now you can look for more cottage industries in fashion, personal care and the art world ala Etsy. And mirroring that rise is a robust DIY culture emerging ever so rapidly and earnestly. Sure it’s great to support a small-scale producer, but even better when it’s you.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: Pink Sherbet Photography

The post Quality is the New Black: 8 Eco Trend Predictions for 2013 appeared first on EcoSalon.

Happy New Year! Welcome back and get ready for a rockin’ 2013! We are thrilled that Organic Authority, LLC (the same company that publishes OrganicAuthority.com) has officially acquired EcoSalon.com.

We are gushing with all of the support and love we’ve received during this transition. We are excited to pick up the ball and continue the EcoSalon conversations and get to know all of You, our beloved community.

Personally, I love change and am so excited to add EcoSalon to the Organic Authority family. As a company, we get to dig deeper into important topics known and loved by you, such as conscious fashion, culture, design, sex, food, and tech, that perhaps we’ve only touched on…until now. And I am really excited to be able to learn from all of you. If you like a piece of content, share it through your networks on Pinterest, Facebook, Google+. Stumble it, Tweet it out, and most importantly share your thoughts with us—please!—I love hearing your ideas and value your feedback.

2013 will be a spectacular year on so many levels! The number 13 is my lucky number (despite what many say about the number 13), and is a lucky number for my family. I was born on February 13th, my mother was born on the November 13^th, and my grandmother, born in 1913, would have been 100 this year. (She was a triplet! Did you know there’s even stronger luck associated with the number 13 when another 3 is involved?) So, this year is personally a very big year for my family and me; it’s one to celebrate, one to embrace—especially for women!

Thirteen is also a very feminine number. It is the lucky number of the Great Goddess, and is revered as the sacred essence of good fortune and good luck. It is the average number of menstrual cycles in a year (I thought it was 12, but what do I know? Science says it’s 13). Italy and China consider the number lucky. When Chinese women offer up their traditional mooncakes, there are always 13 on a plate to represent the 13 months in a full lunar year. In fact, it wasn’t until after the patriarchal revolution that the number 13 (and Friday) was deemed unlucky. And today, sports teams all over have embraced the luck in number 13. Dan Marino, an American football legend wore the number 13. Basketball superstars Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal also wore the number 13. Yao Ming wore it in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

But who’s to say the number 13 is lucky or unlucky? You do! What you believe is your choice, and is exactly what you’ll receive via your worldviews. So, choose wisely, and make the best of your beliefs.

In 2013, resolve to embrace change. The world in which we live changes rapidly, which is why it’s even more important to: believe in You. Ask for that raise, pitch your idea, launch that business that’s been burning in the back of your mind. Stop procrastinating! There’s a reason why tech companies launch in ‘beta.’  They just do it: they get feedback from their customer, and adjust along the way (if they wait for perfection, they’ll be dead in the water).

Believe in You.

Listen to your intuition, your gut, and go for it. Ignore the nay saying voices (including the one in your head) and choose to listen to the voice that cheers you on and believes in You. In 2013, choose to live your life out loud, embrace change, and watch your life flow with ease.

I look forward to getting to know You in 2013.

Your publisher + editor-in-chief,

Laura Klein

Image: Pink Sherbet Photography

The post Welcome Back! Embrace Change and Believe in You appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnA new year, a new commitment to food and community.

The end of 2012 was a whirlwind. In the world of current affairs, December wasn’t what you would call an uplifting month. It seemed that everything and everyone was in transition, trying to get in one last gasp of air before the end of the year. It was easy to feel overwhelmed. It was on the heels of this that I went to visit my friend Sara for a night of good food and conversation; a night of foodies so to say.

Sara is the kind of friend that immediately upon arrival points and says, “the tea and chocolate is in that cabinet,” upon which you open the pantry door to find a multitude of mason jars with whole grains and more kinds of black tea than a tea shop. In the morning your coffee is already poured. We get along well to say the least.

We had a lot to talk about. New projects and ventures. Recent cooking endeavors. What we wanted for the new year. All those topics that are best had at the end of a long week and over a meal of comfort food.

As her boyfriend cooked up a risotto with green beans and shallots (news flash: risotto is basically an upscale macaroni and cheese, with the same comfort food benefits that you need in the dark of winter), the conversation inevitably turned to politics and community. When you’re making food, it often does.

The environment? Yeah, we need to work on that.

Women’s rights? Yes, more of that too please.

Food justice? Where do we even begin?

When it comes to change, we often look to our political leaders, quickly getting upset when change doesn’t go the way we want it to. We get frustrated when things don’t go our way, upset when tragedy strikes and angry at the current state of affairs. What is the way to change that? Build community. Interact with our friends and neighbors. Help someone who doesn’t have a meal.

Food brings us together, and as Sara pointed out, there’s a true benefit to what she called, “kitchen table connections.”

“It’s not macro or micro, but kitchen table,” she said. This idea of the kitchen table as a place not only for conversation, but for affecting change, stuck with me.

Just like the town hall was once a meeting place and epicenter of community building, maybe in our over digitized, high-paced world, the kitchen table is the place for us to reconnect. Not just a place to think about what we’re eating, but also who we’re eating it with.

So many things in this world are beyond our control. What is in our control? Making our community better. Having perspective. Helping a friend. Celebrating the present. Respecting others. Showing kindness. These are things that we can all do–and we should all be doing more of.

In the new year, it’s time for renewal. A reconnection to living well, but also sharing that with others. For me, the kitchen table is the place to start. A place where we focus not only on food, and where it comes from, but being in the moment and truly connecting with those around us. We eat and we celebrate. We eat and we mourn. We eat and we live. The kitchen table is the hub of life, the place where good ideas begin and plans are put into place.

That’s what the Foodie Underground column is going to be about this year: bringing our attention back to good food, from good places, with good people. Food isn’t just about nutrition and ingredients: it’s an all encompassing experience that activates our senses and forces us to interact. Be it a new food trend or just another way to make a simple meal at home, this year is for thinking about how food ties us to community, and how we can continue to build that momentum to truly affect positive change.

Host a dinner party. Plan a picnic. Take a friend to a local farm for a goat cheese tasting. Whatever you do, remember that food is a catalyst for conversation and community. Let’s do more of it.

So welcome back dear Foodie Underground reader, it’s a new year, and I am excited to get the conversation and kitchen table connections going.

This is the latest installment of Anna Brones’ weekly column at EcoSalon: Foodie Underground, an exploration of what’s new and different in the underground movement, and how we make the topic of good food more accessible to everyone. More musings on the topic can be found at www.foodieunderground.com.

Image: miss.libertine

The post Foodie Underground: Kitchen Table Connections appeared first on EcoSalon.