Being “real” is the new perfect. Social media is bursting with memes of lazy days with sweatpants and pizza, in celebration of “imperfections” and minor slips of willpower. We’re told it’s okay to be human, and yet, why do all these women gobbling gorgeous looking cupcakes look so damn perfect? Then there are the accounts that only highlight vibrant green juices, or elegant yoga poses, or perfectly-plated raw meals, and its like, do you ever just eat a brownie that isn’t date-sweetened, gluten-free and low glycemic? We all strive for wellness, but sometimes it can seem like a never-ending pursuit – always in sight but never quite there. In comes the GOOD Fest.

The GOOD Fest helps women to realize that they can still be health-conscious and enjoy a tall stack of gluten-heavy pancakes. This one-day event features a plethora of wellness topics, breakout sessions, yoga, and a supporting community of experts and like-minded attendees.

It all started in a coffee shop when the founders Kate, Jen, and Jess, decided to curate the “The. Best. Day. Ever for a wellness-lover.” Each of these dynamic women came to wellness after leaving their established careers in the marketing and restaurant industries. Now, they work as bloggers, yoga instructors, and health coaches.

Kate, Jen, and Jess are thrilled to host the second GOOD Fest at the Hudson Loft in Los Angeles on February 3, 2018, to share their love of wellness with four hundred women from around the world. People are traveling from the East Coast, as well as other countries, to attend this empowering festival. To keep the conversation relevant and intimate for everyone, each attendee has been assigned one of five unique wellness tracks. Each track addresses various wellness interests through its specific breakout sessions and panels.

“This day is designed to give you a taste of multiple facets of wellness so you can find what works for you. It might be crystals or it might be an inspiring career talk – our goal is for everyone to walk away from this day feeling inspired in some way,” said the founders.

Although the tracks are unique in themselves, each includes a yoga session with a local instructor, a veggie-centric lunch courtesy of Sweetgreen, time to shop the marketplace of wellness vendors, and of course, a concluding cocktail hour to mix, mingle, and make new friends. Plus, everyone will receive an epic swag bag loaded with healthy goodies from over a dozen festival partners – like Hu Chocolate, Nektar, and Rebbl. 

Attendees can look forward to hearing from prestigious speakers who are both knowledgeable yet relatable. Panelists include Sophie Jaffe of Philosophie, Katie Horowitz of Women Against Negative Talk, Jordan Younger of the Balanced Blonde, Lynn Chen of The Actor’s Diet, and so many more. The panels are packed with nutritionists, powerhouse female entrepreneurs, natural healers, and successful creatives.

If you’re getting the “woo-woo” vibe, its true, some opinions may be considered a bit out there. There is a discussion on crystals, and you are likely to hear the words “high vibrations” and “energy,” and perhaps even a few “the universe has your back”s. However, the founders ensured that all feel welcome, no matter their beliefs.

“In the end, it’s all knowledge, and you can do with it what you’d like. Maybe you’ll brush it off, or maybe it will be the thing that inspires you and changes your life.  We have speakers covering everything from living a more eco-friendly lifestyle to taking charge of your sexual health – so if you’re anti-woo – woo, no worries, we’ve got you covered too.”

The most important role of the GOOD Fest is creating a safe and nurturing space to foster a wellness community and personal growth. “If there’s something we’re most proud of, it’s being a place for people to truly connect & support each other,” said the founders. They hope to inspire the attendees to continue on their wellness journeys, no matter where they are, and support them when they feel less than perfect.

“We all have each others backs as we navigate and define this wellness space for ourselves. We aren’t ashamed that that we love a good burrito and IPA as much as a green juice and a Kundalini class. When we are real about our own lives, it creates a safe and accepting space for [attendees] to share theirs!”

There are still a few spots left. If you’re interested in wellness, or even just looking to meet a new friend or two, tickets and the full agenda are available here.

Tanya Flink is a vegan, foodie, and certified Master Personal Trainer based in Orange County, CA. She is also the host of the podcast, “The Vegan Potluck.”

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The post The GOOD Fest Celebrates Your Wellness Journey (and Its Imperfections) appeared first on EcoSalon.

When blues singer/guitarist and songwriter Susan Tedeschi takes the stage at the Rodney Strong Winery in Healdsburg, CA  on Saturday, August 22, around 6 PM, you’ll be hearing deeply soulful, raw emotion laced with tender vulnerability in a voice that can go anywhere, do anything and leave you blissfully in tatters.

Backed by the slinky  slide guitar riffs of husband Derek Trucks of the Allman Brothers Band, Tedeschi screams like Joplin and purrs like Bonnie Raitt. Hers is a rare breed of swamp rock that brings out the gator in all of us.

Meanwhile, Rodney Strong’s wines are a fine way to quench your thirst on the Concert Green along with a picnic dinner at a winery that leads all others in adopting solar power to conserve electricity. Strong has installed over 4000 solar panels, reduced fossil fuel consumption by 50 percent and  saved enough electricity to be awarded a $2.1 million rebate from PG&E.

If clouds should hover, there’s no question that Tedeschi has enough vocal power to light up the joint all on her own. Her warm-up act, JJ Grey & Mofro, thrives on Southern funk.

Doors 4 p.m. – Showtime 5 p.m.
Tickets: VIP $70 – GA $45
Rodney Strong Vineyards is located at 11455 Old Redwood Highway, off Highway 101 just south of the town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. Visit Rodney Strong for more information.

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Earth Day humbuggery aside, what are you doing on April 22nd? Here’s a list of treehuggin’ ideas and entertaining events across the country to celebrate our planet while having a blast.

Green Apple Festival

Uniting green advocates from ten cities from coast to coast, the nationally-coordinated Green Apple Festival is the largest Earth Day celebration in the country. While it began as a single event in New York City three years ago, the major metropolises of Boston, Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle will all take part in the action this year and co-host this monumental gala the weekend before Earth Day. Through live entertainment, environmental activities and distinguished guest speakers, this combined effort aims to raise awareness of the green cause and inspire individuals to take an eco-friendly initiative.

Party for the Planet

Pass on eco-friendly practices to your little ones by treating them to a Party for the Planet in celebration of Earth Day. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums sponsors this fun-filled event at over a hundred locations across the country, including Phoenix, Denver, San Francisco, Dallas and Pittsburgh. In addition to learning about wildlife, they’ll enjoy activities that are both fascinating and fulfilling, such as measuring their eco-footprint, building a birdhouse and planting a seed to bring home and nourish. Click here to find one year you.

Disney’s Earth

Following the incredible journeys of a family of polar bears, African elephants and humpback whales, Disney’s Earth opens in theaters on Earth Day. From the creative team responsible for the acclaimed television series Planet Earth, this epic environmental film will touch and dazzle nature lovers of all ages with its remarkable footage and spectacular landscapes. Plus, if you buy a ticket to see this flick on Earth Day a tree will be planted in your name.

Earth Day in Central Park

Think you can’t get anything for free in the Big Apple? Well, get yourself to Earth Day in Central Park. Without spending a cent, you can commemorate this environmental holiday with demonstrations in composting and tree care, mulching and planting projects, recycled material crafts and live entertainment – all thanks to the Central Park Conservancy. Events will be held from noon until 4 pm on Sunday, April 26.

Environmental Film Festival

From April 16-19, Yale University is hosting an Environmental Film Festival in honor of Earth Day. Filmmakers of showcased documentaries and experts on featured topics will be on hand to answer questions and further educate attendees about critical green issues. And, it’s not just for students. Screenings and events are on the house and open to the public.

Earth Day on the National Mall

On Sunday, April 19, the nation’s capital will be abuzz with environmental solidarity in observance of Earth Day with famous figures like Edward Markey, member of the House of Representatives, Majora Carter, founder of Sustainable South Bronx and Denis Hayes, the man behind the very first Earth Day. In addition to these eminent guests, the anticipated Eco-Roadshow will feature exhibits from green companies and non-profit organizations.

Earth Stroll

With the purchase of an $8 eco-passport, Bay Area dwellers and visitors can honor Earth Day on Crissy Field. On Saturday, April 18, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy will host entertainment for the whole family at this popular outdoor spot as a tribute to the environment. Attendees of all ages can learn about native plants, participate in a bicycle rodeo and ride a biodiesel bus, all with live music jamming in the background.

Leap for Green

Kicking off the festivities on Saturday, April 18 with the Early Bird exploration, the Leap for Green Earth Day event outside of Seattle invites locals to get acquainted with the Reptile Man, EarthCorps, Full Circle Farms, renowned artist Marita Dingus and more. Wrap up the green celebration in the heart of nature by taking the Busy Beaver tour of the north wetlands.

Miami Goin’ Green

Featuring unique environmental exhibits like a bike-powered blender and a Nintendo Wii that runs on solar power, the Miami Goin’ Green Earth Day festival is sure to pique your eco interest. Here, you can honor our planet with workshops, seminars, live entertainment and interactive green experiments that will amuse children and adults alike. Ride your bike to Bayfront Park on April 25 and, in addition to complimentary admission, you can have your eco-friendly ride valeted for free.

Earth Day Festival and Flea Market in Clark Park

On Saturday, April 18, the City of Brotherly Love is expressing its devotion to Mother Nature with an entertaining festival in her name to commemorate Earth Day. Join your fellow environmental supporters at Clark Park for complimentary workshops on sustainability, health and gardening, a farmers’ market, green information booths, live music and more.

Earth Fair

With three stages for live entertainment, a long list of eco-friendly exhibitors, an activity area just for children and more, San Diego’s Earth Fair is shaping up to be quite the green gala. On Sunday, April 19 at Balboa Park, locals can learn how to make their living space more sustainable, admire artistic representations of endangered species made from recycled materials and take a peak at the future of more environmentally-conscious automobiles at the cleaner car concourse.

Wilshire Center Earth Day

If you live in Los Angeles or the surrounding area, spend Earth Day on Wilshire Boulevard. Here, you can sample organically-grown local produce at a farmers’ market or enjoy live entertainment from performers like Naked Rhythm and Mystic Journey. Bring your old electronics to have them recycled free of charge and take home a free fruit tree, compliments of the Mayor’s Million Trees Initiative.

Live too far from these major festivals? Click here to search for local celebrations in your area.

Image: mysi anne

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