Not that we need National Hugging Day to motivate us, but we’ve found five reasons that back the benefits of hugging the people you care about. So, get to it.

There are many ways to describe a hug. From an enthusiastic squeeze to a warm embrace, or a romantic cuddle to a maternal cradle, the way we hug each other says a lot about who we are and the moment at hand. In addition to our style of holding someone close, there are also many benefits of hugging, making the act of body-to-body contact even more rewarding than you may think.

National Hugging Day is an annual event dedicated to, you guessed it, hugging. Created by  Kevin Zaborney, it has become a recurring event that takes place every year on January 21. Although it was first celebrated in 1986 in Clio, Michigan, it has since become a holiday that’s observed in several other countries around the world. Originally thinking his idea would fail, Zaborney proposed the holiday anyway, and chose the date January 21 because it fell during a time when “people are generally low in spirits” (after the Christmas holiday, but before Valentine’s Day). Zaborney’s motive stemmed from the idea that “American society is embarrassed to show feelings in public.” Now, some twenty years later, the holiday surrounding the power of an embrace is still holding strong.

In an effort to encourage more hugs (within each party’s comfort zone, of course) and celebrate National Hugging Day on January 21, 2017, we’ve dedicated an entire post to exploring the many benefits of hugging. From lifting your spirits and combatting depression to creating a sense of emotional freedom from the trappings of culture and the virtual wall created by social media, we’ve given you not one, but five different reasons that back the benefits of hugging.

1. Hugs Are Uplifting 

You can’t see it, but hugs actually work from the inside-out. The act of hugging another person causes our brains to release the hormone oxytocin, making us feel closer and more connected to one another. Some studies also show that serotonin and dopamine are released, leading to even greater feel-good emotions.

2. Hugs Improve Health and Stress

Stress and health are deeply intertwined, so when we’re feeling stressed our immune system is often lowered and we become more susceptible to getting sick, increasing inflammation throughout our bodies, and a host of other triggers. Fortunately, engaging in a hug lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Studies have shown that patients with arthritis, breast cancer, and women in labor all benefit from touch. Additionally, hugging can also reduce your risk of catching stress-induced colds, leading to better overall health and mental function.

3. Hugs Help Babies (and the Elderly)

People young and old are thought to especially benefit from hugging and physical touch. When you hug babies and young children often throughout early development, it helps them cope with immediate stressors and is believed to better prepare them to cope with stress as adults. And when it comes to adults, the older you are the more important hugs become. Loneliness and fragility all warrant lots of hugs from caring people for the aging population.

4. Hugs Aid Communication

Whether it’s a death, a major life event, or even something worth celebrating, sometimes the words just aren’t there. Fortunately, there’s nonverbal communication. When you can’t think of the appropriate thing to say, or wish to reinforce your words, there’s nothing quite like a hug to seal the deal.

5. Hugs Provide Freedom

Some cultures and individual family units don’t hug regularly. In addition to the act of physical touch feeling foreign or not being a necessity in life, this leads to a longing for intellectual growth and freedom. By stepping outside of our comfort zones, the act of hugging can make us more open in terms of showing affection, expressing feelings, and happier overall.  

Don’t have anyone to hug? Averse to human contact because of anxiety or other reasons? You don’t have to feel left out. Reach for your furry friends. Studies show that cuddling and stroking pets have many of the same benefits as human contact. And remember, you may have the best intentions on National Hugging Day, but consent is always important before embracing strangers, friends, and those who may not feel comfortable being touched. Make sure the benefits of hugging are truly benefiting all parties involved.

Share your thoughts with us on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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The post 5 Benefits of Hugging (National Hugging Day is January 21st!) appeared first on EcoSalon.

Show your disdain for the patriarchy with your love for the female body and all its greatness with this anatomy-themed merchandise.

When men are continuing to make decisions about women’s reproductive rights and health, and a narcissistic sociopath is slated to become our nation’s next president, I think it’s pretty evident that we still have a patriarchy on our hands. According to the Washington Post, by the middle of 2016, 14 states had already passed laws to make getting an abortion more difficult. From lengthening the waiting period to outright bans, women are facing harsher restrictions, and it doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. If that’s not enough to get you all riled up, then maybe the recent tidbit about Texas possibly requiring a proper burial of aborted fetuses will.

Whatever it is that lights your fire, we can probably all agree that girl power during trying times is a must. Whether you decide to protest, donate, volunteer, or show off the power of your femininity in some other way, we’ve got plenty of pro-female anatomy merch that you’ll want to wear, display, gift, and flaunt in every way possible.

1. Little V Ring

This piece may be dainty, but the message is clear: all vulvas are unique and beautiful. Handcrafted from brass, the detail in this beautiful ring is evident. Plus, it’s very of-the-moment, and would look great alongside a handful of tiny stacked rings. My favorite part? She didn’t forget the all-important clitoris. Priced at $42.

2. Poontone Pins

If you’ve ever felt the need to wear a badge that matches the color of your poontang, then you most definitely need a Poontone pin. Have an artsy friend? A group of BFFs you could totally share these with? Or another great reason (like none at all) to buy one of these? It’s as simple as picking the color that best matches your nether region and customizing the name. That, or roll with the one that’s provided. “Rose Bud” actually has a nice ring to it. Priced at $3.

3. Vajay Calendar

These whimsical O’Keefe-esque fine art prints have been turned into a lovely calendar. This is a 2017 must-have for displaying in your home office. Thanks to the lively and colorful depictions, you’ll be excited to see a colorful new Vajayjay month after month. Priced at $29.  

4. Boob Earrings

Free the nipple with these adorable boobie earrings. Give them to a breastfeeding mom, breast cancer survivor, your feminist girlfriend, or anyone who will appreciate a pair of knockers, including yourself. These are handcrafted from porcelain and are made for pierced ears. Priced at $35.

5. Ovary Embroidery

Throw up the “Ovary Squad” sign and represent the girl gang with one of these embroidered tapestries. The seller stitches these by hand and even lets you customize the colors. These make great gifts or little bits of woman-positive home decor. Priced at $35.

6. Uterus Print

This life-giving organ is a beautiful thing — and deciding to continue with making room for a baby should be entirely yours to make. Whether you’ve given birth or not, we can agree that it’s definitely where we all began, so why not celebrate how lovely it can be? This anatomy print is gorgeous and flowery and great for framing. Priced at $7.99.

7. Period Pin

Periods happen, whether we like them or not, and menstrual cups are great alternatives to chemical-laden disposable pads and tampons. This one happens to be super glittery and cute, which kinda makes menstruating a little bit better. It would be a sweet backpack, lapel, or jacket accessory. Priced at $12.52.

8. Ovary Sticker

After “Parks and Recreation” star Leslie Knope so keenly quipped, “Brovaries before ovaries,” it was as though the saying was etched into social media stone. And wouldn’t ya know it can now be displayed in the form of a reusable vinyl sticker. Give them as gifts, or plaster them all over your car door windows. Priced at $3.50.

9. Vulva Pillow

Snuggle up with this abstract rendition of the vulva. The high contrast print will fit right in to a contemporary setting, and add a touch of cheeky modern style to your space. Bold in print, yet subtle on the vag detection, this is one piece of decor you might be able to sneak past your in-laws. Priced at $68.

Smashing the patriarchy isn’t as easy as buying a symbolic token, but it’s a step in the right direction, especially if you’re looking for an ice-breaker or a way to get people talking about what matters. Let us know your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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The post 9 Pieces of Anatomy-Themed Merch to Help You Smash the Patriarchy appeared first on EcoSalon.

If you’re ready to help the planet while also improving yourself, then you’re going to love our earth-friendly New Year’s resolutions.

Eating healthier, exercising more, and cutting out the procrastination may be at the top of your New Year’s resolutions list; and while we applaud your desire to be a better person (from the inside-out), we implore you to take things one step further by incorporating Mother Nature, too. Not only will our suggestions benefit you, but they’ll also help green your planet in small ways, bringing a greater sense of holistic living to your life.

1. Eat Less Meat

Current figures say that global animal farming is responsible for nearly a third (or almost 30 percent) of all emissions worldwide. Furthermore, in addition to making you healthier, an Oxford Martin School research study finds that a widespread switch to vegetarianism would reduce food-related emissions by 63 percent. Start by participating in Meatless Mondays, and ask yourself if you really need a meat or dairy product present at every meal of the day — three meals a day multiplied by seven days means consuming meat 21 times a week. Not only does this slow digestion, but it also raises cholesterol and causes premature aging.

2. Ditch Plastic Bags

It’s time to ditch the plastic bags in favor of reusable totes – but, like, for real this time. Only around two percent of plastic bags get recycled annually, while the rest just sit, and sit, and sit some more in our landfills and oceans. Throw those cloth bags in the car and keep them there, so you don’t forget them at home, or try something even more practical, like a roomy (and stylish) backpack for carrying on small trips that you can then fill with your merchandise after paying at the register.

3. Upcycle Your Textiles

With the rise of fast fashion (and fast lifestyles), the average citizen now throws away 70 pounds of clothing and textiles each year, which means this waste also accounts for five percent of all landfill space. With numbers like that, it’s important to come up with solutions. Clothing swaps are great (and fun, and free) ways to do away with gently used stuff in your closet, all while having an excuse to get together and drink wine with your girlfriends. And don’t forget about all of the amazing upcycling potential your clothes have.

4. Pledge To Recycle

All it takes is a small step, a little action, to really get things moving in the residential recycling department. For curbside pickup, check with your local ordinance and get the bins you need. Next, head to the store and pick up one extra garbage can to start with, and begin with a product like plastics, or aluminum, or paper, or glass. Just focus on recycling one category to begin with, and watch your passion grow. Apparently, recycling 100 cans could light your bedroom for two weeks. Imaging the difference you could make!

5. Compost Your Scraps

If you make a conscious decision to compost at home, you could break down the egg shells, banana peels, and other organic waste that would otherwise sit contained in a plastic garbage bag sealed off from the earth and soil it could otherwise nourish. This process is as simple as setting up an outside receptacle that fits your needs (the setup is usually the most intensive, if you can call it that), collecting your scraps after cooking (and some other activities), and placing them in the outside bin where they will decompose, rendering you a rich, fertile compound that can be added to your garden.

6. Grow Something Edible

Even if it’s as small as an indoor herb garden, there is real power behind growing your own food. Edible plants and gardens will not only save you money and potentially improve your health, but they offer a sense of accomplishment for your efforts, and help reduce widespread farming issues. Build (or buy) a small raised garden bed outdoors and get to planting, or research all of the delicious herbs and fruits and veggies you can grow indoors — you may be surprised at the (yard-less) possibilities!

We hope you’ve enjoyed our suggestions for a cleaner planet and body. As always, we want to know what you think, so be sure to let us know your New Year’s resolutions on the EcoSalon Facebook page! Here’s to a safe, healthy, happy, and greener start to 2017!

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A new study published in Psychological Science has revealed what researchers really believe to be the motivating factor behind eco-friendly behavior.  

Although I’ve dabbled in vegetarianism since middle school, it wasn’t until I was an adult in my early twenties that I began to adopt a permanent, more mindful way of life. What changed? Was it where I lived? Access to more information? Freedom of choice? Well, sort of.

We’re probably all aware of the family who lives, eats, and breathes sustainability. It’s in the way they cook, how they compost, and their choices as consumers. I, however, grew up very differently. We tossed our trash without a second thought, only shopped big box stores, and never bought anything organic. So how can two families living in the same country behave so vastly different in terms of eco-friendliness? The simple answer is: individualism.

If you’re anything like me, and presumably lots of other people, then you’ve probably wondered why some individuals, families, and even entire regions are more into eco-friendly behaviors and sustainable ways of life than most. While this article may not explain every possibility, there are questions surrounding the stronger levels of earth conscious behaviors seen in some areas versus others, and, according to researchers, it has to do with the distinct cultural values of the country in which you reside.

A recent article published by the Association for Psychological Science believes, “the specific cultural values of a country may determine whether concern about environmental issues actually leads individuals to engage in environmentally friendly behaviors.” The report deals with two aspects. The first is one that addresses individualistic eco-friendliness, predominantly found in Western countries, like the United States, where society focuses more strongly on individualism and self-expression. The second focuses on one that presides in collectivistic societies, like Japan, where eco-friendly behavior does not always reflect the level of concern its citizens actually have for the environment.

In other words, “findings suggest that changing personally-held beliefs, attitudes, and concerns about social issues, which is one of the most frequent strategies for behavioral change, may not guarantee corresponding change in all cultures; it is more likely to be effective in fostering people’s actions to address environmental issues in more individualistic cultural contexts,” says Kimin Eom, psychological scientist at the University of California. Furthermore, people in countries more likely to believe in conformity may strongly feel that there is a need for environmental change, but are less likely to act on it unless it has become a “movement” of sorts, where large portions of the population are all doing their part to be more eco-friendly.

So it seems that those of us who live in westernized cultures, where we are more often encouraged to speak our minds, make our own decisions, and think more freely, are considerably more likely to adopt earth conscious habits and behaviors than countries that promote and prefer conformity. I wanted to test this theory a bit further by comparing a country’s score on the individualism scale, which is measured from 0 to 100, 0 being the least, 100 being the most, to that of the country’s reported overall eco-friendliness.  

Based on Yale’s Environmental Performance Index, the World Economic Forum revealed Finland, Iceland, and Sweden as the top three environmentally friendly countries, in that order. When comparing each of these three countries to their individualism scale score, the results were surprising. Finland received a score of 63/100, Iceland earned 60/100, and Sweden came in at 71/100. To give you an idea of what the United States looks like, we came in at a whopping 91/100 and much further down on the green list. It would seem that this trio of countries is moderately higher on the individualistic scale, but drastically higher on the eco-friendly scale. With the highest score still trailing the U.S. by 20 points, which factor is responsible for the influence? Purely individualism? Collectivism? Or a little of both? 

While the study doesn’t go without discrepancies, it does begin to point researchers, policy makers, and campaign leaders in the right direction. Whether it’s culture, individualism, or some other influence, the bottom line is that it’s important to figure out exactly what that motivating factor is in order to implement the greatest change in favor of the environment. Go ahead, take that selfie at the farmers market co-op, you never know what kind of motivation you might incite.

What do you think about the research findings? What motivates you to be more eco-friendly? Share your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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The post The Shocking Attribute that Most Influences Eco-Friendly Behavior appeared first on EcoSalon.

Brangelina is capoot, over, finished, done, but we really couldn’t care less (okay, maybe we care just a little).

Whether or not all of the allegations of substance abuse, cheating, and disagreements over who gets to keep which multi-million dollar mansion are true (gag), one thing we know for sure is that if Brangelina stays on the road they’re headed down, Hollywood’s most overrated coveted, yeah coveted, couple is headed for splitsville.

This glamorous duo didn’t pair up without a healthy dose of drama and adversity after it was revealed that the two actually started falling for one another while Brad was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Naturally, Angelina was labeled the homewrecker, while Brad was simply the discontent husband who was trapped in a loveless marriage with a controlling spouse, but I digress. After a whopping 12 years together (which is like 100 in famous years), the world is in disbelief that Brangelina is no more.

If reading one more article about how life will just never be the same without this duo makes you seriously nauseous, especially in light of all the bigger issues and real news happening in the world today, then consider us your antacid in a belly full of spicy nachos, as we detail the many reasons why we just don’t give a rat’s behind if these two human beings call it quits. #SorryNotSorry

1. The Presidential Race

Um, hello out there! We have a female candidate running for president! Not only is this the best thing since, like, a woman’s right to actually vote, but it’s a huge leap for womankind. What’s more important than any celebrity divorce, is securing her spot in the White House, because the last thing we need is a narcissistic, misogynist ass-hat destroying the nation as we know it. Forget team Jennifer and team Angelina, and get on board with #TeamHillary.

2. Masculinity is Toxic…to the Environment

Learning that men don’t respond to eco-friendly advertising in the same way that women do was…eye-opening. Green product analysis showed marketers that women responded more positively to items that are better for the environment than males. While this isn’t completely shocking, it does present the biological idea that most women are more motherly, and therefore more apt to “take care of things,” including the environment. Maybe it’s time companies focus some attention on rebranding sustainable stuff to feature more dude-friendly symbols, like beards, grizzly bears, protein shakes, and flannel shirts. #TeamEnvironment

3. Our Justice System is Ass-Backwards

Forget Brad and Angie, an Ivy League rapist, Brock Turner, who may or may not have been beaten with sex toys by a flash mob upon his release from prison, after serving just three months for attempted rape of an unconscious woman. You know, all while there are still inmates wasting their entire lives away in jail for minor drug offenses. I don’t know about you, but this really makes my blood boil. In matters of race, sex, and the pursuit of bogus charges, our justice system seriously needs a reset. #TeamTimeShouldFitTheCrime

4. Big Banking Bloat

Er. Mah. Gerd. Wells Fargo has pulled, and will probably get away with, quite possibly one of the biggest banking scandals of all time. The two million phony accounts that were opened without permission has far outweighed any sort of celebrity tiff, but will probably be a figment of our imaginations in just a few weeks’ time. Should someone not hold these criminals accountable, this debacle will disappear from our view as quickly as that treacherous ebola outbreak. Unfortunately, execs have already received payouts into the hundreds of millions, so let’s hope #TeamHoldSomeoneAccountable actually exists.

5. Designer Crocs, People

Even the publicity stunt pulled by Christopher Kane takes higher precedence than that of Brangelina’s divorce. Not only did this guy have the cojones to send the most hated shoe in all of fashiondom down the runway, but he bedazzled them bishes, too. I think it’s safe to assume that Kane made it into the high-fashion-publicity-stunt hall of fame, while also scaring the hell out of a lot of people. #TeamSayNoToCrocs

If you didn’t have enough reasons before to not care about Brangelina’s divorce, now you do. Besides your gerbil’s birthday, what to eat for breakfast, and planning for Halloween, what are some other things you think are more important than Brad and Angie’s split? Let us know on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Image of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie via IB Times

The post 5 Reasons Brangelina’s Divorce is So Not Important Right Now appeared first on EcoSalon.

After a collaboration with Crocs (no, that’s not a typo), designer Christopher Kane has gone where no fashion designer has gone before – and on the London Fashion Week runway, no less.

Wearers of Crocs, lovers of comfort, purveyors of practicality, lend me your feet, for all of your molded clog wearing dreams have officially come true. That’s right, my squishy soled friends (all two of you), classic Crocs have just made their first, and likely only, appearance on the runway during London Fashion Week, and you can bet your favorite pair that critics are up in arms.

If you follow fashion even just a little bit, then you can attest to some of the outrageous trends that have spawned from fits of bad judgment, but I don’t think the world was ready for the emergence of something so…pedestrian. Perhaps the inclusion of the hyper-sensible and notorious clog was exactly the kind of shock and awe this designer, known for his barely wearable, avant-garde ensembles, was looking for. And while I have a sneaking suspicion that this was a well-orchestrated publicity stunt, and not a declaration of style, we may never know for sure.

Whether designer Christopher Kane is one helluva risk taker, or teetering on the very brink of insanity is still up for debate, but in the realm of all things tasteful, it’s safe to assume that most critics are adamantly leaning towards the latter. Although we give him a C+ for effort since he did bedazzle them, albeit haphazardly, with some shiny rocks, I’m still perplexed as to how these ever found themselves paired with the likes of evening wear, much less clopping down the catwalk. Don’t even get me started on whether or not these stones were glued on, or actually fabricated to plug inside the shoe’s signature air vents, because either way, well, I just can’t even.

Rumor has it, according to Footwear News, that this was actually a Kane x Crocs type of collab, which means these LFW 2017 slip-ons will be coming to a store near you. Whether you just exclaimed “Yikes!” or “Yay!” matters not, because when a seemingly ridiculous trend comes about, there’s usually always a brave soul in the blog-o-sphere willing to take one for the team. So before your favorite fashion icons can beat you to the punch, I’ve got a few tips on how to style and wear your Crocs for 2017…if you dare.

With DIY Shoe Covers

This may seem counterproductive, but it will actually save you a lot of heartache (and pointing and laughing) for you to go ahead and make a couple of custom shoe covers and just hide those babies right off the bat. I know you paid at least $35 plus tax for your new Kane x Crocs shoes, but just trust me on this one. This nice lady has got you covered with a simple shoe cover DIY.

With Long Maxi Skirts

Fall may be approaching, but you can actually get tons more wear out of a maxi skirt than you might realize.Top that sucker with a felt hat and a cute jean jacket, and you’ll be well on your way. Just make sure that if you’re wearing it with your new Crocs that it’s really long. I mean really, really, really long.

With Your Grandparents

Perfect for an enthralling game of shuffleboard, 18 holes on the green, or just putting around the ol’ nursing home. That’s right, Crocs are the shoe to wear while chilling with your grandparents. But before you start showing off your bunion bling at Whispering Pines, be sure they live at least three states away from where you normally do, because running into one of your friends is not okay.

Well, there you have it my friends, the lowdown on the latest wild and crazy Kane x Crocs trend (it still feels weird to even type that) has been unveiled, and now it’s up to you to make your own observations, scrunched up faces, and gasps of disbelief. Next time a designer pulls a stunt like this, I hope it’s actually worthwhile. Show me a Croc made from recycled materials, and then we can talk.

Do you think fashion has lost its ever loving mind? Or will you dare to wear this latest Crocs craze? How do you think these are best worn? Let us know your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Main Image of Stone Embellished Crocs via Footwear News

Subsequent Images of Embellished Crocs via Cosmopolitan

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Sexual assault is a devastating experience, and one organization is determined to give back some of the dignity that has been so unfairly stolen away.

“I stood there examining my body beneath the stream of water and decided, I don’t want my body anymore. I was terrified of it. I wanted to take off my body like a jacket and leave it at the hospital with everything else.” This profound quote in the New York Post was an excerpt from a sexual assault survivor’s handwritten testimony during the recent and highly publicized trial of Stanford University student, Brock Turner. Turner was eventually convicted of rape, but only sentenced to six months in jail and three years’ probation.

With victim blaming still running rampant, slews of rape kits going untested, and more rapists being slapped on the wrist with sentences so light they’re almost nonexistent, survivors of sexual assault need all the help they can get. But after such life-altering experiences, it can be difficult to do something as simple as look in the mirror without feeling ashamed, much less come forward against one’s attacker. Especially so when the process typically starts with succumbing to an oftentimes invasive rape kit that has the propensity to leave survivors feeling that much more vulnerable and violated.

Some victims have the option of being slightly more prepared before going to a hospital or health facility for a rape kit. However, the survivor from the Turner case, like so many others, reportedly woke up in the hospital after her attack. For the victims who aren’t able to make prior preparations, or for the many who aren’t aware of rape kit proceedings, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) describes the hours long exam as one which may include genital swabs, blood samples, and photographs of private areas, often ending with the victim’s clothing being confiscated in order to be examined for traces of the perpetrator’s DNA.

For those of you interested in learning more, there’s a detailed, first-hand account of one woman’s rape examination experience here, but I would proceed with caution for its potentially distressing content.

This careful and thorough collection process isn’t ideal, but is designed to preserve potential evidence that may be admissible in legal proceedings. And although patients are able to put a stop to the rape kit at any point in time, unlike the woman in the first-hand account was led to believe, it doesn’t make the process any easier. Unfortunately in the cases for some survivors, this could mean that their only option after having been sexually assaulted and subjected to a rape kit is to leave the medical facility dressed in a hospital-issued paper gown.

After facing scrutiny from every angle, this flimsy, dignity-stealing sheet of nothing can degrade survivors of sexual assault – women, men, and children – even further. However, The Grateful Garment Project, a non-profit organization based in San Jose, Calif., has made it the group’s mission to “ensure that every victim of a sexual crime who crosses the threshold of a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) facility or who seeks medical attention and/or law enforcement involvement is provided with whatever new clothing, toiletries, snacks, and other miscellaneous items that he or she may require.” Having further expanded its  horizons to “encompass all victims of sexual violence in California,” this non-profit also provides for children who are sexually exploited commercially and human sex trafficking victims.

Currently active in 25 California counties, The Grateful Garment Project is partnered with more than 60 agencies statewide who also share the organization’s vision of helping victims of sexual violence. Thanks to The Grateful Garment Project and its partnerships, between 25 and 40 women, children, and men, are provided with resources each day in California. In fact, during The Grateful Garment Project’s 2015-2016 fiscal year, the organization donated more than 25,000 items. From a t-shirt to a pair of sweatpants, a little bit of care and respect can go a long way in the effort to provide sexual assault victims with a shred of dignity.

“Every 109 seconds, another person experiences sexual assault,” and although “the number of assaults has fallen by more than half since 1993,” the sad fact is that “only 6 out of every 1,000 rapists will end up in prison.” These statistics taken from the RAINN website are not only eye-opening, but also heartbreaking. Until sexual assault is eradicated, until victims are no longer blamed for being victimized, we should do our part to make the rape kit process as tolerable as possible. Consider donating to The Grateful Garment Project, and if you, or someone you know, are suffering in silence, don’t hesitate to contact the 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Let us know your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page.

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Image of Hopeful Woman Opening Curtains via Shutterstock

The post The Grateful Garment Project: Returning Dignity to Sexual Assault Survivors, One Piece of Clothing at a Time appeared first on EcoSalon.

India’s handmade carpet industry has been exploiting people for decades, with no repercussions for the brazen use of child labor to produce the country’s number one export. So what’s being done to put a stop to these cruel and inhumane practices? 

Sugarcane, tobacco, cocoa, and clothing are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to industries in which children are being exploited for their labor. And although many of these sectors have been on the radar for quite some time, there may be one that surprises you. Those beautiful, handmade rugs from India that you’ve been pinning like crazy to your living room decor board have also been an unfortunate part of that list of tainted goods. With knowledge of such abuse dating as far back as the early 1990s, it has been difficult to reform largely in part because India is the world’s largest exporter of hand crafted rugs.

In case you’re not fully familiar with what child labor means or entails, the International Labor Organization defines it as “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development.” Furthermore, “in its most extreme forms, child labor involves children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses and/or left to fend for themselves on the streets of large cities – often at a very early age.” Sadly, this has become the picture of the handmade carpet industry in India.

According to The Harvard Crimson, in 2014, a report deemed “the largest ever first-hand investigation into slavery and child labor in India’s handmade carpet sector” was released by Harvard University’s François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights. Its author, Siddarth Kara, who is an adjunct lecturer on public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School as well as a fellow with the FXB Center, sent out a team of anonymous researchers into suspected regions in order to uncover the abuse directly, thereby refuting various claims that child labor, including slavery and child abuse, had been resolved in this particular industry.  

In the report, the allegations were at once appalling and eye-opening. Over 3,200 cases of various forms of child abuse, child labor, and slavery were documented beyond the customary “Carpet Belt” and into nine other states across northern India. The researchers were also able to trace the tainted carpets from the point of manufacture to the point of sale in the United States.

Although this doesn’t begin to scratch the surface so much as it does to summarize it, the team uncovered the following conditions along the way:

• Workers started as young as 8-years-old.

• The average work day was found to be 10 to 12 hours, six to seven days a week.

• There were 1,406 cases of child labor found, with an estimated 20 percent industry prevalence.

• There were 2,010 cases of bonded labor (a pledge of labor in exchange for security of repayment of debt or other obligation), with an estimated 28 percent industry prevalence.

• Some 286 cases of human trafficking were uncovered, with an estimated 4 percent industry prevalence.

• As many as 2,675 cases were discovered in hand-knotted carpet production, and 540 cases in the hand-tufted sector.

• Not surprisingly, 80 percent of loans in bonded labor cases were taken for basic consumption.

• In addition to the above findings, a “New Carpet Belt” of child labor, human trafficking, and “numerous cases of children being bought and sold into outright slavery” were also uncovered.

Many times, the conditions in which these children are forced to work are so destitute, that they have been described as subhuman. Per The Harvard Crimson: “Factories and shacks were cramped, filthy, unbearably hot…filled with stagnant and dust-filled air, and contaminated with grime and mold. Some sites were so filthy, pungent, and dangerous that the researchers were afraid to enter due to the risk to their safety.” Desperate, alone, and afraid, these children are exposed time and time again to the deep, dark, depths of inhumanity with no hope in sight.

Aside from awareness, which Kara and his team have so excellently raised, what else can be done to remedy the atrocities from India’s the handmade rug industry?

Conscientiousness is of the utmost importance, and education on the issues from other resources is essential before potentially spending your money on an item that directly contributes to the abuse and exploitation of minors. GoodWeave, a nonprofit organization that aims to “stop child labor in the carpet industry and to replicate its market-based approach in other sectors” is a great place to start. It offers current statistics, ways to campaign, updates on progress, and resources on where to purchase GoodWeave certified rugs that are guaranteed to be child labor-free.

It will take more than just a village to really abolish such abuses. Every purchase counts, so remember make yours meaningful.

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Our bundle of joy was here, and I couldn’t wait to feed her. I knew breastfeeding was difficult, but nothing could have prepared me for the challenges I would experience.

On April 2, 2016 at 5:11 p.m., my life was forever changed. After nine months of waiting, 12 hours of labor, and 45 minutes of pushing, I was finally able to cradle my sweet, delicious, little girl in my arms. We were immediately encouraged to cuddle and breastfeed. She didn’t hesitate to latch on, and was a voracious eater from the time she was born. My heart was full and so was her belly.

I made a conscious decision to nurse early on in my pregnancy, and after researching, reading, and even taking classes, I knew that we were ready to begin this long term journey. Although I felt tremendous joy, accomplishment, and closeness with my daughter, the first several weeks weren’t all sunshine and roses. After experiencing pain, oftentimes toe curling, a plugged duct, and what I eventually found out to be an incorrect latch thanks to Patty, a certified consultant from La Leche League, my little peanut and I were finally able to move forward.

My supply was great. Too great, in fact, as I had an overabundance of milk for quite some time which lead to engorgement. However, with research and trial and error, I found that block feeding did the trick. Relieved, I thought the worst of the issues were behind us. Little did I know they were just beginning.

As we were breezing into her third month of life – time really does pass too quickly – breastfeeding was going beautifully. The closeness I felt with my daughter was undeniable. Seeing her gaze into my eyes, knowing that her nourishment and well-being depended on me, was at once the greatest and scariest feeling I’d ever experienced. Yet, as I watched her sweet little hands knead and flutter every night while she slowly drifted off to sleep, everything felt right in the world.

About two weeks into month three I noticed my daughter becoming increasingly fussy at the breast. So much so that her crying was almost incessant if she wasn’t nursing. And within a few days, she would unlatch, toss her head back, and wail. She couldn’t even settle during a feeding session and I hadn’t noticed a letdown since the morning prior. Meanwhile, her father and I tried everything we could think of to soothe our baby girl.

I began to fear the worst – that despite all of the articles I had read telling me otherwise, I simply wasn’t producing enough milk.

Frantic, I thought back to what had changed. What I could have possibly done wrong. I loved my daughter, so why couldn’t I have a letdown while imagining all of the sweet things I adored about her, especially while she was right there in my arms. I pictured my ducts swelling up with milk, so full that they had no other choice but to empty out into her mouth, flowing like a stream of water. I tried massage, stimulation, compressions, deep breathing. Nothing worked. I began to feel like a horrible mother.

And then, it dawned on me. About three weeks prior, after much internal debate, I decided to take the mini pill, a form of progesterone-only birth control, that was given to me at the hospital.

Heartbroken, I knew that the pill, coupled with her reduced diaper output and distress, meant I would have to supplement with formula. But nothing could have prepared me for the emotions I felt. That first day I cried, nearly uncontrollably, for hours. And every time I saw her unhappiness at the breast between formula feedings, I felt more and more like a failure. “Stupid, stupid,” I thought to myself, “Why didn’t you trust your instincts and avoid the birth control?”

I continued down this path for the next several days. The only satisfaction I had was seeing my daughter full, content, and happy again. With many more months of milk-based nutrition still ahead, I worried about more than just our connection, but also her health.

After discontinuing the medication immediately, and eventually coming to terms over a few very sad days that one of the most meaningful experiences I’d ever had was probably over, it was time for me to put on my big girl pants, because the blubbering mess I had become was the last thing my daughter needed. Rather than give up, though, I decided to do everything in my power to bring back my milk supply, to at least prove to myself and to her that I won’t give up that easily.

Shortly thereafter, along with the unwavering support of her dad, I began feverishly taking supplements, drinking powders,  eating oatmeal, upping my fluid intake, using an electric pump, using a manual pump, and when those didn’t work, learning to hand express. I would typically only extract a measly half ounce, and would rejoice at a full one. I began to feel defeated. This continued for several more days, until I was advised by the nurse and her pediatrician to rent a hospital-grade double breast pump.

Armed with this information, and never veering from my supplement taking course, I met with Mary, the owner and certified lactation consultant at Sweet Songs Breastfeeding, to pick up the only pump she had left in stock. Mary took her job seriously. I could tell it meant a lot to her, and after giving me some advice, I began to feel empowered. Hopeful. Like I could do this.

In the couple days that I had used the pump, I managed two and a half ounces in one sitting, which was the most I’d ever expressed at one time. You can imagine my elation over that. But, much to my dismay, the next session paled in comparison.

I knew it was only the beginning. That I would have highs and lows. Yet if I didn’t try, if I didn’t give it my all, how could I ever expect the same out of my daughter one day?

So for now, I’ll take the comfort nursing she requires in order to sleep for as long as she’ll allow it. I’ll continue to bask in the joy of every smile, every milestone, and every cuddle. I’ll drown in the intoxicating smell of her sweet scent, relish in her bath time excitement, and continue our early morning “talks.” With all of these beautiful moments and experiences, even if I never get my supply back, I feel like I’ve already won.

Have you struggled or triumphed with breastfeeding? Share your story with us on the EcoSalon Facebook page.

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Young, naive, and unsuspecting women are lured into the trade, the underbelly of fashion, with broken promises that eventually lead to shattered dreams, and oftentimes shattered lives. Welcome to the modeling industry.

Glossy magazine covers, fat checks, bright lights, big dreams, notoriety, and fame. There’s a good chance we’ve all thought about these things at some point in our lives. After all, the picture perfect lives of supermodels and celebrities are broadcast around us every day. And if you’ve got the height, the body type, and the looks, then you may have even fantasized about gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated or becoming a lingerie-clad Angel.

Why not, you think. The idea of your name being up in lights, or at least on the roster during fashion week is a dream that’s being sold hard and fast and not very fairly. In fact, parading down that runway dressed in designer duds may not be all it’s cracked up to be.

The modeling industry doesn’t always serve as a chance to play dress up, while having someone fuss over your hair and makeup. Nor does it mean you’ll be sailing away to an exotic location to a photo shoot by the sea. And even if it did, chances are the conditions and hours would be grueling and the pay would be paltry, sometimes even nonexistent.

As an emerging face trying to make a name for yourself, these conditions may even seem alright temporarily, but from the latest revelations that have been uncovered about the modeling industry, the abuse doesn’t stop there.

In addition to the crash diets, eating disorders, drugs, criticism, and an absolutely wrecked self-esteem, these women, and oftentimes, teens, are subject to additional forms of abuse and exploitation. The Business of Fashion claims that “the two biggest problems in the global modeling industry are the sexual harassment and financial exploitation of models.” Among the various forms of sexual abuse is unwanted touching, being pressured into having sex at work, and being asked to pose nude during casting or on the job without prior notice.

The op-ed goes on to say, “Of those who had experienced sexual harassment, only 29 percent reported it to their agencies; of those who did report harassment to their agencies, the vast majority indicated that their agencies did not see the problem.” Some agents were rumored to recommend their clients sleep with someone on the job in order to further their careers.

In an expose by CNN, Carolyn Kramer, a former agency executive, was quoted as saying, “When you’re a supermodel like Giselle or Christy Turlington you’re treated like royalty, but 99 percent of models are treated like garbage.” Kramer also took it upon herself to compare the industry’s labor abuses “to those faced by young factory workers at the turn of the century.” The stories about women being promised pay are a dime a dozen, like the Jamaican model who, despite being told she’d receive a $75,000 annual salary, only ended up receiving a few thousand dollars for three years of work while in New York. And in an even darker scenario, some women in Florida were victimized as part of a fake modeling scheme, drugged, and then used for pornographic films.

Why is this happening in the modeling industry?

“Under current federal and New York State law, independent contractors are not afforded the same protection from sexual harassment in the workplace as employees (the same is true of wage and hour protection),” reveals The Business of Fashion. Even though New York City law is supposed to protect independent contractors from sexual harassment, there is sometimes little that can be done to fight back due to the complicated hiring structure, therefore allowing misogyny and objectification to run rampant. From misclassification to federal law prevailing, loopholes are often found preventing women from successfully pressing charges for sexual harassment or wage theft.

What can be done to protect models now and in the future from rampant sexual harassment and financial exploitation?

Even those models who have “made it” so to speak, earning six or seven figure salaries annually, still face issues like receiving exorbitant miscellaneous charges from their agencies, as well as the use of their image without proper compensation, not to mention the sexual harassment they’ve probably been putting up with for years. If top models are also still facing this treatment, then the outlook can seem bleak.

Although former attempts have been thwarted by agencies, continuing to fight for unionization and government intervention is so important for the protection and safety of models. Furthering the causes of labor advocacy organizations, like Model Alliance, is necessary for raising awareness and bringing victims together. 

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Image of Striped Model via Shutterstock

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