A New Chapter

Photograph from a hike with friends on Galiano Island by Sam Gagnon

Hiking to the Lake Agnes Tea House in Alberta last summer

There’s a reason “it takes a village” can be heard from mouths of our elders when great challenges are overcome.

One aspect (of countless) that I love about my friends is how curious they are. Gatherings are never a bore as we each bring to the table a different perspective with an inquisitive underlying theme. We love to discuss books, documentaries, protest-able subjects, yes, the occasional reality tv gos, and forward-thinking innovation. I myself am persistently curious about the world around me and certainly seek those that share a similar sense of wonder. I can’t help it.

We love to share with one another sustainable products and findings that simply make our lives better. I am grateful for the women from another time, sitting around the communal hearth, sharing findings on which berries are fair game and which ones to avoid. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. Knowledge is a powerful tool.

With that said, I wanted to clue you into what we’re talking over the campfire or charcuterie board.

I’ve asked a few of my friends to help me out and share their thoughts, findings, favorites and passes with a little bit of extra research. I feel fortunate to have so many passionate friends who love this planet and instead of talking to an echo chamber, I decided to signal boost their voices... and pay them for it! We’re just a few chicks who give a shit about Mother Nature and are learning more and more as we go along. Trial and error is part of the process and in many ways, we’re learning as a species the more we research. If you’re an expert or this is the first piece of literature you have ever actively read on the topic, you are welcome here!

Join us!

Under the sea and on the trails, we find ourselves picking up trash, noticing changes in the ski season and are deeply passionate about learning more about intersectional environmentalism and eco-tourism. We love traveling after all.

Why is the ski season shorter this year? Who made this? Was anyone harmed in the production of this product? Why are the reefs bleaching? What is causing so many wildfires? What am I putting on my face? Where does this go when I’m done with it? Is the 400 years of packaging worth the three minutes of satisfaction? Do the ads and products reflect a company ethos that values representation? How do my own biases negatively impact others?

We weirdly love learning and talking about what we discover! I always walk away from a gathering uplifted by their voices and support and sometimes it makes me reflect and have gratitude for outlets of growth.

We’re curious chicks!

We’re pretty less is more, invest in the good ish, turn and learn. You can still live life to the fullest, look cute while making a few sacrifices along the way. Humans are adaptable and you’ll become wired to know what to look for and to ask a few more questions! It’ll become mindless and part of your consumer DNA. Cultivating curiosity is key as well as normalizing changing our minds. It’s called growth!

Mama Nature is giving us a wake up call and we think it’s time to listen and act. She does so much for us.

we are each singular parts of a whole

While we understand that corporations are the largest contributors to carbon emissions and need to be held accountable, like one of my favorite Buddhist non-dualisms, we are all parts of a whole. If we all make some changes with how we interact with the world, we may find ourselves feeling a bit lighter in many senses of the word. We also recognize, acknowledge and have compassion for the fact that it is a privilege to afford healthy food, farmers market hauls as well as a multitude of environmentally conscious items. The start up costs for sustainability are expensive and are not as easily attainable for the majority. We get that. As a result, we donate 10% of our profits to organizations that provide to meet basic needs and education for underserved and vulnerable communities. The other 5% of our 15% pledge are donated towards action for climate change.

Remember, it’s all nuanced, we’re all learning as we go. I would have told you a decade ago that climate change was a hoax as I was a voice box for the environment I grew up in.

Practice over perfection always. You do have to continue to fill up your own cup before you can share with others.

xo,

Brooke