We Aim To Slay

At first glance it’s easy to assume that I wouldn’t pay much mind to my impact on the natural world. But behind all of the glitz and glamour, I was raised on a horse farm in the northwest hills of Connecticut. I’ve been skiing since I was four years old; horseback riding since before I could walk; and started surfing a few years ago. And as I recently shared, I’ve been traveling for longer than I can remember, and even added camping and road tripping to my list of adventures!

When you’ve spent most of your life outdoors, your global impact is foremost in your mind. For me, Earth Day is more than just an annual celebration, it’s an everyday lifestyle!

What is Earth Day?

According to EarthDay.Org, Earth Day (observed annually on April 22nd) “marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.” Throughout the 1980s several pieces of environmental legislation were introduced in the United States including: “the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act,” amongst others.

This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” is described as “reflecting a fundamental truth: environmental progress doesn’t depend on any single administration or election. It’s sustained daily by the actions of communities, educators, workers, and families protecting where they live and work.”

“Our Power, Our Planet” is more than just a theme for this year’s Earth Day global observances – it’s a reminder that together we can accomplish great feats; like restoring our home.

The Protector of the Forest

This year, I wanted to do more than rehash my green practices. I wanted to create some sort of visual to bring my message to life. So I did what I do best – started planning a photo shoot! And, in the spirit of this year’s theme, tapped into two of my favorite creatives to bring my vision to life – CT-based photographer, Jerome Stallings, and artist & body painter, Stacey Gallagher (aka, my mom!).

After two hours of body painting and a trip to the local park, we were on location in Wolcott, CT, creating these incredible images! I cannot thank Stacey & Jerome enough for bringing my vision to life!

How I Live a Green Life

The idea of living a green – or eco-friendly – life is much more commonplace than it was when I was growing up, but as I’ve shared in a recent article the world has become a chaotic place. I hope you’ll take this little reminder to get outside and indulge in the beauty that is all around us!

While enjoying your local environment, keep in mind some of my favorite ways to live the world a bit better than how you found it!

Reef Safe Sunscreen

Because I spend so much time outside, sunscreen is a mainstay in my skincare routine. And at first you might think, “the stronger the SPF, the better!” but your favorite SPF may be contributing to coral reef bleaching. 

According to SaveTheReef.Org, the four biggest contributors to killing our seas are: single use plastics; oils and fossil fuels; GMO and pesticides; and non-reef safe sunscreen. SaveTheReef goes on to explain that the terms “reef safe” and “reef friendly” are not currently regulated, so the best way to determine what is in your products is to check the “active ingredients” label. 

Ingredients that should be avoided include:

• Oxybenzone
• Octinoxate
• Octocrylene
• Homosalate
• 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
• PABA
• Parabens
• Triclosan
• Any nanoparticles or “nano-sized” zinc or titanium (if it doesn’t explicitly say “micro-sized” or “non-nano” and it can rub in, it’s probably nano-sized)
• Any form of microplastic, such as “exfoliating beads”

One of my favorite reef safe sunscreens is by the brand Innisfree, which you can find right here on my ShopMy or Benable sites – both of these websites are shoppable, and yes, I do make a small commission but those funds make it possible to bring you fresh content each week; so I appreciate your support!

Smart Fashion!

We’ve all heard the term “fast fashion” but what does that even mean? A quick Google Search will define the term as “a business model focusing on the rapid production of inexpensive, low-quality clothing that mimics current runway trends.” Think brands like SheIn – you buy a dress for $5, you wear it once, you throw it away. But those “inexpensive, low-quality” materials often include harmful chemicals and plastic, which is harmful to your health and the environment.

In the last few years I’ve challenged myself to re-evaluate how I approach my wardrobe. This has included taking part in the #NoNewClothes challenge, discovering a love for vintage clothing, and donating the clothes I no longer wear.

Get Involved!

And most obvious – you can get involved! Whether you’re looking to join a group or want to work solo, there are so many ways that you can make a positive impact on the natural world:

• Plant wildflowers or a butterfly garden
• Local park or beach clean ups
• Don’t use harsh chemicals → think fertilizers, cleaning products, even in your skincare!

And so much more! You can find even more information in last year’s article, “Going Green For Earth Day!” and “Monday is Earth Day – Here’s How You Can Get Involved!”, as well as on EarthDay.org! 

What Do You Think?

I hope you all have the Happiest Earth Day! Share some of your favorite ways to live a green life in the comments below! I’ll be ringing in the day outside with my dog Dante, and volunteering in my town’s annual Earth Day event this weekend!

I’ll be back next week to share one of my favorite (eco-friendly!) fashion secrets – matching sets!

Have a great rest of your week, and remember to SLAY!