The reason I started
La Belle Nuage was to show that living a vegan, eco friendly lifestyle doesn't mean giving up style, sophistication, and comfort. Sure, some healthy and environmentally friendly products may be slightly more expensive than your average supermarket brand, but the small daily changes I've made have benefitted my health and my pocketbook.
I already ride my bike everywhere, so a few months ago I quit my gym and made the decision to drive only when I really need to. Which means now I really only need to get gas once every month or two. Cycling everywhere has gotten me in great shape, and by making my commute my workout, it has saved me a lot of time as well. I even ride my bike to the grocery store. I bring my backpack and a few reusable bags and cycle it back home. What I miss most about Italy is the lifestyle. Living in LA, it's a little harder to bike everywhere, but by making the conscious decision to live and work locally, I can emulate it. Riding my bike everywhere isn't just a workout and a money & time saver, it's also a lot of fun!
There is one thing that is drastically different about Europe vs. America and that's the coffee. In Europe, you have your itty bitty espresso and sit at a cafe and enjoy it. Here in America, we have a coffee cup crisis. We order our grande, half caf, double mocha, frapachinos with non fat whip, in a to-go cup and throw it away after one use. Over 3 billion Starbucks coffee cups are sent to landfills every year (and that's just Starbucks...) It's a total waste. Not only that, Starbucks coffee cups are not
recyclable. I bought my reusable coffee cup and I bring it with me everywhere. When I leave the house, I take it with me along with my grocery bags.
I went to one of the busiest Whole Foods in LA by the Grove. They go through (on average) about 8,000 paper bags A DAY! Most companies offer bag and cup discounts if you bring your own. It may not seem like a big deal unless you're a penny pincher, but it does mean something. Now that summer is here, a lot of the coffee spots are making reusable cups for you iced coffee too.
Normally, I like to support smaller brands and stay away from big corporations. But, I also think it's important for big brands to know that there is a market for environmentally friendly products. I used to think that Costco was the devil, but then someone bought me their Kirkland Signature brand's Vegan Shampoo and Conditioner, and I gotta admit, they're really great!
I've always believed in following your heart and to not give up on what makes you happy. When I became a vegan and a conscious consumer, I made sure that I substituted, and didn't cut out the things in life that make me happy. I just feel better about myself for doing what I can to make a difference.
I Can Be Chic and Eco Friendly Too! Part Deux
