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7 of the Coolest Eco-Lodges in South America

9/16/2015

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Traveling has never been easier. With the Internet, booking a flight and lodging is effortless.

During the four months I spent backpacking through South America, I found that there was a huge community of backpackers, and therefore finding a good hostel or hotel was painless.

With all of the options for lodging, being mindful and supporting hostels and hotels that are ecologically and socially responsible is a good way to make a positive impact on the planet.

I believe that supporting eco-lodges is a way to help shift the world toward a more sustainable future.

In order for a hotel or hostel to be eco-certified, the establishment needs to follow strict green guidelines. Green hotels generally have certain attributes, including the utilization of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, energy efficient lighting, the service of organic and locally grown food, non-toxic cleaning supplies, linens and mattresses that are made out of 100% organic cotton, the infrastructure for recycling and on-site transportation with green vehicles.

Eco-lodges range from cheap, fun and backpacker-style, to stylish and luxurious resorts. A traveler of any age can choose sustainability without compromising their idea of a vacation.

Whether you venture deep into the forests, explore high up in the mountains or roam around a stunning city, there are a range of sustainable lodges in South America to choose from. For me, being mindful while traveling is important. In order for Earth to survive, I believe there must be a shift in the way things are done. When you travel in a sustainable fashion, you are helping to make that shift toward a greener future.

I have compiled a list of seven awesome eco-lodges in South America. I was lucky enough to stay at some of them, while others I have added to my list of places to visit!

1. La Serrana (Salento, Colombia)

Located in the Los Nevados mountain range, La Serrana provides coffee tours, mountain biking, rock climbing, and a free gourmet breakfast. Their restaurant serves fresh veggies from the on-site organic garden. La Serrana “offers the ultimate affordable and authentic Colombian hacienda experience.” I personally think La Serrana is one of the nicest, coziest hostels I have ever stayed at. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the food is amazing and there are bonfires outside at night!

Find out more about La Serrana here.

2. Black Sheep Inn (Chucchilan, Ecuador)

Black Sheep Inn is 100% community operated. Their ecological conservation projects have won tons of awards, including World’s Best Hotels by National Geographic Traveler in 2011. Located high in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, this ecologically friendly lodge is the ideal spot for day hikers to come explore the various ecosystems and centuries-old culture. The Black Sheep Inn offers gourmet vegetarian food and organic produce from their gardens.

Read more about Black Sheep Inn.

3. Kapawi Ecolodge and Reserve (Amazon, Ecuador)

Rooted far in the Achuar territory, the Kapawi Lodge is one of the most remote lodges. It is located far from any kind of civilization and it is one of the most culturally sensible and ecologically responsible eco-lodges in the world. Your stay at the lodge helps protect the extraordinary natural environment.

Learn more here.

4. Paraiso Lodge (Colca Canyon, Peru)

Paraiso Lodge is located in the middle of Colca Canyon near Arequipa, Peru. The hot water comes from solar-heated tanks and all the tables and chairs are made from recycled wood. The owners of Paraiso Lodge believe in combatting climate change through sustainable living. I spent three days hiking through Colca Canyon and Paraiso Lodge was an unbelievable place. I spent an afternoon swimming in the pool, relaxing in a hammock, exploring the garden and preparing for the extremely difficult hike I would be embarking on in the canyon.


Check out the website for more info.

5. Chalalán Ecolodge (Madidi National Park, Bolivia)

Chalalán Ecolodge is located on the shore of the Chalalán Lagoon. The cabins are are surrounded by virgin forest and can house up to 30 people. This luxurious eco-lodge respects the traditional building styles of the San José de Uchupiamonas community through the use of local materials. “The lodge is found in one of the richest and most protected areas of the planet, known by scientists as a Biodiversity Hotspot.”

Find out more here.

6. Eco Pampa Palermo (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Eco Pampa Palermo is a hostel located in the heart of Palermo Soho surrounded by art galleries, bars, green spaces, design shops and restaurants. The hostel collaborates with the environment, making the best use of the vital natural resources, without compromising guest service or care of the facility. The area is extremely safe, even in the late hours of the night.

Read more about Eco Pampa Palermo.

7. Caiman Ecolodge Refuge (Miranda, Brazil)

The Caiman Lodge is a part of the Caiman Ecological Refuge, located on a 53,000 hectare ranch. It was the first ecotourism operation in the Southern Pantanal of Mato Grosso du Sul, established in 1985. “Since then, it has aimed at creating and offering visitors a means of getting close to the Pantanal’s nature and culture, while pursuing excellence in hospitality services and gastronomy.” In addition, the Caiman Ecological Refuge operates a renowned Nature Conservation Program. Visitors can bird watch, go on a biking tour, enjoy a photographic safari, go on a canoe tour and more.

Check out the website for details.

There are tons of sustainable hostels and hotels around the world. When traveling to a new location, do some research and find the ones that best match what you are looking for! Check out The Mindful Explorer for more eco-lodges around the world.



Originally published on elephant journal here.

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Lie on the Ground, Outside for 10 Minutes and Watch What Happens

9/13/2015

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It is no secret that spending time outside, in nature, is good for the soul. I will often sit on my patio with a cup of tea to get away from work or stress and just relax. However, lying outside, on the ground, is something different. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is. Just go outside and lie down for even just 10 minutes, and watch what happens.

The sky will change before your eyes.

Whether it is dawn, dusk, afternoon, or midnight, doesn’t matter. As you lie on the floor and look up at the sky, you will observe beautiful, magical changes happening right before your eyes. Clouds will shift and change shapes, the colors of the sky will paint a forever-changing show of hues, the sun will rise or fall and the moon will brighten the sky. You will be hypnotized by the show happening right before your eyes and you will wonder why you rarely take notice of the exhibition that happens everyday, right outside above your head.

The sounds of nature will capture your attention.

As you lie there on the ground, you will tune in to all the different sounds happening around you. You will likely close your eyes for a few seconds and pick up on the noises of nature. The wind will rustle the leaves, birds will chatter, crickets will chirp and small creatures will scurry by. Sounds you never quite listened to will prick up your ears and give you a new sense of the outside world.

You will see the world from a different angle.

It is seldom that we lie down, on our backs, unless we are in bed going to sleep. Yet, when you are outside lying on the ground, you are viewing the world from a different angle. You will no longer be looking down at whatever happens to be below you, but you will be looking up. Nothing will be the same. Your perspective of the world will be altered.

You will feel small.

As humans, we are used to feeling big and powerful. However, when you are on the ground, lying flat, you suddenly feel small and delicate. A humbling sensation will overtake you as you realize that we are so tiny compared to the grandiose world around us.

Little creatures will be living their lives right there with you.

For once in your life, you will be at eye level with all the small insects, lizards, frogs and whatever other little creatures happen to be around you. For a few minutes, you will get insight into how they live their lives. You will watch the interactions happening between the small animals and you will realize that they are all just as much a part of this earth as you are.  Maybe you will make eye contact with the lizard that stares at your from behind the shrubs. Or maybe an ant will journey up your arm and you will watch it as it marches along with no intent to harm or attack you. Every little creature is living its life here as well and it’s important to recognize that.

You will feel the earth.

Whether you are lying on the grass, in the sand or even on the street, you will feel the earth right beneath you. Unconsciously, you will start to run your fingers through the grass or touch the small stones beside your body. Your feet will wiggle their way into the sand or rub against the dirt floor. Let your body move freely on the terrain and all of the sudden you will feel grounded. Smell the scent of the mud, soil and turf surrounding you. This is the land we live on and all of it, down to the dirt, is amazing.

Birds and bugs will fly above you.

Birds will fly above you and you will be astonished by the way they move so effortlessly across the sky. Butterflies, dragonflies and other insects will flutter above, simply and smoothly, as if they know exactly where they are heading. The deft movements of the birds’ wings will fascinate you and you will start to take notice of all the various motions different birds have mastered. You will sense an inescapable charm as you watch these majestic creatures traveling by air, living by way of the wind, journeying through the heavens.

You will feel content.

After just a few moments, you will feel relaxed, at peace and content. The earth we live on is a marvelous place. There are so many things happening around us that we fail to notice on a regular basis. Once you take the time to stop and observe the fact that we are not alone, you will feel connected and gratified. Just lie down, for 10 minutes and look up. This is an amazing world.



Find this article (slightly altered) on elephant journal here!
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7 Eco-Friendly, Humane Fashion Brands That Are Both Stylish and Affordable.

9/2/2015

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In today’s world, shopping has never been easier. With online stores selling just about anything you can imagine, you can have whatever you want at your doorstep by tomorrow. My girlfriends are constantly telling me about the new shoes they ordered online or the new dress they plan to purchase. However, in a world where people shop till they drop, it is important to think about where your products come from.

Luckily, the world is becoming more aware of the environmental impact of the textile and clothing industry—as well as the ethical questions raised from animals used for clothing and the mistreatment of factory workers—and a ton of companies have committed to fair-trade, sustainable and cruelty-free fashion. While some people hesitate before buying pricy eco-fashion apparel, these companies make fair-trade fashion that is both stylish and affordable.


Threads for Thought

Threads for Thought is a company committed to using sustainable materials. They’ve adopted manufacturing processes that are environmentally friendly. They only work with factory partners that treat their workers humanely and fairly. With styles available for men and women, they make everything from dresses, leggings, scarves, rompers, active wear and more. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter to get great deals all the time.

Fair Indigo

Fair Indigo believes in changing the world by changing clothes. They buy local products and believe in choosing fair-trade, organic cotton, eco-friendly fabrics and recycled material. Fair Indigo believes that buying “better basics” is key to creating a timeless wardrobe. Shop their website by searching products based on what you value. The website makes it easy for the shopper to search through recycled, vegan, organic, fair trade and USA made products. Find clothing and accessories for men, women and children, in addition to gifts and home goods.

Loomstate

Loomstate claims that sustainability starts with organic cotton. They use 100% certified organic cotton 100% of the time. Loomstate strongly believes in protecting the environment as well as the health and safety of both their manufacturers and customers. Creating sustainable communities is important to the Loomstate team. Shop shirts, sweatshirts, joggers and accessories for both men and women.

Matt & Nat

Matt & Nat started in 1995 based on the idea that Mat(t)erial & Nature can coexist to create something beautiful. Matt & Nat is committed to not using leather or any other animal-based material. Every season, Matt & Nat explore new ways to to be sustainable and eco-friendly. Their motto is simple, “Live Beautifully.” Shop for handbags, wallets and accessories. Boutiques across the United States, Japan, Canada, the UK, Australia and Germany carry Matt & Nat collections.

People Tree

People Tree has partnered with fair trade artisans and farmers to produce ethical and eco fashion for over 20 years. People Tree prides itself in being different from the fast fashion industry. Their garments are made from sustainable materials and organic cotton, and support rural communities that use traditional skills. All of their clothes are dyed using safe and natural dyes. You can find dresses, tops, yoga wear and even jewelry on their website.


Helpsy

Helpsy believes that cutting-edge fashion can have a positive social impact all the time. Shoppers can search for products on the Helpsy website by category, including handmade, local production, cruelty-free, upcycled and more. Shop for home goods, gifts and beauty products. They offer clothing for both men and women.

Moo Shoes

Moo Shoes was founded in 2001 and was the first cruelty-free store of its kind in New York City. It vegan-owned and sells cruelty-free footwear, wallets, T-shirts, bags, books and other accessories. You can shop online or visit one of the retail stores in NYC or Los Angeles.


Originally published by elephant journal. You can find the original article here.
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