Also watch: I GAVE UP // Mental Health Update

Also watch: Tattoos Helped Me With My Eating Disorder

Hello everybody! I hope you’re all well. If you don’t know where I am at the moment, you probably don’t follow me on social media, or perhaps the notifications bell isn’t on, or perhaps the new algorithms are just drowning my posts; honestly it’s hard to be sure at this point. Anyway, if you’re interested I’ve left a link in the top of the post.

I just really wanted to talk about our community for a second, because I think I need to. I’ve been interested in zero waste for over 4 years now, and I’ve been blogging and documenting my journey every step of the way; this means that I got involved with the online zero waste community quite quickly.  I’ve been art of online communities before, art fora, photography fora and as many of you know, social fashion and beauty platforms as well. However, I have never before been a part of, or even seen, a community which such an amazing ability to care for each other as the zero waste community.

Also watch: I Broke Off My Engagement

I’ve shown you guys huge parts of my journey and my life, and not all of them have been perfect or ideal or even positive. I’ve recently shared bits of some mental health issues in context of my stay in Beijing and why I decided to come home after only two weeks. Last year I told you how I broke off my engagement 4 months before the wedding and I’ve also let you guys know how I have utilised tattoos to improve my body perception and my eating disorder. I’ve shared these personal details because I want to be honest and not just some Instagram ideal that isn’t actually real.

Anyway, my point is that through all of these semi-tough announcements, the community around which I have build my platform has shown itself to be kind, accepting, loving and most of all supportive. I don’t know if the notion of zero waste just exclusively appeals to the kindest hearted people, or whether or not it is because the foundation of the community is based off something so utterly caring and unselfish, as caring for the plant in spite of difficulties and inconveniences.  Whatever it is, I am so massively grateful to a part of a community that cares so much and shows this amount of support. It makes it way easier to be real and honest when I feel that I am welcome in spite of imperfections or failures. I encourage everyone to bring this sort of kindness into the world.

Hello everybody! I had the amazing opportunity to meet up with the owner of China’s only zero waste shop right here in Beijing. It’s the funniest thing actually, I got in contact with Carrie, the amazing and brilliant woman who runs the shop, through an Instagram follower, and we got connected on WeChat. Without having decided on a day to meet up, I end up walking right by the store whilst searching for a vintage shop. It’s quite mental considering how massive Beijing actually is.

Also read: A Visit To Copenhagen Bulk Store LØS

I got to hear a lot about the store and how it opened. I know that generally zero waste initiatives are more difficult than other stores, but in the case of The Bulk House, it’s a whole other level. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the people how run this place despite the obstacles in China, and it was definitely an extremely inspirational meeting.

Also read: Come With Me To Isangs // Plastic Free Soap Shop 

Hello everybody! I thought, as I possibly won’t upload as frequently as I usually do, I would start a series of everyday moments, in which I can be more personal. I moved to Beijing, China since my last post, so I most certainly feel that calls for an update. I got a few comments regarding the nature of air travel, and I do completely agree that it can be unnecesary and polluting, but when there are no other options, you gotta do what you gotta do. I like to think that neither of us are completely perfect, and I do love to travel.  Zero Waste is going to be interesting here, and I have to rethink and reinvent everything from scratch, which is difficult, but also really exciting.

Also read: Eco Travel In A Circus Wagon

I’ve been scouting my area, which is called Jiuxian, for vegan restaurants and options. I do not know much Chinese, but so far I get by on the basics and the comfort of a translation app. I’ve accepted that some infomation will ultimately get lost in translation, so the chance of eating something with fishsauce or milk powder in it is pretty big, but eventhough it makes my stomach turn I try to accept that I probably won’t be perfect in that aspect either. However, and this is the case whereever you’re travelling; it’s all about intention. I go with my gut and avoid everything that seems suspicious, there is really nothing else to do. I am still in a rookie phase here, so I am exploring local grocery stores and supermarkets, hopefully I’ll have time to go and find a Farmer’s Market or something of that nature.

Also read: Travelling Eco – Malaga

Everything is very different and new and that in itself is quite scary. The apartment I am living in, and sharing with two others, was in much worse condition than I imagined and that really affected my mood on the first day, well both that and the jetlag. But I’ve decorated it a bit and made it feel more like home; a process which required me to purchase some things, I tried making it as package free as possible, but of course there was some waste. I cannot wait to give you the tour though. I know some of the big things I do have a huge impact on our planet, like buying new things and travelling for work. But living without these things would not simply be inconvient, it would be an empty life; seeing the world and a home that feels like home are essential to me, however plastic bags, straws, take away containers, fast fashion, meat, dairy and eggs are not. I try to stay true to my values in those aspects that really matters to me personally.

Also read: Zero Waste Travelling Tips

Hello everybody! Yeah, I am back with another recipe post. I sometime stop and wonder when exactly this blog became a food blog, but it’s too hard to speculate too much about stuff like that when you’re busy devouring a giant vegan taco cake. Yes.. you heard me. Anyway, I came up with this recipe because I needed to clear out my fridge, so fear not; if there is anything you do not have simply replace it with something you do have. Also I have never baked anything without flour and sugar so it was really interesting to try. I had these for breakfast two days in a row and I am not even remotely sorry.

Recipe // My Favourite Dish

• Around 150 grams of soaked black beans
• 1 cup of soy milk (or any other plant based milk on hand)
• 3 tsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp maple syrup (or agave or any preferred sweetener )
• ½ cup rice flour
• tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp peanut butter

Recipe // Homemade Chocolate Spread

You can add grains, bananas or chocolate to this recipe as well, really anything that you think would work. The procedure is super simple. Set the oven for 180 degrees celcius. Gather all your wet ingredients and mix them together in a blender. Add all your dry ingredients and add them in little by little. Mix it all together with a spoon until the consistency is even. I poured half the batter into a baking tray, sprinkled a few more tablespoons of peanut butter on there (because I have no actual way of controlling myself) and then poured the remaining batter on top, evened it out and popped in the oven for about 12 minutes.

Organic Basic Underwear // Shop Here

Hello everybody! As an individual who is deeply passionate about the well-being of our planet, I take great pride in not letting anything be up to mere convenience, which is why I cut out fast fashion a long time ago. As you may know, I primarily shop my clothes second hand, however it is not the case with underwear. Instead I choose brands, like Organic Basics, who initiate ethical and sustainable production of clothes.

The fashion industry is responsible for 1,715 million tons of CO2 in 2015, it costs about 2720 litres of water to simply produce a tshirt, which is often done under unethical conditions in factories and sweatshops, and sadly, 95% of recycled clothing is not recycled. These are the facts of an industry which caters to our desire for cheap and convenient products, and these facts all communicate an overall need for a serious change in the way we purchase and consume products.

Therefore it is so overwhelmingly important that we, as consumers, demand more from the fashion industry. When supporting brands like Organic Basics, who are transparent and honest about their production, materials, working conditions and impact, you automatically support a healthier consumerism, which is not founded in trends or convenience.

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