The incredible craftsmanship, color usage, and pattering of traditional Indian textile is going to be big this fall. The pairing of these styles with plaids, denim, canvas and moccasin-inspired shoes and boots is a great way to include it in your wardrobe. Because these textiles are traditionally made from wool and other animal hairs (like in the Pendelton for Opening Ceremony image up top), it is quite difficult to find animal-friendly and eco-friendly versions.
Luckily, thrift stores are chock full of this stuff, from silk-screened shirts to plaid pants and vests, to this western shirts I found, with a great black, silver and tan Chimayo pattern on it. I definitely recommend starting off at the second-hand stores, for both your wallet and the environment.
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Vuori‘s “Native” and “Tribe” organic tee-shirts honor the men and women whose heroic efforts, so often unnoticed, propel us towards a more sustainable future. The “Eagle” tee from Loomstate and the “Endangered Wolf” tee from Loomstate for Barney’s celebrate two iconic animalsthat both need respect and protection. I’d wear this over a skull and crossbones, any day.
The Aztec Shirt from Sierra Trading Post, and Navajo Shirt from Orvis would look great underneath a solid sports coat or beneath a vest. Also try a Navajo vest over some organic plaid like Patagonia’s two shirts below.
Try some burgundy organic denim from Monkee Genes or pick up some plaid pants from the thrift shop!
These are some cruelty-free shoes and mocs that can pull the look together, or just function as the sole element:
• Michael Vick will now fight with Eagles instead of dogs. After doing jail-time and anti-dogfighting campaigns with the HSUS and PETA, Vick has returned to the NFL and joins the Philadelphia Eagles. Will the Eagles be able to dodge the press about this, and furthermore, was it a wise decision when they already have an amazing QB Donovan McNabb, and considering Vick won’t be allowed to play for another seven months? What do you think?
• Speaking of Fighting Eagles, get this organic Loomstate tee at 25% off! For Kaight’s third anniversary, enjoy 25% off all purchases through Aug. 31. Online customers use coupon code “three” to redeem at www.kaightshop.com.
• Raise your hand if you think Crayola supports “terrorism”. Today, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC) and civil rights attorneys will make oral arguments before the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California that the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) is unconstitutional. The AETA is being used for the first time since its passage by Congress in 2006 to do exactly what civil rights advocates feared it would do – criminalize activities protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution – activities like writing slogans in chalk on the sidewalk.
• SolarRolls are not eco-friendly sushi. Meet the first flexible solar panel. Waterproof and durable, this gadget gives you portable electricity anywhere there’s sun. You can charge your car battery, run a video camera, or use it to power cell phones. The possibilities are endless. Starting at $295
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• An elephant known as Jewel, who IDA has been working to rescue for over two years, was attempted to be confiscated from her abuser by the USDA. Her abusive handler, Will Davenport – who has a history of abusing animals and violating the endangered species act in the illegal purchase of elephants Tina and Jewel from the Cole Brothers Circus. Read the whole article.
Here are some cool tools to add to your aresnal for the approaching autumn. Whether you’re headed back to school or back to work, new flax kicks, acessories, and organic cotton shirts are a good place to start.
The UO Linen Oxford combines a flax upper, a faux-leather inner, and a wood and resin sole. Now that’s smart and on sale for $39.99 .The other styles have real cow skin in them, so stick to these beige kicks.
Paul Smith has a distinguished autumn organic check shirt.
TOPMAN offers up some handsome plimsoles in poly faux-leather brown, and red tartan. These are great for back-to-school and autumn adventures.
Nordstrom has a good selection of organic cotton dress shirts for under $30.
Loomstate, Edun, and Rogues Gallery will be showcasing organic menswear at up to 70% off retail at the exclusive GILT GROUPE on Friday 7/24/09 starting at Noon EDT.
Gilt Groupe provides access, by invitation only, to Men’s, Women’s and Children’s coveted fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail. Each sale lasts only 36 hours, and it’s first-come-first-serve.
1, Loomstate, one of our favorite organic lines, is having a sale on GiltGroupe.com this Friday, 6/12. Gilt Groupe is invite only, so click HERE to join as my friend! The sale starts noon on friday, at discounts up to 70% off.
2. The situation in Peru is escalating. Over the weekend, police conducted a violent and deadly raid, opening fire on peaceful indigenous Awajun and Wambis protesters, killing 25 and injuring more than 150.
International oil, logging and mining companies have been handed over the rights to even more of Peru’s Amazon by President Garcia – killing, displacing, and destroying indigenous communities. At this moment, over 50,000 local Peruvians are conducting peaceful protests to defend their rights and the environment, but they are under siege.
In Hollywood, actors Q’orianka Kilcher, Alex Meraz, Colin Farrell, Clifton Collins Jr, Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera), Woody Harrelson, and Esai Morales are protesting in solidarity. Please SIGN THE PETITION.
3. Where thoroughbreds go to retire – the other dark-side of horse-racing. While millions of viewers watch this year’s Belmont Stakes, former champions like Charismatic and War Emblem are half a world away in Japan. Thousands of other less famous U.S.-bred thoroughbreds have also been exported overseas for breeding and racing. When they are no longer useful, most of these horses will be slaughtered. PETA undercover investigators have recorded exclusive footage in a Japanese horse slaughterhouse.
One of our favorite lines, Loomstate, has partnered with Target to do a line of affordable, organic menswear and womenswear . Founders Scott Hahn and Rogan bring us denim, tees, chinos, board shorts, jackets, and knits all around $20 – $40.
What’s so great about organic cotton anyway? Watch this vid.
These Neto Stripes, Plimadrille Shoes, Black High-tops, and Contrast Plimsoles are great for spring!
FOOD, INC. is a film exposing the food industry’s dirty secrets:
In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that’s been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation’s food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment.
Gilt Groupe’s Earthweek sales include Edun, Matt + Nat, Stella McCartney, Loomstate, and Stuart + Brown. Gilt Groupe is a website offering invitation-only sales of coveted and luxury fashion lines at discounts up to 70% off retail.
I am inviting all my readers to join. Simply click HERE.
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Check out the VeganXpress app for your iPod/iPhone. It lets you know what is vegan at popular chain restaurants and fast-food places. If you’re ever stuck in the middle-of-nowhere, this could be quite the life-saver.
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If you’ve never heard Ingrid Newkirk speak, this is a must. Listen to Ingrid’s speech at The International Non-violence Conference in Bethlehem in 2005. It is the first time anyone has been invited to speak on a non-human issue.
2. These shoes are golden! Cool, Vegan, fair-trade, and eco-friendly, does it get any better than that ? Jinga was started 3 years ago by two gals who give back at least 5% of sales to a social project in a Rio de Janeiro favela (shantytown) which provides activities and education to children to keep them away from gangs! (Thanks to reader Michael B. for this info!)
3. Undercover Animal Lover. This guy is an ethical vegan who risks his safety killing animals all day and shooting undercover footage so we can get a glimpse into the heavily-shrouded meat and dairy industries. Can you imagine? Read this rare interview with TIME magazine, and check his HBO documentary Death on a Factory Farm airing March 16.
4. This Sunday, March 15th, eat good vegan food and help farm animals!
Farm Sanctuary’s Dinner Night Broadway East 171 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002 Sunday, March 15, 2009 Reservations for your party are available between 7:30 and 10 p.m.
Reserve your table online at www.opentable.com or by calling Laurie at 212-228-3100.
Be sure to mention Farm Sanctuary when making your reservation.
5. One of our favorite organic companies, Loomstate, is having a party at one of our favorite eco-boutiques, Kaight, on Friday March 20th. Get a free Loomstate organic tee with any purchase of Loomstate S/S ’09!
6. Person to know: Historian and Activist GEORGE DRAFFAN
” ‘Development’ is a euphemism, much like the word ‘efficiency.’ Efficiency within the current system is really about how fast you can turn forests and mountains into wastepaper and soda pop cans. Is that good? If the purpose of life is to consume and destroy, then international trade and industrial civilization are definitely proven ways to speed that up .”
1. If you’ve been procrastinating on getting a sweater this winter, there’s still time! Loomstate’s organic ‘Bering’ crew sweater is totally wool-free! Check out what else they’ve got on the racks for the current season:
Loomstate 'Bering' organic cotton sweater, $106 at greenloop
Loomstate Allistair Jacket, $288 at Tobi
Loomstate organic hoody, $168 at Tobi, Organic Flannel $102 at BlueFly
Organic Woven Cotton Shirt $102 at Greenloop, Slacks $180 at Tobi
2. Support Craftspeople of the Karen Hill Tribe (between Burma & Thailand) by purchasing this gorgeous black scarf.
Karen Hill Tribe Scarf, $30 at Gaiam
3. Vegan Gloves are usually ugly or look like you should be in a dirt-bike competition. These simple faux-leather, insulated gloves go with everything and are slick as hell!
Paz Homem $48.41 at BB
4.Chocolate-Chip, Peanut Butter Cookies!
Cold weather is the best time for pastries. Try this super-easy cookie recipe!
Is there anything better than Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Cookies?
What you’ll need:
•3/4 cup margarine (I use Earth Balance)
•2/3 cup nut butter (use peanut, almond, or cashew!)
•3/4 cup sugar
•1/4 cup brown sugar
•3/4 tsp. salt
•2 Tbsp. egg replacer (I use Energie)
•1 Tbsp. vanilla
•2-1/2 cups flour (you can use up to 4 cups of flour — the more flour you use, the denser, chewier the cookie; the amount listed here is for a texture that most people like.)
•1 cup nondairy semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, cream together margarine, sugars, nut butter, and salt.
2. In a small bowl or mug, beat “egg replacer.” Then add to margarine-sugar mixture. Add vanilla and combine. Slowly, little by little, add flour, stirring constantly to combine. Continue until all flour is well combined (it will get harder to combine the more flour you add).
3. Mix in chocolate chips. Form dough into 1-inch balls and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Then, as Laura puts it, “flatten them with a fork, wish them well, and put them in the oven.” They’ll be ready in about 10 to 12 minutes, or when golden brown.
Luckily, thrift stores are chock full of this stuff, from silk-screened shirts to plaid pants and vests, to this western shirts I found, with a great black, silver and tan Chimayo pattern on it. I definitely recommend starting off at the second-hand stores, for both your wallet and the environment.
Posted by TheDiscerningBrute 
fire on peaceful indigenous Awajun and Wambis protesters, killing 25 and injuring more than 150.
If you’ve never heard Ingrid Newkirk speak, this is a must. Listen to Ingrid’s speech at The International Non-violence Conference in Bethlehem in 2005. It is the first time anyone has been invited to speak on a non-human issue.
