Inspiration

Many ‘new’ ways are actually going back to the ‘old’ ways. Often they get called slow, like slow food and slow fashion. Good developments since it puts emphasis on value of things and time. If we want to keep our planet healthy, valuing the things we use is a good step. It will make a big difference to the amount of waste we produce. And it will bring more harmony in our lives as well.

To me slow fashion is:

• Making sure cloths last due to good quality of material and design.
• Cloths that are produced in a lasting way, without damaging other peoples lives due to poisonous processes and materials.
• Not following trends. Basically everything should stay interesting to look at for at least three years.

More and more designers are starting to work that way so choosing is become easier each year. And luckily there are items that never go out of style and make you look good wherever you are (even in a storm on the most southern coast of Europe).

Pashmina shawls

Products are labeled with the Pashmina Trademark TAG of Chyangra Pashmina. The TAG is the authentic representation of pure, genuine, finest and 100% reassurance of the qualities of Pashminasproduct of Nepal.  Each Tag has a Hologram with an independent serial numbers. In order to be able to use the Chyangra Pashmina Trademark TAG, producers must agree to comply with very strict criteria set out in the Code of Conduct of Nepal Government.

Incredible that I have taken so long to write about this all time favourite of mine. I have collected several pashmina’s over the years. By now they are a signature look. I always buy directly from producers in Nepal to make sure profit is being made locally. My supplier is ‘Pashminas Nepal’ They always deliver great handwoven quality shawls. Soft and in splendid, environmentally friendly dyed, colours. The spinning and weaving is done traditionally as much as possible. But uses modern technology where needed to ensure a good working environment since weaving is quite intensive labor. Shawls are dyed upon order so the colour you like is always available. What I like about Pashminas Nepal is the fact that it is a socially responsible producer. They are entitled to use the quality label ‘Chyangra Pashmina’ that is given to producers that follow the strict criteria given by the Nepalese government. Their production takes place in a village where it provides work locally to women. 10% Of the annual profit goes to education in different parts of Nepal.

Tip: request a colour sample booklet with your first order so you can easily choose colours for the next order.

“I take slow fashion quite literal as well and knit many evenings in fall and winter time. I enjoy doing this because it slows down my mind. It works two ways like that. Taking a break from busy (work) life and making something I grow attached to while making it. Most items I want to keep for years or, I remake them. Not surprising then, is the fact that my most favourite online platform (after Feronia Academy) is www.Ravelry. Enter at your own risk. Happy long dark evenings!”

In the Netherlands (and much of Europe) we have had many weeks with high temperatures and no rain. To such an extent that using water on crops was hardly possible anymore. What I found really interesting during this whole period is that in the media there was talked about “problems that the farmers had” Farmers were loosing crops or crops were loosing value. Farmer might have to stop after this harvest season due to high losses. Farmers were not able to meet the supermarket requirements. Farmers were complaining about losses and found little help it seemed.

What I find disturbing about this is the fact that the general public feels disconnected to farmers, disconnected to where food comes from. If the farmers have problems getting good food of the land we are all in trouble not just the farmers. I grew up in a rural society. Mostly dairy farming but none the less I got to know farmers at a young age (and in different times, the 70’s). I do not know if farmers were respected more at that time than they are now but I do think this is the case. They were most certainly not considered being ‘the bad guys’ while trying to feed the country as seems to be the case these days.

Despite all campaigns on where does your food come from, visit a farm etc. the trends of imported power food and disconnection to the origin of food is prevailing. This needs to change. We need to get a healthy relationship with life, nature, food and the farmers who work so hard to feed those of us who want to have the privilege to buy in a supermarket. Healthy food is not about eating avocado’s everyday (they come from Latin Amerika, Israel and Asia by boat). It is also not about eating sweets made with dates instead of sugar.

Healthy relationship with food is to my opinion:

• a challenge in our current consumers-society and it takes attitude and step by step changes to keep it up;

But that aside I think a healthy relationship with food is:

• Being connected to food in general, where does it come from and how is it produced;
• Knowing what you eat and if it is nutritious;
• Accepting that healthy food and eating together takes time;
• Realising that there is hardly anything more valuable to spend time on than making food;
• Buying local food (good luck growing your own avocado’s! mine are not taking off yet but one day….);
• Making sure farmers get a fair price for your food by buying as close to the source as you can;
• Meeting farmers, seeing their love for producing healthy food, learning from them;
• Eating fresh food only when it is in season (making a study of this is fun);
• Buying food that is not in plastic or has minimal or reusable packaging;
• Re-using glass bottles and jars to make your own jams, chutneys, ketchup, syrup, liqueur etc;
• Accepting that you are not a chef (unless you are) and that you are allowed to make simple food;
• Cooking with less ingredients (google 5 ingredients or less for great ideas);
• Getting into leftover cooking, throwing away food is a sign of stupidity (sorry but there is no kinder way to say this);
• Thinking about the amount of waste you are buying as well;
• Eating your heart out on avocados, pineapples and mango’s when you take a tropical vacation.

I am doing my best and try to add a new habit each month to make sure it has time to stick. Oh and don’t worry I am not someone who thinks she know’s best. Proof? I did some online shopping while writing this story and that is one habit I want to stop due to all this waste that comes with it……. But I will not give up!

I was born and raised in the Frisian province, in the north of the Netherlands. A province famous for it’s dairy, the beautiful Frisian cows and horses, it’s water.  And, of course the incredible 11 cities skating tour of 200km. It has been a while since skating this tour was possible but it is done in many other ways possible such as by bike or boat.

Never IN the water though. Olympic Swim Champion Maarten van der Weijden will do this for the first time from 18-20 of August. Non stop and with a major goal in mind; raising money for cancer research.

Swimming along

For a, short, part of his tour I will swim along together with over 1500 others. To give him the extra spirit needed to get through this incredible challenge. Would you like to support this challenge and help raise money for cancer research? Donate on my personal action page.