ecotip
Vegan Leather Walk the Talk with Cruelty- Free Shoes
With a wealth of luxury faux alter- natives available in today’s market, shoe lovers can obtain the qual- ity footwear they desire without incurring the usual environmental and human health costs. Vegan leather is an animal- friendly alternative to real leather, derived from synthetic materials. No cow, sheep, goat or any other animal is killed in order to make vegan leather shoes, and for most people, that’s a good enough reason to choose it over the “real” thing. Provided that we pick the right maker, it also boasts the added advantage of being far more eco-friend- ly and sustainable than conventional leather. Elizabeth Olsen, founder of the luxury vegan shoe brand
Olsenhaus, says, “The only difference is the materials—one uses a dead animal’s skin preserved in toxic chemicals; the other is made from a mixture of natu- ral and manmade materials that are better for animals and the environment.” Twenty times more energy is used to create a leather
hide than what is required for synthesized material. Con- ventional leather tanning involves treating animal skins with large quantities of toxic chemicals, including mineral salts, lead, cyanide and formaldehyde. This process wreaks havoc on our environment and the people that work in or live near tanneries, where chemical exposure can cause sickness or even be lethal.
Olsen cautions that just because a shoe is vegan doesn’t
mean it’s been made in an eco-friendly way. She uses natural and manmade materials such as linen, cotton, cork, wood, imitation leathers and recycled faux suede in her vegan shoe line. To assess the quality of vegan leather shoes, she advises, “Shoppers can feel the material and look at the grain to see if it’s faux; with faux, the grain will show a repeating pattern. Also, look for labels noting materials either inside or on the bottom of shoes.” Olsen notes that an online search for vegan fashion
will yield everything from adult couture to baby clothes. Several websites and blogs report on the latest vegan products. She especially likes
GirlieGirlArmy.com for vegan lifestyle and fashion.
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NaturalAwakeningsLongIsland Long Island Edition
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productspotlight ThermiVa Vaginal “Rebirth”
hildbirth and the natural aging process can cause changes that may affect feminine wellness. A particu- larly strenuous vaginal childbirth, multiple births and the effects of menopause can cause physical changes that can rob women (and their partners) of their sense of well-be- ing and happiness. Enter ThermiVa. The ThermiVa procedure is a gentle and painless way to address issues like incon- tinence, vulvovaginal laxity, overactive bladder, orgasmic dysfunction and atrophy. It’s a great option for women that want to reclaim their bodies without surgery. Food and Drug Administration approved, ThermiVa uses
temperature-controlled radio frequency to build collagen. A wand, specifically designed for comfort, heats the targeted area with radio frequency energy, so the patient feels a warm, painless sensation. The procedure is performed in about an hour and there is no downtime. “Patients have reported improvement right away after the first treatment,” says Dr. Kristine Blanche, of Integrative Healing Center at Aristocrat Plastic Surgery & MedAesthetics, with offices in NYC and Long Island. Two additional treatments are recommended to give lasting results. “Patients find that they are able to engage in activities and feel more comfortable with their partners and while exercising.” “ThermiVa answers more than one problem,” says
Blanche. “It offers a one-of-a-kind nonsurgical vaginal reju- venation that is evident by all the pictures on
ThermiVa.com; but what is truly ex- citing is that with the tightening of vaginal tissues, you can target the tightening effects to the area of the ure- thra called pubocervi- cal fascia, and this
results in the amazing reduction in leaky bladder. Both stress incontinence (leaking from increased pressure, such as a cough, sneeze and jump) and overactive bladder are relieved consistently. Our patients have reported improved urinary control, greater enjoyment of intercourse, alleviation of vagi- nal dryness and painful intercourse, aesthetic improvement, comfort exercising and wearing tight-fitting clothes, and a renewed confidence.”
For more information about noninvasive vaginal restoration and the ThermiVa procedure, call Integrative Healing Center at 516-676-0200 (mention this article for 10 percent off of a package of three). See ad on page 23.
www.NaturalAwakeningsLI.com
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