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Aromatherapy
is committed to
providing knowledge,
growth and healing
to a society that is
riding a constant
wave of high stress
and anxiety.
~ Dinah Daniel
By Haley Hagen
Three years ago, Elizabeth Olsenhaus created a fashion of Since her transformation into the vegan lifestyle, Elizabeth
which many were not aware. After some time and energy, has been an advocate in preventing animal cruelty. She
she has relaunched her vegan shoe line, olsen Haus, and has transferred this energy into OlsenHaus by producing
has made her mark on the fashion industry. functional goods, products that are made of non-animal
materials and by creating a work environment that
Elizabeth attended art school in the South and later design upholds ethical practices. OlsenHaus also works with
school in New York City. She has experienced life on both many organizations such as Greenpeace, PETA and
coasts of the States and has traveled the world for work Farm Sanctuary; all while creating beautiful, fashionable,
and pleasure alike. Elizabeth has been in the style world eco-friendly shoes.
for 15 years, working with large designers such as Calvin
Klein, Nine West,Tommy Hilfiger and on print ad OlsenHaus shoe line is one of many vegan fashions, and
campaigns, commercials and films with Nike, Nissan, Elizabeth believes the vegan style will only strengthen
IBM and others. within the fashion industry.
As a child, she questioned every little detail about meat. “It already is a world wide phenomenon and growing
After much research as a teenager, Elizabeth became a stronger person by person every day.There are so many
vegetarian and later a vegan. She has been living this material options and ways to combine them creatively.
lifestyle, which has inspired her designs in the long run, You cannot hide the truth forever. Intelligent people today
for 20 years. want to know what is going on. It is the natural evolution
of mankind to not be dependent on animals, and to
“Being vegan has meant everything to the rapid success of coexist in harmony with them.True style is being aware,
OlsenHaus. My body, health and mind are clear. I come thoughtful and compassionate, which has nothing to do
from a place of truth and heart, making the work I put with cruelty.Vegan and eco-friendly everything is the
into the world good for everyone and everything.” way of the future.”
CHLOE JO
B
PHOTO: JE ERMAN: WWW.G
REMY DA IRL
VIS: WWW IEGIRLARMY.COM
.LORDJDA
VIS.COM
olsenHaus
PURE VEGAN
8 A DISTINCTIVE STYLE ~ Jan/Feb 2009
Jan/Feb 2009 ~ ADISTINCTIVESTYLE 9
10 A DISTINCTIVE STYLE ~ Jan/Feb 2009
Jan/Feb 2009 ~ ADISTINCTIVESTYLE 11
Happy New Year
THE END IS NEAR. Or at least that’s what sidewalk prophets have been saying for decades. It’s
kind of a drawn-out downer, huh? In the event that, eventually they’re right, the time to change
is now. Tomorrow may be too late to improve your diet, stop smoking or start recycling.
And even if the end is, well, far, today is still the best time to think about the legacy you’ll
leave behind. As for me, I enjoy New Year’s resolutions. I make them, break them and generally
savor the idea of the chance to try again every year. Or every day if need be.
It wasn’t until I had a child that I gave much thought to making environmentally friendly
resolutions. The decision to begin recycling was more about avoiding a lecture from my son –
once he was old enough to talk, that is – than it was to help the environment. (Hey, I’m nothing,
if not honest.) But now I’m committed. I diligently compress, sort and pack my recyclables in
our appropriately colored green bin and tote it to the curb once a week.
Apparently, I’m not alone in this baby-step’s worth of effort toward joining the eco-conscious.
But, even my little one can tell you, baby steps are how every journey begins … In fact, The
Nature Conservancy of Texas has learned that more than 50 percent of Americans want to live
an environmentally conscious lifestyle but many don’t know what to do to make a significant
difference for the health of the planet.
According to a recent Harris Poll on green living, supported by The Nature Conservancy, nearly
three-quarters of Americans believe their actions can make a difference in protecting the
environment. About half of them are recycling.
Yet, beyond recycling, fewer than 5 percent of those making lifestyle changes to “go green”
have taken other important steps, such as consolidating driving trips to reduce gas use, using
utilities wisely or using energy-efficient light bulbs, Harris reports.
Some simple things people can do to help safeguard natural resources include:
• Bring their own re-usable bags to the store when they shop.
• Pay and receive bills online to save paper and trees.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs to save energy.
• Water gardens before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. to reduce moisture loss through evaporation.
• Make sure car tires are properly inflated to save gas.
The Harris Poll found that 53 percent of those surveyed have taken steps to green their lives.
At the same time, 34 percent said they hadn’t changed their lifestyle because they “did not
know what to do.”
If every American home switched out just one incandescent light bulb for
a compact fluorescent one, the United States would save enough energy
to light more than 3 million homes for an entire year, according to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.
However, only a small fraction of those polled have made this change.
I’m about half-way there – replacing my old bulbs with a new CFL
bulb as they burn out one by one. And, as of Jan. 1, I’ve resolved to
bring the plastic bags from my last grocery trip back with me each
time I shop. Online bill pay, here I come! If you only do one small
green thing this year, you can be part of making the end that is near
as far away as possible. Why not resolve to try?
1. Ride your bike, walk, carpool or take public transportation whenever possible. The
fluctuating cost of gas makes this increasingly attractive.
2. When you do drive, combine errands and plan trips for efficiency, and make sure your
tires are properly inflated to save gas.
3. Find out where your food comes from. Locally-grown food saves energy compared to
food transported from far away.
5. Measure your “carbon footprint” using The Nature Conservancy’s carbon footprint
calculator (nature.org/texas) to see how your family’s everyday decisions may be
contributing to global warming. In the process, you will learn ways you can reduce
your impact on our climate.
6. Bring your own bags to the store. Re-use those plastic grocery bags cluttering up your
pantry, or use permanent shopping bags.
7. Look for reduced packaging on all products and choose recycled paper products. Then
recycle containers and packaging materials.
8. Pay your bills online to save trees, stamps and trips to the post office. Many businesses
are now offering customers the option of “going paperless” by receiving and paying
their bills online.
9. Compost leftover vegetables and fruit. You will reduce the amount of
waste you send to the landfill and enrich your garden in the process
– and you won’t need to buy fertilizer.
je
“I’d never seen him that enthusiastic before,” Keren said.“It really was one of the three highlights of my career so far.”
The other two were?The aforementioned involvement in shows at Bryant Park, in LA and a“Good Morning
America” episode featuring musical talent Alicia Keys.
“She wore my earrings inTimes Square,” Keren said.
Before celebrity clients such as Keys,Vivica Fox, Jill Scott and two Miss Universe’s became interested in her styles, Peled was just
beginning to learn the ropes of the jewelry industry.
“Jewelry has always been my hobby since a very young age, but I also discovered I was good at math,” Keren explained.“So I went to
college, got a degree in statistics and got a job as an analyst. It just seemed like the practical thing to do.”
But when co-workers began raving over the jewelry Keren would design and wear to work, her creative side began to overrule.
“People would get so excited over my jewelry and they would say, ‘What are you doing here?’ about my job as a
statistician. Eventually, I began asking myself the same thing.”
24 A DISTINCTIVE STYLE ~ Jan/Feb 2009
Some time off to travel, tours of several Northern California boutiques, and
a focus group of girlfriends later, Keren Jewelry was born.
“I quit my job in 2003 and took some time to clear my head.Then I got
about 10 friends together to look at my designs which, at the time, were all
over the place,” Keren said.
The friends all agreed on a signature look, as did a number of area stores, some of which purchased
Keren’s pieces on the spot. “At that point I knew I was on to something,” she said.
A six-week crash course with the Small Business Administration led to Keren’s logo, website, and some
ewelry
fundamental business knowledge.
“The more I got into it, the more I discovered I didn’t know about business. It was a huge mountain to
climb,” Keren said.
But her expedition has been, well, expeditious. In 2004, Keren’s work landed a spot in the National Art Exhibit, at
Artisans in Mill Valley, CA.The exhibit was juried by Marian Parmenter, executive director and founder, San Francisco
Museum of Modern Art – Artists Gallery.
Keren also displayed her work at The International Juried Exhibition, Manifestations: Form & Function, Denise Bibro Fine
Art Gallery, New York City.
In 2005 HGTV’s “That’s Clever” (formerly known as “Crafter’s Coast to Coast”) aired a segment on Keren’s work.
On the fashion side, Keren has participated in NY Fashion Week twice in 2006, once in 2007 and also on the runway of
LA Fashion Week in 2008.
Jan/Feb 2009 ~ ADISTINCTIVESTYLE 25
Keren incorporates sterling silver and 14-karat gold-
filled wire, with semi-precious gemstones such as
Amber, Garnet, Labradorite and Freshwater pearls
in her jewelry. Her favorite technique is macramé
knotting with wire, something the women in her
family have practiced through the generations.
“The pieces are very customizable and they are
for a special kind of person – someone who wants
something that’s not from the same cookie sheet
as other jewelry,” Keren said.
For example, while many other jewelers’ lines
are dubbed with ordinary female names, Keren’s
are named for Greek Goddesses.
“My first piece was Aphrodite,” Keren said. “I think
this gives my work a little more energy; makes it a
little more spiritual. For me, that’s definitely what
it’s all about.”
And, of course, it gives her father reason to dance.
See Keren’s store gallery and jewelry as featured
in magazines such as In Style and Essence, at
www.kerenjewelry.com
jewelry
As a designer, I feel models under the age of 21 lack strength and courage. I knew then that community service
maturity and life experience and are unable to convey the would be a big part of my life.”
womanly sensuality of the TropiCouture line. However, It’s easy to see how this amazing young lady
Jessica Sauér is an exception to the rule. Jessica is one of blossomed into her own love of community service
the amazing models who regularly walk the runway for since Jessica’s mom, Brenda, has won several outstanding
my couture design studio,TropiCouture. As I’ve come to awards for her charitable service to her Houston
know her, I’ve discovered she’s not only amazing on the community.
catwalk, but also an incredible person in her own right. Jessica also has a more personal reason to help others.
In today’s America where most teenagers are more “My brother Zacharey has Autism and he’s my inspiration
consumed with their looks and all the latest ‘it’ and my motivation. He’s an honor student and is in his
merchandise....this young beauty is thinking of others 3rd year of Varsity Bowling. Unfortunately he’s
and a world that’s bigger than her own. been bullied and made fun of all his life. He’s tried so hard
Jessica Sauér was born on March 11, 1990 at L.B.J. to fit into our lives, but it’s us that should try to fit into his
Hospital...around1:00 in the morning in the middle of world. Our motto is; ‘When Life Hands you Lemons, make
the hallway. It seemed she was anxious to begin her Lemonade!’ ” So they joined Best Buddies International.
extraordinary life. She’s a young woman who is (An organization to enhance the lives of people with
comfortable being the center of attention, on or off the intellectual disabilities. www.bestbuddies.or g)
runway. It’s not just her beauty and friendly personality
that seems to attract people wherever she goes, but also
her warm and caring heart.
At the age of 8, Jessica told her mother she wanted to
be a model. When asked why, her answer was, “So I can
be famous and help the world to be a better place.” She
was not only a budding future Super Model, but also an
emerging philanthropist!
Jessica is actively involved in charities that benefit the
Sunshine Kids (a nonprofit organization dedicated to
children with cancer www.sunshinekids.or g), Methodist
Foster Home, Harris County Foster Home, Elderly homes, the
Special Rodeo, and Best Buddies.. She also has a mentoring
blog on MySpace for kids in violent relationships,
M.Y._T.E.A.R.S. Are YOUR TEARS! Jessica Sauér
When asked what her most inspiring moment was
while doing charity work, Jessica told me it was a show
she did for The Sunshine Kids. “I was there entertaining
them, clogging and trick roping, and the children were
laughing. For a moment I let them forget about their
Cancer. I felt so shallow; they were admiring me
and asking for my autograph. I had tears in my eyes
because I was admiring them and their families for their
Miss Knox, who was born without a left forearm, has won a
BBC3 competition to find the UK's best disabled model.
'We hope this does pave the way for girls with disabilities to
get into modelling in the future.'
we’re all
put on
this earth
to contribute
in a way
that is a
reflection
of our
passions
and our
skills.”
~ Co l le e n
P a tr i c k - G o u d r e a u
Prior to “Diet for a New America,” Colleen said she “ate people had the same reaction.
what (her) folks) fed her.” “Once they heard about what we do to the animals,
“I never ate processed meats, such as sausage and their first question is always ‘How can this happen?’ and
pepperoni, but I don’t think it was for any conscious ‘How could I not have known?’ But it was their subsequent
reason,” she said. “I owe amends mostly to chickens, I think. questions that led me to begin teaching cooking classes:
I remember eating chickens somewhat frequently – some Where do I shop? What do I eat? How do I cook? Will
kind of cream of chicken concoction was something I get enough protein? What do I feed my family?”
I made frequently. I didn’t know any better.” Colleen realized the need for Compassionate Cooks
“New America,” however, was an education in why and its resources was great.
the then 19-year-old might change her diet. “People wanted to know what to eat and how to cook,
“I had never seen the images of the animals in and I just responded with cooking classes,” Colleen
confinement like that. It was very powerful for me. I explained.
remember literally staring at the photos for hours, just “I just kept asking ‘What is the need and how can I fill it?’
back and forth, in utter shock,” Colleen said. “I had been so and the answers continued to come. When people asked
clueless up until then. I was also fascinated by the nutrition when I would be on TV, I responded with a DVD to
info, and it’s when I realized how unnecessary it is to increase the reach for people who don’t live in the San
consume animals.” Francisco area. When a publisher approached me to write
As a result, Colleen eventually founded Compassionate a cookbook, I wrote it. When I saw the dearth of veg-
Cooks – to help people make informed food choices and related articles and editorials in the media, I wrote. When
debunking myths about vegetarianism and animal rights I realized I had something to offer by way of podcasts, I
through cooking classes, workshops, articles, a Vegetarian stepped in.”
Food for Thought podcast, a vegetarian cooking DVD, and Beyond these things, Colleen said the intent behind
an award-winning cookbook “The Joy of Vegan Baking.” Compassionate Cooks is simple: “To raise awareness
“Initially I began doing outreach and education, informing about the suffering of animals, to be their voice, to speak
others about what I learned, but I was still disconnected. my truth, and to empower people to make informed
I was eating animals from the sea, and I was consuming food choices.”
chickens’ eggs and cows’ milk,” Colleen said. “My final “I believe we’re all put on this earth to contribute in a
awakening came once I read ‘Slaughterhouse: The Shocking way that is a reflection of our passions and our skills. I
Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside knew when I left graduate school that I was going to do
the U.S. Meat Industry’ by investigative journalist Gail something related to writing, communication, and animal
Eisnitz. I woke up to the truth about our treatment of rights, but I had no idea what it was going to look like,”
animals and realized that no matter how they are raised Colleen said.
and what they are raised for (their flesh, eggs, milk), Today Colleen said she most enjoys hearing from
they all wind up in the same horrible place: the podcast listeners who share their eating transformation
slaughterhouse.” stories. She encourages anyone thinking of changing their
“I had been deceived into believing that somehow the diet to do so, even if they start with baby steps.
chickens’ eggs and cows’ milk I had been consuming were “My eating has evolved so much from when I first
from animals who were protected from harm and even embarked on this journey 20 years ago. I don’t want
spared death. I was very wrong. The process of breeding, people to think this process happens overnight,” she said.
transporting, and killing young and innocent lives is ugly “Over time my habits and palate have changed so though I
and violent, and death does not come easy for those ate a lot more processed veg foods when I first became
who want to live.” vegetarian and then vegan, my favorite meal today is
At this point, Colleen said her outreach “increased something like my garlic and greens soup – kale is my
tenfold,” and the more it did, the more she found that favorite food ever – my blueberry smoothie, and a really
Jan/Feb 2009 ~ ADISTINCTIVESTYLE 75
good salad. Eating an abundance of whole foods is
something that developed over time for me, but it is
definitely what I emphasize in my work teaching others
to cook and eat healthfully.”
Changing the way one eats is as much about changing
how one thinks as it is changing one’s diet.
“The primary thing I try to do is take veganism out of
the box. I encourage people to recognize that what we
call vegan food is food they are already familiar with:
vegetables, fruits, beans, grains, mushrooms, nuts, seeds,
herbs, and spices,” Colleen explained.
In the case of baked goods, it’s flour, sugar, cocoa,
chocolate, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch,
and yeast.
“I focus on the normalcy of what we call vegan food –
whether it’s cooking or baking. I think that really helps
people relax into these new habit changes and it just
makes it a lot less daunting.” A common assertion
Colleen hears is that someone could stop eating all
animal products except one item, usually cheese.
“And I say, ‘Well, then stop eating all other animal
products except cheese for now –at least do what you’re
able and willing to do,” Colleen said. “Each step will bring
you closer to the person you really want to be, to the
animals you want to help, and the health you want to
achieve. But to continue eating animal flesh and animal
milk or eggs because you can’t give up cheese – it’s an
absurd rationalization. “Don’t do nothing because you
can’t do everything. Do something. Anything.”
Aside from her most obvious eco-friendly behavior of
not eating animals, Colleen also shops green.
“We buy most of our produce from local farmers, this
goes for the food in my cooking classes, too; we hardly
drive – my husband takes public transit and I work from
home – and when we do, we drive our Prius; we grow
our own vegetables (with no animal products) and
planted several fruit trees,” Colleen said. “We have rain-
catcher tanks so we can use rain water for irrigation; we
removed our front lawn and replaced it with a garden
(and drought-tolerant plants); we’re composting maniacs;
and I use only compostable plates/forks/bowls/spoons in
my cooking classes.”
To learn more about these efforts, visit
www.compassionatecooks.com/, where you may
even communicate with Colleen herself.
“I feel like we’re all on a journey together, and I just
love hearing about how people experienced their own
awakenings. Those are my absolute favorite encounters,”
Colleen said. “I’m thrilled to be able to spend all my time
devising ways to educate and empower people. I feel so
very grateful to do this work.”
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