World Changing Chick Challenge

“Be the Change You Wish to See in the World.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Boho magazine has a brand new challenge for all of the eco-friendly fashionistas out there. We challenge you to make a change in the world and become a World Changing Chick. Boho has highlighted World Changing Chicks, big and small, for their efforts to help change their little piece of the world for the better over the past year. Now we want to know what you have been up to. Pick up a copy of the fall issue of Boho to read more about World Changing Chick Challenge. You could be in the next issue as a World Changing Chick! Let us know what you have been up to to make your piece of the world a better place!

Roots

Sometimes, a girl has just got to get acquainted with her roots- in all senses of the word.

While visiting Santa Cruz the other weekend, I had the pleasure of touring my grandfather's backyard vegetable garden. As an Oklahoma native who survived the Dust Bowl, Great Depression, World War II, and even a plane crash in the desolate mountains in which he was the sole survivor, my grandfather is one tough dude. Even at age 89 he is still working away in his personally designed wood shop, planting and harvesting delicious fruits and vegetables in his garden, and making delicious pies and jams with his hand-picked harvest.

Under my grandfather's careful supervision, my mother and I pulled up some potatoes and onions to bring home. He also picked some choice blackberries from the vine for us to sample. As we discussed his past on the farm in Oklahoma, I was reminded of just how much we can learn from previous generations. After all, my grandfather was, and still is to a great extent, living a sustainable life- growing much of his own food, repairing tools and furniture instead of throwing it away, and creating his own identity instead of buying it prepackaged from a designer or store.

As I devoured the freshly harvested potatoes back home, I was filled with a vision for a new generation- one that has the sense to use the wisdom of our ancestors, as well as the ingenuity to incorporate it into modern design. Then this summer's Boho magazine caught my eye, and I realized that this generation already exists.

Thank goodness! I know we've got a great future ahead of us.

Couch Independence Day

[Photo by Mike Smail on Flikr]

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is time for resistance. We are slaves, I tell you. SLAVES!!! Or... at least I am. To my couch.

More often than I'd like to admit, I have squandered nights on my couch, curled daintily around my laptop as the beautiful stars pass overhead unnoticed and the sweet summer breeze caresses nothing but the rounded backsides of my Raccoon Comrades as they attempt to break in through my cat door.

But this must stop! Summer is too beautiful, too fleeting to ignore! It's July 1st- already independence day for Burundi and Rwanda, and our beloved July 4th is just days away. It's all quite inspiring. So I'm going to declare some independence myself.
Independence from my couch. I vow to get off that thing and...

1. Ride my bike through tree lined streets wearing adorable sundresses
2. Go for moonlit walks with a romantic look on my face
3. Read charming novels in the park
4. Have at least one full-out picnic (blanket and everything!)
5. Make peace with the Raccoon Comrades

Now, what about you? Are you chasing after your dreams? Because if you're feeling anchored to a couch, maybe you ought to declare your independence too. I guarantee it's worth it. My door is open, my flip-flops are on, and already I can smell adventure on the wind!