Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys, with billions of people a year choosing to explore the world. But letting your hair down and relaxing during your trip shouldn’t come with wasteful behavior. Packing a sustainable suitcase can make things healthier and more convenient for you while also contributing to environmental conservation. Start with the Suitcase Packing in an eco-friendly manner begins with the suitcase itself. A bag you can recycle when its usefulness ends will set the stage for the rest of your sustai ..read more

It is day 2 of the challenge and it is all about ditching disposables! No need to worry, doing it is actually easier than you might think! Check this : Source: Monash University Easy right? If not – take time to think of a process that would work for you. I love these tips: Think about the single-use disposable items you use regularly. For example, how frequently do you buy coffee or lunch? To start, pick one item you want to swap for a reusable alternative. Start using your alternative reusable item. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you forget to bring your reusable item. It takes a few atte ..read more

The African fashion hub is bursting with local artisans and designers, all of whom specialize in reinventing our own beautiful textile with a modern twist. Most of our local designers create ethically and sustainably and need our support to thrive! For this #MadeinAfrica Challenge, I spoke to Vicentia Dzidzor, the name and talent behind the brand Petals by Dzidzor. She tells us about the importance of supporting local small businesses and why #thrifting in the African context is not necessarily contributing to a sustainable lifestyle as it actually robs the local fashion industry across Africa ..read more

Consciously, Awovi is partnering with UNEP for July 5-7 #MadeinAfrica challenge! What is the #MadeinAfrica Challenge? We all want to keep up to date with the latest trends. However, the material side to our lifestyles is stretching the ecological limits of our planet. To keep global warming under 1.5 degrees and meet the 2030 target of the Paris Agreement, we will all have to learn to live better and lighter. How are we doing this? Day 1, July 5th – Celebrate Local: This will be all about celebrating local designers, African fashion and style. Day 2, July 6th – Ditch disposables: Sa ..read more

Visiting Montreal or being “forced” to explore the city due to the current travel restrictions? Then check-out this one day itinerary in the Mile End, the artsiest and coolest district in the city. Edit on September 29, 2020: With Montreal now in the Red Zone (Level ‘red‘ is the Quebec government’s highest alert), you can not dine in restaurants or go to bars, brasseries, taverns and casinos. They are closed for 28 days. Public venues like cinemas, libraries and museums are also closed until October 28, 2020. Morning Self-care is a full time job, and the Mile-End has amazing places for that. M ..read more

From ripe bananas, to a soft avocado or apples with “an impact”, all of these products are often thrown away. Fortunately, some markets (or groceries stores) offer baskets of these “faded” fruits and vegetables at unbeatable prices. Overripe fruits and “faded” vegetables may not really look very appetizing, but once they are cooked, you can’t tell the difference! To avoid waste, buy only the batches of products that you can cook or consume quickly. Photo by Ella Olsson Overripe Tomatoes You probably know that “good” tomatoes are firm, heavy for their size and free of blemishes, bruises and cra ..read more

By Awovi. I met the amazing Mandy Sciacchitano (pronounced: shock-uh-TA-no) this year, through a community of professional women committed to helping each other succeed. During our weekly online discussions, Mandy would always bring a great perspective to different topics like personal resiliency, managing unconscious biases, balancing work & life, and achieving goals in uncertain times. Mandy is a life coach and breathwork facilitator who guides women into deep connection with their values, souls, emotions, and intuitions. She teaches boundaries, conscious communication, and emotional res ..read more

By Awovi. I met the amazing Mandy Sciacchitano (pronounced: shock-uh-TA-no) this year, through a community of professional women committed to helping each other succeed. During our weekly online discussions, Mandy would always bring a great perspective to different topics like personal resiliency, managing unconscious biases, balancing work & life, and achieving goals in uncertain times. Mandy is a life coach and breathwork facilitator who guides women into deep connection with their values, souls, emotions, and intuitions. She teaches boundaries, conscious communication, and emotional res ..read more

Following my trip to Camaguey in Cuba in 2015, I promised myself that if I returned, I would choose to spend my entire stay in a casa particular. Casas particulares are private accommodations or private homestays, very similar to a bed and breakfast. My experience at the all-inclusive hotel with my sister Simone was packed with adventures. We played couple therapists for an “on and off” young couple from Hamilton, Canada, went on a coffee farm tour where we bonded with our lovely Afro-Cuban guide who was happy to see two African travellers and made us feel really special, and went to outdoor p ..read more

Following my trip to Camaguey in Cuba in 2015, I promised myself that if I returned, I would choose to spend my entire stay in a casa particular. Casas particulares are private accommodations or private homestays, very similar to a bed and breakfast. My experience at the all-inclusive hotel with my sister Simone was packed with adventures. We played couple therapists for an “on and off” young couple from Hamilton, Canada, went on a coffee farm tour where we bonded with our lovely Afro-Cuban guide who was happy to see two African travellers and made us feel really special, and went to outdoor p ..read more