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72 Hours in Siem Reap, Cambodia

updated on February 3, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Siem Reap is the second largest city in the Kingdom of Cambodia. With its inspiring temples, colorful cafes and warm people, Siem Reap is a jewel of South-East Asia. It is also the gateway to Angkor, a UNESCO protected site of ancient ruins from the Khmer Empire. If you’re planning a getaway to this incredible city, Angelica Almas of eco club member Terrai has put together a 72 hour city guide for you to make the most out of your stay:

Bayon Temple

Siem Reap, Cambodia travel guide

Day 1

When you’re in Siem Reap, temple tours are an absolute must. Find a guide (Louet is one of the best in town) and head to the ancient city of Angkor by tuktuk (motorized rickshaws) to discover the impressive ancient ruins. Make sure you get there for the 5:00 am sunrise at the iconic Angkor Wat reflecting ponds. It’s an early one but worth every penny.

Angkor Thom

Once you’ve crossed that off your list there are tons of other temples to view but here are our recommendations for the must-sees in the Angkor area:

Angkor Thom: Enter the ancient city of Angkor through this impressive Southern Gate
Angkor Wat: One of the wonders of the world, this iconic temple is a must see. If you can manage to get up, make sure to be there during sunset
Bayon Temple: The temple of over 200 stone smiling faces built in the 12th century
Elephant Terrace: A striking 350m long wall decorated with carved elephants
Ta Phrom: Known for the giant roots and trees, this was the temple where Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider, was shot.

Ta Phrom

This will definitely be a whole day affair so make sure you eat a big breakfast and ask your guide to find a restaurant to break for lunch. Post-tour, your body will be feeling it so make sure you book an appointment at the spa, Bodia, for a rejuvenating massage.

Day 2

Plan a later start to your day and make sure you get to sleep in, have a later breakfast and enjoy your hotel pool. Once you’re ready, head downtown for some shopping. Old Market, Made In Cambodia Market, Kandal Village & the Night Market are great options for finding artisan created products and souvenirs to bring back home. Make sure you put your bargaining skills to the test!

(Night Market, photo via Wikipedia)

In the evening, experience Khmer ancient culture with an Apsara Dance Show with dinner provided. If you’re still up for more, you can head to the pub street to experience the vibrant nightlife that the city is known for.

Apsara Theatre, photos via apsaratheatre.asia

Day 3

Lotus fields are found in abundance across Cambodia. As a predominantly Buddhist nation, the lotus flower holds a lot of significance for Cambodia as it represents spiritual awakening, purity and faithfulness. To dive deeper into this culture, have a unique experience by touring a local lotus farm which creates one of the rarest and most expensive fabrics in the world, lotus silk.

Lotus farm photos via lotusfarm.org

Terrai’s scrunchies are made from the city’s excess lotus stems which are then hand-extracted and processed from fibers into fabric. The scrunchies are no-dye making it a muted and versatile option. Learn more here and if you visit, see it all up close at Lotus Farm Siem Reap by Samatoa Lotus Textiles.

Post-tour, continue the vibes with one of the many amazing yoga classes offered in the city at Yoga Space Studios.

Below, find our recommendations for food and drinks around Siem Reap!

Food & Drinks Bible

Malis Restaurant for elevated local cuisine
Zannier Phum Baitang Hotel for an elevated dinner
Fellini for amazing Italian
Khmer Taste for cheap, no frills, local Khmer cuisine
Lum Orng restaurant for a farm to table dining experience
Gelato Lab for the best gelato in town
Sister Srey for brunch, coffee, fresh pressed juices and smoothies
The Little Red Fox Espresso Cafe for great coffee
Miss Wong for a speakeasy style vibe and cocktails

A big thanks for Terrai and Angelica for sharing this wonderful tour of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Learn more about the process behind their own lotus silk textiles in this post and be sure to stop by byterrai.com to shop.

How to Live More Sustainably in 2023 (For The Absolute Beginner)

updated on February 3, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Every year, we try to come up with fresh, easy ways to inspire people to live more sustainably. I mean, name a more important New Years resolution. And every year the stakes get higher. So much of the damage we’ve done is irreversible, and that only makes it more important to incorporate environmentally friendly habits into your routine. But, as overwhelming and anxiety-inducing as that can be, your habits can remain simple and true to you. If you’re looking for a place to start—and perhaps one that doesn’t focus on reusable water bottles and tote bags—try these simple solutions.

how to live more sustainably this year

To live more sustainably this year, all you have to start with is questioning some of the things you’ve always been doing. You can’t change your actions if you don’t change your thinking. Like any new habit or skill you want to learn, being open minded and willing to question everything is key to growth. As you evolve in your sustainable living journey, you’ll wander into more nuanced and complex territory. But for now, focus on things that are so engrained in your routine that your brain has on autopilot. Here are a few simple things over the years that I began to question that have had an impact on my actions. Remember, you can do this with any habit you currently have!

Driving short trips

So many people drive to places within walking distance, even if the weather is nice or they aren’t hauling anything back home. Later they’ll drive to the gym and walk the treadmill. It’s all just part of the routine. Consider some of your errands, and whether you can combine them with getting a little exercise and fresh air, rather than driving from place to place and keeping your movement separate. I like this simple tip because while it might not make the biggest environmental impact right away, it can contribute to a healthy lifestyle change and a happier you!

Palm oil

Unsustainable palm oil is in 80% of the products on the shelves in our grocery stores. And that is a major problem. Read through this quick guide to quitting palm oil, and commit to questioning this ingredient when it shows up in the foods and products you enjoy. (Click here for more resources.)

Air travel

Transportation in general is a big contributor to climate change, and like cars, we often see air travel as non-negotiables in our lives. Apparently, aviation contributes to more carbon emissions than most countries do. What makes it different than other forms of transportation is that you burn a lot of fossil fuels, FAST, every time you fly. Further, there’s no easy solution to the problem. I’m not going to suggest we all stop flying (I truly believe experiences gained through travel can be a catalyst for positive change in countless ways) and yeah, I know like so much of everything else it’s the wealthy that does the most damage here, but it’s certainly something to question and consider solutions for, such as:

- Choose nonstop flights over layovers, if you can afford it. The take off and landing process can account for about a fourth of a flight’s total emissions, so direct is generally better.
- If you’re traveling with others, driving is generally more eco-friendly than flying. That’s not always practical of course, but interesting to think about if you’re considering flying somewhere you could drive to in a handful of hours (which is something I know a lot of people here on the west coast do.)
- Consider your purchases. Everything you purchase went through a journey to get to you. The flowers in your grocery store may come from Colombia (and had to travel in temperature-controlled vehicles); those one-click buys from Amazon travel from all over the globe. If cutting down on your own travel isn’t reasonable, cutting down on the travel your things experience certainly is! Btw, if you’re looking for an easy guide to start shopping more sustainably, we’ve got one right here!

Waste disposal in your area

If you’ve been even a little bit interested in living more sustainably the past few years, you’ve undoubtedly heard the universal advice to reuse, recycle, and more recently compost. You’ve probably also heard about recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable packaging on your goods, all of which are different ways of going about cutting down what gets tossed into the landfill. But literally none of this matters if you don’t know what waste disposal resources are available in your area. This varies from country to country, state to state, county to count, even at the city level resources can differ widely. You and your friend could live twenty minutes away from each other and have different experiences getting rid of waste. It’s totally frustrating, but you can make it a little less-so if you check out your own area’s resources (.gov sites are a good place to start, how2recycle is good too).

Is mindful Amazon shopping a thing?

Let’s talk about the big ol’ digital elephant in the room. Can you really live more sustainably if you shop on Amazon–one of the largest drivers behind excessive consumerism to ever exist? Here’s the thing. Even if you’re not ready to give it up completely (I’m not either), whether it’s because there are things that are more affordable, accessible, or convenient to you, there are still things you can do to lessen the negative impact.

See above–try not too be too trigger happy with that Prime button and consider that everything goes on a journey to get to you.
Avoid buying what you could easily pick up on your weekly grocery runs… You’re doing them anyway.
When it gives you the option, choose to ship in fewer packages.
Use AmazonSmile. Choose your organization of choice and add the link smile.amazon.com to your bookmarks to get in the habit of using it every time you go to shop. When purchasing through this link, which you can also set up in the app, Amazon donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases to that charity. Sure, it’s small, but it doesn’t cost you a thing, and it’s quite literally the least they can do… Might as well make them do it!

When you come across an amazing sustainable solution to a problem you’re having, let people know! This is not to say go preaching to all your friends (unless they like when you do that kinda thing), but so many of us love learning new tricks to be more eco friendly, and when you find something simple and effective, it’s worth sharing.

What will you do to live more sustainably this year and into the future? Let us know which topics (above or otherwise) you’d like to see us expand on!

photo by Charity (@charityvictoria)

From Yarn Lampshades to Indian Block Print, What’s Inspiring Us on January 13, 2023

updated on February 3, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Every time I scroll through our Insta, I get inspired by the makers we discover everyday. Often it’s something I see a lot of in the creative corners of IG like ceramic mugs or macrame and weaving, that catches my eye because it can be done in endless innovative ways, all original and spectacular in their own right. I mean, I used to obsess over crochet scarves, and now it’s yarn lampshades using this key material that I can’t get enough of (seriously, ask Pinterest). We see artists from around the world thanks to social media, some of them founders of brands featuring collections dedicated to their craft, others that produce on commission or just for the love of it all. These little wow moments of discovery are some of my favorite (and the primary reason I haven’t abandoned the platform altogether), so I’m experimenting a bit and sharing them here on the blog… Our Saves folder is too beautiful to be private any longer.

So happy to have stumbled upon Angela Chvarak‘s mood-boosting ceramic mugs. I could stock my whole kitchen with these rainbow ceramics! (@angelachvarakstudio)

I’m having a moment with the craft of yarn lampshades and DutchWoolDesign, out of The Netherlands, is one of the top artists. This is a large yarn wrapped lampshade in some of my favorite colors.

This reel by @seventhrowvintage stopped me in my tracks, so I had to learn more about the incredible bags by Vanhu Vamwe. Here’s the circular bag featured above. The brand works with artisans in a macrame community in Zimbabwe, and they also have a more colorful collection that’s just as dreamy! (@vanhuvamwe)

Romanian artist Livia Falcaru was commissioned by Science Moms for this cheeky reusable bag illustration. #wordstoliveby (@liviafalcaru)

My goodness this green + pink bow top by slow fashion brand HERA, who designs and produces clothing ethically in Ecuador, is giving me summer feels in January. (@_hera_studio)

If it’s not already obvious, I’m feeling so inspired by textile art and weaving lately! This work from Melbourne based Tammy Kanat caught my eye, though it was produced in 2020. I’m also mesmerized by another floral piece from 2020 shown here. I don’t think I’ll ever get over all the wonderful things people can do with yarn. (@tammykanat)

We’ve just listed some new Indian blockprint and scalloped napkin sets in the wallflower shop and as always I’m so blown away by this incredible craft.

I almost can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I’ve been blogging for almost 15 years now. I’ve seen weekly roundups or “Friday Favorites” posts in every form on every topic, and I go back and forth on whether they’ve simply been done to death. But there’s something I’ve always loved about sharing something just because it brings the writer/curator joy, so that others may find joy in it too. And that’s actually what led so many of us DIY/craft/creative bloggers to create websites in the first place! So I’ll be sharing our favorite slow made and small batch finds every couple weeks going forward, and I’d love to hear what you think. Is it inspiring to you, or too old school to get behind? Lemme know!

My Light & Bright Dining Nook

updated on February 3, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Late last summer, my boyfriend and I moved to a new apartment here in Seattle. It’s almost twice as big as our last space, and I’ve been slowly pulling it together ever since. (More on that later.) Luckily, around the same time, I heard from Ohh Happy Home, an affordable Australian fair trade rug brand that we’d posted about in our ethically made rugs guide (among others). They wanted us to see what their washable rugs were like IRL, especially because they now ship to the US! Given my prior space only had room for one rug, I was pretty excited to check another off the list. The rug arrived folded nicely in a large cotton bag and ready to roll on out. I wasn’t sure if it should go in my bedroom, office, or the sunny dining nook just waiting to be embellished:

My initial idea was to throw the rug down here and then try it out in the other two spaces (I figured a round rug might be more fitting here?), but I fell in love with this look. As for the rug, it’s not only pretty but absolutely the softest rug my tootsies have ever walked across. Therefore it needed to be in this high-traffic area, from which I admittedly work more than eat. This Berber style pink and toffee dots rug is 100% cotton, chemical-free, and Goodweave accredited. It’s also machine washable (what?)! On their website, you can see it styled beautifully in a nursery/kids room. Which this colorway is perfect for (besides a pastel-lover’s dining nook, obviously). You can find this rug in other colors and styles too. This one is 4’11” X 6’11”, which is almost the exact size of my nook. Now that I had a rug to anchor the whole design, I got to styling my quiet little corner!

First, I decided on a simple table and two identical benches to give it the dining nook feel. I spent some time looking into custom benches and cushions, and tried to find sustainable sources, but as expected there wasn’t anything in my small budget. I looked on Craigslist, Marketplace etc but given the small size of the room didn’t score like I hoped. So, I just bought these not-so-eco furniture items new online. Thankfully they worked out well and I know I’ll get a lot of use out of them.

I brought these West Elm curtains and velvet pillow from the living room of our last place. I’ve had them for several years now. The like their new home!

The pillows are a mix of Zuahaza designs (read more about them here), with one super old Etsy purchase mixed in. The “throw” blanket on the right is actually a Zuahaza scarf, which is so cozy no matter how you use it. The pink woven throw blanket is one featured in our shop. It’s lightweight and super cozy.

You can find the blockprint napkins from the tabletop in the shop as well.

The centerpiece here are the very last flowers I bought before blooms officially went out of season here in Seattle. Sigh!

Lastly, the beautiful woven wall art you see above is by another member, Will + Atlas! I’ve had it for years now (and three apartments) and always find a special new space for it everywhere I go.

That’s about it for my new dining nook! Several months later, it’s still one of the few spaces that feels complete in this new place. Next up I’ll be working on an art wall for the living room, and I’m hoping to carve out a corner devoted to my morning routine of journaling, reading, and meditation.

After reviewing and loving the rug, Ohh Happy Home is now a member of our sustainable shop directory. If you are in the US and shop from them, you can use ECOCLUBFREE for free shipping!

PS Find more ethically made rugs we love here.

Okay So There Are Microplastics in Our Food… What Should We Do?

updated on February 3, 2023 by Mindy Chung

When Barbie Girl by Aqua became a 1997 anthem, we didn’t really know what we were saying by joyously chanting “life in plastic… it’s fantastic!”. Here we are 25 years later, bearing the brunt of microplastic pollution as it filters its way into every aspect of our daily lives. Avoiding bottles that don’t say they’re BPA-free isn’t enough anymore; there are microplastics in food from our vegetables to our milk and even our tap water.

Now, I’m not trying to be an alarmist—this isn’t about scaring you with the pollution BoogeyMan. Rather, talking about microplastics is about arming you with the right kind of knowledge so that you can grow as a consumer and make smarter choices for yourself. Because oftentimes many of us can only afford the cheap option; buying sustainable and green can feel like a luxury reserved for the rich.

But while not every green or eco-friendly good may be universally accessible, being able to work within the confines of your socio-economic bubble is still a step in the right direction. So let’s start by approaching the most unavoidable and crucial element of your daily life… food.

How do microplastics get in our food?

I previously touched on microplastics in this post, but while that was a macro approach to the issue, this is more of a micro approach. The journey our food takes from the farm, or the ocean, to our tables is long and full of human manufacturing. Taking away the plastic waste created to package our food, the truth is that microplastics are so miniscule that they can penetrate the cells of fruits and vegetables. (So if you run into any smug vegetarians or vegans, remind them that we’re all in the same boat here.) When it comes to our meat—fish, beef, poultry—these animals often consume microplastics mistaking them for food. And you know what they say—you are what you eat.

Obviously, this wasn’t always an issue. Plastic was invented in the late 19^th century, and only really began to be mass produced in the 1960’s. Yet, because it can take centuries for even one water bottle to fully biodegrade, we’re consuming plastics from decades ago in today’s food chain. That’s why using BPA-free bottles is kind of moot. The microplastics you’re consuming probably came from an age before that kind of production regulation. And while trying to live a microplastic-free existence is basically impossible, there are definitive sources of the pollutant that outweigh others.

Can we avoid it? Some tips…

This first tip may seem like a no-brainer, but even I’m a slave of convenience sometimes; avoid drinking bottled water. Turns out that it’s the largest source of dietary microplastic! This is a fantastic time to invest in a glass or metal bottle, and maybe gift one to a loved one for the holidays.

Speaking of water, don’t drink tap. While I can’t vouch for other countries, if you live in the US you should definitely be filtering your water. While pollutants range from state to state, I think it’s safe to say that taking the extra step to purify your water can’t hurt.

Also try to avoid single use plastics in general, but especially in food packaging like the wrappers on meat and pasta. Don’t microwave in plastic when possible and try to transition to glass or metal containers when possible. While grocery items like cheese and milk do often have non-plastic options, it’s important to note these are usually more expensive alternatives to their plastic-packaged counterparts.

Avoid highly processed foods when possible as well. Besides the fact that all those artificial fillers are bad for you in general, the theory is that low-nutrition food can pair with the effects of microplastics to increase the likelihood of developing chronic health problems.

Overall, there’s simultaneously a million things and not a one that you can do to tackle your microplastic consumption. Real change comes from legislation, and with so much of the planet peppered with microplastics it’s doubtful a meaningful solution is just beyond the horizon. But you can advocate for that legislation, and when it does come up, make sure to vote.

Despite this grim assessment, you can still make changes to your own life and how you live it so that you’re doing your best to create a wholesome and healthy experience for yourself. Like everything in life, some things we can control, and others… Not so much.

What is Lotus Silk? Spotlight on a Rare Natural Silk

updated on February 3, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Have you heard of lotus silk? I’ll admit I hadn’t until I chatted with Angelica of Terrai, a new sustainable lifestyle goods company who works with South-East Asian artisans to transform natural materials into coveted products like the silk scrunchies below. Turns out, it’s a pretty incredible vegan silk made from the stems of lotus flowers, which are used throughout Cambodia where their product is made. They take the discarded stems of those flowers and turn them into beautiful goods in a pretty spectacular process.

Below, Terrai shows us how it’s done.

what is lotus silk?

The clip below from Business Insider shows us how this fiber is made, and what makes it so expensive. In traditional silk, insects are doing most of the work. But with lotus silk, each strand must be extracted from the plant by hand. It is truly a delicate process.

Lotus silk is a rare fabric considered to be the most sustainable fabric in the world as its production requires no electricity, petrol or chemicals to produce. Natural textiles are a lost practice within Cambodia, and Terrai is proud to bring them at the forefront thanks to this collection. The full range of Terrai scrunchies use fabrics from lotus, banana microfiber and kapok blends, and are handcrafted, no-dye and 100% biodegradable.

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A post shared by eco club (@ecoclubofficial)

We take the discarded stems and extract the thin fibers from them, which are then rolled together to form the thread. The thread then needs to be processed while they are still wet otherwise they will break, it’s an incredibly delicate process! Once dry, the threads are hand-spooled and put into the loom for weaving. The preparation of a loom takes approximately one week. When the room is ready, the threads are processed into fabric. Then we turn them into our beautiful vegan silk scrunchies!

Thanks to Angelica + the Terrai team for sharing the magic of lotus silk!

Terrai was created as a love letter to Asia, where co-founders, Angelica Almås and Alexander Weiss grew up. The inaugural collection, The Khmer Collection, is a line of minimal homeware sourced from the Kingdom of Cambodia. The co-founders collaborated together with unique Khmer artisans to create a contemporary yet intentional collection of ceramics, textile and woodware. The aesthetic fuses modern design with traditional techniques, offering a collection of laidback yet refined pieces.

Learn about Terrai + more sustainable brands in our directory.