Going Snowboarding This Winter? Here's What You Should Wear....

BURTON PROWESS JACKET

Price: £205

Burton make some of the raddest women's outerwear on the market. Forget tight short jackets, these guys are known for making good-looking baggy long-length snowboarding jackets for women. We are fans of this year's Prowess jacket with its premium waterproof/breathable Durashell fabric and sherpa-fleece lined collar. It's also made with 40 per cent recycled insulation. Nice one, Burton. 

DC VENEER RIDING SWEATSHIRT

Price: £65

DC make some awesome mid-layers for women who spend a lot of their year in the mountains. With a super soft fleecy lining, the Veneer riding sweatshirt is perfect for layering under your jacket. I love the roll neck which acts as an extra neck warmer on those cold windy days. Come spring, you can wear it on its own, thanks to the durable water repellent finish. I've had so many comments from friends saying how much they love the colour of this sweatshirt.

Dakine Mackenzie Bib Trousers

Price: £203

Bib snowboarding pants are all the rage right now. Dakine have made an awesome pair of women's bib pants that are miles away from those nerdy ones you used to wear as a kid. These Mackenzie Bib trousers are sleek and black with a close-fitted cut, so you won't look like Will Smith circa 1992. They have a two-way access chest pocket plus zips in the legs which double up as vents. Major bib bonus: you won't end up with snow down your pants on a powder day, plus they act as an extra layer to keep you warm. 

Mons Royale Rocker Raglan Thermal Top

Price: £74.99

Mons Royale make top quality base layers from merino wool, which will not only keep you warm on cold days but also have natural anti-bacterial properties eliminating any odours. The Raglan Rocker top comes in this nice striped design with an extra long fit, so it will cover your bum.

Stance Socks Kora La V2

Price: £18

Stance are top of their game when it comes to snowboarding socks. The Kongsberg socks were designed by Norwegian pro snowboarder Silje Norendal inspired by the country's traditional dress. They are also made from merino wool, plus each pair has breathable mesh panels built in to improve ventilation.

Salomon Ivy Boots

Price: £180

When it comes to snowboarding boots, I'm a Salomon girl through and through. Different boots suit different feet. The Ivy boots are comfortable with soft flex which makes them great for beginners and intermediates. They have a dual zone lacing system allowing you to change the tightness of your laces around the foot and ankle separately.

DC Seger Gloves

Price: £42

Looking for a pair of good quality gloves that will keep your hands toasty warm? With a rad tribal pattern, warm fleecy lining and sleek faux suede palms, DC's  Seger gloves are fast becoming my new favourite pair. I wore them up to Saas Fee in Switzerland on a freezing -15°C day and my hands were in the warmest in our group. Plus I could check my phone without taking them off, thanks to the touchscreen pad on the index finger. Cool, huh? Make sure you take a look at the matching DC Cruiser snow jacket.

Melon Jackson Goggles

Price: £75

Everyone is wearing Melon goggles nowadays. They have an amazing feature when you can design your own customised pair of goggles. Just choose the lens, frame and strap in any colour you want. We're a big fan of the tie-dye strap with these yellow low-light Zeiss lens for overcast snowy days.

Picture Organic Tempo Helmet

Price: £60

Picture are quickly becoming one of my favourite ski/snowboarding brands. Why? Because they are one of the most eco-friendly snowsports companies out there. The Tempo helmet is made with 100 per cent bio-sourced and recycled materials. The shell is made from a polymer derived from corn, the liner is created from recycled polystyrene from the Japanese car industry and the ear pads are created from recycled PET plastic bottles. How cool is that?

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Splitboarding Adventure to Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's Highest Mountain

"It snows in Australia?!" This was the first thing people said to me when I told them I was off to do a winter season in Australia. Yes, it does snow in Australia - and they actually get a fair few metres each year. 

I was commissioned by The Independent to write a piece on a splitboarding expedition to Australia's highest mountain, Mt. Kosciuszko back in September.

We spent two days in the backcountry with photographer, yogi, mountain guide and all-round legend Mike Edmondson snow camping and hiking the summit.

The article will be published in May 2017 - in the meantime, here is a little video edit of our adventure...

Meet Kjersti Buaas, Olympic Snowboarder, Yogi, Environmentalist & All-Round Badass Woman

Photo: Anniken Zahl Furunes / @annikenzahlfurunes

Kjersti Buaas isn't like most professional snowboarders. With over 18 years competing under her belt and countless X Games and World Cup medals, she is one of the most successful competitive female snowboarders of all time. She won a bronze medal in the women's halfpipe at the Turin Olympics in 2006, just weeks after recovering from a broken leg.

But now, Kjersti has entered a different stage in her life. In 2012, she said goodbye to her energy drink sponsor because her values didn't align with them anymore. Last winter, she joined the Freeride World Tour, the gnarliest backcountry ski and snowboard competition series in the world.

Photo: Process Films / @processfilms

She practices yoga every day before heading up the mountain. Her Instagram feed is filled with images of splitboarding in the backcountry, camping with friends, surfing and growing her own fruit and vegetables during the summer months.

She's an avid campaigner for global warming and plastic pollution, which is what drew me to her Instagram account in the first place. 

Kjersti even set up the world's first zero-waste snowboarding festival in 2013 called Community Cup with fellow snowboarder Chanelle Sladics. Now she runs retreats for adventurous women called PRSNT where campers go splitboarding, practice yoga, learn about mindfulness and how to cook delicious organic food.

We got the chance to catch up with Kjersti to chat about snowboarding, yoga, meditation and how she is inspiring others to live a more eco-friendly life.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO SNOWBOARDING?

I was first inspired by my older sister who started snowboarding in 1993. I bought a Crazy Banana Snowboard off my friend's sister using money I got from selling my bike. I went on a trip with my whole family and after that, there was no way I was going back to skiing. I was in love.

Photo: Kjersti Buaas shot with GoPro / @kjerstibuaas

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN AN ADVENTUROUS PERSON?

I've always been adventurous at heart. Our parents used to take my sister and I skiing, snowboarding, hiking and camping when we were kids. We would go to our cabin in the mountains in Norway and set out to conquer the surrounding peaks on cross-country skis and by foot with backpacks filled with hot chocolate and snacks.

I've continued to embrace an adventurous lifestyle into my adult life. I've been competing professionally as a snowboarder for over 18 years, so my schedule during the winter doesn't allow for as much adventure as I would like. I aim to get into the backcountry with my splitboard whenever I can.

One of my favourite trips was with Chanelle Sladics in 2012. We lived on a sailboat in Iceland for a week without any cellphone reception. I was completely captivated by the nature and silence there. We anchored in the fjords, kayaked from the boat to the shore and splitboarded up steep lines. It's the best feeling when you strap in at the top and appreciate the nature around you and the energy you put into every step to reach the top.

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HOW DOES YOGA AND Organic Food PLAY A PART IN YOUR LIFE?

About 10 years ago, I started doing yoga with Chanelle, Jamie Anderson and a few other snowboarders in the living room after snowboarding. We formed a crew called One Life where the goal was to not take life and snowboarding too seriously. 

We spent a lot of time watching documentaries to educate ourselves about our food system. What I saw disturbed me so much, I knew I needed to change the way I ate. Back then, I didn't know what organic meant. Pesticides and genetically modified foods were completely foreign concepts to me.

Now, I believe the purchases I make everyday are my “vote” for what I believe in and what direction I want our society to evolve towards. I want to eat clean food where the seeds are real seeds, not something created in a laboratory. That’s just scary.

Photo: Nikol Herec / @nikaherec

As my food purchases became more mindful, so did everything else I did. 

I became more open to yoga. After I visited Bali in 2010, yoga and meditation became natural practices in my daily life. I started doing yoga every day before I went snowboarding. I could snowboard for longer, go further, faster, stronger... It simply gave me more energy and confidence. I feel much more healthy, fit and capable today than when I was 20 years old.

WHAT DOES MINDFULNESS MEAN TO YOU?

To me, mindfulness means making choices I can truly stand behind. I quit my conventional energy drink sponsor back in 2012. Even though I took a large financial hit when making that choice, I stand behind it and don’t regret it.

There's been a big shift in my consciousness over the last few years. For me, snowboarding has always been about having fun and pushing myself, but it's also important to use my platform as an athlete for the greater good. I want young people and everyone to be inspired to live a healthy lifestyle.

I also work with a lot of non-profits like Keep A Breast and environmental organisation Protect Our Winters. I want future generations to enjoy the clean resources created by this earth - and I want them to get to experience lots of deep powder!

Photo: Nikol Herec / @nikaherec

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT LIVING AN ECO-FRIENDLY LIFE?

Knowledge and awareness is key. I watch a lot of documentaries and educate myself, so I can make good choices based on what is positive for the planet. 

I choose good quality products from sustainable sources. I limit the amount of meat I eat and I make a point not to throw away food. I compost when possible and eat organic when I can.

Through out my career, I have always been active in developing snow clothing, boards and goggles with the different companies I have worked with. Since I spend a lot of time outdoors in the snow, I have a deep connection with what I require from the gear.  I have co-created my own signature line since 2006 and made a point to combine style with quality and sustainability. By using recycled fabric, we can help reduce the amount of new resources we are taking.

In 2017 I am launching an Eco KJ pants and jacket with the Swedish lifestyle brand, CLWR.  I am very excited to launch this snow gear, because we share very similar taste when it comes to fashion, function and sustainability. I want to encourage companies to think about protecting our fragile resources, so the consumer has earth-friendly products to choose from.

YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME TRAVELLING FOR WORK. HOW DO YOU KEEP UP AN ECO-FRIENDLY LIFE ON THE ROAD?

I bring my own reusables and have the airline attendant fill up my water bottle. That way I don’t have to take a cup every time. Same with cutlery and straws. I use a reusable straw from Simply Straws.

Americans alone use 500 million plastic straws each day. They are only used for five minutes and then thrown away into a landfill. Sadly they also end up in the oceans and fish mistake this plastic for food. I have seen many photos of plastic wrapped around turtles and marine animal's stomachs. It’s really sad. 

I always have my To-Go Ware utensil set (which includes a bamboo fork, knife, spoon and chopsticks) in my purse. If you are a coffee drinker, bring your own cup. It’s crazy how much single-use waste we produce everyday, so these simple changes matters.

When staying in hotels, reuse towels and turn off lights. It makes a difference. I love to ride the trains through Europe, so if that's an option I’ll choose that over a car, especially when traveling alone. 

Photo: Nikol Herec / @nikaherec

IS THERE A DOWNSIDE TO LIVING A NOMADIC EXISTENCE?

Yes. My lifestyle requires lots of travelling in airplanes. I wish more renewable energy and energy saving technology was available for cars and planes.

When it comes to reducing our personal waste, what we do each day as individuals is an important piece to the puzzle. But it's up to world leaders, governments and big companies in positions to make big decisions to initiate renewable, sustainable solutions. To minimise damage to the planet in the future, we need to act now and start protecting our natural resources.

YOU SET UP YOUR OWN ZERO-WASTE SNOWBOARD FESTIVAL IN 2013. TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT.

In 2013 Chanelle and I started Community Cup, the first zero-waste snowboard festival in the world. We had an eco village with earth and health conscious partners, like Protect Our Winters and Keep A Breast.

Our goal was to educate people about climate change and prevention of breast cancer. Our bibs were made from recycled materials. We had digital registration to save on paper and other resources. 

The goodie bags for the athletes were filled with eco-friendly content, such as reusables and information on how they can use their position as role models to help make positive ripples.

In 2014, we created a documentary around the event called Community Cup. One focus was on how we need to act in order to slow down rapid temperature changes all over the world that are melting glaciers and shutting down ski resorts. You can watch it on iTunes here. 

Photo: Nikol Herec / @nikaherec

NOW YOU RUN HEALTHY RETREATS FOR ADVENTUROUS WOMEN CALLED PRSNT, RIGHT?

Yes! The idea behind PRSNT is to create a camp where people can practice presentness through meditation, yoga, eating well and activities like snowboarding and splitboarding. We work with a vegan holistic chef who prepares the most amazing meals.

Our camps are digital-free, meaning no technology like cell phones or computers allowed. It gives you the opportunity to experience what happens when we don’t have those distractions.

We focus on eco-awareness in our daily lives, so the goodie bags are filled with things we believe the campers need to live eco lives. 

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Chanelle and I want to provide a safe space for campers to truly be themselves, to trust and let go of things that no longer serve them. We encourage mindfulness in relation to judgement upon yourself and others. 

After each camp there has been at least one person crying tears of joy, because they have either had a big perspective change, made new commitments to their health and happiness, connected with themselves differently or made friendships for life. That brings us a lot of happiness and helps re-establish our purpose here.

Check out www.PRSNT.co  for more info and to stay updated on future camps.

WHAT DREAM ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ACHIEVING AND WHY?

I’m very proud of myself for sticking to doing things I love and creating a profession based on that idea. Your finances aren't as predictable as they are when you have a more stable job, but I'm willing to have that uncertainty in my life.

Snowboarding, being creative, athleticism and pushing myself mentally and physically lie very close to my heart. They bring me genuine happiness on a daily basis.

I know I can’t snowboard professionally for the rest of my life, but I will definitely bring many elements of what I have learnt with me into my next chapters of my life.

Photo: Kjersti Buaas shot with GoPro / @kjerstibuaas

WHAT'S THE HARDEST LESSON YOU'VE EVER HAD TO LEARN?

To let go and not be so attached to my expectations. I can be quite the perfectionist. I've learnt that it’s good to set clear goals and intentions, but also to set them free and be open to whatever the universe gives me.

Once I understood that the universe conspires in my favour, I started trusting and believing more in my own decisions. 

IF YOU COULD GIVE YOUR 16 YEAR OLD SELF ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Stay curious and playful. Surround yourself with good people. Your potential is so great and it’s your birthright to release that in any way you desire, as long as your intentions are good. 

Showcase what makes you passionate to the world. Educate yourself about nutrition and health, stay fit and respect your body. 

Remember to play and smile. Don't take yourself too seriously. Being light and happy feels so good and can open many doors.

Don’t be so quick to judge others, they are probably just as scared as you. Toss away gossip magazines. Make room in your heart to spread love and positivity instead. 

You are the decision maker in your life, so choose wisely. Make a point to stop any kind of negativity coming into your space, from others or yourself. Don’t be scared to take on the world, life is too short to not :)

Photo: Gabby Aguirre / @gibblegabble

You can see more from Kjersti Buuas on her website and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@kjerstibuaas). 

Learn more about Kjersti and Chanelle's PRSNT retreats on their website, Facebook Page and Instagram.

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This Video Sums Up Everything We Feel About The Outdoors

Screenshot from Being Here

You know that feeling when you've been in the city too long. You're peering over the tall buildings to catch the sunset. You spend each night dreaming about the wild. You'd rather be grimy with mud and sweat from hiking all day rather than sweating with strangers on a packed rush hour train. 

Writer and filmmaker Hilary Oliver made a great film this year with her sister Whitney Oliver and filmmaker Becca Skinner that encapsulates everything we feel about the outdoors. It's called Being Here and it premiered at the 5Point Film Festival in Colorado, USA. 

Watch it and enjoy. If you are anything like us, you'll watch it again and again.

Oh and check out Hilary's blog, The Gription. There are some great pieces of writing on there, including my personal favourite, In Defence Of Hiking Boots In The City.

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Why You Shouldn't Quit Your Job To Travel The World

We can't all be like Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love. Photo: Eat Pray Love/Sony Pictures

It’s become a cliche of the 21st century, hasn’t it? Quitting your job to travel the world. From your local bookshop to Facebook to the Hollywood film industry, everyone is pushing this idea that in order to live your dream life, you have to quit your current job and travel the world.

I know. You are probably thinking this is a bit rich from a woman who quit her full-time job in London to write freelance and travel the world. But let me point out, this is not the right path for everyone. No matter what that inspirational quote on Instagram says.

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I’ve recently been reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s book on creativity, Big Magic. If you are a creative person, I encourage you to run (not walk) to your nearest bookshop and buy it. It’s a really inspirational book, jam-packed full of advice on how to pursue your creativity and live a happier, more well-rounded life.

So, what is the one piece of advice she DOES NOT give to someone who wants to live a more creative life? She doesn’t tell anyone to quit their jobs to pursue their dreams. Not once.

Yes, she promotes being creative every single day - whether it be singing, painting, writing or taking photos - but she definitely doesn’t suggest sacking in the day job to pursue it.

Why? Because living a creative life doesn't necessarily mean it will support you financially. Becoming a travel writer might be your idea of a dream life, but there's a possibility it won't pay your rent or put food on your table. You can still live a fantastic adventurous life while still holding down a 9 to 5 job.

Here are a few more reasons why I don’t think you should quit your job to travel the world...

LOTS OF PEOPLE REALLY LIKE THEIR JOBS

Your job can often be worth sticking around for. Photo: Alejandro Escamilla

I just completed my year-long yoga teaching training this June. Everyone afterwards was talking about their plans for the future. Quite a few people said they wanted to quit their jobs and become full-time yoga teachers - but there were plenty who didn’t.

I distinctly remember my friend Hayley saying, “I really like my job! Why would I want to give it all up, just because I love yoga too?”

You don’t have to hate your job, just because everyone else seems to hate theirs right now. Lots of people really like their jobs and don’t want to quit. You can still have a whole bunch of adventures while holding down a full-time job.

 I was lucky enough to travel as part of my job in London, so there are ways you can get the best of both worlds.

EVERYONE HAS A SHIT SANDWICH IN THEIR LIFE

Not all days look like this one.... Photo: Luke Gartside

In Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert explains the concept of the ‘shit sandwich’. A 'shit sandwich' is a metaphor for life. The bread represents the good bits but sandwiched in the middle, there's always a crappy part. 

It doesn’t matter where you live or how glamorous your job appears to be, there is always a downside a.k.a. the shit in your shit sandwich.

People often say to me, ‘You’re living the dream life, aren’t you?’ I laugh and nod, but inside I’m just thinking, yes I’m lucky but I also worked my butt off for this job.

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I studied hard, submitted endless work experience applications to magazines for five years. I spent hours commuting in and out of London. I wrote articles that didn’t fill my soul with joy, because that was the job I had to do.

I would sit in my bed, tears streaming down my face because I didn’t want to get on the Tube and endure another rush hour on a packed train one more time.

London, some people can hack rush hour. Others can't. Photo: Jamie Street

I hoped and prayed that hard work would pay off. Wishing, hoping and praying doesn’t always do the job, but if there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s that hard work really, truly does.

Even now, working as a freelance writer and living in Australia, there’s still a shit sandwich. I love my life and I feel incredibly lucky to be sitting where I am today.

But there are still days when you feel like shit, your bank balance is low, your friends and family are 10,000 miles away, it’s raining and you dropped your piece of toast face down on the dirty kitchen floor.

Just because you are in Australia or Bali or Argentina won’t change the fact that you will still have bad days, just like anyone else.

TRY TO NEGOTIATE MORE FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS

View from my window in Morzine, France

One thing I’ve learnt from working in an office environment is if you don’t ask, you won’t get. It’s always worth asking, even if you think your boss will say no.

I was lucky to work full-time for a company that embraced working remotely. They had dozens of editorial employees who worked from Edinburgh, Cornwall, the French Alps, Wales and beyond.

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After a year working for the same company in their London office, I asked my boss if could also work remotely - and to my surprise, he said yes.

I moved to France and spent the winter working my same job from Morzine in the Alps. Everyday I would sign onto Skype, have some office banter via. instant message (honestly, you will miss the office banter) and would crack on with my work from my new home office (my kitchen table).

Morning snowshoe hikes before work in Morzine, France

It was a brilliant. I could squeeze in an hour of exercise before work. I would finish work at 5pm and already be at home, ready to spend my evening with friends or binge watching Making A Murderer. On the weekends, it was a ten-minute walk and I could be on the gondola up the mountain, ready to go snowboarding.

I met dozens of people in Morzine - from engineers to graphic designers to sales managers - who worked remotely, which just goes to show you can have a career and travel the world.

Tapping on the computer during the week. Riding powder on the weekends. 

However, I completely understand that this just isn’t possibly in some jobs, so it might not work for you.

A friend of mine worked seriously hard for a magazine for a few years and gained the respect of her bosses. They didn’t often grant sabbaticals - particularly to someone in their mid-20s - but they wanted to keep her on as an employee so much, they gave her two-month unpaid leave to volunteer on a course in California, USA.

Like I said, there might be an option you’ve haven’t thought of yet (or asked for!)

YOU DO STILL NEED TO MAKE A LIVING

If you can tie working a full-time job in with travelling, you are winning

It’s an obvious one, but you still need to pay your way. You don’t have to live in a big city like London, where 50 per cent of your salary (or more) is sucked up by rent and bills each month. But you do need to pay your own way in life.

Sometimes giving up your full-time job to travel is just not financially viable. This is the case for most people. My advice is to save, save, save (see below). If you have enough money stashed away, why not try looking for jobs that allow you to work remotely or give substantial amounts of holiday leave each year?

If this isn’t an option, see if you can work the same job but in another country. Whether you are a teacher or you work in a large corporate business, often there are opportunities within the same company or career field to work all over the world - from places like New York, Hong Kong or Sydney. This is a great jumping off point for exploring a different area of the world, all while holding down your career.

SAVE, SAVE, SAVE

If you want to travel, you need to save up money. I can’t emphasise this enough. Prioritise what you want from life. If you want to travel, then stop spending money on new clothes, takeaway cappuccinos, dinners out and fancy hair products.

Go through all of your outgoing expenses and see if you can cut things out - like that online yoga subscription that you don't really use.

Save every penny you can. Then when you have two weeks off, you’ll have the money to go trekking in Patagonia rather than spending your time off at home.

SOMETIMES IT’S NOT YOUR JOB THAT’S THE PROBLEM

Don't always blame the day job. Photo: Frances Gunn

Often when you’re working long hours and you’re tired, you think everything in your life is shit. Your job will often take the brunt of this abuse. I joke that my warning label should be: GETS WEEPY WHEN TIRED.

Yes, sometimes your job is exactly what’s making you unhappy. But it’s often worth considering whether something else is getting you down. Is it where you live? Or the company you work for? Maybe it’s your housemates or your partner or your lack of time to exercise that’s making you cranky?

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Sometimes the change you need might not be sacking in your job, but something else in your life that requires closer inspection. It might not be easy to admit to yourself, but if you really search for what’s making you unhappy, you can start to take steps to changing it.

TRAVELLING IS REALLY HARD WORK

A moment of peace before heading out into the intense, busy streets of Delhi, India

Travel is often romanticised as being carefree and easy. This is totally not the case. Anyone who has dragged two heavy backpacks across Delhi in the middle of rush hour or through Russia in the middle of the night after 20 hours on the road knows travelling is not always a breeze.

Travelling can be tiring, expensive, frustrating and lonely (especially if you are by yourself in a foreign county where you don’t speak the language).

You constantly have to think about where you will be sleeping next, whether you can afford the next plane ticket home, how you are going to get from Point A to Point B without paying over £300+ in excess baggage.

Travelling can also be immensely rewarding too but don’t forget my shit sandwich analogy above. It applies here too.

YOU WILL MISS OUT ON OCCASIONS BACK HOME

Weddings are some of the saddest events to miss out on. Photo: Sweet Ice Cream Photography

Friends and family are always there for you. This won’t change if you are three miles or 10,000 miles away. Skype is an amazing invention for keeping in touch with everyone back home. But there will be times when you miss out on important events.

Weddings are a classic example. We’ve already missed weddings of friends we truly wished we could be there for. There will be many more to come. Same goes for birthdays, christenings, Christmas, even funerals.

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It doesn’t even have to be big life-changing events that will pass you by. It’s nice to be there for your friends when they are going through a rough patch or even just spending time with them, eating takeaway curry with a glass of wine. This is something you will inevitably miss while on the road.

YOU WILL EVENTUALLY CRAVE STABILITY JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE

Dog lovers, unfortunately our canine friend don't travel well...

I have always wanted to travel and live out of a backpack. But every now and then, I crave stability. I ponder how nice it would be to have a house with furniture that I’ve picked out myself. My own place where I can keep my surfboard and my books and that nice bowl my sister bought for me last year. I could have my own dog. Even a postbox so I can stop lumbering my parents with all my mail.

TO SUM UP….

Sunset surfs in Woolacombe, Devon after work

It’s not all doom and gloom, folks. Travelling the world and making it work - any way you can - is an incredibly rewarding way to live. If travelling wasn’t so great, no one would ever do it, right?

But do bear my advice in mind. Don’t throw everything away on a whim. Plan, plan, plan. Save as much money as you can. Don’t run away from your problems. And don’t feel pressured to do something just because every other twenty-something free-spirit is doing it right now.

Take a really good, hard look at your life and work out whether it really is your job that needs throwing away - or whether you just need to re-jiggle a few other things in your life to make more time for adventures and travel.

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7 Best Eco-Friendly Surf Accessories You Can Buy In The UK

PATAGONIA YULEX WETSUIT

Price: £280 - £425 (depending on thickness)

Patagonia have made the first neoprene-free wetsuit. The Yulex wetsuits, released this month, are made from natural rubber, replacing neoprene which is a petroleum-based material for a plant one.

Patagonia are great at sticking to their eco morals - the water they use to make the wetsuits is recycled and the rubber comes from Forest Stewardship Council sources.

ODINA BIKINI

Price: £102

Odina make eco-friendly swimwear, made from recycled plastic and materials. They are designed and tested by surfers not models, so you can trust them in the water. I love their designs, especially the back straps. They aren't cheap, but nothing environmentally friendly ever is, eh? You can buy Odina bikinis in the UK from Seafoam. 

BUTTA SURF WAX

Price: £2.20

Butta make eco-friendly surf wax right here in the UK. Most surf wax is made from petroleum and doesn't biodegrade, which is why Butta make their wax from 100 per cent eco-friendly ingredients. Each bar is housed in a biodegradable cup and a percentage of their profits are donated to charity Surfers Against Sewage. You can buy it from TVSC.

AUBREY ORGANICS NATURAL SUNSCREEN

Price: £12.98

It's actually amazingly tricky to find a reef-safe sunscreen in the UK. Just have a read of Girl Independent's blog post on this matter. It's important to wear reef-safe sunscreen because it washes off your body into the ocean. These chemicals are contributing to the bleaching of coral reefs. 

SurfYogis have a great natural reef-safe sunscreen, but it's not readily available to buy in the UK. Aubrey Organics is the one we found that can be bought online in the UK. Just make sure you keep reapplying.

WaveTribe Recycled Surfboard Leash

Price: £23.99

Californian company Wavetribe make their leashes out of recycled material with the main cord created from recycled plastic bottles. They claim to be the strongest leashes out there, which is always a bonus when you are surfing heavy waves. You can buy them from our new favourite online surf shop, The Green Wave.

WATER-to-GO BOTTLE

Price: £12.99 (comes with one filter)

Have you stopped buying plastic water bottles but still struggle when you go to a country where the drinking water isn't safe?

Water-To-Go have found a solution to this problem. Their refillable water bottles contain a filter which removes 99.9 per cent of water-born contaminants that could make you sick. Each filter cleans 130L of water, which will last you approximately two months.

I spent ages reading up their credentials before I purchased my Water-To-Go bottle. There are dozens of good reviews from people who've filled up their bottles in Africa, India and beyond. They were also tested by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine with stellar results.

We're off to Bali in a few months and we are planning on using these bottles. I'll let you know how we get on. 

Wavetribe Hemp Surfboard Bag

Price: £69.95 to £139.95 depending on size

Wavetribe make the most eco-friendly surfboard bag we could find in UK, using the least amount of harmful materials possible. Their bags are mostly made from hemp which is super sustainable and grows without the use of pesticides. It's also UV resistant and mould resistant, so it will last you a long time. Buy one from The Green Wave.

This Californian Artist Draws Great Cartoons That Every Surfer Will Relate To

I recently came across Robin Lanei (@robinlanei_art) when I was scrolling through Instagram. She draws the best little cartoons that every surfer will be able to relate to (especially female surfers).

This New All-Female Surf & Snow Documentary In Japan Looks Amazing

From dealing with kooks to accidentally dropping in on SUPers to bikinis flying off in the waves, I genuinely look forward to the next time she drops a drawing on Instagram.

Give her a follow @robinlanei_art. She will make your day!

No. 17 "pearl" it happens

No. 32 "every goddamn time" when the ocean is feeling cheeky.

No. 30 "girl problems" ladies you totes feel me on this, can I get an amen for one pieces

No. 53 "oh, silly me" first wave gets me every time

No. 66 "anchored" me stuck in the whirlpool at Asilomar EVERY SINGLE TIME.

No. 68 "surf fart"

6 Great Podcasts You Need To Listen To When Hiking, Travelling Or Adventuring Alone

It's a gorgeous sunny day, you're by the beach or in the mountains, you've got no car and everyone you know is it work. What do you do?

I love going for a solo hike. You can choose the route, set the pace and stay out as long as you like. But sometimes you want some company, right?

Urban Hike: How To Make Your Own Adventure In The City

Recently, I've been loading up my phone with podcasts to keep me company on long hikes or even just to pass the time in airports/train stations/on planes. The best part about podcasts? They are totally free to download.

Here are few of my favourites... You can download all of these podcasts on the Apple Podcasts app.

DEAR SUGAR RADIO

Dear Sugar Radio is the podcast equivalent of a warm blanket and a cup of tea on a cold winter's night.

Cheryl Strayed (author of Wild, you can read my review here) and Steve Almond are both American writers who receive letters each week, asking for advice on a whole range of topics - from broken hearts to dealing with your family members during election time to being a mother. It's like an Agony Aunt column, but so much better. 

Cheryl and Steve give the best, down-to-earth advice on every problem under the sun. It gets you thinking about similar situations in your own life and how you would deal with them. It might not sound like your thing, but honestly give one episode a go.

Listen to Dear Sugar Radio here.

WOMEN OF THE HOUR WITH LENA DUNHAM

Famous for bringing the TV show Girls into the world, Lena Dunham released her book two years ago and a podcast last year. It's a funny, thought-provoking and inspiring listen, discussing everything modern women think and talk about today.

Sadly, there are only five episodes, but each one is gold. Look forward to advice from the witty Emma Stone to snippets of real life stories from women across America to tackling the big topics like friendship, death, first loves and body image. It's like an American, Lena Dunham-style version of Women's Hour on Radio 4.

Listen to the Women Of The Hour podcast here.

SHE EXPLORES

Female adventurer Gail Straub has a brilliant blog called She Explores which is a compilation of interviews, opinion pieces and advice posts around women in the outdoors. It's really great. Just a couple of months ago, she started a podcast for "women who are inspired to spend time outside". 

This is one of the most appropriate podcasts to listen to while hiking. The first episode tackles fear - the fear of backpacking alone, starting something new, featuring other female explorer guests. It addresses issues we all think about as outdoor-loving women. 

Listen to the She Explore podcast right here.

MAGIC LESSONS

This is one for the creatives among you. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the famous Eat Pray Love, released her book Big Magic in the UK last year.

It's a brilliant book for anyone who wants to live a creative life - or even just wants to live a more honest, authentic life.

She has also brought out a podcast to promote Big Magic called Magic Lessons, which covers all manner of creative fears and how to help artist overcome them.

Oh and Elizabeth Gilbert's Facebook Page is GREAT, if you haven't already explored it. I spent about two hours reading her posts when I first discovered it. Ideal for anyone who is curious about love, life, creativity and exploring your inner self and the world.

Listen to the Magic Lessons podcast here.

DESERT ISLAND DISCS

This classic Radio 4 programme has a podcast version. The format is simple. Kirsty Young interviews a celebrity - and they have to pick eight songs they would take with them if they were stranded to a desert island. 

The beauty of the podcast version is you can pick and choose which episodes you download, so you only listen to people you are particularly interested in. My personal favourites were Tom Hanks, Lily Allen and climber Conrad Anker.

Although I'd advise downloading a few random people too, you never know what you might learn about someone you didn't have much interest in before. 

Listen to the Desert Island Discs podcast here.

THIS AMERICAN LIFE

This American Life was the first podcast I ever listened to. Hosted by Ira Glass who has a fantastic soothing American voice, it tells the stories of ordinary Americans. Often these are stories that are submitted into the show and grouped into themes. 

My favourite episode is an old one called No Coincidences, No Story! The theme (as you might have guessed) is coincidences. Some of the stories actually made me gasp out loud. Really worth a listen.

You can listen to the most recent episodes for free or pay 79p for an old episode on iTunes. Highly worth it in the case of No Coincidences, No Story!

They were also the people behind the podcast of all podcasts, Serial. If you haven't listened to that yet, download it right this second.

Listen to This American Life podcast here.

This New All-Female Surf & Snow Documentary In Japan Looks Amazing

Photo: Way East

Last year pro snowboarder Aline Bock and freeskier Lena Stoffel went on adventure to the Norwegian island of Lofoten - to ride powder and waves. It was all captured in their mini documentary, Way North.

This autumn, they are releasing their new film called Way East - this time searching for surf and snow in Japan with filmmaker Mathias Kogel. They have just released the trailer and it looks GREAT!

Slashing through waist deep powder in Niseko before tugging on a wetsuit (plus hood and booties) to surf the icy-cold waves in the Sea of Japan.

The documentary not only looks an the adventurous side of Japan but also the reality of life since the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster in 2011.

I can't wait to watch the full film once it is released later this year.

Photo: Way East

#PlasticFreeJuly: 5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Everyday Items

More than 5 trillion pieces of plastic are now floating in our oceans. Plastic doesn't biodegrade. Fish eat it, thinking it's food and it is now causing problems for our wildlife. 

For decades, using single-use plastic items like straws, bags and coffee cups haven't really bothered us - but now people are starting to sit up and take notice, since the affect it is having on our planet and wildlife becomes increasingly obvious. You just need to watch this video of a turtle with a plastic straw stuck up its nose to put you off using straws forever.

It's so simple to change your habits. Stop buying plastic water bottles and buy a refillable bottle instead. Say no to plastic bags. Soon, you won't remember why you used those items in the first place.

Here are a few of my favourite reusable alternatives:

MIZU WATER BOTTLE

Price: £32

Mizu make really good-looking stainless steel water bottles. Buying water from a shop is a total waste of money. Save those pennies for more important things (like adventures) and refill this water bottle before you head out.

BEE ECO WRAPS

Price: £20 ($35 AUD) for a set of three

Say goodbye to cling film. Bee Eco Wraps make reusable food wraps in great designs to cover food and leftovers. They are made from organic cotton covered in beeswax and jojoba oil. Just use the warmth of your hands to mould the sheets to your bowl. You can wash and reuse them as many times as you like. Bee Eco Wraps are handmade in Australia but they do ship to the UK for just £5 P&P.

ENVIRONMENTAL BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSH

Price: £2.86 each from Greenshop

Plastic toothbrushes won't degrade in our lifetime - and we go through one every couple of months. I love these bamboo toothbrushes - they are 100 per cent biodegradable, even the bristles.

STAINLESS STEEL STRAW

Price: £4.99 for four on Amazon

I know, I know. Who is actually going to go round cafes and bars with their own straw? Sometimes it's easier to just politely refuse a straw. But I do like these stainless steel straws - some sets even come with a straw cleaning brush to get those fruit seeds out from inside.

REUSABLE BAG

Price: £4.50 from Paperchase

We all have dozens of these bags lying around our houses. Just take reusable bags to the supermarket and avoid bringing home plastic bags. It's already great to see that Britain's plastic bag use has dropped significantly since the 5p charge was brought in last October - around 83 per cent less plastic bags used.

REUSABLE COFFEE CUP

Price: £15 from KeepCup

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall launched his War On Waste campaign this month against takeaway coffee cups. Britain gets through 10,000 coffee cups every two minutes - and they aren't recyclable, despite what Costa and Starbucks tell us.

KeepCup made the world's first barista standard reusable coffee cups - which means they are exactly the same size as the ones they use in coffee shops. Take this to your coffee shop each morning and get them to fill it up instead of using one of theirs.