Vital Vegan-Friendly Winter Gear - Alaskan Edition

October 29, 2014 Kathleen Henry

Oh Alaska, you frigid friend you. Most people despise winter because they can't bear the cold and get out and play. Not me. With the right winter gear, Alaska's backcountry is my playground and I'm never too chilly for a playdate.

Skoop Original Insulated Skirt

Life without my down (synthetic!) skirt during the winters here would be unimaginable. I have three Skoop Skirts, a mini, a knee-length, and a floor-length. I also have a different pink mini, too.

Throw the mini on with leggings and boots and prance your little fashioned bum all over town...or just to the grocery store. The ankle length I actually use for backcountry skiing when it's super cold out and the floor length one is just for milling about. It's the one I use the most as I wear it everyday back and forth to work over my scrub bottoms (they are terribly breezy) and out when I walk Bob.

I bought mine at REI , but they are also available or on the Skoop website. A friend told me the company was started by a doctor's Scandinavian wife, here in Anchorage.

VEGAN! - Some skirts are made with goose feathers (down), so be sure yours is made with synthetic (sometimes they just call it "insulation" as opposed to "down", or Primaloft is a common synthetic.)

Bogs Classic High Snow Boots

Are Bogs as big in other wintery states as they are in Alaska? They are huge! I only just recently jumped on the bandwagon and I am loving every warm-footed second of wearing them! The classic ones are rated to -40 F, but they make garden clogs and rainboots as well. I ordered mine a little big so I could wear huge fluffy socks with them.

I bought my pair from Shoebuy, but they are available on Amazon and their website as well. I really wanted a vegetable patterned one (how appropriate, huh?), but they were last years and didn't have my size! As a note, try ordering one size up, as they tend to run small. I really like that they accommodate my orthotics too!

VEGAN! - I emailed the company and they assured me all their non-leather Bogs are 100% vegan! Even the glue!

Mega Insulated Coat

So, I have a giant, completely ridiculous red poofy coat. Todd tells me it makes me look like a "gansta". Admittedly, I do not care one smidge what I look like because it is the warmest damn thing on earth. I got it from Sierra Trading post four years ago. It was orginally almost $400 and I ended up paying less than $90 for it, with some coupons and seasonal sales. I adore it, however, it's made with down. Sad face. And down...I can no longer do.

When the time comes to get a new coat, I've discovered that there aren't a whole lot of options for me. I'd like to first disclaim that my coat requirements are not average. I need a coat that will keep me warm in -30 F when winter camping or just generally not moving. There's a big difference in a coat that will keep you warm at freezing temperatures when you're active and when you're not.

I usually turn to belay jackets to fill this requirement. They are huge parkas that are super warm. Imagine you're belaying your ice-climbing buddy for an hour. That coat needs to be warm...and huge. Unfortunately, most of these jackets are made of down. Why? Because down offers more warmth per weight than synthetic. However, it won't keep you warm if it gets wet, unlike synthetic.

If I had to get a new coat tomorrow, there are two I would choose from.

Black Diamond Stanley Belay Jacket

Yes, this is a men's jacket. Women's belay jackets can be hard to come by and when you do find them they just aren't up to snuff when compared to men's. They'll be lacking abrasion pads that their male counterparts have (like women don't need abrasion pads!) or usually they just aren't as lofty. What's up with that? So, yep...I would get a men's XS jacket. Now, there are some cons to this, most notably being the shape. You'll want enough air space in the jacket, but not too much. However, with adequate layering, I'd take a chance on it.

You can find this jacket on their website.

GO VEGAN - Synthetic insulation is made without goose feathers!

If you absolutely must have a ladies jacket, I'd go with this one, below. You can find it on the Big Agnes website here.

Big Agnes Hot Sulphur Belay Jacket

So there you have it. Some vegan-friendly winter basics for your legs, torso, and feet. Stay tuned in the future for more winter gear tips! And be sure to let me know if you have any suggestions, tips, or questions!

Stay warm my friends!

13 Things You Didn't Know About Me

October 22, 2014 Kathleen Henry

Hello! I thought that this would be a fun time to do a different little post. A post for you to kind of get to know me, and some of the quirky things I may exhibit. In return, be sure to share your quirks too!

I'm naturally, without distortion or exaggeration, exceptionally terrible at math...but somehow managed to pull the highest grade in my college physics class. Math = nonsensical, but physics = commonsense.
I was prophesied to become a Veterinarian by my third grade teacher who did "profession predictions". As an adult, I know that I have a boundless love for animals, and I did go into the medical field...but I could never, ever be a vet!
I got into Radiology because I thought it would be the least gorey of all the medical professions. Wrong. Wrong on so many levels. I've literally been hit in the face with a blood clot and a bone fragment during surgery. In the ER, I x-rayed a hand that looked like just a bloody clump of bone and flesh (got caught in the spring of a garage door) and I've "tipped" more people than I can count...it involves your bum-bum and it's not fun. Now that I'm a Mammographer all I do mostly is boobies and that's fine by me!
I'm a really difficult sleeper. Ever since high school I've been sleeping with earplugs and a eyemask. I grew up on 40 acres in a rural town in Alaska...needless to say it doesn't make a lot of sense.
I'm a Highly Sensitive Person. If you don't know what a highly sensitive person is, here are 16 habits of such a person. It's basically me in a nutshell. Or read a book on it here.
Flying is more and more terrifying the older I get and the more I really think about it. Have you thought about it? I mean really thought about it. It's an incomprehensible fall to Earth...skeezes me out big-time.
I co-piloted a plane when under the age of seven. My Grandpa has planes.
I take the stairs instead of the elevator, as well as long or alternative routes, and use the self-checkout at the store just to avoid contact with people.
I have essential tremors. It's a good thing I didn't want to become a surgeon.
I've never dyed or highlighted my hair (unless you count the one that washes out in eight days).
The coolest places I've traveled are The Galapoagas Islands and Turks & Caicos.
I only own one pair of heels.
Winter is my favorite season.

Quotes To Remember

August 21, 2014 Kathleen Henry

Hello.

Today, I'm sharing a couple quotes that I hope will inspire solicitousness and help to instill a benevolence towards those that surround us. Kindness, graced upon all living things, is an absolute moral imperative and every once in a while...a reminder is warranted.

Life. It will always be full of surprises, no matter how heedful one instinctually is. Bask in the warmth of happiness, but open yourself to the weight of inexorable tragedies and sorrows. There's lessons and insight to be gained, but only if you allow them.