Blog — The Greenest Blue

The Reefs of Maui - A Quick Dip Into Coral Reef Ecology, Part One

The crazy cool thing about snorkeling in Hawaii is that about 25 percent of the fish you can see out here are endemic to the islands. You won’t see them anywhere else! There are very few places in the world where you can find a comparable number of unique fish species. Why is that? The Hawaiian Islands (which are actually the tops of an underwater mountain range) are separated from all other underwater mountain ranges by a distance of more than 1,000 miles, far greater than the distances between any other Pacific islands and their neighbors. This massive distance between Hawaii and other island chains is what paved the way for the emergence of many new species. Isolation encourages endemism because the fish populations are much smaller and more localized, and therefore are more easily affected by genetic changes. Two examples of endemic fishes are the Milletseed Butterflyfish and the Saddle Wrasse - they are super abundant down here, and a probable reason for that abundance is that they are the most perfectly adapted to the local ocean conditions, in comparison to non-endemic fish.

Orca Restor(y)ation - Blurring the Lines Between Art & Science (Orca and Salmon Co-Recovery)

A few weeks ago, I was able to participate in a really interesting writing workshop focusing on the co-recovery of orca and salmon. This workshop was born from a collaboration between the Endangered Species Coalition and Creature Conserve – two amazing organizations that I’ll talk more about later – and was the second in a series of events on the theme of integrating science and art for conservation. When the invitation email popped up in my inbox, it was a no-brainer to accept.

At Home in the Salish Sea - My Fave Photos from the 2020 Season

I left Idaho for the San Juan Islands in July, mainly to help a friend out by dog-sitting for her while she and her partner went out sailing on the weekends. There was a large part of me that also wanted to be back in one of my favorite places in the world, surrounded by people whose values align a little bit more strongly with my own. Northern Idaho is beautiful, but I missed the ocean. The dog-sitting arrangement gave me a purpose and a reason to leave Idaho; the people, the summer, the whales, the air (as ocean air always does) gave me a reason to stay.

The Importance of Ethical Jewellery - Ocean-Inspired Pieces by World Treasure Designs

When it comes to shopping for ethically-sourced and sustainably-produced products, not a lot of people stop to consider their jewelry. Many of us are starting (or continuing!) to ask questions about where our food, our clothes, our beauty products, even our cleaning products come from…but our jewelry? I’ll admit, I didn’t think much about where the metals that make up my necklaces and rings come from, or where they were being produced; I’d buy pretty pieces from small businesses and feel happy enough about supporting a local, family-owned operation. And while that is incredibly important, there’s an important part of that supply chain I was overlooking: the source of that metal and the labor needed to craft it.

Eating Vegan on San Juan Island, WA - Friday Harbor Plant-Based Eats

Ah, the blissful Salish Isles. Home to one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, this part of the world is a marine lover’s paradise. Therefore, my paradise. San Juan Island is the most populous and second largest of the 172 named islands in this area, and it’s my favorite place on the planet. I feel like I’ve gotten to know this little gem of an island pretty well over the last few years. I’m in no way claiming to be a local or a full-timer, but I've spent three summers here and have sprinkled in numerous other visits over the last five years. And being a gal with a hearty appetite and a love of good planty food, I’ve done my fair share of culinary exploring. The low population means that there isn’t a huge variety of vegan restaurants - or any other type of restaurant, for that matter. But the type of people that are drawn to live here tend to open some top-notch dining establishments with a real farm-to-table flair. Although seafood reigns king on most of the locavore menus, you’ll still find plant-based delights galore - especially during the summer.

A Chat with Whale Watch Captain & Naturalist Sarah McCullagh - Friday Harbor, WA

I had the privilege of chatting with the wonderful Sarah McCullagh, who has been in my life since the spring of 2016 when she chatted on the phone with me to interview me for my second naturalist position, up in the Pacific Northwest. Sarah is one of the most passionate, well-spoken, and understanding advocates for the Southern Resident Killer Whales and marine ecosystem in general that I have ever met, and I’ve been so appreciative of all the time I’ve had to learn from her. She’s one of those wildly intelligent gals who knows each of the Southern Residents by sight and can launch into detailed explanations of each of their life histories instantly. I admire that passion so much.

Healing Nature, Healing Ourselves - A Chat with Wildlife Photographer & Biologist Colinda Vergeer

That brings me to introduce the beautiful Colinda. I met this firecracker of a woman from the Netherlands through a mutual friend from Maui who just knew we’d get along, since we “both absolutely adore whales!” Never one to turn down a chance to connect with a similar spirit, I jumped at the chance to meet her. Now that we’ve been friends for a while, I can confirm that Colinda has some amazing stories to tell.

So without further ado, please read on to hear how a passionate nature lover from the Netherlands grew into her role as a project leader for the National State Forest and developed a love for marine life. She’s also an incredible photographer, as you’ll see! All the photos from this post are her own.

So without further ado, please read on to hear how a passionate nature lover from the Netherlands grew into her role as a project leader for the National State Forest and developed a love for marine life.

Eating Vegan in Leavenworth, WA - Finding the Plants in a City of Bratwursts

My parents and I decided it was safe and within our realm of responsibility as decent human beings to visit Leavonworth, WA last weekend. This is quite a unique little town tucked away in the Cascades near Wenatchee, and the scenery is absolutely astounding. The biggest surprise? The Bavarian theme that runs throughout the entire town! Apparently, back in the ‘60s, the economy was struggling thanks to the complete die-out of the once-booming logging industries. Town leaders decided to focus instead on tourism and came up with the bright idea of changing Leavonworth’s appearance to draw visitors into the mountains. The inspiration? The epic landscape around the Bavarian alps in southern Germany. Thus began the cute Bavarian shops, restaurants and festivals (I’d love to go to Oktoberfest here!).But all those adventures certainly made me hungry, and a vegan girl gotta eat! I was pleasantly surprised with the plant-based options Banff provided. And to make things simple for my fellow vegan travelers, I wanted to let you know where I imbibed:

Anti-racism Resources & Ways to Take Action - Black Lives Matter

TGB is committed to stand, and be vocal, against racial profiling and police brutality. It is long past time to dismantle the systemic racism that has been rampant in this country (and many others) for far too long. I know this is long overdue, and it’s horrific that our black brothers and sisters still have to deal with this injustice (and that they’ve had to deal with it at all), but this is the reality right now and I want to be by their side to stand and fight.

My Three Favorite Plant-Based Food Blogs in 2020

I know I’m not the only one with a family that’s been spending way more time in the kitchen than normal, courtesy of the current ‘ronacoaster. I’ve been whipping up homemade granola bars, getting creative with the toppings on my freshly popped popcorn for movie nights, and trying out most of the recipes from a vegan cookbook I was gifted for my birthday (written by one of the gals I’m about to mention in this post). Kitchen time = quality time.

I’m not going to lie, though; I did go on a bit of a hiatus from cooking for a while this past year. I was finding it incredibly draining to cook for myself all the time, especially when I was around others that didn’t want to eat vegan, and eventually, I found my love for being in the kitchen draining out of me faster than my girls and I drain a bottle of wine.

Earth Day 2020 Storytelling Series - Lauren Goes Rogue with Sharks in South Africa

And a very Happy 50th Earth Day to you! If you’re like me, you might be missing that wild and uninhibited feeling of being in your favorite national/state/local park or other wild space that you love right now (thanks to the Rona-coaster). Maybe you’re instead focused on enjoying the view out your window, looking through posts from your old travel blog, or simply relishing the smell of spring blossoms on your evening walk around the block.

Managing Your Media Diet: Taking Conscious Control of the Energy You’re Absorbing

I can’t imagine a more timely occasion to write a post on the importance of managing our “media diet,” a concept I was introduced to by the beautiful and talented Cleo Wade. Cleo is a writer and community builder who shares poetry, artwork, and prose to motivate and inspire others to create change through a strong commitment, both individually and collectively, to self-care and social justice. New York magazine calls her the “millenial Oprah,” and after reading her most recent collection Where to Begin (about the ideas, mantras, and poems Cleo says she turns to “when I feel like I am losing it”), I kind of have to agree. me more “me” time, and also a lesson in compassion, because we’re not doing this only for ourselves. The young and healthy have a responsibility to stop the spread of the virus by being mindful of their actions, so that we don’t spread it to those that are immunocompromised. This is a lesson in solidarity and compassion.

Self-CareLauren FritzApril 13, 2020anxiety releif, self-care, self-love, anxiety, mental health, covid-19

We Aren’t Watching Them Right Now - Quarantines Giving Whales a Break

I know that whale watching in a lot of my previous workplaces has stopped due to travel bans and lockdowns. No whale watching in Maui, the San Juan Islands, Kaikoura…and probably most places around the world. That is wild. This has never happened. And while the circumstances that led to this shutdown are extremely unfortunate, I can’t help but wonder…what are the marine mammals all over the world doing right now?? Nobody’s really watching them!

Marine ConservationLauren FritzMarch 26, 2020covid-19, tourism, travel ban, whales, marine mammals, nature, ocean conservation

Self-Care for Self-Quarantine: 10 Meaningful Ways to Spend Your Time During the COVID-19 Crisis

These quarantines (whether mandatory or recommended) mean we are in a forced retreat! HOW COOL IS THAT? We’re being ASKED to stay home and take care of ourselves. In a society that’s usually asking us to “DO DO DO” and “GIVE GIVE GIVE” and “BUY BUY BUY,” we’re being asked to reduce our social interactions, work from home, and keep ourselves healthy. Some more “me” time, and also a lesson in compassion, because we’re not doing this only for ourselves. The young and healthy have a responsibility to stop the spread of the virus by being mindful of their actions, so that we don’t spread it to those that are immunocompromised. This is a lesson in solidarity and compassion.

Self-CareLauren FritzMarch 18, 2020anxiety releif, self-care, self-love, anxiety, mental health, covid-19

How the Great Whales are Fighting Climate Change - Just By Existing

And now we have all the more reason to be intrigued by, and grateful for, these massive beings. When a story recently started circulating around many online media outlets about how whales are huge components of slowing down climate change, that got my attention. These articles were claiming that one whale is worth the equivalent of thousands of trees in terms of the amount of carbon it can remove from the atmosphere.

A Day in the Life of A Dolphin Swim Guide in New Zealand

I knew what field I wanted to work in (marine tourism) and did some research with contacts and friends who had traveled NZ before, eventually deciding I wanted to try and work in Kaikoura. It was touted as the marine mammal hotspot of the country, and my good friend Fi (who I actually had never met in person until moving to NZ) was working there. It seemed perfect!

Applications were sent. Bank accounts were opened. Cars were purchased. A room was rented. Interviews were had. And then, there I was, employed as a dolphin swim guide in this beautiful little seaside town. The company I worked for is Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura, the only dolphin swim company in Kaikoura and arguably one of the most well-organized operations. I might be biased, but I think Kaikoura is the place to swim with wild dolphins. See why I believe it’s ethical here!

Veganized in San Diego - Sunshine and Plant-based Foods in a SoCal Paradise

This city of sunshine and surf, provider of very Maui-esque vibes and endless good feels, also dishes up some pretty satisfying plant-based dishes. Not that I should be surprised - San Diego residents seem like the pretty active, health-minded peeps! There’s a healthy peppering of vegan and veggie restaurants throughout the city’s neighborhoods, reflecting the demand for more wholesome dining.

Thanks to an interesting twist of fate, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time down in this beachy city. Eager as ever to try out the vegan options while exploring a new city, I set out on a mission with one of my most favorite vegan companions and we’ve been having an absolute treat of a time sampling the huge variety of vegan foods San Diego has to offer!

Behind the Glamour - Top 5 Challenges of Remote Freelance Work

It’s the dream that I’ve had for about the past two years. Location independence. Freedom from a brick and mortar job. The ability to work from wherever, whenever I want. Being my own boss. I wanted this because I was struggling to find the free time to fill my days with meaningful, fulfilling activities besides my job, while still maintaining my mental health. I figured remote work would give me an income stream while allowing me to choose where I wanted to live and how I wanted to spend my days, whether that meant part-time on the boats or simply no boats at all.

Remote Work, TravelLauren FritzFebruary 13, 2020travel, sustainable travel, remote work, freelance writing, freelancer, living your best life

How to Jump into a Plastic-free Oral Care Routine: Keeping the Pearly Whites Eco-Friendly

Plastic sucks, plastic is bad, plastic doesn’t biodegrade, plastic kills animals, plastic is in our food…

We all get it. It’s probably not beneficial to keep hearing all of those facts in that manner, either, because the more we hear the negatives, the more we tend to tune out and focus our attention elsewhere for the sake of our sanity. But NO! There’s a different way, ya’ll. Let’s dive into some positive living! I can’t be the only one sick of hearing all this blibber blabber of negativity.

I saw a really amazing Green Dreamer post on Instagram the other day about the importance of not thinking about “fixing” the shit we’re doing to the planet - instead, how about we radiate some positivity into the future, produce more good things, and take positive action? It may sound like one and the same, and the actions may indeed be identical, but it’s all about the mindset behind the motion.

WHAT? ALL WINES AREN'T VEGAN? The Truth Behind Animal Products in Wine Production

I remember dabbling around in the Kaikoura New World market in New Zealand, looking for a nice birthday wine for my friend. My attention was immediately drawn to a label that said Vegan Wine. I was dumbfounded. In all of my years as a polite, mindful, wine-sipping twenty-something, I had assumed, no-brainer, that wine was vegan.

It’s GRAPES, people! How much more plant-based can you get?

But seeing this label called to my attention a completely different reality. It is true that, in fact, all wines are not created equal. Yes, they all contain fermented grapes and the bottles that appear on the supermarket shelves are not stuffed full of mysterious animal-byproducts.

Mindful Eating, Plant-Based EatingLauren FritzJanuary 26, 2020environmentalism, wine, vegan, veganism, plant-based, sustainable living

Marine mammals inspired me to seek a greener lifestyle. What inspires you?