Sustainable Living

Whether you're already living a sustainable lifestyle or if you're overwhelmed with what to

do, this post should be a good guide to get you started or to learn more about being a conscious consumer. I want to emphasize that making these changes aren't going to solve everything. For too long the pressure has been put on the individual level when in reality it needs to be the system that's changing. With that being said, making a conscious effort to live a more sustainable life does make a difference especially when it's a collective effort. These are some things that I do, and also things that I can still improve on. Please know that this is just a guide and it's not possible to do all of these things overnight. Pick out some things that are attainable for you and start with that. Set some short-term and long-term goals to realistically transition to a sustainable lifestyle and make it a habit. There are plenty of things that are no-cost and then there are things that you would have to invest in. The main goals of environmentalism are to buy less, buy things that will last, and being conscious in everything you do, buy, or eat. It's all about living a lifestyle that is also compatible with sustaining nature.

I wanted to talk about carbon offsetting because traveling is something that is really important to me and I imagine it's important to a lot of people as well. I've fallen in love with the beauty of the world and I would be devastated if I didn't get to travel and explore. An eco-friendly car makes a huge difference, but it's not realistic for everyone to switch to eco-friendly cars. If you can, drive less, walk to places, or use public transportation. If you fly or go on a long road trip, do extra things to carbon offset your footprint. Animal agriculture makes up for more greenhouse gas emissions than all combined exhaust for transportation. (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome 2006) Because of this, the greatest carbon offset you can do is to eat plant-based or vegan. On top of doing all of these other things, contributing to organizations also make a really big difference. https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/where-to-donate-10-high-impact-environmental-charities-with-integrity/

If you're curious what your carbon footprint is now, there are many quizzes you can take that gives you an idea of what your footprint is, but here is a good one to take: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/

There is also a really good app that helps you track your progress, and it gives you action items that you can do to help lower your footprint. It's called Earth Hero. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earth-hero-climate-change/id1458057746

Here is a link to my resources page to get you started in finding some good brands to buy from: https://www.theinnerpeaces.com/resources

Everyday

• Use less plastic: ask for no straw at restaurants or if it's a to-go cup ask for no lid or straw, use refillable water bottles, use reusable shopping bags and produce bags, buy things with plastic-free packaging

• Use less water

• Turn off the lights and TV when you aren't using them

• Buy less

• Recycle: make sure to research guidelines in your area and what is okay and not okay to recycle https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables

• Use the stairs instead of the elevator if possible

• Clean out your glass jars from food and reuse them for certain things instead of buying mason jars. https://blog.bottlestore.com/what-do-you-do-with-empty-glass-jars-25-new-ideas/

• Clean out your candle jar's and use them as a plant holder or make a DIY candle

• Zero waste chapstick https://www.sustainablejungle.com/zero-waste/zero-waste-lip-balm/

• Use Ecosia for your search engine. Help plant trees just by searching the web. You can change the settings on your device to make it to where anytime you search something it uses Ecosia instead of google. https://www.ecosia.org

EAT LESS MEAT AND DAIRY

• I'm not trying to yell, but this one deserves all caps because of how important it is. Here is a really good infographic that shows all of the negative impacts of the meat and dairy industry and how going vegan or plant-based is ESSENTIAL if we want to address climate change. https://www.cowspiracy.com/infographic We can do all of these other things to live more sustainably, but if we as a society cannot shift to eating less meat and dairy, then we will reach a tipping point for our planet. Although going vegan would make a huge difference, not everyone can do this so even just eating one meatless meal a day helps or eating vegan a few days a week. Once you learn more about the climate crisis and the agricultural industry, you should feel more and more compelled to change because of how serious it is. One of the easiest things you can do switch to dairy-free alternatives. Non-dairy milks taste really good and they don't come with the environmental cost. Try different dairy-free cheese's and see what brand and flavor you like the best! Incorporate more vegetables into your diet! If you're someone who says they don't like "healthy" food then try different ways of cooking things and experiment. Eating plant-based is also has many health benefits. By switching to a plant-based diet, you will nourish your mind and soul all while taking care of the earth and everything that lives here.

• Plant-based guide for beginners: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/plant-based-diet-guide#overview

Kitchen and Food

• Use cloths instead of paper towels https://mamaeco.com/eco-friendly-alternatives-paper-towels/

• Use refillable cleaning products https://www.grove.co/member/home/

• Use refillable hand soap or a soap bar

• Stop buying plastic: the time it takes to wash something doesn't compare the environmental impact of plastic. This includes plastic utensils, plastic plates, plastic water bottles, plastic tubberwear, etc.

• Use glass plates and cups

• Use foil instead of plastic wrap. Wash the foil and recycle it.

• Reusable ziplock bags https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-reusable-eco-friendly-food-storage-bags.html

• Buy small amounts of food at a time to avoid food waste

• Learn about composting and what method works best for you: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/types-composting-and-understanding-process

• Buy non-processed food and avoid palm oil (contributes to deforestation)

• Buy organic (watch Kiss the Ground to learn about regenerative farming)

• Buy produce locally and in season

• Turn off the water in between washing dishes

Bathroom

• Shampoo/conditioner bar: try different brands and see what works best for your hair. Ethique is a good brand to try first. https://ethique.com

• Refillable hand soap or soap bar

• Bamboo toothbrush: turn off the water while you're brushing https://bestreviews.com/best-bamboo-toothbrushes

• Buy toothpaste tablets to use less plastic https://bitetoothpastebits.com

• Buy products with no parabens, sulfates, dyes or synthetic fragrances

• Buy products that are not tested on animals

• Toilet paper: use less, buy bamboo or recycled, buy in plastic-free packaging if possible

• Flush less often if you can (If it's yellow let it mellow)

• Take shorter showers, use a water saver shower head

• Safety razor or compostable razor https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g35395337/best-eco-friendly-razors/

• Reusable cotton rounds https://www.bestproducts.com/beauty/g35630436/reusable-cotton-rounds/

• Refillable floss https://byhumankind.com

• Reusable q-tips https://lastobject.com/pages/lastswab

• Reusable hair ties https://www.teleties.com

• Use a menstrual cup instead of tampons https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a22064115/best-menstrual-cups/

• Reusable period underwear https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g26411652/period-panties/

• Reusable pads https://menstrualcupreviews.net/reusable-menstrual-cloth-pads/

Sustainable Closet

• Buy less and buy clothes that will last

• Buy second-hand

• Avoid fast fashion and impulse buying: this includes brands like Shein, Zara, H&M, Forever 21, GAP, etc. https://www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/fast-fashion-brands/

• Guide to sustainable fabrics: https://consciousclosetblog.com/guide-to-sustainable-fabrics/

• Buy ethically sourced and environmentally friendly leather and research for sustainable brands like Veja shoes, JWPEI, The Weekend Edit, etc. https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/ethical-eco-friendly-and-fair-trade-handbags-totes-and-weekenders

• Sustainable jewelry https://www.uncommongoods.com/jewelry/by-collection/sustainable-jewelry

The system needs to change to make some of these things more realistic for everyone, but you cannot be perfect so please don't go into this lifestyle thinking that. Keep in mind that this is a guide that I created, so researching on your own is always a good idea.

Hear from people with different perspectives and tips and educate yourself as much as you can. I've been committed to my sustainability journey for about three years now and it feels good to know that I'm doing my part in taking care of the earth. There is always room for growth and I'm always learning new things. I try to do the best I can to live a conscious lifestyle and I've been eating vegan since January 2021. We are all on different journey's to sustainability and what works for one person may not work for all. Find what works best for you and try to stick with it. The earth will thank you for every little thing you can do to live a more mindful life.

I Am Privileged

I am almost as privileged as it gets. Privilege is the benefit that some people receive due to how close you are to the dominant culture. The dominant culture is the group of people in society who hold the most power and they are often the majority. The individuals who are white, middle class, and christian are a part of the dominant culture. These are the individuals who have established which behaviors, values, and traditions that are considered "acceptable" in today's society. Society has made it seem like you have to fit into this perfect box of normalcy to be considered a human that deserves respect and compassion. Our institutions and government have been built upon white supremacy and over the last four years, this idealism has been amplified by our current president. This is called systemic racism, and if you are white you benefit in this society just from being you.

Whether you have realized it or not, racism is all around us. It is in the air we breathe and it is a part of our society. The attack at the capital on January 6th has made it very apparent that our country is deeply rooted in white supremacy and it needs to be confronted and dismantled. You cannot deny that if these terrorists had been black, the outcome would have been much different.

Black lives matter. Black souls matter. Black peace matters. Black joy matters. Black dreams matter. Black safety matter matter. Black futures matter. Black freedom matters.

There are many different perceptions and definitions of racism. Racism is the prejudice or discrimination against someone based on their race. Everyone has personal prejudice and biases, but it's when we address our biases head on when things change. Biases are usually conscious, but sometimes they are not. We absorb prejudice and bias when we are very young and they become part of our belief system. Without even thinking we have this stereotype in our head about what people should look like and how they should act. When we address our biases and begin to truly educate ourselves on what this country is built on, we have the power to change the world.

I could write so much more on this topic and maybe I will in another post, but I still have a lot of education to do myself. It is very important for us to realize that you can't just accept that you aren't racist. I would love to believe that I'm not racist and I hope that I am not, but my goal is to become anti-racist and to confront this issue head on. We need to have compassion, understanding, and empathy to acknowledge our deeply rooted white supremacy in this country. Use your privilege to amplify and acknowledge black voices and learn what you can personally do to help abolish and dismantle white supremacy and racism. I am currently reading a book about anti-racism that gives 20 lessons on how to wake up, take action, and do the work and I highly recommend this to anyone that is wanting to be a part of the change. We need to use our privilege to educate ourselves enough so that we can feel confident talking about this and educating people when the conversation comes up.

If a conversation is hard, it is probably one that is worth having.

https://www.amazon.com/This-Book-Anti-Racist-lessons-action/dp/0711245215

The Most Wasteful Time of the Year

Christmas time is the most wonderful time of the year. I love the spirit of giving, the joyfulness, and celebrating the life of Jesus with family and friends. Sadly, it is also the most wasteful time of the year. The combination of an excessive amount of unnecessary things, excessive packaging, wrapping, single-use plastic, and meat and dairy consumption are a recipe for a climate disaster. We are taking away the earth's natural resources faster than it can keep up with and it is especially worse during the holidays.

Overconsumption at Christmas time

Over the years, it seems as if we have lost the simplicity and true meaning of Christmas. It has become about greed, over-shopping, over-eating, too much waste, and excessive use of money and resources. The holiday season should be about giving, genorosity, and enjoying time with friends and family. There are also so many ways that we can gift consciously and more sustainably which I will talk more about in a minute.

Learning from The Grinch

The story of The Grinch captures the true meaning of Christmas; celebrating the life of your family and friends. I didn't learn until this year about the numerous hidden messages behind The Grinch. The overall message is that people can change no matter how disgusting they are. In order for them to change, they need to be shown by an example of kindness and understanding.

The magical change that the Grinch undergoes gives people hope for a better world and that people can always be better no matter what. This story of hope is the reason why The Grinch will never get old. The Whos show this hope even more by being an example of the kinder side of human nature that we don't see as often as we should. Even out of anger and darkness, they show light and joy.

The Grinch teaches us that we should care more about people than things. Our society really needs to work on this one. We need to go back to truly caring about what we have and the people that we have in our lives instead of things that can be bought. We need to show compassion and empathy to people that are harsh and cruel. Be the example of what our world needs more of. Don't hold grudges and welcome people in with open arms. This lesson is one of my favorites: view humanity through the eyes of a child. Seeing the world in this view will give you a different perspective on life and it can bring imagination and curiosity to its highest capacity.

Lets Go Back to the Basics

In general, we need to go back to the intention that we don't need more and more every year. We need to stop buying things that we don't need. We need to think before we buy new things and realize that over consumption not only leads to a dying planet but also numerous human rights issues. Let's strive to be imperfectly zero waste at Christmas time and also in our everyday lives.

1. Normalize giving necessities as gifts

2. Normalize giving e-gift cards as gifts

3. Normalize secondhand gifts

4. Normalize giving DIY gifts

5. Normalize re-gifting

6. Normalize giving time and experiences as gifts

7. Normalize not gifting at all when our economic circumstances or simple personal preference don't support it.

8. Normalize not overextending ourselves emotionally or financially

Source: Terra Shepard Boutique & Apothecary

Gift wrapping is one of the most wasteful parts about Christmas time. The amount of wrapping paper used at Christmas is enough to wrap around the Earth 9 times! That thought is too hard to even imagine. Wrapping paper usually can't be recycled because of the metallic finishes or weak fibers so it just piles up in landfills and lasts a lifetime. There are numerous gift wrapping alternatives. Make your gift wrapping eco-friendly and be creative and have fun with it. The gifts that have meaning behind it mean the most.

All of these things are extremely important, but one of the most important is our food waste and our excessive meat and dairy consumption. This is the component that has the most impact on our environment. For us to have a livable planet, it is crucial that we evolve and become more plant-based; as our bodies were designed to be. Even though it would help tremendously, I'm not saying you have to go vegan, but we should be getting most of our meals from plants not from meat and dairy. Animal agriculture is the largest driver of species loss and deforestation and therefore plays a huge role in climate change. Almost 85% of the freshwater used is for agriculture and food processing. By going plant-based, especially at Christmas time, you will contribute to rebuilding a healthier environment and ecosystem.

As consumers, we have so much power to change the world by just being careful in what we buy

Of course, this post would have been more helpful to post before Christmas, but I really hope this encourages you to be better next holiday season and to use these tips in your everyday life. In order for us to have a livable future, we need to collectively work together and take care of the only home that we have.