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Eco Eats Eco Tips

How To Make Grocery Shopping Greener Than Ever

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Being green starts at home. And it continues on the street, in your car and at the store. The way you shop can have a huge impact on the environment. It is worth it to make your trip to the grocery store as green as possible, as that can change your entire family’s carbon footprint. Here are a few tips to make grocery shopping as eco-friendly as possible.

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Get a reusable bag

This one is pretty obvious, but essential. A good tote bag made out of a resistant fabric and with a hard bottom is priceless. Disposable bags do nothing but fill up landfills, even if they are paper and not plastic. Besides, a big reusable bag is much more convenient, as it will probably fit all of your groceries and you can hang it on your shoulder. Say goodbye to pained fingers trying to hold up the weight of multiple plastic bags. And you’ll be able to carry everything in one trip too! If you are prone to forgetting your reusable bag, there are some that old up into a nice little pocket that you can keep in your purse. Or even as a keychain!

Pay attention to the packaging

Whenever possible, say no to goods packaged in plastic or non-recyclable materials. Nowadays, more and more companies are promoting responsible packaging, so take advantage of that. If you absolutely need to buy products that come in plastic packaging, look for brands that made their containers at least with partially recycled materials. Paper and glass are always preferred, of course. If you are buying dry goods, try to do so in bulk, as that means less individual packages that you will go through.

Look for USDA-certified organic products

Organic produce is made using no toxic pesticides and with responsible farming practices. This means that your family will get better quality goods that do not have toxic substances. Besides, you will not support companies and production practices that contribute to the pollution of our water sources and the reduction of biodiversity. While you are at it, try to get goods that are non-GMO verified. Natural and fresh is always best.

Whenever possible, reduce, reuse and recycle

When shopping, less is always more. Always be on the lookout for ways to reduce your spending and by extension your waste. For example, instead of buying bottled water, get yourself a sturdy stainless steel water bottle and keep it filled. Instead of buying disposable batteries, get yourself a reusable set. If you can buy in bulk and store the food safely in your home, do so. If you find products made out of recycled materials, choose them above other brands.

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Eco Tips

How To Make Your House Sparkle Without Destroying The Earth

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We spend so much time making sure our homes are spotless that we never stop to ask how that affect’s everyone’s home. If your own apartment is neat and clean but the environment is a mess, then you are doing it wrong. No need to despair, it is possible to be green even during your cleaning routine, just follow these tips.

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Try to DIY

We live in a wonderful era of information and we can all learn how to make our own cleaning products. Home-mixed cleaners are good for the environment because they avoid toxic substances that can damage your family or pollute water sources. What’s even better, they are usually very cheap to make, so you are helping your pockets as well. If you are afraid you will have to go out scavenger-hunting for obscure ingredients, fear no more: you have them in your pantry. Almost every mess in your home can be cleaned with a mixture of vinegar or baking soda and warm water. Dissolve grease, get rid of mold, shine your surfaces and get rid of water residue without buying a single cleaning product.

Toss the antibacterial cleaners

Antibacterial or antimicrobial cleaners are not as necessary as all those alarming TV ads would have you believe. In fact, they might even be counter-productive, as they carry the risk of breeding “super germs” that can get your family sick and are harder to kill. The FDA found that antimicrobial and antibacterial soaps and cleaners are not better at getting rid of germs than regular hand soap, so you should really avoid them.

Don’t buy air-fresheners

Air fresheners are usually toxic, they make the air quality in your home worse and they can even be harmful to the ozone layer. If you want your home to smell great all the time, get indoor plants. Broad, green leaves are great at filtering and renewing the air in your house, even if they don’t make it smell different. If you do want the smell, boil cinnamon, cloves or any other herb or spice that you like. If your carpets smell weird, sprinkle them with baking soda and let it soak up the smell before vacuuming it up.

Be mindful when discarding toxic cleaners

Whether you are replacing all of your toxic cleaners for greener brands or just tossing out old containers, avoid leaving toxic products in the trash. If the product is toxic for your home, it will be for the environment. Tossing toxic containers in the trash or pouring products down the drain is a great way to make sure the landfill gets full of harmful chemicals and your water supply contaminated. Your neighborhood or community probably holds toxic and electronics recycling days, so you can take them there to be disposed of responsibly.

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Eco Tips

5 Green Gifts For The New Mom

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Do you have a baby shower coming up and still don’t have a gift? Why not pick something cute, practical and green? New moms get enough adorable onesies that the baby will wear only once. Your friend or relative will be extremely grateful if you get her something practical. And the earth will be grateful if you pick something green as well.

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1. Wool diaper covers

Most parents know of reusable diapers (and more and more young families are choosing to use them!), but most still use plastic diaper covers. Wool covers are made of natural fiber, which means that they will breathe better and are more gentle on sensitive skin. Besides, they are naturally anti-bacterial and they can absorb a lot of moisture, so they are perfect for heavy wetters. They are thick enough to double as shorts on warmer months and they can be extremely adorable. Since a family will need only 3-4 covers, you can gift them two and a bottle of wool wash and lanolin to keep the wool moisture-resistant.

2. Reusable wipes

This is such a useful gift, and you can make it yourself. You can buy a used wipe warmer in good condition pretty cheaply and gather cut-up squares of flannel or baby washcloths. Place in a box with some glass jars of scented washing solution and decorate with a cute bow. You can include a homemade card with instructions on how to use the warmer so the wipes are always ready for comfortable diaper changing.

3. Swaddle Blanket

The ideal swaddle blanket is the one that fits well, stretches and tightens up while still being breathable and gentle on the baby’s skin. Look for swaddles made out of light, natural fibers and breathable fabric like muslin. Bamboo fabric is naturally anti-bacterial, sustainable and breathable, while organic cotton is soft and gentle. Stick to light fabrics, as these are great for summer nights and can be paired up with more layers when the weather turns cold.

4. Hand-held baby food grinder

Most new parents are not aware of hand-held food grinders, and they will be so grateful when you introduce them to it. These tools are light, easy to clean, portable and green. They are perfect for parents that want to know exactly what they are feeding their children and want to avoid store-bough food. Besides, they don’t use electricity or batteries, which makes them easy on the environment as well.

5. Green toys

Nobody said you can’t give mom and baby something fun! However, you don’t need to fall back on cheap plastic that will end up in the trash in a month and can’t be recycled. Instead of contributing to our landfill problem, give green and sustainable toys. Keep an eye out for plushies made with organic cotton, bamboo wooden toys, plastic toys that are BPA-free, made with natural rubber or recycled.

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Eco Eats

A Petition To End Food Waste In Whole Foods And Wal-Mart

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Here’s something few of us ever think about: produce beauty standards. Specifically, the tendency of grocery stores such as Wal-Mart and Whole Foods to sell only “attractive” produce, and throwing the uglies away. That’s right, turns out that carrots are not all straight and long, potatoes have shovel scars sometimes and apples can be of a weird shape. But none of us see that when we go grocery shopping, because stores throw cosmetically challenged produce away before it even hits the shelves.

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It is currently estimated that as much as 26% of all produce in the United States gets thrown away before it reaches the shelves. This is not about rotten, diseased or otherwise inedible vegetables. This is about produce that is just as nutritious (and delicious) as the one in the shelves, but “ugly”. This waste is not joking matter as it contributes to food shortages, water waste, greenhouse emissions and unhealthy diets in the population.

In the US, 80% of all fresh water goes to agriculture and farming, according to the USDA. Besides, the GRACE Communications Foundation states that the American food system is responsible for 33% of all the human-made greenhouse gas emissions in the country. It’s easy to see how wasting more than one quarter of our produce can have an incredibly negative impact in our environment. And it’s infuriating to know that the only reason for this is artificial “beauty” standards we are imposing to the food we eat.

What’s more infuriating is the fact that even in a developed country like the US, there are millions of people who do not know where their next meal is coming from. According to Feeding America, one in six people in the US are food insecure. But even those of us lucky enough to have a full pantry have to battle malnutrition. The CDC estimates that more than four in five people in the US are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. And we are throwing those veggies away before they even have a chance at the stores.

Jordan Figureredo of the End Food Waste Campaign decided it’s time to end this, so he launched a petition in Change.org to get Wal-Mart and Whole Foods to stop throwing away billions of fruits and vegetables that are perfectly fine to eat. This petition wants the two store chains to update their policies and sell “ugly” produce for a discount price instead of preemptively throwing it away. You can contribute by signing the petition and promoting the campaign in social media. And of course, next time you go grocery shopping, give uglies a chance. After all, in a country where food deserts are still a thing, throwing away a banana just because it’s not perfectly curved seems like a silly thing to do, right?

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Eco Tips

All-Natural Ways To Treat Sunburns

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We are all familiar with the dangers of sun exposure and why we should all use sunscreen (and reapply often!) whenever we are out in the sun, especially in summer. But no matter how careful you are with your and your family’s skincare, it is still possible to get sunburnt. Instead of running to the drugstore and buying every treatment available, try these all-natural, sustainable options first.

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Aloe gel

Aloe Vera is everywhere. You will see it in most products for sunburn, and for good reason. This fantastic plant has excellent skincare properties and its gel is guaranteed to soothe the pain and itching of a sunburn. Don’t buy a bottled gel, make your own without all the filler ingredients. Cut a thick leaf from the center of the plant and let any yellow liquid drain out. Then, trim all the spines so you don’t hurt yourself and cut the leaf in half. Scoop out the gel with a spoon and mash it with a fork. You can store it in the fridge for that extra coolness that will soothe the burn. If you live in a warm area, consider adding a few aloe plants to your garden. They are super easy to maintain and you will get an endless supply of this miracle gel.

Strawberries

Strawberries are the perfect fruit to snack on during summer. They are fresh and yummy and filled with antioxidants. Even better? They are packed with tannins, which has been shown to soothe sunburnt skin. All you need to do is mash a couple of strawberries until they form a paste and apply it to the damaged skin for a few minutes. Wash it off with cool water (try not to use really cold water). If you have dry skin, it’s better to follow up this treatment with a natural moisturizer, such as coconut oil.

Yogurt

Another snack that is equally delicious and useful, yogurt will help you soothe any sun-damaged area in your skin. It has a creamy texture that is easy to apply and will keep your skin moisturized, which is particularly important when treating sunburns. Yogurt also has anti-inflammatory properties that will help the skin heal faster. Make sure to use plain or Greek yogurt, with no sugar or additives.

Cold water

Sunburns are still burns, so your regular burn treatment will still work. Apply cold, running water to the area and avoid using ice, as that can make it worse. Another thing to keep in mind is that sun will dehydrate you. If you damaged a large area of your skin, you will feel it tight and dry. Drink enough water and moisturize the area to speed up the healing process.

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Eco Eats

5 Reasons To Go Meatless Today

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People say old habits die hard. That definitely applies when it comes to food. Changes in diet are always difficult, but a positive attitude, a good dose of motivation, lots of perseverance and serious commitment is the perfect recipe for success. If you’re considering to go green, today is your lucky day. We’ve decided to bring you five excellent reasons to finally take the leap. Take a look.

The meat on your plate is a result of a long chain of animal suffering
For somebody to be able to eat a slice of meat, an animal must suffer a life of torture, confinement and pain. About 95% of animals raised for human consumption live dreadful lives in factory farms all over the world. These facilities have little to do with our childish conception of farmhouses. The term “Industrial Farm” is a euphemism for tiny cages, captivity, deprivation, filth, dirt, disease and cruelty. Ask yourself what is it that you’re eating and where it came from. You may be surprised to discover the truth.

Meat consumption contributes to economic inequality and global famine
Raising cattle at industrial levels calls for an enormous amount of grain. Cattle consumes a quantity of food that would serve to feed far more people than the current global population. Wouldn’t that be a better redistribution of resources? Is a hamburger worth the exploitation of workers, the suffering of animals and the starvation of thousands? Do consider this the next time you stop by a MacDonald’s Auto-Drive to get a quarter pound.

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Meat consumption is strictly related to environmental pollution
Fossil fuels, gallons of water and a vast amount of fertile land is needed to keep the meat industry going. Not only is this a tremendous waste of valuable, non-renewable resources, but extensive stock-breeding also produces a large amount of greenhouse gases, tons of animal waste and severe damage to ecosystems.

Less meat equals more health
A vegetarian diet is beneficial for the body. It reduces cholesterol levels, lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer, gallstones and kidney failure. Less meat also reduces the risks of osteoporosis and food-borne illnesses. Vegetarianism also contributes to a slim figure as it reduces chances of developing obesity.

 A meatless diet is contributing to change on a global scale
I know it sounds like total gibberish, but it’s true. The bottom line is that eating meat means killing animals. And we’ve done enough killing over the centuries. Maybe we should bear in mind the words of singer Paul McCartney: “If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat. Vegetarianism takes care of so many things in one shot: ecology, famine, cruelty”.

 

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Eco Tips Green Building Recycling

Five Fun Ways To Introduce Recycling To Kids

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So you’ve come a long way into educating yourself about recycling. Suddenly, you get the feeling that it is time to discuss this topic with your children. Recycling is a matter of raising awareness about the impact we have on the world we inhabit. If our goal is to create sustainable change, then change has to be transmitted to next generations. Thankfully for us, kids are more than willing to learn about planet earth and how to take care of it. So it is just a matter of finding the right approach. Let’s discuss some ideas.

Arrange a Field Trip
Even though it may require a little planning, a field trip to a recycling facility is a great way for kids to become acquaintance with the whole idea.  Besides, meeting professionals and workers at a recycle center will certainly boost their interest in the topic. Remember that kids of all ages are interested on seeing and experiencing things for themselves, so a “hands-on” experience will always work wonders with them.

Start your own recycling project with them
Another great “hands-on” experience for the children is to start a recycling project at home. So why not taking a weekend off to spend some quality time doing something incredibly gratifying like recycling paper with them. There are plenty of tutorials over the internet to draw ideas from. I assure you that kids will love the idea of creating something new out of old waste paper.

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Invent recycling games
Set up some games to educate your kids on recycling issues. Get creative and remember to focus on the experience. Allow them to be the recycling experts for a day or turn them into the ultimate recycling superheroes. Some ideas for you to experience with are to create games related to sorting garbage items, making organic composts and dumping the right kind of waste on the right kind of bin. And always give away prizes, and treats!

Discuss with your children on how waste affects nature
Be honest with them about the current environmental situation. Talk to them about the changes our planet is going through and our responsibility as humans in reverting this process. Educate them about contamination and how human waste has a profound effect on planet earth. Help them realize how recycling can lead to positive environmental changes.

Empower them
Information is power. Education is power. Awareness is power. Do not underestimate your children’s potential to become change agents. Empower them to take active part in every possible way they can. They’ll be more than willing to do so.

Recycling can be fun and games but it can also be a powerful transformation tool in our homes, our schools and communities. Don’t be afraid to raise awareness. As Gandhi once said: “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Encourage your kids to live under the same principle and keep change going!

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Eco Fashion

Is Your Wardrobe Green Enough?

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Not a lot of people think of their clothing as important when making green choices for a sustainable lifestyle. But everything we do has an environmental impact, and that includes the outfit we choose every day. It is possible to get dressed in a stylish and eco-friendly way, it just requires a little thought.

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Sustainable fabrics

A lot of the fabrics we use come from vegetable fibers, and that means pesticides, soil fatigue and other environmental harms caused by many crops. This is why it’s important to choose sustainable fabrics such as hemp. This is a highly productive crop, easy to cultivate and resistant to a lot of pests, so it needs no agrochemicals. Bamboo is another eco-friendly material that is fast-growing, low impact and uses little or no pesticides and fertilizers. Bamboo fabrics are naturally anti-bacterial and fast-drying, which makes them perfect for active wear. Another good fiber is linen, which is made from flax and requires less pesticides than cotton.

Traditional fabrics have their green alternatives too. For example, it’s possible to get organic cotton, that’s produced in a sustainable way. Organic wool is also a good choice, produced with ethical farming practices. The downside is that items made with these fabrics can be harder to get and you need to do your research, but they usually use no chlorine or harmful dyes when processed. Finally, polyester can be 100% recycled and some companies make fleece garments out of recycled plastic bottles.

Charity shops

Next time you go shopping, consider going to a charity shop first to browse second-hand clothing. You can find amazing items for really cheap, without adding to the waste of discarded clothing. You help the environment while you help your pockets, not bad. The best part is that, if something doesn’t fit you just right or you change your mind, you can always donate it back.

Embrace DIY

Instead of throwing away that sweater because it has a hole in the elbow, cover it with a stylish patch. Reuse, remake, repair and restyle your clothes instead of throwing them away and buying new ones. This is a great way to make sure your items always fit you perfectly and to cultivate your own unique style. Bonus points: you will save a lot of money. Taking that shirt in a few inches will cost you a lot less than buying an entirely new top.

Clothing banks

Sometimes you need to throw away a pair of shoes that have walked one too many miles or that pair of jeans that is so worn down is falling apart. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get rid of unwanted clothing, but don’t let them go straight to the trash bin. In many recycling points, there are clothing and shoe banks where you can leave your unwanted garments, as long as they are clean and dry. If they can’t be reused as clothing, they will be recycled for fiber and become something else.

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Eco Eats

Overnight Oats That Are Healthy And Delicious

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What are overnight oats? They are simply the easiest, most delicious way to have a healthy breakfast waiting for you every morning. And the best part is that you can pretty much customize the recipe to fit your tastes. Here are some ideas.

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Banana-Cocoa Overnight Oats

This recipe will keep in the fridge for up to three days, so you might want to adapt it to make it in larger quantities. You will need two cups of rolled oats to mix with 1 ½ cups of milk (you can use almond milk if you want). Add half a cup of yogurt, one chopped banana, two tablespoons of cocoa and one tablespoon of honey or maple syrup for sweetness. Mix all the ingredients together and stick them in the freezer overnight. When you wake up, take a portion out, top with nuts if you want and munch away. This is a great breakfast choice because it will fill you up with healthy fats and proteins and it contains slow-digesting carbs that will keep you going until lunchtime.

Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats

This recipe is like an apple pie for breakfast, but in oat form. Mix half a cup of rolled oats with half a cup of milk, a quarter cup of plain yogurt, a quarter cup of apple sauce, one teaspoon vanilla extract, one teaspoon maple syrup, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, half an apple (diced), a pinch of ground cloves and a tiny bit of ground nutmeg. Leave in the fridge and come back in the morning for breakfast that will make you think of the holidays.

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Veggies for breakfast? Check. Breakfast that tastes like desert? Also check. Healthy breakfast? Super check. Blend two pitted organic dates, half a peeled banana, one peeled and chopped carrot and a cup of your favorite milk, dairy or non-dairy. Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a quarter teaspoon of ground nutmeg, a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger and a pinch of ground cloves. Mix with half a cup of rolled oats and let it sit in the fridge overnight. You can top with chopped walnuts, raisins and coconut flakes before eating for an even better experience.

Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats

These oats don’t contain actual shortcake, but they do taste like ice cream, which makes them perfect for the kids. Mix 12 chopped strawberries, two cups of rolled oats, one and a half cups of milk, half a cup of Greek yogurt, one tablespoon of strawberry jam and a quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract. Keep in the fridge covered overnight and enjoy the next morning while still cold. You can substitute regular milk for almond milk if that’s more to your taste.

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Home Decor Recycling

Quick DIY Projects For Your Home

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Instead of buying more and more decorations (and in turn piling up trash on our landfills), it’s always satisfying to make your own little projects to pretty up your home. If you are using recycled or organic materials, all the better! If you really want to give DIY a go but feel like you don’t have the time, give these 5 minute projects a go.

From burlap to art

If you have some burlap laying around, you can pretty easily turn it into a chic art piece that will give your home a boho touch. You will need a piece of burlap, a stencil, craft paint and some sponges. Oh, and a frame to display it too. If you don’t want to buy anything, you can make your own stencil out of cardboard too. Place the stencil on the burlap and use the sponges to dab paint in bright colors through the shapes. Carefully retire the stencil and leave the piece to dry. Frame it and display on your favorite corner of the house.

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Quick DIY Projects For Your Home

Shoebox projector

Nowadays there are some really fancy iPhone projectors out there. Electronic waste is a problem, though and how often are you going to use that projector? If you really need one right now, you can make your own for one dollar. Get a shoebox with a lid, a paperclip, duct tape (black) and a magnifying glass that you can get for one buck at the dollar store. If the inside of your box is not black, you might want to spray paint it or tape some black paper. Trace the edge of the magnifying glass (without the handle) on one of the short sides of the box and carefully cut it out. Line up the lens with the hole and tape it, covering the entire edge with duct ape, so no light leaks around it. Now bend the paperclip into a phone stand (or use a cheap stand you already have) and place the phone all the way to the back of the box, turn it on and admire the projection on the wall. To find focus, slowly walk forwards or backwards until you see a clear picture. Fine tune the focus by moving the phone closer to the lens if you want. Now sit back, relax and enjoy your photos and videos.

Flower stamps out of okra

If you have some okra handy, you can quickly turn it into a flower stamp. By quickly I mean “in seconds”. Simply cut it in half to reveal the hidden flower within. Turns out that it has a surprisingly flower-like pattern and just the right texture to leave a clear image in paper or fabric. Dip your okra in ink, fabric paint or any other pigment and press down to see pretty flowers in your next project.