Simple tips for a sustainable lifestyle

ChampagneYogi

Below I share my favourite tips to help you mindfully navigate your sustainable lifestyle journey. These are essentially the first steps I took towards zero waste, and living eco-friendly. I am not 100% there yet, but I am conscious and mindful of all my purchases.

Be a conscious consumer

This sounds almost too good to be true right? But seriously, think about all the things you purchase daily. Do you really need everything that you bring home? This is the number one way to reduce your trash.

  • Look at all the plastic packaging that tends to be in excess. In the supermarket, use the bulk section for dried goods, take your own rePurposed glass jars with you. Purchase in bulk olive oil, vinegars, nut butters, coffee beans, teas, herbs, and cleaning concentrates.
  • When you travel, do you really need to pick up another souvenirs? Most hotels give you the option now for daily towel service and to let them know when you want your sheets cleaned.

Before you buy, ask yourself these questions:

Do I need it?

What can I give/donate/sell in it’s place?

Is it really necessary? Example: your only pair of sneakers are so worn in that your feet hurt when running vs. you need a 3rd or 4th pair?

Will it enhance my life? If yes, how?

When you are ready to hit purchase make sure

Buy energy-efficient light bulbs

They cost a little more than traditional bulbs, but they use less energy, last longer which in the end saves you money. You can do this with your Holiday or Outdoor lights too.

Support Local Farmers

This is an obvious one. Food is fresher, you are supporting local farmers and small business owners. You reduce your carbon footprint as food doesn’t have to travel from other states/countries before you purchase. Try growing you own herbs and veggies. Even a small apartment can handle fresh herbs and a hanging tomato basket! Plus, you’ll feel so proud to eat what you’ve grown!

Support Businesses that practice and prioritize sustainability habits

Be a conscious consumer by doing your homework. Shop brands that align with your principles and values. Recommend these business’s to your friends and family, every little bit makes a hug difference.

Use eco-friendly cleaning products

Only buy natural cleaning products that use harsh chemicals that harm the environment. Buy concentrated products so a little goes a long way. Better yet, make your own. You’ll know all ingredients and you will be eliminating packaging.  Below are a couple recipes with ingredients you most likely have on hand. I’ve linked to the essential oils I use. Download the incredible eBOOK dōTERRA created for more recipes.

💚 General Purpose Cleaner Recipe

1 part distilled vinegar

3 parts distilled water

15 drops essential oil: Tea tree, Lemon, lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Wild Orange or Bergamot

Instructions:

In a glass spray bottle, add essential oils and top with water. Before cleaning, shake the bottle and spray.

💚 Dishwasher Detergent Tabs

1 cup baking soda

1/4 cup citric acid

1 tbsp cleaning concentrate soap (I use dōTERRA On Guard or Dr. Bronners)

5 drops Grapefruit oil

Silicone molds

Instructions: Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl until even consistency.to forma paste and spread over area. Add mixture to silicone molds and let sit for 4 hours. Remove tabs. Store in an airtight container. Use in place of store bought dishwasher tabs.

💚Stove Top/Tub/Tile/Toilet/ Heavy duty cleaning 

1/2 cup baking soda

1/4 cup liquid castile soap

1 tbsp water

1 tbsp distilled vinegar

4-5 drops essential oil (try Lemon, Lime, Tea Tree, or a combo of all 3)

Instructions: Stir all ingredients together to forma paste and spread over area. Leave for 5-15 mins or longer to remove difficult stains.Use a sponge, scrub the mixture into the stain. Remove excess cleanse and wipe surface area clean. (make in small batches, this recipe should last for 4 uses)

💚 Room Spray

20 drops Lemon oil

20 drops Grapefruit oil

20 drops Lime oil

Distilled water

Instructions:

In a glass spray bottle, add essential oils and top with water. To freshen up a room, shake the bottle well and spray liberally.

Reduce, ReUse, ReCycle

Reduce

  • Simply reduce the amount of purchases you make.
  • Take your own grocery bags to the store so you don’t bring home plastic or paper bags. If this isn’t an option, be sure to recycle your plastic bags and reuse your paper bags for your recycling needs, art projects and even gift wrap.
  • Turn off any electronics and unplug them when not in use.
  • Keep your thermostat set to a comfortable setting. Bundle up with a sweater when it’s chilly out and make yourself a warm cup of tea. Layer down when it’s hot, open a window to let the breeze in and stay hydrated.
  • Turn off your lights when not in use. Light a candle and if possible opt for natural light.
  • Walk, Ride a Bike, Car Share, take the bus whenever possible. If you ready to purchase a new car explore the newer hybrid, or electric vehicles as an alternative to gas powered ones.

ReUse

  • What can you reUse, or give to someone else to rePurpose? Your trash is someone elses treasure. Join your local “free” FB page and offer your gently worn jeans, old picture frames, empty glass canning jars to someone who will happily take them off your hands. Old towels or T-shirts can turn into cleaning cloths.
  • Take your own coffee mug to eliminate to-go cups. And don’t forget your water bottle.

ReCycle

You could potentially eliminate 90% of your trash, if you properly recycle and compost. Dirty paper towels? Pop them in the compost bin. Food scraps? Compost bin. I’m lucky to live in a state where recycling and compost is picked up weekly with our trash. Be sure to check with your neighborhood government for programs available in your area.

Go Paperless

We can thank technology for allowing us to send Evites vs paper invitations. Electronic cards vs store bough (there are so many sites where you can make your own, adding pictures etc, which makes it so much more personal). Use notes on your phone and laptop (they sync with each other) vs. a notebook. If you love to write with pen and paper, be sure to look for eco-friendly journals as an alternative to traditional bleached paper.

Laundry

  • Wash your clothes with cold water, this takes up less energy and you avoid shrinking your clothes.
  • Use wool dryer balls and add a few drops of your favourite essential oil rather than toxic and heavily fragranced dryer sheets.
  • Pre-treat stained clothes with concentrated laundry detergent and hot water before washing.
  • Only wash when your clothes are dirty! It’s okay to wear your jeans more than 1 time. Do the arm pit test and look for any stains to know when your garments need washing.
  • Hang to dry to reduce electricity, plus you won’t accidentally shrink your favourite sweater. Give your clothes a spritz with lavender water.

💚 Dyer Sponges Recipe

1 cup hot water

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup baking soda

5-10 drops Lavender oil

5-10 eco-friendly sponges (think soft kitchen sponges)

Instructions: Combine baking soda and hot water in a glass container with a lid. Stir in vinegar and Lavender until combined. Fill container with sponges, trim to fit.

To use: remove a sponge and squeeze excess liquid out, place into the dryer with wet clothes. After dryer cycle is finished, place sponge back into container and reseal for later use.

 

This list isn’t complete, but my goal was to help you start living more mindfully and to become more conscious of your living habits. Reference my Epic Solutions to reduce your waste (Kitchen) post and my Natural Beauty Basics post for more eco-friendly tips.