Earth Day

Choose Local Produce – When we shop local we not only reduce the environmental impact of food transportation, we connect with our community and support local businesses. Purchasing locally reduces the miles your food has to travel to reach your grocery store. Imported products have a huge carbon footprint – often traveling thousands of miles – and are nowhere near as fresh as local products.  

Local can also mean your own backyard! Try growing your own produce – even growing small pots of herbs can be a fulfilling activity, and reduces waste in the kitchen.

Choose Seasonal – Seasonal produce is cheaper, fresher, and tastier. It requires less energy for its production, transportation, refrigeration, and storage. The longer the food spends in transit, refrigeration, and storage, the higher the probability that it goes bad and becomes food waste.

Reduce meat intake – Industrialized meat production accounts for 35% of the total global emissions, and pollutes twice as much as the production of plant based foods. Red meat is by far the worst offender, creating 4 to 8 times more emissions than pork, chicken, or egg production.

Reducing your meat intake has a big impact on your carbon footprint and helps you live a healthier life. You don’t have to go completely vegetarian to have an impact – start by taking it one meal at a time! 

Most cleaning products in the market contain toxic chemicals that harm the environment and our families. By switching to green cleaning products we can prevent toxic exposures at our homes, live a more sustainable life, and protect our planet. When selecting cleaning products, look for plant-based options that disclose all ingredients. 

An even better option is to make your own natural cleaning products. Some basic ingredients to have on hand are:

• White vinegar
• Salt
• Citrus (orange, limes, lemons, grapefruit)
• Baking soda
• Vegetable oil

Natural Cleaning Tips:

• A simple recipe for an all purpose cleaner is one part white vinegar, one part water, lemon rind, and rosemary sprigs (for scent).
• Instead of using air fresheners, essential oil diffusers can be used to give your space a new scent. Or, if you’re just looking to deodorize, leave out a container of baking soda to absorb unpleasant smells!

Easy switches:

• Use pot brushes and sponges made from natural materials instead of plastic ones.
• Turn old clothes into cleaning cloths – use old socks to wipe down surfaces.
• Some dryer sheets contain toxic chemicals and fragrances and they generate waste – switch to dryer balls instead!
  

 Force Of Nature – A non-toxic multi purpose cleaner made from salt, water and vinegar. https://www.forceofnatureclean.com/

Branch Basics – One concentrate cleaner made from plant and mineral base ingredients that turns into all different kinds of cleaners. https://branchbasics.com/

Cora Ball – A laundry ball that prevents microfiber from breaking off from our clothes and collects microfibers into fuzz that you can see so they don’t go into the water. https://www.coraball.com/

Dropps – Plant-based laundry detergent & cleaning products with no dyes, chlorine, phosphates, parabens, or phthalates. All products are shipped in compostable packaging with carbon neutral shipping. https://www.dropps.com/

BioKleen – Plant-derived and mineral-based cleaning agents. https://biokleenhome.com/laundry

Our planet’s health and our health are linked. Studies have shown that being in nature, or even looking at nature scenes, can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate, and the production of stress hormones. It also improves our mental health, leaving us feeling more positive and balanced. Check in with yourself to assess where you are at in terms of physical, emotional, and mental wellness, and try to implement some of the below suggestions in your daily routine: 

• Move your body: sometimes it is hard to find time in our busy lives to fit in a workout session. However, you can move your body every day without having to hit the gym; for example, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk or cycle to work when possible, park your car far away next time you go grocery shopping, or go for a walk at lunchtime.
• Take two minutes to breathe deeply and think about what you are grateful for
• Improve your diet by adding more vegetables
• Drink lots of water 
• Practice mindfulness:
  • Take two minutes of deep breaths and think about what you are grateful for.
  • Every morning set up an intention for the day
  • Meditate
• Go outside! Spend more time outside. Next time you go on a walk, try to be more present and take the time to pay attention to your surroundings. Try to feel the air, and see the sky. It’s a great way to relax and recharge your mind.You also get your dose of vitamin D!