Took a walk down memory lane Last week I went to visit an old college friend who lives in the same town where we attended school. She was getting married over the weekend and I wanted to spend time with her before the big day. Walking down the streets and witnessing all the changes that have happened in the last 10 years was a gift. I remembered visiting the library for the first time and using my local address to become a member. It was exhilarating! Once I moved off campus and went to the...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello from Oregon! staying with family and watching my best friend get married I’m all about thrifting something first before buying it new.Keeping products in circulation is a great way to reduce your waste in a tangible way.This year I've started teaching sourdough to our local community via an in-person workshop. A few days before the workshop, I visit our local kitchen supply store to purchase a few items I recommend for sourdough baking so that students can conveniently buy them right...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
I say 🤷🏽♀️ Someone shared this on my youtube channel and it's given me lots to think about. What would I do if the recycling center just takes everything to the landfill? He might be right. I'm sure this is happening around the world. You may feel frustration, be discouraged or see it the same way! Does that mean I'm going to stop trying to reduce my waste? Absolutely not. It does encourage me to not rely solely on recycling centers to do so. The slogan goes: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Which is...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
The other day, a friend reached out because she had swapped some plastic containers for glass jars and wasn't sure how to dispose of the old plastic ones. My suggestion was for her to donate them to the thrift store or post them on her local buy nothing page. You never know who can take your trash and turn it into a treasure! Here's how we wrapped the conversation. She said, "Very small steps here but trying." I want you to remember this, too. That's how change happens. When you take one...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Apparently it's national farmers market week! So much produce picked last week! Visiting the farmer's market is one of my all time favorite activities. I don't go as much as I'd like because I often want to purchase something from every vendor and, well, that can get expensive. Supporting your local market might be one of the best ways to promote a sustainable lifestyle. You are helping close the loop from farmer to consumer, supporting their livelihood and get to eat with the seasons—meaning...
2 months ago • 1 min read
It's such a privilege to partake in this new movement. There are so many amazing companies out there, helping us to care for people and the planet over profits. Of course, we need $$ to run the world, but Counter is driven to change the face of clean beauty for all, not just with their products. You can now shop a limited collection of your favorite Counter (formerly Beautycounter) products. SHOP HERE A few FAQs: You can earn product credit, $15 on every $200 you spend cumulatively (their...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, 5 years ago, when I first learned about Beautycounter, I was so encouraged to hear how they were educating the public and formulating safer products since those found on the store shelves weren't (and still aren't). A friend of mine asked if I wanted to become a consultant. At the time, I was really trying to prioritize less packaging and waste that was generated from personal care products. Refill Renew was new to me and I wanted to purchase as many products from them as possible...
4 months ago • 2 min read
all dressed up for wedding #2 of the month! I hear people say this all the time, "I'm too busy!" Have you ever considered saying no, Reader? You get to decide what you commit to. We all have seasons of busyness but if you're constantly running from thing to thing, every day of the week, 52 weeks a year, when do you stop and rest? When do you allow yourself to just be a human being, not only a human doing? This morning I wanted to go and volunteer at a public garden. The group meets weekly and...
5 months ago • 2 min read
There is no one size fits all. So much of my thinking is stemmed from a sustainable mindset. It's really hard to separate one from the other. I almost feel like it's part of my identity. Is that too blasé to say? This might explain part of my struggle in trying to grow a community of like minded friends. Maybe sometimes I skip steps when I share sustainability tips—because I live this life every day. But most people? You're so overwhelmed and don't even believe you can achieve this lifestyle...
5 months ago • 2 min read