10 Ways to Live More Sustainably

1. Avoid disposables - This is a broad one, but it is one of the most important. Our society has gotten into such a bad habit of using disposable products - using something just one or two times and then throwing it away. This creates so much unnecessary waste when one could, instead, just invest in reusable items. Doing so will also save you money (imagine using a disposable coffee cup every day for a year; that's 365 cups you would have to pay for as opposed to a one time purchase of a reliable, travel coffee mug). Here are examples of ways to switch from disposable to reusable:

• Use a glass or BPA free water bottle for water, and filter your own water.
• Bring your own reusable utensils when eating out or taking your lunch on the go.
• Use glass tupperware instead of disposable plastic tupperware and plastic bags. 
• Use washable cloths and rags instead of paper towels (or if you use paper towels, compost them!)
• Drink and bring your own water instead of buying bottled soft and sports drinks.
• Take reusable bags to the grocery stores. 
• Take your own coffee mug to coffee shops (I know some places, including Starbucks, will give you a discount when you do this).

2. Be conscious of your water usage - Be aware when you're using water, and try to use as little as needed.  Saving water will also save you money! Here are some examples of how to reduce water usage:

• Don't leave the water running while brushing your teeth.
• Use a water saving shower head. I use the evolve shower head. It stops the water flow after the water gets to a warm temperature (95º fahrenheit), so the water won't keep running once it's warm. When you are ready to get in the shower, you just pull a cord and the warm water flow resumes. Unfortunately for me, my shower takes a couple minutes to warm up, so a feature like this really comes in handy. On top of that, it also saves water while the water is running, about 8 gallons for every 5 minute shower compared to standard shower heads.

3. Recycle! I have lived in a lot of apartments that didn't offer a recycling service, and there are ways to work around this so you can still recycle. Most cities have a drop off recycling center that you can find through your city government's website. If you can't find one, there are usually recycling programs through schools and other organizations that will take your recycling as well. You'll just have to search a little bit. These are also good alternatives if you don't want to pay for the recycling pick-up service. 

4. Compost - Disposing of food waste properly is important. Did you know that about 1/8 of solid waste is from food scraps? What most people don't realize is that it is harder than you would think for food to biodegrade once going to landfill. In order for biodegradable items to actually biodegrade, they need the right conditions - light, oxygen, and water. Because landfills are so tightly packed, even biodegradable items can stay preserved for many years. Many cities now have food waste roadside pick-up, and if you don't want to pay for that service, you can always just compost at home! Another great benefit of composting, aside from making good soil, is your trash can won't smell! 

5. Sort your trash - going along with recycling and composting, have specific divided areas for all of your waste. A good way to sort your trash is into these categories:

• Recyclables
• Compost 
• Landfill
• Hazardous Waste (batteries, lightbulbs, thermostats, electronics, etc.)

You can find places that will take your hazardous waste like Lowe's. Once you sort your waste, you will be surprised how little is actually going to landfill. Also, instead of putting unwanted items like old clothes, furniture, and other items in the trash to go to landfill, find ways to reuse them by taking them to thrift stores, donation centers, etc. 

6. Be conscious of your energy usage - Try to conserve energy. While not everyone has solar powered houses, there are still ways to cut back on energy spending. Get in the habit of being energy friendly; this will also save you money! Here are some tips on how to do this:

• Turn off your lights when you're not using them.
• Unplug appliances when you're not using them. 
• Wash your clothes with cold water.
• Line-dry your clothes.
• Dress warmer and keep your thermostat colder in the winter. 
• Keep your thermostat higher in the summer time. 
• Make sure your house is well insulated. 

7. Bike, walk, and bus - try to use your car less by using public transportation or finding energy friendly ways of getting where you need to go. This should be no surprise, but this, too, will save you money!

8. Grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs - If you live in an apartment, you can still grow your own herbs and a couple other things in pots or you can upcycle milk and orange juice cartons into an herb container by cutting out one of the sides. 

9.  Eat a plant-based diet - Meat industries are a major source of emissions. 

10. Reduce paper usage - Here are some ways how:

• Most companies now have an eco-friendly paperless option for bills, statements, etc. Use this!
• Cancel your newspaper and read online. 
• Switch to electronic methods for calendars, note taking, etc. 

If you have any ideas or other ways of living green, I would love to hear about them in the comments! Have a great weekend everyone! 

      

Reusable Utensil Set

I recently got these reusable utensil sets, and they are fantastic! They are made from bamboo and include one knife, one fork, one spoon, and a set of chop sticks. These are great because they come with a portable case that fits easily in a purse or a bag. They even have a carabiner on the back if you would rather clip them to your backpack, lunchbox, or something similar.  

What's great about these is by carrying a set in your purse, you'll never have to use and dispose of plastic utensils when you eat out or eat your meals on the go. Not only does plastic cutlery contain chemicals that are harmful for our bodies, but they are terrible for the environment as well. Many recycling programs don't even accept plastic utensils, so most of them just end up going to landfill. 

A good idea to do with these would be to fold up a small reusable cloth napkin and either wrap your utensils in it or tuck it in behind, that way you wouldn't have to use paper napkins when eating out either. I have to admit, it's very difficult to bring your own utensils when you're just taking them out of your utensil drawer from home: they get lost, they don't stay in place where you put them because they aren't in a case, and they're heavy (heavier than bamboo at least). These are from to-goware.com and are available in many different colors.

Together, let's reduce and reuse! 

Free 21 Day Meditation

Oprah and Deepak are offering 21 days of guided meditations available here. This started on November 11, but each meditation is available for 5 days after being posted so there is still time to start today; you could even do two meditations a day to catch up! This is a great way to get into meditating. Even if you already meditate, this is a good thing to do to guide you and remind you to find some peace of mind on a daily basis. This meditation series is about desire, destiny, and finding who you are. Each mediation also comes with inspirational messages and quotes. If you can find 20 minutes tonight, sit down in a quiet place, close your eyes, and start this 21 day journey with me!

So Hum. . . I am.

Star Fruit!

Star fruits, or carambolas, are one of my favorite fruits. They are great to eat on their own but they are an even better to add to a festive fruit salad that you might make for a party or just for the family, especially with the upcoming holiday season. They are also rich in iron, fiber, and vitamins A and C. If you've never had one, go try one today!

Veestro Delivery!

For the most part I try to prepare meals using fresh, whole ingredients but there are times when I simply just don't have time to cook (or feel like cooking)! In times like those, Veestro is the perfect option to have stocked in your freezer. Veestro is an online organization that creates delicious vegan, plant-based, preservative free meals at an affordable price and then ships them straight to your house. If  you buy a meal plan, then shipping is free! So we usually buy a meal plan and then also buy individual items on top of that and get free shipping for the whole order. Then, when it's delivered, you just put everything in your freezer, and when you're ready, the products can be thawed, boiled, or microwaved for a simple and speedy preparation!

 They use dry ice to keep everything frozen in the package.

(Full Order)

So if you ever feel too busy or tired to cook but also don't want to compromise eating a natural, plant-based diet, I highly recommend checking out Veestro! 

Relax in a Bath

No matter how much we try to avoid stress in our day to day lives, it still has a way of finding us one way or another. Taking baths is one thing many people overlook as a way to wind down and find some relaxation and peace of mind. Not only is it an underrated stress reliever, but they can also do wonders for soreness and pain, and they are a great sleep promotor. I love taking baths for all these reasons. So after a long day, whether you're sore from a hard workout, stressed from work/personal problems, or just wanting to sleep easier, light a candle, make a cup of tea, hop in a bath, and enjoy yourself. Here are some of the products I use during and after baths that I highly recommend. 

1. Epsom Salt

This will help to detox and relax your body and mind, and it also works miracles on muscle aches and soreness. I love the Dr. Teal's Relax and Relief with Eucalyptus Spearmint; the smell is amazing. Pour about 2 cups of this into your bath's running water and just soak and enjoy. This can also be used as an exfoliant by mixing a handful with your favorite body wash. 

Ingredients: Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt), 

Fragrance (Parfum), Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus)

 Leaf Oil, Mentha Virdis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil.

2. Body Wash: ORIGINS Ginger Burst Savory Body Wash

This is my favorite body wash to use. As you can tell, the bottle is basically empty. Massage this all over your body before exfoliating to feel and smell wonderful. This stuff is like caviar for the skin. (If you love the smell of this, you will also love the ginger soufflé body whipped body cream.) 

3. Exfoliate: Sunshine Spa's Brown Sugar Scrub:

 This organic Beverley Hill's Spa scrub will leave you feeling like you've never felt before and makes your skin appear brighter and healthier. It naturally removes dead skin cells and leaves your skin rejuvenated and moisturized. Apply a generous amount to your body and massage in circular motions. This stuff is amazing.

Ingredients: Organic Brown Sugar, Expeller Pressed Almond Oil, 

High Oleic Safflower Oil, Sunflower Oil, Grapeseed Oil, 

Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil, Sweet Orange Essential Oil, Basil Leaf, 

Ginkgo Leaf, Sage Leaf, Natural Vitamin E and Fragrance. 100% Vegan

4.  Face mask: ORIGINS Drink Up 10 minute mask to quench skin's thirst

If my face is feeling dry, particularly in these fall and winter months, I like to use this face mask during my baths to give my skin moisture and smoothness. Alternatively, if your skin is breaking out, you can use a different mask that treats pores and acnes (staying on the Origins train, a great mask is the Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask). Make sure you apply this to a clean face.

Key Ingredient: Apricot Kernel Oil

Don't forget to spend time closing your eyes and just relaxing while in the bath. I like to put a hot wash cloth over my face to steam my face and lungs, and then rinse with cold water. 

5. Moisturizer: ORIGINS Make a Difference Plus + rejuvenating moisturizer and ORIGINS Make a Difference Rejuvenating hand treatment

After getting out of the bath use a moisturizer to keep skin from drying out. These are two of my favorite moisturizers. The hand treatment is great for your hands because it makes your skin feel moisturized and smooth without leaving your hands feeling sticky or greasy. 

Key Ingredients in Moisturizer: Rose of Jericho and Watermelon

6. Overnight Mask: ORIGINS Drink Up Intensive Overnight mask

On those particularly dry days, I will use this at night to give my skin that extra drink of moisture. I tend to use heavier moisturizers in the fall and winter because my skin gets very dry and I live in a desert. So depending on your skin's condition, you can skip this step. 

Key Ingredients: Avocado Oil, Mango Butters, Japanese Seaweed

<a href="http://www.hypersmash.com">HyperSmash</a>

Ten Benefits of Orange, Lemon Water

A great thing to do before you go to bed is to make orange, lemon water. I love to do this, and then when I wake up in the morning, I have a delicious and refreshing beverage waiting for me in my fridge to jumpstart my morning. The benefits of the water are wonderful, too. 

Here are 10 great benefits of orange, lemon water (besides the fact that it tastes delicious):

1. It cleanses your body. This is why I love to drink this in the morning. It helps to make you feel refreshed and renewed. The lemon helps your liver function by increasing enzymes and works as an antiseptic to cleanse your blood, liver, and other organs. Iron and B6 in oranges help to clean the blood as well. 

2. It's good for your heart. Both lemons and oranges are rich in potassium which promotes heart health among other things. 

3. It's good for digestion. Lemons help the digestion process in general, but they furthermore help with specific digestion problems like heartburn, bloating, gas, and more. By drinking it in the morning, it is a great way to promote good digestion throughout the day. Also the fiber in oranges help with digestion and constipation. 

4. Fights bad breath. This is another reason why it's good to drink this in the morning to help rid yourself of bed breath! 

5. Boosts your immune system. Once again, both oranges and lemons are filled with vitamin C, which is found heavily in our immune cells and are eaten up quickly when our bodies are fighting infections and other diseases. Our vitamin C levels also drop when we are stressed so it is important to keep vitamin C plentiful in our bodies! 

6. Prevents Cancer. Not only is Vitamin C good for your immune system, but by fighting off free radicals in the cells, it helps to prevent different types of cancer. 

7. Great for your skin! The anti-oxidants, like beta-carotene help to protect the cells from being damaged. This will help prevent wrinkles, signs of aging, and even blemishes too. It will help to make your skin glow! 

8. Helps aid in weight loss. Note that I use the word aid. The most important part of weight loss is exercising and eating right, but lemons will help in cubing hunger cravings. 

9. Lowers cholesterol. The soluble fiber in oranges helps to lower and maintain cholesterol. 

10. Reduces inflammation and mucus levels in the body. Lemons reduce your body's acidity, including in your joints which is one of the causes of inflammation. They also help to reduce your mucus level which is another great reason to drink it in the morning to loosen up your throat and chest after sleeping. 

These are just a FEW benefits of drinking orange, lemon water. Of course you could just drink lemon water, but I love to add the oranges for a special flavor and touch (and added health benefits). 

These are the 5 simple steps that I take to creating my morning concoction:

1. Before going to bed, take about 2-3 lemons and slice them up, squeezing the juice into a mason jar. 

2. Take 1-2 oranges and slice them up, also squeezing the juice into the mason jar. 

3. Toss in the lemon and oranges, even after squeezing the juice. 

4. Fill the mason jar with purified water or vapor distilled water. 

5. Put it in the fridge, and it will be cold and ready for you when you wake up! 

I don't normally drink the entire jar at once, but it is great to share, to drink throughout the day, or to have for the next morning! 

Enjoy!