There is a definite feel-good element attached to a planet-friendly purchase, isn’t there? I know I have become so much more aware of who I am buying from, how it was produced, and whether the company has a heart & soul .
Eco-stores are mushrooming. And I love how you can support communities in places that hold special memories for you, or you dream of visiting when the time is right.
Souk shopping baskets from Morocco made from palm leaves with bright wool pompoms… A simple bamboo bowl from Vietnam… Cotton prints keeping the ancient art of woodblock printing alive in “to dye for” designs from India, perfect for infusing some much-yearned for colour into a grey urban day.
Moroccan Loop Tote at Bohemiadesigns.co.uk
Keeping the ancient art of woodblock printing alive…these gorgeous scarves are by local craftsmen-supporting brand Anokhi available at Simrane.com
Buying local – honey from nearby bees, a week’s worth of fruit and veg from your local farmer’s market.
I (re) use my glass mason jars in lots of ways: for sprouting, smoothies, candles (magical outdoors on a warm evening), keeping Epsom salts in, for storing things like oats and Chia seeds, soaking nuts, or as vases, filled with green leaves like eucalyptus or long grasses, or bright and simple bold flowers.
I am far from being zero waste, but I do think it’s a big and arguably very necessary step if you can ‘live low waste’ – consistently.
THE 6 Rs
Reuse
Recycle
Refuse (eg plastic)
Repair
Repurpose/Reinvent/Restyle
Reduce (waste/consumption)
Anyway, I’m sharing this today as I’ve been thinking about how to reduce my own consumption even further.
I am planning to fast for 24 hrs at least twice a month (I already only eat during a six hour period, from noon to 6pm which feels really good for me as I have never been much of a breakfast person and one of the biggest benefits and one of the most important I think is that fasting boosts autophagy – when our bodies “clean out” damaged, diseased cells.
Nature also gives us a wonderful way to live zero waste, foraging for ripe low hanging figs on a path to a Greek beach or wild nettles, planting lemon seeds that will one day become little lemon trees, adding your very own cherry tomatoes to a late summer salad, freezing your own herbs in olive oil to liven up a creamy risotto supper on a September night.
Bananas don’t need plastic bags, they come ready-wrapped by Mama Nature – neither do coconuts!
I think it’s important to lobby your local supermarket, or better still just take your custom to places that care and don’t tamper with nature, like bulk food health stores, farmers’ markets and your local grocer (if you still have one).
Bamboo charcoal toothbrushes by Organically Epic
Now more than ever a lot of communities are deeply suffering because of lack of tourism and jobs so there has never been a better time to support local growers, local artisans, natural, organic and sustainable brands as well as brands that actively and consistently give back to help others.
It’s easy being green and contrary to what many say, it is often cheaper. I have saved so much by eating only the contents of my organic delivery box coupled with a few other essentials, and if you tend to eat a lot of raw food you are saving on gas or electricity.
It’s easy being green because once you have sourced your favourite local suppliers, and you learn to live with less, it feels lighter, brighter and easier – better than coming home with a car boot full of plastic wrapped food from the supermarket.
It’s easy being green because yes it does often work out cheaper. Reusable products last so much longer than disposable ones that choke the ocean or wild landscapes.
It’s easy being green because you have your own inbuilt superpower – you can vote with your wallet and support local entrepreneurs, families, stores and your own community.
Artisan v mass produced. Natural v synthetic. These are easy choices.
Eat with the seasons (it also makes searching for seasonal recipes more fun) and savour the simple things that get you through the hardest of times: family, friends, pets, good sleep, gratitude, looking after your mental, physical and emotional/spiritual health and (a big one for me) Nature.
And volunteering…:)
I sometimes volunteer at a dog sanctuary on Sunday mornings, it’s the best possible start to the day. There are all kinds of hounds and donkeys there, from partially blind and those clearly in the ‘old age/less mobile’ category, to super-energetic and very handsome with glossy gorgeous coats. They are all, every one of them, wonderful in their own way. Wagging tails and happy faces (although there are a few deeply traumatised dogs there slowly but surely learning to trust humans again) are the best wellbeing tonic!
So that’s it, some thoughts and product ideas on keeping things clean and green. I have tennis elbow at the moment and cannot use my right arm which of course is my dominant arm so I am dictating posts and emails hence there are no buy links but here are some brief details on the products featured.
Glass Trigger Spray Bottle 500ml at Bower Collective (with silicone grip)
Plastic-free Charcoal Teeth-Whitening Natural Toothpaste by Ben & Anna, a Beauty Shortlist 2020 Wellbeing Awards Winner
Also pictured:
BamBaw’s Bamboo Straw Kit with straw cleaner
Eco Tools all-natural Dry Brush
Bower Collective Hand Sanitiser Gel (you can send the pouches back for recycling)
Small Bamboo Bowl (Vietnam) from Maisons du Monde
5 Reasons why bamboo is eco-friendly
The 2021 Beauty Shortlist & Wellbeing Awards (beauty, grooming, natural health and eco-lifestyle) – and the new judging panel for the awards on 2 March – will be announced next week.
If you are the founder of an ethical brand, or love supporting green brands who give back and are concerned about the planet, please note the date: Tuesday 2 March 2021
2021 BEAUTY SHORTLIST AWARDS
2021 WELLBEING AWARDS
ENTRIES are OPEN now
For more details or to submit your brand, click here
Have you cut down on waste lately? In what way(s)?