Hello, beautiful people!

Happy and healthy new year! :)

Since it’s the new year, I thought it would be appropriate to do a post on tips for sustainability, since this is something I’m looking to incorporate more in my life, so maybe you do, too.

Here are 10 steps that you can take to be more sustainable today and in your everyday life.

1. Buy reusable bags. I get mine anywhere from Publix, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, etc., and they’re, usually, very inexpensive. I think I have about 5 of them and they were, like, 99 cents each. Seriously, it’s doable and super easy. By buying reusable bags, you are using less plastic bags, which are not biodegradable { via }. Even paper bags are not so great because it’s just building up rather than eliminating.

2. STOP buying plastic water bottles. This one makes me cringe because I used to drink about a dozen of those half liter water bottles EVERY day without fail and now just the thought of drinking plastic makes me nauseous. The amount of chemicals that go into the body is so atrocious and just unacceptable. So, please, do it for you and eliminate plastic. Anyway, so yeah, just stop wasting your money on water bottles and invest in an alkaline water system found here . Then, get reusable either stainless steel or glass water bottles. I use a lot of mason jars, I don’t really care. Lol. I use what works, and, it’s fine for me. You do you here.

3. Meatless Mondays. OK, you knew I would go there. I had to. It’s in the name. SO, please, just for ONE day a week, go meatless. That means no dairy, no meat, no fish, no BUTTER (I don’t know why people think butter is okay sometimes), no milk, no eggs, none of that. You can do this! I believe in you and your body will thank you! Trust me.

4. Limit electronic use. Electricity uses a TON of energy, so it’s best to just eliminate your usage of it as MUCH as you can. Just by applying a few of these tips below, that would be a GREAT way to start to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious:

   • when you leave a room, turn off the lights, and fan, if there is one

   • when you are not at home, turn your air conditioner to about 78-80 degrees instead of letting it run all day

   • try to do laundry and less often (this one is HARD for me because between me and my boyfriend who live very active lifestyles, there’s always, and I mean always, laundry, lol)

   • run the dishwasher less often; run it when it is completely full rather than running it every single time you have any dirty dishes, it’s just not necessary and a waste of energy— even hand-washing some dishes is wise for energy efficiency

   • when you are not using appliances, turn them off

5. Invest in re-usable products, in general. This is a good one because it’s important to consider what happens to items that are only used once or twice. They are going in the trash, literally, and, that’s it. It sits there until, who knows what. SO, the best thing to do is to start thinking about ways to incorporate items that can be reusable rather than tossed out after being used once or twice like razors, paper towels, silverware, cups, bags, etc.

6. Eat & shop for food locally. It takes A LOT of energy for the food to enter those aisles of big-branded grocery stores. The amount of fossil fuel energy used is MASSIVE. It’s something to think about.

7. Drive less. I know, this one is annoying, but it’s true. I don’t know about you, but I spend A LOT of time in my car, and I love it! Trust me! I’m thankful for my car. HOWEVER, in order to be more sustainable, it’s important to remember that they do use A LOT of energy. So, keep this in mind, and incorporate more carpooling, riding your bike, walking, staying home more rather than going out, and just eliminating how much you are driving, in general.

8. Donate and go thrift shopping. I actually REALLY love this one because I have the cutest items from my clothing swaps! It’s so cute. You get together with your closest girlfriends and swap clothes! They really are so much fun and it’s a great excuse to get the girls together, drink some good wine, eat lots of vegan and gluten free goodies, good music, good people, and good vibes. I’m telling you. Set up a little get together with a few of your closest friends and do a clothing swap! It’s the best way to shop. You’re saving money and saving the planet!

9. Buy used books. I am an avid reader and I LOVE the smell of new books, BUT they take a lot of energy and use a LOT of paper. SO, to be more sustainable, get used books! They are usually about half the price of the newer ones and you can find really great deals on Amazon! It’s really fine because, unless it’s destroyed and unreadable, there’s really no reason not to purchase it because you’re, again, saving money AND saving the planet.

10. Stop putting produce in a plastic bag. Just leave them without a bag, if you can. I know sometimes it’s challenging to not get the produce already in a bag ready to go, but just the thought of eliminating this process even a little bit is progress, I think. If you want to get lemons, just get a few at a time and don’t put them in the plastic bag, or get only a couple avocados at a time. I think it’s the thought that counts and it’s about baby steps.

Have any tips you’d like to share? If so, please let me know in the comments! I’m always looking for new ideas and tips to be more environmentally conscious!

Thanks for reading! :)

Much love,

Ash x