August 2019 - Life of an Earth Muffin

It Ain’t Easy Being Green 💚: What I’m Currently Struggling With

Posted on August 30, 2019August 18, 2023

Hey earth muffins! My journey towards living zero/low waste began over a year ago, and I must admit: I am still having struggles being green. 😓 Some of these changes are ones I am reluctant to make but a fair majority are ones that, due to circumstance, I am having a hard time making in my life at the moment. When scrolling through the homepage of my @lifeofanearthmuffin Instagram account, I only ever see the amazing accomplishments of others in the zero waste community. While social media does allow people to only post what they want you to see, it is often frustrating that their journeys to living sustainably look easier than mine. Today, I wanted to get vulnerable with you all to share my current struggles with “going green” and my struggles of being green in general.

A picture of Kermit the frog looking out a window with the words It Ain't Easy Being Green on it to discuss the struggles of being green

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I think the first major thing I am struggling with is how inaccessible sustainable products are in the city I am living in for my masters program. While I could drive an extra 20 to 30 minutes to get to a bulk store or place orders on multiple websites, I am on a tight budget as a grad student and don’t want to put any extra miles on my car if I don’t need to. Plus, the city I am in is an expensive place to live, which means that the prices on sustainable goods are much higher than they should be because people have the extra disposable income to spare (but I sure don’t!). This results in me shopping at the closest grocery store and making do with what they offer, which is usually buying things in cardboard and the largest size possible. And that sucks! As you all saw in my plant-based grocery haul, I was used to absolutely acing sustainable grocery shopping – now, I have to resort to packaging to get some of my essentials. It almost feels like I am backtracking in my journey, as all I want to do is utilize a bulk bin section.

My journey has also been tough recently due to the fact that I share my apartment with a roommate. When you live alone (like I did this summer) you are able to buy the things you want… But now I need to make compromises in terms of things we share (such as cleaning supplies). My roommate is absolutely amazing (I love her to death!), but there definitely is a tradeoff to living sustainably when you aren’t living alone. Quite the struggles being green!

While I do feel like I am taking a small step backwards in my sustainable journey, I do know that when I finish this program I will be able to hit the ground running again. The city I am moving to is the same place I have interned at these past two summers, so I know that there are places nearby where I can buy sustainable products at fair prices. I also will be living with my boyfriend next year, and even though he is not as on board with the whole zero waste thing, I know that he will let me buy the things I want and do the things I want to do.

Overall, I hope this post goes to show that living a sustainable lifestyle has its ups and downs. When you feel like you have finally made some progress in a certain area, other parts of your life might force you to not be as sustainable as you like. And that is totally okay! As long as you know what your end goals are, the sustainable journey can take as long (or as short) as you want! I hope that by sharing my own struggles I have inspired you all to continue on your own sustainable journeys.

A piece of paper with the words I believe in you typed on it

What have you been struggling with recently?

Love,
Jenna ♥

My Tips for Scoring on Facebook Marketplace!

Posted on August 26, 2019January 16, 2024

Hey earth muffins! As many of you already know, I recently moved into an apartment for grad school… While I wrote an exhaustive list of everything to pack in a recent post, I surprisingly did not have everything on that list when I moved in. 🤔 Moving to campus this early is awesome because many students are just about to move out, which means Facebook Marketplace gets a lot more listings! My roommate and I were able to find some great deals on Marketplace (including a super nice dining room table for only $45!), so I wanted to share my top tips for scoring big with you all today! 🎉

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1. Only start looking when you are able to pick up/purchase – When I knew we were looking for certain pieces of furniture, I started looking on Facebook a week or so before we were set to move in. People will definitely not wait for you to pick things up and will just sell to someone else, so don’t even bother looking until you are able to get in the car and go get the goods.

2. Keep watching the “Recently Added” feed – People post things all throughout the day, so make sure you never miss a listing that you will be interested in!

3. Jump fast with offers– If you are even remotely interested in the listing, contact the seller as soon as possible! Getting some clarifying information will allow you to make a decision before the item is either sold or you buy it. If you know that you would like to buy it, immediately message the seller and ask them when they would like you to pick it up so that they don’t sell it to someone else!

4. Be wary of making counter offers – Items that are extremely popular, low-priced, or recently listed will sell quickly, so don’t even bother trying to get a discount… The seller will just give it to someone who is willing to pay full price! However, if the item has been on Facebook Marketplace for awhile feel free to do some negotiating!

5. If you message a seller and decide not to purchase, let them know! – This makes the selling process so much easier, so don’t be a ghost 👻

6. Don’t buy everything – There are definitely some amazing deals on Facebook Marketplace (I saw some lady selling a 50 piece Tupperware set for $5!!), but that doesn’t mean you should purchase it all. Especially if you are trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle, take care to think if a) you really need the item and if b) the item is built to last.

7. Make sure to clean everything – Just like I mentioned in my tips for thrift shopping post, wash/clean the items you purchase right away. These items are still secondhand and can be from someone’s basement, so make sure there is no dirt or dust before you bring it into your home. 😊

What have you bought off Facebook Marketplace?

Love,
Jenna ♥

How to Zero Waste Your Period ❣️

Posted on August 21, 2019August 18, 2023

Hey earth muffins! While my “How to Zero Waste Your [insert room here]” series was originally supposed to only focus on certain rooms of the home, I really wanted to write about periods today (don’t ask me why 😆). I have tackled everything from the laundry room to the kitchen in my “How to Zero Waste Your —” series, but periods happen every single month for 50% of the population… That is a lot of waste that can be avoided! Here are some great ways for you to mitigate your own waste during that time of the month:

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1. Menstrual cups – After going through the pros and cons of a menstrual cup here on Life of an Earth Muffin, I decided to purchase a Lena cup for Plastic Free July. If you read my Waste Audit at the end of the challenge, you will know that I struggled to get the cup to work for me… But menstrual cups are definitely one of the best options for a zero waste period! I am continuing to try out this cup, and I am extremely hopeful that I will be able to make the switch eventually. 😊

2. Reusable pads – Just like reusable diapers for babies, these cloth pads can be washed and washed again and again. 👍 Disposable pads are often filled with chemicals, which can make your period smell unpleasant (it isn’t actually supposed to smell ladies!). You can purchase these reusable pads on many websites, but Amazon and Etsy both have a bunch of options for cheap prices.

3. Period panties – While these are more expensive than the other options (as you will need to purchase a few pairs to last for your period), you might want to make the investment. 🤔 I don’t know if I would personally like to “free bleed”, but it definitely would give you the freedom to not have to worry about your period during that time of the month!

4. Reusable tampon applicators – This is obviously not completely zero waste as you would need to still use tampons, but reducing the plastic of an applicator per each tampon is definitely a win! 🎉 This is similar to a menstrual cup as you would need to wash/sanitize it after each use to keep it bacteria free.

How do you try to reduce your waste on your period?

Love,
Jenna ♥

Plastics I Refuse to Give Up – Reflection on PFJ

Posted on August 12, 2019August 18, 2023

Hey earth muffins! Plastic Free July has come and gone, and I’d definitely say that I achieved my goals of producing as little plastic waste as possible. 😊 Now that I have had about half a month to reflect on the plastic free challenge, I thought it would be an interesting post to share some of the plastics in my life that I will NOT be giving up on my journey towards living zero/low waste (at least as of now). As I mentioned in my Misconceptions About Living Zero Waste post, many people still produce some sort of waste and that is totally okay! So, here are the plastics that I personally refuse to give up at the moment…

1. Face wash – As I mentioned in My Zero Waste Successes and Failures post, I had been using Proactiv to control my sensitive skin in the past. I have since switched off of it after it literally bleached my shirt, and my skin is now on a huge detox adventure which is just great. 🙄 I am now using Lush’s Herbalism as face wash, which does come in a plastic tub. However, the tubs are made from recycled plastic and can be returned to the store, so I don’t think it is that terrible to refuse to give up this cleanser.

2. Milk – I was so excited that I was able to find milk in glass for Plastic Free July, but as you all saw in my Plant Based Grocery Haul it was $5 for a half gallon!! For a graduate student on a tight budget, that is pretty unreasonable when you can get a full gallon for $1-2… So I plan on switching to milk in jugs (or almond/coconut milk in containers). Hopefully the city I live in will eventually get cheaper milk in glass!

3. Greek yogurt – When I first started becoming interested in sustainability last summer, I read a bunch of zero waste books. Many of them contained recipes to make your own yogurt… But I just don’t have the time for that right now. Greek yogurt is a huge staple for me, so I buy it in the largest size possible and then recycle when it is empty. Maybe some day I’ll learn how to make it myself. 🤷‍♀️

4. Toothpaste – While I absolutely LOVE my Tough Teeth Tooth Powder from Primal Pit Paste, I can’t seem to justify the $11 + shipping cost now that I am going back to school. ☹️ I will definitely be switching back in the future though, and Primal Pit Paste products are still some of my faves!

5. Birth control – If you have been following Life of an Earth Muffin for a long time, you know that I use the Basal Body Temperature and Cervical Mucus Methods as natural birth control. While these methods eliminate the need for plastic pill containers, I will still never give up other forms of birth control (ex. condoms) when I decide to become sexually active. It seems like a little plastic waste is totally okay if you are trying to prevent a baby (which comes with even more plastic waste!)…

What plastic waste do you refuse to give up??

Love,
Jenna ♥

10 Things I Don’t Buy Anymore ft. Low Waste Living

Posted on August 7, 2019January 16, 2024

Hey earth muffins! Ever since starting my journey towards living low/zero waste I have been making a lot of changes in my life. 😃 This has been an amazing experience for me, and it has definitely changed my life for the better. Today I wanted to share with you all some things that I have stopped buying “cold-turkey” because of this journey. Here are the things I don’t buy anymore! 🎉

A picture of a plant with the words Things I Don't Buy Anymore over it

1. Paper towels – As I’ve mentioned in both my How to Zero Waste Your Cleaning Supplies and How to Zero Waste Your Kitchen posts, I have replaced paper towels with rags and washcloths. This change was one of the first ones I made, as my mom gave me a ton of old washcloths that she was going to get rid of. 👌

2. Ziploc bags – The news is full of horror stories about plastic grocery bags, but Ziploc bags are used almost as much. Why do you need to use three bags for one packed lunch? To get around this I use Tupperware, reusable sandwich bags, and mason jars!

3. Plastic wrap – Instead of this disposable wrap try using Tupperware instead! I haven’t even thought about using plastic wrap since I stopped using it, which shows just how unnecessary it is. Pyrex makes some great containers (both glass and plastic), and you can also buy (or make!) some beeswax wrap. 😊

4. Q-tips – I used to use two Q-tips every night after I showered… And you aren’t really even supposed to use those to clean your ears! I briefly mentioned ear picks in my very first Living a Lower Waste Lifestyle 101, and I definitely recommend checking them out. Such a great alternative!

5. Clothes that aren’t second hand – I shouldn’t say I NEVER buy new clothes, but it is a very very rare occurrence. Thrift shopping is a new hobby of mine, and it is actually much easier than people think. Check out my top tips if you are new to the thrifting game!

6. Laundry detergent – I don’t buy laundry detergent after getting myself an EcoEgg instead. This little device lasts for over 200 washes(!!) before the pellets need to be replaced. Saves on plastic, is all-natural, and makes my clothes so clean!

Buy on Amazon for only $20!

7. Dryer sheets – I found myself some dryer balls at TJMaxx as I was starting my journey to sustainable living, and I love the fact that I don’t find the dryer sheets in random arm/leg holes because of all the static. 😝

8. Disposable toothbrushes – I guess I never really used disposable toothbrushes unless I was traveling due to the fact that I love my electric toothbrush… But now I just bring my electric one when I travel too!

9. Plastic water bottles – I have mentioned this is multiple Plastic Free July posts, but you should NEVER use plastic water bottles unless the water is unsafe to drink. End of story.

10. Snack foods – After falling in love with shopping in the bulk bins, there is really no reason to buy individually packaged snack foods. This has probably been the hardest switch for me as I love the junk foods that I have been eating for years, but I am slowly replacing all of them!

I may or may not still buy Sour Patch Kids from time to time 😬

What have you been giving up to be more sustainable?

Love,
Jenna ♥

A Healthy, Plant-Based Grocery Haul!

Posted on August 2, 2019August 18, 2023

Hey earth muffins! Recently I shared my tips and tricks for how you can “Zero Waste Your Kitchen“, and I wanted to add on to that post by sharing my typical grocery store haul with you all today! I cannot believe how different my grocery shopping experience has become ever since I started my journey towards living zero waste, so I hope this post inspires some of you all to try and make your own shopping more sustainable. 😊

Bottles and Bulk Bins

*Half gallon of milk ($5) – This milk comes in a glass bottle that has a $2 deposit on it that is returned when you bring the glass bottle back. While it is pricier than a typical gallon of milk, I think it is worth it to support my local farmers!

*One dozen eggs (Not pictured, $0.99) – The eggs I purchased came in a recyclable cardboard container instead of those nasty Styrofoam ones that are way too common. 🤔

*Extra Firm Tofu (8 oz, $1.99) – While I haven’t fully decided if I want to become a vegetarian, I haven’t had meat in a couple of weeks… So tofu has been an essential! I prefer extra firm because you can bake it in the oven or fry it quite quickly.

*Basmati rice (1.15 pounds, $2.75) – My city only has one store with bulk bins. Even though it doesn’t have everything I could want in bulk, it does carry the essentials. I bring my own bags with me (find out my other bulk bin tips here!) and then transfer my bulk goodies into mason jars when I get home. Jasmine and basmati are my favorite types of rice, and the basmati was on sale 😅

*Sesame sticks (0.64 pounds, $3.19) – I pack my own lunch for work and avoid all individually packaged snacks by buying from the bins! Along with sesame sticks I love to buy dried fruits as well.

*Nutritional yeast (0.23 pounds, $4.14) – Because I haven’t been eating meat, I wanted to make sure I still got all the nutrients I need. I know a lot of vegetarians use nutritional yeast, so I picked some up!

*Jelly beans for the boyfriend (0.41 pounds, $3.69) – I normally avoid all bulk bin candy (as it tends to be much more expensive), but my boyfriend has been talking about how he was craving jelly beans for about a week… So I just had to treat him 😘

Fruit and Veg

*Bananas (6, $0.85) – Bananas are perfect for lunches and my favorite summer treat: frozen PB Banana Snacks!

*Vidalia onion ($0.69) – I always have a diced onion in my fridge to add extra flavor to dinners. 🙂

*Avocados (2, $1.99)

*Broccoli (1.36 pounds, $1.35) – Roasted broccoli in the summer is AMAZING. Enough said.

*Mangoes (2, $1) – I am not a huge fan of mango, but they were on sale…. 😂

*Yukon golden potatoes (3, $1.03) – I don’t usually make a lot of potato dishes, but I want to try to bake them in the oven soon. Let me know your favorite potato recipes!

*Nectarines (4, $1.58) – Again, these are perfect for lunches or in some Greek yogurt. Yum! 🍑

Overall, I spent less than $30 on this healthy, plant-based grocery trip! I was able to avoid a lot of plastic and unnecessary packaging by utilizing the produce and bulk sections, and I highly recommend you all give that a try as well! 🥳 If you are interested in seeing more posts like this, let me know!

What are your must haves at the grocery store?

Love,
Jenna ♥