Month: August 2020

bookmark_borderChloe Ting Ab Workout Schedule ~ My Inspired Routine to Stay Fit!

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! Back in July I did something totally out of the ordinary and tried a 2 week Chloe Ting Ab Challenge. While I didn’t do this to lose quarantine weight or anything like that, I wanted to see if my body would feel better and stronger…. And it did! I loved my experience with the challenge; so much so, I created a whole “Chloe Ting” ab workout schedule for myself inspired by this challenge. 😁

A picture of a girl doing a plank ab exercise

At the end of my post about my experience with the 2 week ab challenge, I mentioned how I might try out another challenge for my legs or arms… And I am currently 13 days into a 21 day Lean Arms Challenge! 😬 As this has been impacting my ab inspired workout, I thought I would talk about this program first.

What Chloe Ting Challenge I Am Doing Now

I used to have super great upper body strength when I participated in athletics growing up. Sadly, this strength has slowly disappeared. After seeing amazing results with Chloe Ting’s ab challenge, I figured it would be fun to see if some of this strength would return. To focus on my arms, I picked out the Lean Arms Challenge. While I thought it would focus mainly on my arms, it also emphasizes abs and toning…. Gives the workouts a lot of variety!

A picture of the Chloe Ting Lean Arms Challenge schedule

If you follow the link to the challenge schedule, you will see that each day there are 2-4 videos to complete. This is a lot more challenging than the ab workouts, as that was only a single video. I am 100% sweating by the time I complete my videos for the day… But I feel SO incredible after! My arms and back muscles are feeling so much stronger than usual; I hope to continue to see results! Once this challenge is over, I will be adding another arms inspired schedule for myself similar to the Chloe Ting ab workout schedule I will be sharing with you all next. 🎉

My Chloe Ting Inspired Ab Workout Schedule

After doing the 2 week ab challenge, I knew what exercises I liked and what worked best for me. I used this knowledge to make my own ab plan, aimed at keeping the abs Chloe Ting so graciously gave me. 😂 If you also create your own workouts, make sure you don’t just pick the “easy” exercises! You obviously will hate certain exercises because they are challenging – so keep them in your workout routine!

So, without further to do, here is my “quick and easy” ab workout routine:

  • 25 crunches
  • 20 Spiderman planks
  • 25 Russian twists
  • 10 In and Outs
  • 40 seconds of plank with hip dips
  • 40 second plank
  • 25 Bicycle crunches
  • 30 Mountain climbers
  • 25 Heel taps
  • 5 Straight leg crunches
  • 50 squats

If you aren’t sure what a certain exercise looks like, I suggest checking out the original video to see:

What About Cardio??

Now after looking at the routine you might be questioning if I do any cardio as well. Fun fact about me: I hate cardio because I HATE sweating. But, I know it is honestly one of the best things you can do in terms of working out. 🙄 I try to take long walks as often as possible – my usual walking pace is faster than the average Joe’s, but I try to force myself to walk even faster to keep my heart rate up. I also live on the 7th floor of my apartment building and have decided to take the stairs 90% of the time. This is obviously good for my legs and heart, so I would highly recommend doing this easy thing if you also live on a high floor of your building!

Overall, I am pretty proud of myself for actively working out this year. I never exercised in college, so this is a great change of pace for me. 😀 Plus, I feel amazing!! What have you been doing to stay fit?

Chloe Ting ab workout schedule
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

bookmark_borderRecent Reads & Movie Reviews (The Last One!)

Posted on

Hey earth muffins, I hope everyone is having a great week so far! I found out a couple of days ago that I passed my last CPA exam, so my week has been FANTASTIC! 🥳 To celebrate, I thought I would share some of the recent books and movies I have been indulging in. After many years of writing these “recent read” posts, I have decided to transfer them in the future to my Instagram. This will allow me to write reviews as soon as I finish the book/movie, so definitely give me a follow if you haven’t already! 😀

Recent Books I Have Read

Plastic Purge: How to Use Less Plastic, Eat Better, Keep Toxins Out of Your Body, and Help Save the Sea Turtles! by Michael SanClements

A picture of the book Plastic Purge by Michael SanClements

Now that my boyfriend and I moved to a new city, I have a new library to explore! While the building is closed due to Mister Corona, they have a great book pick up system. Their online catalog is also incredibly impressive; I did some browsing and picked up this book from the sustainability section. I think it does an excellent job of briefly sharing the dangers of plastic for every part of your daily routine. From plastic water bottles to unnecessary plastics, SanClements covers it all! He gives easy solutions to replace these “ugly”/”bad” plastics. But, he doesn’t bash all plastics and talks about the “good” plastics of the world (such as medical, etc.). This was a breath of free air as most books hate on all plastics. I think this was a great recent read after not reading for a long time; I would recommend it!
Rating: 8.5/10

Content Inc.: How Entrepreneurs Use Content to Build Massive Audiences and Create Radically Successful Businesses by Joe Pulizzi

A picture of Content Inc by Joe Pulizzi

Along with checking out the sustainability section, I also searched through books about blogging. Now that I have extra free time (no more studying!), I want to work hard to improve Life of an Earth Muffin. This book seemed like a good read… And it was! Getting an undergrad degree in Business and masters in accounting, I have read a lot of business books. But, I think this one lays out content creation and building a business extremely well! The book is in 6 different sections following the steps of Pulizzi’s content model. While the last few sections didn’t apply to me (as I am not trying to sell any physical products in the marketplace), the rest of the book was SO helpful to thinking about my audience and content. If you have any sort of side hustle (blog, online shop, etc.), you must read this book!
Rating: 10/10

The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm by Hilarie Burton Morgan

A picture of The Rural Diaries by Hilarie Burton Morgan

This book was in the “New” section of the online catalog; it sounded like something I would enjoy! I didn’t realize that the author was actually the actress Hilarie, who is famously known for playing Peyton on One Tree Hill. The book chronicles her adult life from finding her husband to buying a farm in the middle of nowhere. It was cool to see how a couple in Hollywood can live (and work!) on a farm, all while supporting their family in the entertainment industry. I always thought every celeb lived in a mansion in California! Whenever my family visited my grandparents on their farm, I always felt like I was returning home. It seems that Hilarie felt this way too, so maybe I will also end up on a farm in the middle of nowhere too. 😅 This was a great read overall!
Rating: 8/10

Recent Movies I Have Watched

Little Italy (2018)

A picture of the two main characters of Little Italy

After seeing the trailer for this movie a long time ago, I stumbled upon it on Amazon Prime the other day. IT IS AMAZING!! I am a huge fan of rom coms and everything cheesy, and this movie had that AND tons of humor and sexy Italians. The story is basically a modernized version of Romeo and Juliet, with pizza playing a huge role in the plot. I am quite Italian, and if I wasn’t raised on the East Coast I bet this is how my love story would have been. 😂 If you are looking for a fun movie to watch, please watch this one!
Rating: 11/10

Twilight (2008)

A picture of the cover of the movie Twilight

I have a confession to make: I never read or watched the Twilight series growing up. 😬 I learned recently that my boyfriend also never watched the films, so we decided to watch Twilight on a recent date night. What a ride – this movie was so bizarre! From Edward shining in the sun to the quote “You’re like my own personal brand of heroin” my boyfriend and I couldn’t keep it together. But, as soon as it ended he wanted to watch the next one… So maybe it was so bad it was good.
Rating: 6/10

Work It (2020)

A picture of the Work It movie cover

I saw this film being advertised on YouTube, so watched it during a study break a week ago. I thought it was surprisingly good! Some Netflix movies aren’t that great (I’m pointing my finger at you The Kissing Booth)… But this one I enjoyed! The characters were relatable, the dancing was fun, and the bits of humor here and there made me laugh. The cast is also full of rockstars: Liza Koshy, Sabrina Carpenter, Jordan Fisher, etc. While it’s not the best movie of all time, it was good enough for me! 😄
Rating: 7/10

Thank you all for loving these recent read posts for the past few years! While I won’t be getting rid of the recent reads page, I hope you do follow me on Instagram to never miss any other thoughts on books and films! What have you been reading/watching lately?

Recent read
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

bookmark_borderWhat is Seitan Made Out Of? & Other Non-Meat Protein Questions

Posted on

Hey muffins! Many of you were extremely interested in my year long reflection on being a vegetarian. While I have transferred most of my food related content over to my Instagram (give me a follow!), I wanted to answer some big vegetarian questions in a post today! 😁 There are plenty of non-meat protein sources for anyone avoiding meat, but many people still have questions about them. I will be writing about three protein sources today: seitan, tofu, and tempeh. Let’s jump right into the questions!

What is seitan made out of?

A picture of seitan

Seitan (pronouced “say-tan”, NOT “Satan” 😂) is made from wheat gluten. It is a popular meat replacement because the texture and look resembles that of meat. I personally don’t care if my protein looks like the meat it is replacing, but some veggie lovers might prefer that. For me, the big draw of seitan is that it can be cooked in many ways: baked, sliced, fried, grilled, etc. You can also buy seitan premade at many grocery stores (including Meijer). BUT, you can also make it yourself if you are feeling up for the challenge and want to avoid plastic packaging! I have never tried to make seitan by hand, but the recipes on Pinterest don’t seem that difficult to follow. 🤷‍♀️

What is your favorite way to eat seitan?

Because seitan is made out of wheat gluten, it has a nice, mild base flavor that allows it to be flavored however you want. 🎉 While this might sound really boring, I like to eat it from the package on a nice sandwich. Ever since I stopped eating meat I barely ever eat sandwiches other than good ol’ peanut butter and jelly; seitan changed the game with that! Sliced seitan is the same price as other deli meats at my local grocery store, so it is a perfect lunch to bring with me to work (hooray for bringing your own food to cut back on waste!! 🌎). As mentioned above, seitan can be cooked in so many ways…. I’m excited to continue trying out recipes!

What type of tofu should I use?

A picture of a bowl of tofu

When browsing the tofu options at a grocery store, you will notice that there are multiple types. What you are going to cook with the tofu will require you to get a certain kind:

  • Silken: This tofu is extremely soft and will not hold its shape if you cut it into cubes. Tofupedia says it is great for ricotta replacements; I have also seen it called for in some baking recipes.
  • Regular: While it will hold its shape if you cut it into squares, it still has more water content than firm tofus. Use this for scrambled tofus!
  • Firm: This is my go-to type! The tofu will hold its shape when cooked, and can be coated in delicious sauces too. 👌
  • Extra firm: If my grocery store is out of firm tofu, I don’t mind using extra firm. I think this type is extra delicous as tofu nuggets, as it holds its shape very well!

What is your favorite way to cook tofu?

While I used to just roast my tofu in the oven for 30-40 minutes, I have a new method ever since moving in with my boyfriend. He has an air fry that is now in our kitchen; it is an awesome way to cook tofu! The outside gets nice and crunchy while the inside stays soft, so I would highly recommend trying out air frying. I usually put mine in at 390 degrees for about 15-25 minutes, but this could differ for every air fry device…. Keep an eye on them so they don’t get too crunchy or burn! 🙂

What is tempeh?

A picture of tempeh

Tempeh is quite similar to tofu, as it is a soy protein. But, unlike the silky smooth texture of tofu, tempeh has halves of soybeans in it. This makes it look like a bunch of beans bundled together (I thought it was grain when I first say tempeh in the store)! If you are looking to reduce your usage of processed foods, then you might prefer tempeh over tofu. To get the smooth texture of tofu the soybeans are processed further than with tempeh; but, I enjoy both of these non-meat protein sources regardless of how much they are processed or not! 😁

How do I prepare tempeh?

Just like tofu, tempeh can be prepared in a lot of different ways. Some people find it to be on the bitter side (due to the fermentation process of how it is made), so steaming it before cooking can help with that. As there are halves of beans in the tempeh, it can easily crumble. That makes it a perfect substitute for taco meat! 🌮 If all else fails you can cube it up like tofu and cover it in a delicious sauce.

Overall, I hope this post goes to show that there are many non-meat protein alternatives on the market. I didn’t even mention all of them in this post! While most of my food content is going to shift over to my Instagram now, I hope these answers help out anyone thinking about becoming a vegetarian in the future. 🥰

Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

bookmark_border4 Amazon Products for Any Zero Waste Challenge

Posted on

When I started my journey towards sustainable living back in May of 2018, my original goal was a zero waste challenge. But, I’ve since steered myself away from the “zero waste” category and into my own niche. Reflecting back on the start of my journey, I wanted to share my top 4 products that helped me, as a beginner, begin changing my routine towards something more sustainable.

This list is by no means exhaustive! As I look back on the products that got me started, many of them I already had in my apartment or was able to get secondhand/from family and friends. The ones featured in this post today will be the items I bought new. 😃 Let’s jump right into it!

HydroFlask Reusable Water Bottle

A picture of a neon green HydroFlask reusable water bottle
The trusty HydroFlask (affiliate link)

While I (of course) had some reusable water bottles when I started out, I knew I wanted to invest in a better quality one. All of the bottles I had were made of BPA free plastic, which I am still not 100% comfortable with due to the lack of scientific testing on the BPA replacement plastics. So, buying a brand new HydroFlask (affiliate link) was what I chose to do… And I still use it every day! I bought the larger size, which, in theory, might be more difficult to carry around. But, I think this is a benefit for me because I never forget to bring it along! Avoiding all plastic water bottles is a great way to start out a zero waste challenge, so I urge you to invest in something like the HydroFlask (affiliate link)!

Reusable Produce/Bulk Bags

A picture of 6 canvas cloth reusable produce bags
These bags are 10/10! (affiliate link)

As soon as I decided to change my daily life into something more sustainable, I knew I had to invest in some reusable bags. I’m not talking about reusable grocery bags because I already had SO many of those from college, job fairs, etc. These bags are specifically reusable for shopping produce and bulk bins. They are in perfect condition still; I store them in my car so that I am never in a situation where I am bag-less! 😌 I think this set in particular is great for the “zero waste challenge” beginner, as it comes with three different sizes for various food types. The bags are also cotton and can easily be thrown into the laundry with other clothes; so simple to wash! For only $8, these are a must-have (affiliate link)!

Reusable Ziploc Bags

A picture of reusable ziploc bags
Reusable Ziplocs for the win 😍 (affiliate link)

Sticking with bags, I also swapped to reusable Ziplocs! As I mentioned in my sustainable swaps for Plastic Free July post, there are multiple options for replacing Saran wrap. I already had some mason jars when I started my journey, but I knew I would need something for lunches at work. Amazon has a bunch of reusable bags, but I opted for these cloth ones back in 2018 (affiliate link). If I were to buy new ones today (which I definitely won’t be because these are still in great condition!), I might also look at Stasher and other silicone bag options (affiliate links). There are so many choices for not a lot of money; regardless of what brand you buy, having reusable bags around are a game changer when you are trying to be zero waste!

Safety Razor

A picture of a reusable safety razor
Safety razor: 100000/10 (affiliate link)

I recommend buying a safety razor ASAP (affiliate link)! I also talked about this on my sustainable swaps post during Plastic Free July, but I just had to mention it again. This was basically the BEST decision I made when starting my sustainable journey, as I have saved SO many cheap, plastic razors from heading to the landfill. I even bought my mom one for her birthday recently, because I know she would love it as well. Shaving with a safety razor is just as easy as shaving with a “normal” razor… And I have noticed that I cut myself much less! 🎉 For only $17, this is a no brainer (affiliate link)!

When starting a zero waste challenge, it can seem like there are too many swaps to be made… But, I urge you to purchase a few new things (like the things mentioned in this post) and then utilize what you already have for the others! You don’t need to buy the Instagram worthy bamboo cutlery set when you already have silverware in your kitchen… You know what I’m saying? 😊 What product would you most likely buy??

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

bookmark_borderHow to Pass the CPA Exam!

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! If you have been following this blog for awhile (or are subscribed to my newsletter), you will know that I am currently trying to pass the CPA exams. I am proud to say that I have passed 3 sections and took the last section yesterday; please pray that I passed that one as well! 😊 I started studying for these exams back in DECEMBER… My test schedule was shifted around due to Mister Corona, but it feels amazing to finally have taken all 4. Because these tests are extremely daunting and difficult to pass, I thought I would share my test prep tips on how to pass the CPA exam; let’s jump right into it!

A picture of a tax return and calculator

Prepping to Study

First off, it is important to sit down and lay out your study schedule/test dates. I started studying halfway through my graduate program, so I gave myself more time for the first two tests because I knew I would have other school committments.

Next, it is time to gather your study supplies! As I will be working for one of the Big Four accounting firms, I was given a free Becker subscription to help with my studying. I suggest looking into some sort of study guide as well! While the test is “accounting”, it is pretty challenging to pass without utilizing a filtered study guide. The rest of my study materials included: my laptop, ear buds, the Becker textbooks, blank paper for notes, a binder to store the notes, highlighters, and nice pens.

A picture of study materials, including post it notes and pencils

How to Study for the CPA Exam – Chapters

After studying for four sections of this test, I can definitely say I have my study routine down. For context, the Becker study material is divided up into 6-10 modules that are further broken down into chapters. When I started a module, here is what I did for each chapter:

  1. Go through the Becker lectures on my laptop and highlight/take notes in the physical textbook with the instructor. (Note: I never want to hear Peter Olinto’s voice again!!)
  2. Go back through the chapter and take detailed notes on blank paper. These are what I used to study after I finished the textbook, so I made them really detailed and organized… Plus, you can draw diagrams and charts when there are no lines, so I would definitely suggest using (recycled) blank paper!
  3. Go through the Skills Check and practice multiple choice questions. If there is a question you had trouble with, write it down for reference in your chapter notes.
  4. Continue on to the next chapter! 🎉
A picture of the Becker CPA platform

How to Study – Modules & More!

While this might sound like a simple routine, there are some extra things I did after each module:

  1. Go back through my notes and create a Quizlet for any formulas/terms I need to memorize. While you do get flashcards with a Becker subscription, Quizlets are basically how I passed undergrad. I can memorize anything with that platform – even the 280+ card decks I created for the CPA exam!

And then there were more steps after I completed all the modules:

  1. Practice your mastery by going back through every chapter and completing the practice simulations. While the multiple choice is difficult during the actual test, the simulations are a million times worse. So, practice is good! While the Becker program separates simulations into chapters, I found it difficult to complete them as I was studying because a lot of the information crosses over. This can be frustrating and make you feel like you haven’t learned what you are supposed to, so I suggest waiting to the end to do the simulations. 👌
  2. Take the practice tests!! These are a great way to help pass the CPA exam. They are set up exactly like the real deal, so it is an excellent tool for time management/prepping your brain for test day.

My Overall Tips to Pass the CPA Exam!

For starters, it should be noted that there is SO much information to study for these exams – you will be EXTREMELY overwhelmed at first. It is important to not give up! This study routine worked for me, but adjust it to fit your personal strengths. Every person studies in a different way, so utilize the best practices you found in school. 😊

If you are comfortable, take the exams “hardest” to “easiest”. While some people find different tests more challenging than others, many will agree that this order is: FAR, REG, BEC, and AUD. Taking them in this order will help get the tests with the most material done first.

After you take the test, try not to worry about it too much. They are hard – you will feel really bad after coming out of the test center. But, that doesn’t mean you didn’t pass! The test I felt the worst about I did the best in, and the one I felt the best about I did the worst in… This goes to show that you really don’t know what your score will be until it comes out. While you need a 75 to pass, this is NOT a 75%… Don’t beat yourself up on test day – treat yourself (and your brain) for surviving a difficult exam!

DON’T WORRY IF YOU DON’T PASS THE FIRST TIME. There is a 50% pass rate, so don’t feel bad!! I’ve always been a great student and test taker, but these exams are difficult. They challenge you for a reason, so go out there and do your best! I believe in you. What are you tips for taking standardized tests?

How to pass the cpa exam

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

bookmark_borderThe Best Thrift Stores in Ann Arbor, MI

Posted on

Hey muffins! After spending the last five years in Ann Arbor during both my undergrad and grad school experiences, I have definitely checked out many of the city’s thrift stores. Secondhand shopping is an excellent way to reduce your waste and avoid fast fashion. It is also super fun to look for treasures! ☺️ Now that I no longer live in the area, I thought it would be fun to share some of my faves with you all. These Ann Arbor thrift stores are the ones I would shop at the most; each one has different reasons on why I like it, so here are my thoughts!

1. The ShareHouse

A picture of the clothing section in the ShareHouse in Ann Arbor

Address: 5161 Jackson Rd

This store was my absolute favorite place to shop – I will definitely miss it! The building is large and contains a mix of literally everything and anything you could be searching for. The clothing department is relatively small, but they have a nice chunk of vintage pieces. There are even wedding dresses if you are looking to have a sustainable ceremony. 💒 Even though they don’t have a large amount of clothes, the prices are excellent ranging from $0.25 to $3.

In terms of home items, they have bins of EVERYTHING (ex. utensils, bathroom storage, craft supplies, etc.). While everything is well labeled, you will have to dig through bins if they are full. But you are bound to find some treasures! They have a huge wall of cheap cookbooks and a whole room for games and puzzles. Most things are assigned prices at checkout (except for clothes), but the owners always give extremely reasonable prices. You could probably bargain with them if you wanted, but I’ve never seen the need. A great thrift store to check out – give yourself at least two hours to look at everything! 😀

Best finds: Three 1000 piece puzzles ($4), a huge stack of vintage greeting cards ($4.50), Mickey Mouse shirt for Disney trip ($0.25)

2. Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop

A picture of the Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop

Address: 2280 S Industrial Hwy

This thrift store has a moderate amount of clothes, but each week a certain color tag makes those pieces only $0.50! Because the section isn’t massive the clothing turns over pretty quick, so there are always new things to look at. I’d recommend shopping for those 50 cents pieces at the beginning of the week; they are perfect for any thrift flip projects!

If you are looking for crafting/DIY supplies, this is also the place to go. They have everything from single buttons to stickers to scrapbooking paper to fabric to vintage patterns. It is truly incredible and the labeling is on point. The kitchen section is relatively small, but I have found some nice things there. They also have a good game section and check each one to ensure all the pieces are in the box! Unlike the ShareHouse, everything is individually priced. All the proceeds go to support local schools of the area, so I loved supporting this place these past five years!

Best finds: “Technicolor dreamcoat” sweater ($4), Halloween pillow ($4.50), fabric for my DIY Mary Poppins costume

3. Salvation Army

A picture of the Salvation Army in Ann Arbor

Address: 1621 S State St

My favorite “chain” thrift store has always been Salvation Army, and the one in Ann Arbor doesn’t disappoint. This store is basically 90% clothing – it has everything you could ever look for! Because Ann Arbor is a wealthier area, this location is stocked full of amazing brands. This also means the prices are slightly higher, but even as a broke college student the prices were never too high. The store is quite busy, and a lot of people shop here (including college students as it is walking distance to campus). But, this means the inventory turns over often… There are a ton of new items each week!

Best finds: Gnocci “Gucci” shirt ($3)

4. Recycle Ann Arbor’s Reuse Center

A picture of the Recycle Reclaim Center in Ann Arbor

Address: 2420 S Industrial Hwy

This recycling center is close to the PTO thrift store, so I would always stop in when I was in the area. Their “barn” has bits of everything from kitchenware to boxes of books to lots of furniture. Nothing is individually labeled, and I have found that the prices end up being higher than the ShareHouse. But, this center also has a huge selection of reclaimed wood and other materials. If you are a handy person or is about to start some home projects or rebuilds this would be the place to check out!

Best find: Nice golf club for my boyfriend ($8)

Overall, I think there are a lot of awesome secondhand options in Ann Arbor. On top of the ones I mentioned, there are also many vintage and antique stores in the area. The city can be quite expensive overall, so thrifting is an excellent way to save that coin AND save the planet! 🌎 What are your favorite thrift stores in Ann Arbor?

The best thrift stores in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

bookmark_borderA Not-so-Successful Recap of Plastic Free July!

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! As I mentioned in my August newsletter, my participation in Plastic Free July wasn’t that successful this year… (Which, sidenote, if you aren’t subscribed to my monthly newsletter, you should!)

My success during the challenge last year (as seen by my waste audit) was pretty incredible, so I think part of my feeling that this year wasn’t the best stems from that. BUT, it is important regardless of the success to challenge yourself to live a more sustainable lifestyle. This blog is dedicated to sharing my passion with you all, so I thought I would share my failures and successes of this Plastic Free July. As Hannah Montana famously said, “Nobody’s perfect, you live and you learn it”. 😉 So, let’s jump right into it!

A picture of the 2020 Plastic Free July Challenge logo

The “Failings” of My Plastic Free July

As I have mentioned previously, my boyfriend and I just moved across the state into a new apartment. With moving comes a lot of plastic, paper, and other waste that I would not normally encounter in my daily life. While there are tips and tricks for avoiding some of this waste when moving, there were still unforeseen instances where I came across plastic this July. This doesn’t just include tape and packing boxes/materials; it also includes having to eat out during the move more than I thought I would have to.

A picture of moving plastic, boxes, and tape

When you are getting settled into a new home you also have to buy things that might result in extra plastic. While I was able to keep my plastic low in the grocery category by buying from the farmer’s market and bulk bins, I ran into some plastic in other places. A big one came from having to buy a Shark Steam Mop; all of our floors are original hardwood and there was a disgusting layer of dirt that we needed to get rid of. While the mop is amazing (and the pad is reusable/can be washed in the laundry), it came with a lot of plastic in tow. We also needed to buy a few things from Home Depot, which resulted in some plastic as well.

Successes and Looking Forward

Even though the move brought a lot of unwanted plastic into my life, it also allowed me to tackle some sustainability goals. Back in June I laid out 6 different things I wanted to achieve for this new apartment to help continue my sustainable journey. I am proud to say we made large strides on all of these during July!! In terms of decluttering, both my boyfriend and myself sold a lot of unwanted things on Facebook Marketplace. We have one box in our coat closet of items we still want to sell/donate; it is SO nice to have only the essentials in our apartment. 🎉

For goal 2, we signed up for a composting service, which I shared on my Instagram a few days ago! The local grocery store I shop at has a great bulk section to stock up our pantry; and for goal number 4, this store actually sells milk in glass. It never did the past two summers I lived here for my internship, so I am excited! With this goal I also wanted to find a local to buy eggs from; but, we might be making our apartment egg free now. My boyfriend is actually allergic to eggs, so I don’t really see the need to have them in our home… Especially since I’m not a super fan of them myself. 🤷‍♀️

In terms of buying secondhand, I have been slowing buying the finishing pieces for our apartment from local thrift stores. Just look at this adorable soap dish I found for our bathroom! 😍

A picture of a white glass soap dish with floral details and gold around the edges
The gold details match the marbled bathroom counter – I’m in love!

Lastly, I have been working on my boyfriend to keep his own plastic at a minimum. He loves to drink plastic water bottles and soda; but, he actually had an old Brita in his apartment. Now he is trying to switch to that instead. Baby steps are still steps in the right direction! 👍

Overall, while I wasn’t extremely successful in avoiding plastic this July, I do think I made a lot of great sustainable steps for my journey towards living low waste. 😀 How did your Plastic Free July go?

A picture of a zero waste bag with the words Recap of 2020 Plastic Free July above it

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

bookmark_borderHow to Stock a (New) Pantry ft. Bulk Food

Posted on

Hey muffins! One of the first things you do when you move into a new place is stock your pantry and fridge… Or at least that’s what I did when my boyfriend and I moved in. 😆 Food is important to me because, well, I love to eat. While it is crucial to make your new space feel like home, it is also important to take care of your body so that it is well energized as you get settled. For today’s post I want to share my recommendations for what to stock your pantry with featuring my favorite: the bulk bins! Bulk shopping is a great way to reduce your waste at the grocery store, so I would totally recommend y’all giving it a try. 🥰

A picture of a mason jar pantry

Stock Your Pantry: Baking Supplies

When switching to a more sustainable lifestyle, I have started to cook more things from scratch. I try to avoid most packaged/canned products, so having a lot of baking supplies on hand is uber important! I had a bunch of these things already in my grad school apartment pantry, but I figured I would still include them. 😀

  1. Flour – I have always loved King Arthur flour, as the grocery store where I shop doesn’t have flour in bulk. But, this bag can at least be recycled!
  2. Sugar – Again, my local grocery store doesn’t have sugar in bulk so I choose to buy it in a paper bag that can be recycled.
  3. Baking soda and baking powder – You can usually find both of these in cardboard box packaging.
  4. Oats – I had a mason jar full of oats already, but these are so cheap in the bulk bins (and SO useful for baking).
  5. Jiffy corn muffin mix – I know, I know… I said I try to avoid all packaged foods but I think Jiffy is good to have on hand. Their company is local to Michigan and I love that both the box and the paper (not plastic!) lining on the inside can be recycled.
  6. Various spices – My boyfriend and I already had everything from salt and pepper to mixed seasonings, but check out the bulk spices available in your bulk bins!
A picture of bulk spices in mason jars

Bulk Grains and Protein

There are SO many grain and protein options at my local grocery store, but I always stock up on what I eat a lot of:

  1. Rice – My boyfriend isn’t a huge fan of brown rice, so I stocked up on white rice for now…
  2. Quinoa – Quinoa is a great alternative to rice if you feel like you are eating rices too much. Plus, it can cook in less than 20 minutes!
  3. Barley – I LOVE barley. While it does take longer to cook, it is so filling and tasty. It is great for a lot of fall/winter dishes.
  4. Pasta – My boyfriend absolutely loves spaghetti, so he brought multiple boxes of noodles with him from his last apartment. Sadly, the bulk bins here don’t have any pastas (yet) but I’ve heard that a few brands will be taking out that annoying plastic liner in their boxes – yay for a fully recyclable container!
  5. Beans – I had two mason jars full of Great Northern Beans in my grad school pantry, but there are a bunch of options for dried beans. I utilize a lot of beans in my cooking after becoming vegetarian last year; my favorites are chickpeas, pinto, and black beans! After I eat up some of these beans, I plan on trying out some lentil options as well.
A picture of a bag of dry chickpeas from the bulk bins

Lost in the Sauce(s)

Unfortunately my local grocery store has the bulk sauces/liquids closed off due to Mister Corona. Oh well! I bought the biggest sizes I could and opted for glass containers to avoid plastics.

A picture of a jar of peanut butter
  1. Olive oil – A MUST for roasting all my fresh veggies!
  2. Vinegar/Apple Cider Vinegar – I actually forgot to buy this when I first went shopping, but it is on the list for the next time I’m at the store.
  3. Soy sauce – Because the bulk bins were closed, I went to a local Asian market to support local business. While the soy sauce was a tiny bit more expensive, it is important to help out family run shops!
  4. Honey – Honey is a great sweetner for everything from teas to homemade granola to greek yogurt bowls.
  5. Peanut butter – I eat a peanut butter sandwich almost every day for lunch, so I bought a massive 5 pound jar of JIF. This comes in a can instead of a plastic container, so it was a win win for me!
  6. Nutritional Yeast – Such a good staple for any vegetarian; I love to throw it into any dish.

Other Things to Stock Your Pantry With!

  1. SNACKS – Some of my favorite bulk snacks include unsweetened banana chips and toasted corn. Unsweetened banana chips tastes very much like any potato chip, but the texture is a bit different. Toasted corn tastes EXACTLY like a Frito, and I love that it just corn that is cooked and salted.
  2. Tea (or coffee) – Even though it is summer, a good cup of tea is still nice in the morning. I’m not a coffee drinker, but many bins allow you to buy coffee beans in bulk. I had a bunch of loose leaf tea containers from my old apartment; but, I will definitely be stocking up when I run low.

After shopping at a local farmer’s market too, our fridge is now stocked full. It is nice to be getting all settled into the new place! 🙂 When you move, what do you stock your pantry with??

how to stock a pantry from the bulk bins
Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️