Hey earth muffins! While the pandemic isn’t totally over yet, there has definitely been an increase in traveling again. π I don’t have too many trips planned yet, but (especially now that I’ve already had COVID) I want to book a few more vacations before the summer months are over. It is so important to be sustainable even on trips; just because you aren’t in the same place doing your daily routines doesn’t mean you can’t stick to your low waste values. Here are my top tips for staying eco-friendly while traveling!
Hey earth muffins! I always seem to find myself doing more baking during the summer months. While I cook meals for myself almost every day, the summertime always makes me crave fun, home-baked goodies. With all this extra cooking, I find myself with more fruit and veggie scraps. And it is important to utilize these instead of just throwing them into the trash! Food waste is a huge environmental issue, so here are five unique ways to use up those fruit and veggie scraps! π₯ π₯¦ π
1. Make a “zero waste” recipe
The best way to reduce food waste is to cook/bake with a zero waste mentality – nothing (or almost nothing) will end up in the trash. If your recipe calls for peeled potatos, maybe leave the skins on. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables where the peel is actually delicious and nutritious! I was surprised to learn recently that you can even eat the fuzzy skin of a kiwi. If you search for zero waste recipes on Pinterest, there are plenty of options to choose from (like carrot top pesto)!
Hey earth muffins! A great eco swap for the kitchen is to opt out of plastic wrap and use other methods of keeping your food fresh. One way to do this is to use beeswax wraps – sheets of fabric coated in beeswax that cling to your food, bowls, and containers. I was gifted a set of wraps for Christmas a couple of years ago, so I thought it would be fun to write a review to answer the question “do they really work?”. Let’s jump right into it! π
What I Love About Beeswax Wraps
Obviously it is awesome that this is a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap! Cling wrap is single-use and causes a bunch of waste that ends up in the landfill (or even the ocean). Not great for Mother Earth! Instead of using plastic wrap, I keep my set of beeswax wraps in my mason jar hutch next to all my other reusable containers. Having them accessible makes it easier to remember to use them too!
Unlike the single-use nature of Saran wrap, beeswax wraps last a long time. Once you are done using them, just wash them with soap and water and let air dry. So easy! If you take care of them in terms of cleaning, they will literally last multiple years.
Plus, beeswax wraps work! They keep containers airtight in the fridge which is great for making sure your leftovers don’t go bad. You can also use them instead of plastic Ziploc bags too, as I’ve wrapped sandwiches in them for lunch. Just like with any plastic wrap, make sure you get a full seal to ensure the best result with your food.
Lastly, I love that these are accessible to everyone because you don’t even need to buy these – they are super easy to make yourself! All you need is some fabric scraps and beeswax. There are plenty of DIY tutorials on Pinterest sharing how to melt the wax onto the fabric. Super simple and a great way to knock plastic wrap this summer. π
What I Dislike About Them
When you first open the wrap, don’t be alarmed that it seems pretty inflexible. The beeswax has just hardened and needs to warm up a bit. I find that rubbing your hands over the wrap is a quick and easy way to warm up the wax. Once the wrap is more flexible, it will be easier to seal over containers. This tiny extra step may be annoying to some people, so I thought I would include it as a con.
The only other thing I dislike about beeswax wraps is that they don’t last as long as things like mason jars. Obviously metal and glass is going to outlast anything made from fabric and wax, so I often just find myself opting for containers instead of beeswax wrap. However, you can “mend” your wraps by adding extra layers of beeswax if you want… But I personally just find it easier to not even bother and just pull out a mason jar instead.
Pin now to read later!
Overall, I think beeswax wraps are awesome! While I often just use mason jars instead of wrapping up food, it is nice to have a set of these available to me whenever I need them. π They work just like plastic wrap and come in so many designs and colors too. Have you tried beeswax wraps before? Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this eco swap!
Hey earth muffins! If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen that I recently read the book The Nature Fix by Florence Williams. This book was great, as it lays out facts on why nature is good for you in all ways… And I definitely have to agree! Spending even 5 minutes with Mother Nature always improves my mood. Now that the months are getting warmer, here are my suggestions on how you too can get connected to nature this summer. π²
Hike
Growing up on the East Coast, I went hiking a lot when I was younger. I live in Michigan now which does have some hiking, just not super gorgeous trails like I was used to. The Upper Peninsula has more mountains than the area I live; but, there are still flat trails all over the place here. I encourage you all to see what hikes are in your area! You might be surprised at how many forests, nature preserves, and parks are accessible to hike in.
Hey earth muffins! Summer is just around the corner – time for some fun vacations!! As of yet, I only have one major trip planned in July… But I will definitely be planning some weekend getaways too. π The travel excitement always gets me once I start packing for my destination. And who said you can’t pack your suitcase to align with your eco-friendly values? Here’s your ultimate guide on how to pack your bags the zero waste way this summer!
Make a list of everything you need for the trip.
This is obviously helpful if you are doing specific activities that require certain gear… But, making a detailed list is the way to go for any trip. Think ahead to what you will be doing and also research the weather forecast too. Once you have a list, stick to it and pack only what you need. Set a rule with yourself that you will make do with what you have on the trip – no need to buy that extra sweatshirt or flip flops when you already thought ahead and packed them.
Hey earth muffins! Summer is just around the corner which means one thing – time for some vacations! Road trips are one of my favorite ways to take some time off work. π I recently took a short trip to attend a graduation, and it was super fun… Until I tested positive for COVID when I got home. Yupp, after 2+ years and 3 vaccines Mister Corona still got me. I’m (thankfully) all better now and hoping my next road trip doesn’t come with any surprise illnesses. Here are my tips on how to have the best zero waste road trip this summer!
Tip #1: Pick the most eco-friendly car you have access to!
Depending on who/how many people you are traveling with, you might have more than one vehicle to choose from. While things like number of seats and vehicle age are obviously important, make sure to consider each car’s environmental impact as well. Pick the car that is a hybrid or gets the best gas mileage to reduce your emissions on the road. (And this will save you money too with how crazy gas prices are right now.)
Sustainable living is becoming more and more popular as people become increasingly aware of the importance of taking care of our planet. One way to live sustainably is by repairing your home instead of replacing it. This blog post will discuss some sustainable home repair projects that you can do yourself!
Hey earth muffins! Back in February I reviewed my Allbirds flats for you all. I still wear those shoes to the office often – when my Nike sneakers finally wore out (after 4+ years might I add!), I thought it would be a good idea to invest in some sustainable running shoes. Allbirds was obviously the brand that came to mind first. Let’s jump right into my Allbirds Wool Runners review!
