Archives

bookmark_borderWhich is Better: Reusable Pads vs Menstrual Cups?

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! 2021, for me, was the year of trying out different ways to zero waste my period. While I haven’t tried all the methods to have a zero waste period, I focused my time on menstrual cups and reusable menstrual pads. These are some of the most popular options when it comes to making your time of the month more sustainable. So, which do I prefer? 🤔 In today’s post, I will be sharing my thoughts on reusable pads vs menstrual cups… Let’s jump right into it!

Why Reusable Pads Are Better

The first thing that makes reusable pads better is that they aren’t as invasive as menstrual cups. One of the major concerns I had when trying out a cup was that it required me to insert it and remove it… Which can be pretty terrifying at first! Once you get the hang of it it isn’t scary anymore; check out my tips on how to insert and remove a menstrual cup if you still struggle! Overall, reusable pads are way less invasive even when you get the hang of cups.

Read More ➥

bookmark_border7 Uses of Peppermint Essential Oil – What To Do With It

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! There is no denying that essential oils are awesome. Not only do they smell amazing, but they can be used for so many other uses as well. I have just recently been getting into essential oils more… And peppermint oil is perfect for the holiday season! ☃️ Thanks to a gift from Public Goods, I have been able to try out a new oil these past few weeks. In today’s post, I will be sharing 7 of my favorite uses of peppermint essential oil. Let’s jump right into the post!

1. Use peppermint oil in the diffuser

My boyfriend and I have an oil diffuser on our bedside table; I love to diffuse a few drops either in the morning or a couple of hours before bed… It makes the room smell heavenly! Peppermint oil wakes up your senses unlike other oils like lavender that are perfect for bed time. I suggest diffusing your peppermint essential oil in the morning to help your mind get alert for the upcoming day!

2. Prevents against bugs (and mice)

In our last apartment, we had GIGANTIC centipedes that were absolutely disgusting to look at when they crawled out of the floor… My favorite on this ‘uses of peppermint essential oil’ list is this – use it to prevent against bugs and mice in your home! Fill up a cup of water and mix in 4-5 drops of peppermint oil. Then, take a paintbrush and line the areas where the bugs are coming in (around floorboards, windows, etc.). Your house might smell like a peppermint forest for a few hours after, but it definitely does work!

Read More ➥

bookmark_borderClean-Faced Cosmetics Foundation (and Concealer) Review: My Honest Thoughts!

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! I have been using makeup from Clean-Faced Cosmetics since the very beginning of my sustainable journey. I absolutely love their mascara and have tried out the foundation powder during my college years. Before I started my new job a couple of months ago, I figured I would try out the Clean-Faced Cosmetics foundation (which also can be used a concealer!). It was my first time going back to the office in a year, so I hadn’t been wearing foundation in awhile… I’ve had some time to test out this product, so let’s jump right into the review!

Clean-Faced cosmetics zero waste foundation in Light

What I Love About the Clean-Faced Cosmetics Foundation

Obviously I love that this company is zero waste! It is run by a woman named Laura in Grand Rapids, MI – and she has been seeing so much success on Etsy that she recently opened up her own website! 🎉 Her products are made with natural, eco-friendly ingredients which is important to help your skin stay chemical free. All the makeup products come in some sort of metal or glass container; if you ask for a refill of a product, she will mail it over in a compostable bag instead! Supporting small businesses like this is great because I know the products are all top notch AND zero waste as well.

Read More ➥

bookmark_borderSustainable Wrapping Paper Alternatives for the Holiday Season

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! There is no doubt about it, December is the season of wrapping paper. 🎁 While pretty wrapped gifts are exciting and festive, they aren’t necessarily the most eco-friendly option. A lot of wrapping papers aren’t pure paper, which makes them non-recyclable. On top of that, many of them also have glitter and other 3-D effects that are definitely fit for the landfill only. To make your Christmas more sustainable this year, I want to share my top suggestions for sustainable wrapping paper alternatives – let’s jump right into it!

1. Old gift bags, wrapping paper, and tissue paper

Once you decide you want to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, it is important to use up what is already in your house. That includes all that leftover wrapping paper! People tend to buy new rolls every holiday which results in a stack of half used rolls in the back of some dusty closet. Reuse all the old gift bags, tissue paper, and wrapping paper that is already in your home!

Read More ➥

bookmark_borderHow to Be a More Conscious Consumer This Holiday

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! The holiday season is upon us, which means there is a rise in consumerism with all of the holiday shopping. 🎅 It is extremely important, especially now, to make sure you are being a conscious consumer. What does it mean to be a “conscious consumer”? It means supporting businesses that support your values – companies that care about the planet and making the world a better place! I love to buy gifts for my loved ones this time of year, so I thought I would share my top tips for how you can be a more conscious consumer as well. Let’s jump right into it!

1. Make a list and check it twice

You can’t be a conscious consumer if you overconsume this holiday! It is important to remember to only buy what you actually need. Just like Santa Claus, I suggest making a long list. Think about each person you will be shopping for and write down what gifts you will be buying them. As you are shopping, keep looking at the list to avoid impulse buys.

2. Buy locally and support small businesses

As you are doing your holiday shopping, make sure to support small businesses in your town before hitting up the mall and other chain stores. The pandemic has been hard on local business, so do your best to support them first. Many local products are more sustainable as well; if you have local eco-friendly stores, even better!

Read More ➥

bookmark_border5 Additional Ways to Be More Sustainable!

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! I was recently asked by the amazing USB Lighter Company to write a post on their new blog. You might remember them from the review I did on their rechargeable USB Candle Lighter – such a great eco-friendly product! In the post on their blog, I shared five ways you can be more sustainable on a daily basis. I decided to continue with that theme and share five more ways to be sustainable on Life of an Earth Muffin. Let’s jump right into it!

6. Reduce your overall consumption

While I mentioned in my guest post over on the USB Lighter Blog that it is important to know your local recycling rules, it is also important to remember that the saying is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” for a reason! The best way to reduce your impact on the planet is to only consume what you actually need to. Once you do this, it is important to reuse and repair what you already have so that the waste you do create is at a minimum. At the end of an item’s life, hopefully you are able to recycle or compost it – but at least the amount of trash you create has now been reduced! Another great bonus of reducing your overall consumption is an increase in spending money – I personally suggest putting it into a savings account!

Read More ➥

bookmark_borderFemometer App Review: How Accurate is it Really?

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I use a couple of different natural birth control methods. I have been using my trusty Femometer with the temperature method for many years now. This thermometer takes my temperature each morning, which helps track my cycle. Read this full guide on the Basal Body Temperature method if you are interested in learning how it all works! 😊 Now that I’ve used the Femometer and its app for many years now, I thought I would write a full post of its pros and cons. Let’s jump right into my Femometer app review!

Femometer app chart of basal body temperatures

What I Love About the Femometer App

For starters, the app is super easy to use and connect to your thermometer. Once you purchase the Femometer device (affiliate link), you just have to connect it via Bluetooth. Even if you don’t purchase the brand’s thermometer, you can still manually enter temperatures as well. I love that the free version of the app includes everything I need; I know there are other apps that actually make you pay a fee each month just to use it!

Read More ➥

bookmark_borderThings to do in Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Weekend Travel Guide!

Posted on

Hey earth muffins, Happy Thanksgiving!! 🦃 As many of you know, I recently lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Back in July, I moved home to be closer to family… And I am extremely grateful that next month I will be moving into my new house! 🎉 Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks – so I wanted to write a tribute post to my year in Grand Rapids. I am incredibly thankful for the time I spent in the city; here is my travel guide for the best things to do in Grand Rapids, Michigan!

Things to Do in Grand Rapids

First, I highly suggest taking a walk around Downtown. I’m a huge believer in exploring cities on foot, and Grand Rapids has plenty of fun things to do as you walk around. From embracing the beauty of the Amway Hotel (which also has public restrooms you can use!) to shopping around near Rosa Parks Circle, there is fun for everyone in the family. I also suggest taking a walk over the Blue Bridge. It is an iconic part of the city, so make sure to take a photo!

Read More ➥