Month: December 2019

In our fast-paced world, we sometimes make quick and easy choices without considering how those choices might affect us. Shifting our mindset to act with intention rather than simply reacting can lead to healthier choices for ourselves and our planet. When we act with intention, we don’t simply accept what is in front of us. Rather, we consider and we choose. Making intentional,  eco-friendly choices can lead to a newfound fulfillment in your life as you choose your actions based on an outcome you want. We’ve outlined a few simple ways you can begin the year living more eco, while also being intentional about your everyday choices. 

Pack Snacks At Home

A common resolution people make as they start a new year is to live healthier – exercise more, eat well and be aware of what they put in their body. A simple way to combine green living with this intention towards mindful eating is to pack snacks from home to take to work or school rather than buying snacks on-the-go, which are usually processed and packaged in non-recyclable plastics. Packing snacks can lead to healthier food choices and less waste, while also creating the time to think about what you’re putting into your body in advance. 

No More Plastic Water Bottles

Ditching plastic water bottles is another way to fulfill on an eco-friendly, intentional lifestyle. If you’re committed to drinking more water this year, using a refillable bottle will both ensure you’re not buying one-use plastics to fulfill this resolution, and also makes sure you’re intentional about it. Staying hydrated throughout the day can help you maintain a healthy body weight, regulate body temperature, keep your skin supple, promote good cardiovascular health, and more. Each time you refill or drink from your bottle, you can remember all these great things you’re doing for your body, and a fashionable tumbler doesn’t hurt either! 

Meat-Free Mondays

If greenhouse gas emissions and animal welfare are issues that concern you, consider cutting down on eating meat this year. Even going meatless for just one day a week saves hundreds of gallons of water, reduces fossil fuel emissions and is good for your heart health. Also, just one meatless day per week can save hundreds of land and aquatic animals every year.  To be intentional about your food is to be intentional about your health and the health of our planet. Eating just a little less meat is a simple way to fulfill all three.

Don’t spend another year being reactive. Consider the planet you want, and the life you want. Make choices that fulfill on your intentions, and live a greener, healthier, more meaningful life now.

At I LIVE ECO, we don’t think it’s a coincidence that green is one of the colours of the holiday season. This year, make your holidays especially green with these tips for a happy holiday for you and yours, and a sustainable holiday for the planet.

 

1) Choose eco-friendly wrapping 

Beautifully wrapped gifts are a special part of the holiday season, but foil, glitter and plastic are not so great for our planet. When sharing gifts with loved ones this year, opt for reusable gift bags that can be shared over and over, or recyclable craft paper spruced up with some twine and a sprig of pine. Stamps or hand-drawn pictures can make even the simplest brown-paper package feel extra special. 

 

2) Choose decorations to last a lifetime

Swap your plastic holiday decorations with longer-lasting items made from wood, fabric, or glass. You can also opt for classic decor that you’ll enjoy year after year, rather than diving into annual trends that quickly go out of style. Incorporate natural materials that you can use fresh like pine-cone wreaths or cinnamon stick candle holders. Incorporating natural elements in your decor makes for a greener –  not to mention great-smelling – holiday! 

 

3) Switch to LED

LED Christmas lights are more efficient and eco-friendly than traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. They don’t burn out and they’re not hot to the touch, making them safer to use around the house. LED lights are slightly more expensive up-front, but the long-term savings to the planet (and your electricity bill!) makes them well worth it. 

 

4) Have a green Christmas dinner

Christmas dinner often includes two things: lots of meat and lots of leftovers. This year, make your dinner a little greener by cutting out one meat-based dish for a plant-based alternative. Source local ingredients, and get creative in the kitchen with foods that you can buy at your neighbourhood farmer’s market. Another way to “green” your dinner is to manage food waste. We all love leftovers the day after Christmas but plan your menu accordingly so excess food doesn’t end up in the trash a few days later.

 

5) Ditch disposable dinnerware

Large holiday meals require lots of dishes to feed our loved ones but many of the single-use items we use at large gatherings are made of non-recyclable materials and end up in landfills. A simple alternative is to ask a friend or family member to bring along some dishware that can be washed and returned after the meal. If your party is large, consider renting plates, cutlery, glassware, and more. Bamboo straws are also a simple way to “green” your table and give your guests a small token of thanks to take home.