Happy Earth Day-

Simple changes to consume less:

Make meals from scratch using foods grown at locally farms. I highly advocate veganism as a way of minimizing environmental impact and reducing demand for a harmful animal agriculture system. As times change and we realize the importance of recycling and conserving energy in the same way we must change our eating habits to adapt. This may be a huge transition for many; fresh fruits and vegetables don’t taste good when you’re used to eating the many combinations of fat, sugar, and salt that the American food industry has created. I had to train myself to like certain vegetables so that my diet wasn’t too constrained; now I can safely say I like them all. It may take time, but gradually adding more fresh foods into your diet has astronomical benefits, both physically and mentally. Consider where your food is coming from and read labels; if you can’t recognize ingredients, stay away. When you can’t buy locally, buy in bulk to reduce packaging.

Stop buying disposables. Paper napkins, plates, and towels are a result of growing laziness. When t-shirts rip, stain, or wear out, use them as cleaning rags; washing rags or cloth napkins is hardly a trying task. Buy one good razor instead of going through cheap plastic ones every few weeks. Bring your own mug to the coffee shop. Buy a few reusable compact shopping bags to keep with you at all times. These are obvious suggestions but they can’t be said enough. We use disposable items for convenience, but with just a little planning both resources and money can be saved.

Make your own cleaning products. Vinegar is a great disinfectant and cleaner, whether diluted with water or used full strength. It can also be used as fabric softener. Baking soda, made into a paste with a little water, substitutes just fine for toxic bleach scrubs and can be used for toothpaste as welll. Apparently, olive oil and lemon juice can be used to polish furniture. These recipes are easily found online. There’s no reason to introduce more toxicity into the environment.

Shop secondhand. I swear by thrift shops for everything. This has become a habit for many reasons; I find unique clothing, at a low price, without participating in fashion’s consumerist trending behavior. In the same way that I was raised eating very little red meat, transitioned to vegetarianism, then to veganism as I became more passionate about the subject, this has come easily. I was raised in an efficient household; very little waste or excess. This included shopping and when hand-me-downs were not available, the thrift store was standard. I bought new frequently in high school but still shopped secondhand, and over the last six years have eventually lost (almost) all desire to shop new. I realize this isn’t as easy for everyone, either, but with the many negativities of global production and our throwaway culture, any effort to reuse and reinvent items is extremely valuable.

The above isn’t meant to be a sermon or speech, just an entreaty for a more conscious, compassionate lifestyle.

Think about it.