A More Conscious You
A MORE CONSCIOUS YOU
A lot of you know that I'm pretty into being sustainable. Not in a crazy over the top way, but in a
way that suits my lifestyle.
Of course I continue to make small changes over time, but I certainly
didn't wake up one day and throw away all of my synthetic fiber clothes (unrealistic, I work out
way too much and where would I be with out my leggings) and yea, sometimes I forget my togo
mug (cant remember everything when you're leaving the house at 4am).
So here is a list of things I strive to do to have a more conscious life style. No one is perfect but
trying and caring is half the battle.
1- Reusable water bottle. I never buy bottled water. I live in NYC, we have some of the best
tap water. Some of my favorites? Bkr, Swell, Nalgene.
2- To Go Coffee Mug. I have a Contigo brand mug and love it. I can throw it in my bag and it
never leaks. Sure, sometimes I forget my mug and I'm desperate for a cup of coffee out. If I do
get a disposable cup I never take those cup sleeves or that wasteful piece of plastic that goes in
the lid. If I'm around some recycling bins when I'm done, Ill recycle the paper cup and the plastic
lid in the correct bins.
3- Reusable shopping bags. For everything, from produce, to daily shopping. I always keep an
extra tote in my back pack or car. Baggu makes great reusable bags that pack super small are
super big and come in a ton of super colorful and fun prints.
4- Know your recycling. Not all plastics are recyclable and not all parts of everything can be
recycled together. Check your local municipality website for recycling rules.
5- Composting. This is becoming more accessible in big cities and is super easy if you live with
a little or big backyard. Since I've started composting, I hardly ever have to take the trash out.
Because I'm not making much trash! I live in a city I am not reaping the benefits of my own
compost. If you're able to have a compost bin, you will have the happiest plants around, and
feel really good about making your own plant food.
Here is a great article to help you get started.
7- Car pooling or public transportation. If you can, and these options are available to you,
great! Using less gasoline is good for the air we breathe and the earth. Plus riding with a buddy
is fun.
8- Second hand shopping. Textiles are one of the biggest sources of pollution world wide.
Buying second hand is just one way to help keep perfectly good clothes out of the landfill. Who
doesn't love a great pair of already worn in denim.
9- Cooking at home. Of course there are nights when we just cant get it together to prepare
our own food. But making food at home is healthy and creates much less waste (um..
composting?!) Take away, delivery and prepackaged food are all overly packaged and bagged.
And *gasp* often packaged in the worst way, Styrofoam which never ever ever goes away.
10-Unplug it. Even if its not on, a plug in an outlet draws power. So things like phone chargers,
small kitchen appliances, things that are plugged in that yu forgot about, should get unplugged
when not in use.