If you're subscribed to my newsletter, then you know that I have drastically reduced my consumption of meat. It's a decision I made out of concern for the environment and my health. And long before I ever considered reducing meat in my life, I used to always think that I could "never" entirely give up meat, because I'd miss a good steak - especially my dad's steak. Or I'd miss other things like meat pies and I don't now, the occasional burger but...

With Earth Day coming up, and now people celebrating the entire month of April as Earth Month, I thought I'd share a list of my favorite sustainable brands covering everything from fashion to cleaning products, furniture, food, chocolate, tea,  beauty and skin care, and more. Check 'em out. Several brands have Earth Month sales going on already. Any of your faves on the list?

I don’t know why it took me so long to figure out that you can consume the whole carrot, but here we are. Last year or maybe two years ago now (time is a blur during the pandemic), my mom and I came back from a farmers market trip with beets and carrots. I used to always get annoyed with the giant leafy greens on beets because, well, they’re giant and I didn’t know you could eat them. I’m not sure why, it just never occurred to me. And when you buy carrots at the grocery store, you rarely see them with their greens still attached.

So, as I stared at our beautiful bundles of root veggies, I wondered if we could reduce waste and just cook these up. Turns out you can and they’re delicious! Apparently, beets were originally used for their leaves, too. Keep reading to see some simple ways I use the whole carrot and beet.

I'm going to share a little TMI with you, but there is one household accessory I can't live without and it'll solve your toilet paper shortage issue, plus save the environment. We've all heard the warnings about shortages hitting us this holiday season as a result of supply chain issues, and in different countries there will be different shortages. In the U.S., according to BBC, we'll have a toys and toilet paper shortage. I've had two thoughts about this: 1) maybe we can show other ways to give and in turn produce less waste thanks to these shortages? and 2) get a bidet if you don't already have one. Today's discussion is all about #2...literally and figuratively.

One way to shop sustainably and save money is when you shop the ugly ducklings. What I mean by "ugly ducklings" are the products that did not pass quality control for aesthetic reasons, but are still totally functional. Some shops will sell their "ugly ducklings" at a reduced price in order to reduce waste, and I love that. These items may not have been cut perfectly, have a stain, was printed upside down, or the seams are crooked. These types of cosmetic defects don't affect function, and on "ugly ducklings" 
​I've purchased, I've not even been able to spot the defects. So, consider shopping the ugly ducklings! I like to think of them as products with character, and a little extra special.

I'd love to see more brands do this!

My journey into motherhood also sparked my journey into living more sustainably to help preserve Mother Earth for my son and future generations. I've learned so much, and every time I find a new way or product to make our lives more eco-friendly and kinder to our earth, I get excited. So, I thought I'd share a few of the products I've switched out at home, and if you have others, please do share!

When I first started looking into cloth diapers (nappies for our Brits), it was confusing and overwhelming. Now that I've figured it out, I figured I'd break it down for you!

It seems odd now, but prior to a little more than a year ago, I don't think I knew that cloth diapers still existed--at least not in developed countries. I also didn't realize disposables have only existed since about the 1950's and took off in the 1960's as women entered the workforce.  I just hadn't ever thought about that. It wasn't until a couple of my friends were expecting their first baby, and I learned they were going to use cloth diapers, that they entered my radar. Other than trying to wrap my head around how they work, I didn't give them much mind. When I asked them why they were going to use cloth diapers, their response was that my friend's dad wanted them to use it because it was more comfortable for the baby. I'm not sure we ever discussed the environmental impact or cost savings of using cloth diapers. But when I entered my third trimester of pregnancy, I was suddenly hit with an extra urgency to find ways I could adjust my life to live more sustainably, and for some reason the first thing to come to mind was cloth diapers. So, as I researched cloth diapers, I found myself quickly falling love with them--some may even say obsessed and here are the reasons why.

They say when you have a child, your priorities and perspectives change. More recently, especially as the fires in Australia worsened in December, I suddenly felt an extra urgency to figure out what ways I can ensure my child has a livable earth to inherit in the next twenty to thirty years, if even that. And while I always wanted to be a mother, prior to getting pregnant, I was seriously questioning how responsible it was for us to bring a child into this world right now when we aren't doing enough to ensure there will be a world to live in--or at least an earth to live on. And I hate to put it this way, but every extra human we bring into the world is another set of carbon footprints we add to it as well. So, what could I do in my little ways to live more sustainably and protect this earth for my son and future generations?