The best way to be sustainable is use whatever you have on-hand. Then reuse if possible.

If you’ve finished that bottle of hand soap or are ready to swap plastic Tupperware for eco-friendlier containers… here are some ideas. It’s currently Prime Day on Amazon and some of these brands have great products to switch with.

I just purchased my first beeswax wrap at the local craft fair in my city. It’s sticky! There definitely is a learning curve. My wrap is huge and this brand gets you 3 sizes, which is nice. You could wrap a sandwich, cover a couple of bowls, or maybe cover a cut watermelon.

My friend in Portland introduced me to Swedish dish cloths when I visited years ago. She gifted me one, and I’ve since bought a few more. I have not used this brand personally but have purchased others from craft fairs and farmer’s markets.

These are great for swapping paper towels. I think she used them to wash dishes, but I don’t think that’s the best use for them. I do throw mine in the washing machine.

Natural deodorants have come a long way! This one from Ecoroots is sold in a glass container which you could reuse for random tchotchkes or maybe refill it! I look forward to seeing if Ecoroots is going to sell refills in the future.

If you’re looking to swap out toothpaste, this Cocofloss toothpaste looks promising. I know there are folks who are not into Crest or Colgate but use up what you have first. This one is pricey at $22.

Being greener and eco-friendlier isn’t hard. It’s more of a conscious decision every step of the way.

We’ve all consumed a lot of products and plastic and waste. We’re all also growing older and hopefully wiser. In fact, I bet you know the word “sustainability” kind of means nothing. But it is one of those words that normies (regular people) understand; it’s similar to “eco-friendly” or “green.” Industry people are going to roll their eyes, but for the sake of us regular folks, these words at least convey a philosophy and feeling of being less wasteful, more thoughtful in our daily consumption of things.

Beginning your sustainability (or low waste or zero waste or eco-conscious) journey can feel major, but it’s all about taking small, doable steps. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Instead, you start by making conscious choices that can lead to positive changes over time. It’s like diet and exercise – you don’t just go all in and run 26.2 miles on Day 1. You build up to it. You get rest days. You may falter; and that’s ok. The goal is to keep trying to be less wasteful and be more conscious of our resource consumption.

Here are a few ways to consider when you start building that sustainability mindset/muscle:

1. Reduce Consumption First
   Before you buy that shampoo bar or eco-friendly kitchen sponge, focus on using what you have first. This means evaluating your current habits and finding areas where you can cut back. Here are a few ideas:
   • Mindful Shopping: Make a shopping list and stick to it. (Hard but we can always try.)
   • Digital Over Paper: This includes opting for digital receipts, ebooks, and online subscriptions.
   • Minimize Waste: Plan your meals to reduce food waste. This one is nearly impossible for me. I will always lose this challenge because I don’t like thinking about meal planning.
2. Reuse What You Already Have
   Reusing items not only reduces waste but also saves money. Before you rush to buy eco-friendly products, look around your home and see what you can repurpose:
   • Glass Jars: Clean and reuse glass jars for storage, as vases, or drinking glasses.
   • Cloth Bags: I know you have a ton of reusable grocery bags and totes.
   • Containers: Repurpose plastic containers for organizing small items around the house. I found a small plastic tray from the Hubs’ childhood bedroom, and I now use it for holding dirty napkins before I throw them in the wash.
3. Make Sustainable Swaps
   Once you’ve reduced and reused, consider making swaps that support a greener lifestyle. Start with simple changes:
   • Reusable Water Bottles: It’s a known fact that bottled water is a scam. Sometimes it’s impossible not to pick one up – venues don’t allow you to bring water, etc, and you do the best you can with this one.
   • Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: Make your own cleaning solutions with natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda or pick up something from your refillery or eco store after you’ve used up what you have.
   • Sustainable Fashion: Wear what you have. Shop second-hand or used. More cotton, less polyester is the goal.
4. Mindful Consumption
   Ask yourself if you truly need an item before purchasing it. Consider its lifespan and environmental impact. One of things I’m thinking of already are class rewards. I tend to order stuff (plastic knick-knacks) to send to teachers so they can give them out as rewards. Not this coming year.
5. Get Involved and Stay Informed
   Staying informed can help you make better choices. Join local sustainability groups, subscribe to zero waste and sustainability newsletters, participate in community clean-ups, and follow blogs and social media accounts focused on zero waste, reducing plastic use, slow fashion and/or green living.

This whole sustainability thing is an ongoing journey of making conscious choices and gradual changes. By reducing consumption, reusing what you have, and making thoughtful swaps, you can significantly reduce your environmental impact on the earth.

Every small step counts!

Sustainable Swap: Phone Case

Make Your Own Espresso

Sustainable Swap: Bamboo Floss

This year’s Girl Scouts axolotl-themed cookie rewards inspired me to find out more about these creatures. I truly thought these were imaginary animals, and my kid looked at me like I was nuts. She said she learned about them in first or second grade, so why didn’t I know about them? You know, because I’m old.

Axolotls are pretty extraordinary. They are aquatic salamanders, native to Mexico, and they can regenerate limbs and retain their youthful (hehehe) features into adulthood. (Read: no wrinkles.) They symbolize resilience, adaptability, and endless curiosity—qualities we admire and try to nurture in our scouts.

Anyway, this year, cookie rewards seemed to have harder sales goals for the Scouts. Parents from other parts of the country shared their rewards map, and I thought, WOW. Some were easier than others, and some were tough AF to achieve.

For those who want to reward their scouts for hitting their personal goals, here are some other options to celebrate with axolotl-themed goodies. These are based on my Brownie kid and what she tends to be interested in.

Axolotl Diary Kit

Axolotl DIY Journal Set (similar)

Axolotl Shoe Charms

Axolotl Socks

Axolotl Blanket (Glow in the Dark!)

Axolotl Crochet Kit

Axolotl Necklace

Axolotl Moonstone Earrings

Axolotl Bracelet Kit

Axolotl Squishy Plush

Cat Dressed as an Axolotl (reminds me of Pusheen)

Axolotol Fact Book for Kids (Ciel Publishing)

Fun Facts About Axolotl (Fiona Weber)

These are just a few items I found online, but you might discover even more unique products at your local boutiques and bookstores. Axolotls are so unique-looking that many designers have created delightful items inspired by them.

Our scouts work incredibly hard during the cookie sales season, showcasing their dedication and perseverance. Whether it’s through official rewards or additional recognition from troop leaders, our scouts truly deserve to be celebrated for their efforts.

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I kept this site alive because there was still traffic coming to posts about babywearing, recipes, and my event experiences. I ended up deleting 900+ articles that I wrote over the years because they were a snapshot of my past. I no longer write about babies, biceps (fitness), and books.

Over the last 10 years, the throughline in my life has been service. Whether that is providing a resource, training someone on skill, or living a worthwhile life.

(Living a worthwhile life is … subjective, and you can define it as you will.)

Many of my blogging friends and acquaintances have either stopped writing or have moved their content to YouTube, podcasting, and social media. There’s something to be said about owning your own space and working the SEO juice.

While this is a niche site, I plan to use it as an experiment to see what sorts of traffic stop over here, especially since there is so much talk about “blogging is dead.”

Ok, well, we’ll see about that.

To my old acquaintances, hello again.

To my new visitors, welcome!

This was the most impactful education I’ve attended in a long time.

As someone who is practicing sustainability and moving towards reusing all the things, Waste Warriors was a catalyst to push me to work harder in this space.

I’m also fortunate to be working with Better for All compostable party cups whose products are certified home compostable! In fact, they’re working to change the way sports arenas, concert venues and festivals, and regular at-home parties look at disposable cups. You know what I’m talking about. Those red cups are pretty much toxic to everyone and every thing. Why can’t we move away from those?

One term I’ve learned in the last year is “imperfect sustainability.” There’s this notion that you must be 100% on point if you spout the benefits of using glass or compostable products. Or that you must be PERFECT as you green your home and life. If you’re not a green monk, then you’re no one to be talking about sustainability or being conscious about the environment and the effects of plastics and over-consumption.

That’s so not the case. And so not the case in life.

Nothing is perfect.

We’re in a journey. For me, I’ll be in the process of greening my life and doing what is reasonable TO ME. I think when someone mentions 100% or gets riled up about not being completely eco-friendly, this comes from a place of privilege. Not everyone has the means to get rid of all their plasticware or Tupperware. Not everyone can eat clean, organic foods.

We all start somewhere, and we should embrace where people begin.

I made this reel because this audio that cracks me up. I’ve turned into my immigrant dad – keeping every empty container because I might have use for them. (But here’s the kicker: I do!!)

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