Hannah's Next Level Green Living Tips
Are you ready to take your green lifestyle to the next level? Join me as I go greener!
Eat for the Planet
The easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is to change the way you eat. Reducing food waste, cutting meat out of your life or drastically reducing it; buying local, organic, and unpackaged food; and even growing your own food are all ways to up your game in the kitchen. Want some inspiration? Check out my favorite cookbooks and my favorites gardening books.
Let Nature Do the Work
If you wash and dry a load of laundry every two days, that's the same as flying from Boston to New York City and back, including taxi rides. Going next level means washing your clothes less and line drying more. Want to line dry like a pro? Check out my Clothesline Hacks 101.
Shop Naked
Food packaging is a huge contributor to landfill waste. Did you know you can buy all the same products without the packaging? Visit your local bulk store to fill containers with everything from nuts, seeds, and beans to flour, sugar, and salt to olive oil, honey, and maple syrup, to laundry detergent, hand soap, and lotion. Want to learn how? Check out My Low Waste Breakfast for an introduction to bulk buying.
Green Your Routine
Green Your Routines - You may not be able to change other people, but you can change yourself. Wake up each morning committed to creating as little waste. Switch to reusable and compostable products in your own self care, carry your eco travel kit wherever you go, and consider a capsule wardrobe or even the 100 Day Dress Challenge. Small changes add up!
Turn Your Yard Into an Eco-friendly Oasis
Your yard, your space. Take some time to think about how you can turn your little corner of the planet into a haven for birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife. Check out our Backyard 101 guide for tips and ideas. You can learn to identify and eliminate invasive species. In the very least, cut down on your green desert and plant some pollinator-friendly flowers. You can check out Doug Tallamy's books for information and inspiration.
Be Your Own Grocery Store
I started growing my own food six years ago and I love everything about it, but mostly I love the fresh fruits and vegetables. To learn more about growing your own food, check out our posts. Last year, we added fresh eggs to our little "homestead" when we got six chicks. To read more about our chicken adventures, click here.
Travel Greener, Travel Less
Traveling is a big part of our carbon footprint here in New Hampshire. Finding greener ways to get to work and other activities is awesome, but cutting down on your air travel will also have a huge impact. Challenge yourself to get to know New Hampshire and other New England states this year. You'll love what you find! Check out our guide to NH State Parks and try going on a hike with the whole family.
Change The Way You Live Your Life
Some green changes are easy (like swapping out products) and some take some time and effort (like getting your family to give up meat), but changing your mindset may be the hardest change. Living green is more enjoyable when your heart's in the right place. I would highly recommend reading Frugal Hedonism and checking out my post on Working Hard to get you started. Don't forget the power of your GREEN VOTE!
