In the sustainability world there are SO many things that can replace every day household items and it can be quite overwhelming to sort through them all. Today I'm going to chat with you a bit about TWO items that I wish I had invested in sooner which save both money and the environment all at the same time.

If you're anything like me, the idea of using a safety razor for your bikini line looks like a horror movie in your shower. At least that's what I initially thought. I spent YEARS not jumping on the safety razor train because I was too afraid of what using one would look like. For a ​while I was using Harry's razors that came with a replaceable razor head and while that did save on the plastic use in my shower, it wasn't the best long term option. 
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When I found a pivoting safety razor, the game completely changed for me. Thanks to Leaf Shave and Package Free Shop (where I first found the razor, $10 off advocate discount link), I will never need a razor again! 

Best part? No horror movie in my shower...it was all in my head.

Often referred to as the "menstrual cup" or just "the cup". I went for a LONG time (I'm talking over a year, maybe over two) going back and forth with the idea of a period cup. I heard so many people talk about how much of a life changer it was (hi, Busy Philipps!), but for some reason, I couldn't get behind it. It wasn't until my favorite tampon company, Sustain Natural, released their period cup that I joined the "trend" and OMG I'm so grateful I did.
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To this day, the period cup is my go-to cycle product. It's incredibly satisfying to look at the bathroom bin during my cycle and see a significant decrease in trash. This isn't to say that I don't still have Sustain's tampons at my house and stashed in my car for emergency situations (both for myself and for friends/family), but I don't see myself switching back to tampons for regular use any time soon. 

While these items may not seem like a big deal, they create a HUGE decrease in your personal footprint as well as save room in your bathroom cabinets. Less boxes, less trips to the store (or online orders), less harm on the environment, more money in your pocket or wallet or bank account or wherever it is you stash your dough.
                                              It's a win-win.

 - jamie

What items are you investing in that change your lifestyle for the better? Let me know over on our Facebook page!

After taking some time to process the craziness of the holidays and the new year, being back in my everyday routine has given me time to really reflect on the last year and all of the changes that it brought me in this Conscious living world. Here's a bit of a recap as to what my 2019 year looked like:

Throughout the year I did a few monthly challenges (Ditch the Straw, Ditch the Plastic Bag, Ditch the Hot Coffee Cup), I got some family to join me on personal cleanups, attended a few United By Blue cleanups, started making my own hand soap, etc. But I had a few "fails" too. I switched over to more natural shampoo, but after not finding what I loved, went back to the typical shampoo I used. I caught myself taking ibuprofen once or twice since last April instead of going with essential oils only, I occasionally grabbed an iced tea from Dunkin Donuts early last year when I was too hungover to think straight.

The important thing to remember is this. Change doesn't happen overnight. As you can see above, it happens over many nights and many days. It happens when we make time for it to happen. It happens when we make mistakes, acknowledge them, and continue to move forward. It happens when we make conscious decisions to keep the change that we want to see on our minds. It takes practice, it takes dedication, it takes CONSCIOUS. LIVING.

Cheers to 2020 and all the happiness and love it brings. 
- jamie

What are some changes you're making in your world? Let me know over on our Facebook page! 

I know what you're thinking, "For real? Plastic in tea bags?" The short answer to that is, yes.

It's highly likely that the tea bags you use on a regular basis are releasing microplastics into that beautiful cup of tea that's bringing a smile to your face and caffeine to your bloodstream. Often we don't realize this because our tea bags seem to be made of paper, stored in individual paper bags, and come in cardboard boxes. However, many of those "paper" tea bags are sealed with plastic to keep them from opening. After adding the boiling water, this released microplastics, unable to be seen by the naked eye, to our cup of tea. Those cute little pyramid, silky tea bags? Typically made from nylon. More money, more plastic, more health concerns.

The easiest way to ensure that the tea you're drinking is free of plastic is to opt for loose leaf. While it may be less convenient for on the go use, it actually ends up taking less time than you'd expect to brew a cup of loose leaf tea at home. Once you get down to your regular routine, knowing how much tea to use for one cup, having all the necessary parts clean and ready to go, it's much easier than I used to think.

If you're in need of an actual tea bag, do a little deeper research before re-purchasing your go to brand. I was DEVASTATED when I found out that my beloved Barry's tea hasn't yet transitioned to fully plastic-free bags. This week, I found a replacement (though I'm hopeful that Barry's will step it up in the near future!), Clippers. If you're a strong tea drinker, this is a great option for you! The bags are plastic-free, unbleached, and the flavor is similar to that of a Barry's Irish tea.

​Check out this article on Because Health for some more information about plastics in tea. They list some plastic-free brands and common brands that unfortunately, are not as great as we may have thought they were. 

Have you found plastic-free teas that you love? Let me know in the comment over on our Facebook page!

- jamie

*Some information from this article was taken from becausehealth.org and usatoday.com.

The first time I walked into a food store to attempt bulk shopping/BYO containers, it didn't go over too well. I got a few eye rolls at Whole Foods after bringing my already filled containers to check out. The location I was at didn't allow BYO containers because of some past claim that Whole Foods got someone sick. Lesson. Learned.

Soon after that is when I found MOMs. I hadn't seen MOMs anywhere before, but ever since I discovered it, I hear about it more and more. I've since been able to purchase some items in Whole Foods that I can get plastic free such as Bread, produce, etc., but if I want to bring my own glass or steel containers, MOMs is the place to go.

Here's a list that I currently bring to the grocery store when I'm doing my regular food shopping. Each item here is an item that I can purchase by bringing my own containers. 

• Bread: I often get my bread fresh from Whole Foods by bringing a cotton produce bag and taking advantage of their bread slicing machine. Their bread bags are paper bags with plastic opening to see the bread through the bag. I haven't mastered avoiding the sticker labels yet. Any suggestions?
• Olive oil: BYO bottle or pickup a glass bottle at MOMs and fill it there.
• Spiced/dried herbs: Coriander, Fennel, and Cumin are staples for my morning teas. I have glass spice jars that have been washed and I continue to use for refills.
• Apple cider vinegar: They have glass bottles for this as well at MOMs if you don't already have one yourself. If they seem to be out, find a store associate and they are more than happy to refill them for you!
• Fresh produce: BYO produce bags and/or cotton totes to avoid the single use plastic bags at most grocery stores. I've seen Whole Foods transitioning to paper produce bags, but still find it best to bring my own. Many places have compostable plant-based plastic bags for produce, but my local compost center is not currently equipped to handle those bags. Make sure to check that out before getting as excited as I did and going compostable bag crazy!
• Nuts and dried fruits: I buy pecans and dried cranberries from Whole Foods which is typically available to purchase in a brown paper bag. Avoid using the stickers to write the PLU number and close the bag. You can write directly on the bag and leave enough room for a double fold. Store in glass or steel containers once home.
• Seeds and grains: I buy chia seeds,  hemp seeds, quinoa, farrow, etc. package free from MOMs using glass jars.
• Castile soap: I purchase Dr. Bronner's Castile soap at the refill station at MOMs using a mason jar. This one is a HUGE money saver! I use this soap as body wash and for making liquid hand soap as well as other household cleaning supplies.

TIP: Make sure you have the tare weight of your container BEFORE you fill it up. This is the best way to save you $. Plus, if you're bringing a container that isn't for sale at the store, there's no real way to estimate the weight of your container. Make sure you also pay close attention to the price/weight of the items you are getting to avoid a jaw drop at checkout. 

What are your favorite bulk shopping stores? Any secret spots in Philadelphia or Jersey that I should know of?! I'd love to read your tips and tricks. Let me know over on our Facebook page!

- jamie

At this point, you've probably heard a LOT about plastic pollution, plastic being detrimental to our environment, our health, etc. but you may not really know the history of plastics and why it's as problematic as it is. So let's take it waaaay back to the good old days and bring it up to speed!

In 1869, John Wesley Hyatt, invented the world's first synthetic polymer. The initial invention was inspired by creating a substitution for natural substances, like ivory, tortoiseshell, etc. which was a win for animals and in turn, a win for humans. Having a man-made product also made things more accessible to people of a lower social status, also giving more equality to people. 

In 1907, Leo Baekeland, invented what would be the world's first FULLY synthetic plastic, having not a single material derived from nature involved. 

World War II was the biggest push for continued use of plastics. Everything from nylon to plexiglass was used in the military. After the war ended, the plastic use continued giving people a convenient, sanitary, and relatively cheap material to make just about whatever was desired.

In the 1960s, the first observation of plastic debris in our ocean was observed. As people grew more concerned about caring for our environment, plastic was beginning to be looked at as cheap or fake.

After taking a beating in sales, the plastic industry decided to create a solution: recycling. Recycling became popular in the 1980s, though we know in today's world, most of our recycling isn't actually properly recycled or reused. This can clearly be seen when taking a look at our ocean. Maybe you've heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but did you know there are FIVE great garbage patches around the world? Five! As if one wasn't bad enough...

NationalGeographic.com, PlasticPollutionCoalition.org, TheGuardian.com

As the world is becoming more and more aware of the need to stop single use plastics and to rely on more sustainable solutions, there are a few ways we can help to protect both our environment and our health.

• Support companies that are using sustainable options. Package Free Shop ships their products in all recyclable or compostable materials. They feature an end of life section on their products description so you know how to properly dispose of them after use (though most items on their site are lifetime investments).
• Get rid of single use plastics in your daily routine.
• Opt for plant based plastics if you're in a pinch.
• Get outside and do your part! Clean up your local neighborhood, your faking hiking path, etc. (Windows of Time For a Cleanup)
• Get back to the "old days". Take a lesson from your parents or grandparents and start making your own cleaning products. Visit your local farms for fresh produce. Opt for milk in glass containers. 
• REDUCE and RESUE before you recycle. I know I've been guilty of the "I recycle so I'm not that bad" mindset, but we seem to have disconnected from the first two R's. Let's bring them back and make it cool!
• Properly dispose of your garbage. If you know that your local sanitation center doesn't accept certain types of trash or recycling, find a place that does. Many grocery stores now offer drop offs for trickier types of trash.
• Don't litter. It's simple, but it's true. 
• Start investing in lifetime products over convenience. Here are a few ideas:
  • Reusable water bottle/coffee cup
  • Reusable napkins
  • Reusable cleanup bags (Check out this reusable beach cleanup bag by Barrel Bag! Easy to store, lightweight, and perfect for sifting out the sand.)
  • Safety razor (FINALLY just purchased one of these after finishing up my Harry's razor blades. I'll post about it once I get some good practice!)
  • Reusable straws
  • Rechargeable lighter
  • Essential oils to make your own cleaning products with
  • Glass jars, containers, etc. for storing food, buying food in bulk, etc.

While this post may be a short, condensed discussion about plastics, it's one that I find very important. What are your biggest concerns with plastic and plastic pollution? What are some ways your making changes to reduce your plastic use? Let me know in the comments here or over on our Facebook page!

- jamie

Saying "I'm so busy, I didn't have any time" is an excuse I use on the reg. It's a terrible excuse. In fact, I find it hard to even call it an excuse, it's really just a choice. I understand that we all have to work. We have bills to pay, things we want to do that cost money, food to eat, etc. but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say no-one reading this blog post works 24 hours a day. This alone is proof that we. have. time. Saying we don't have time is saying that we don't care enough to find time. 

So here's a little breakdown of small windows of time that we can choose to create to care for our environment:

Morning

• Have a pet that you take for a morning stroll? Leave your coffee cup at home, grab an extra bag, and fill it up on your walk. Your pup will be happy to have you cleaning their morning path and you'll spend less time taking trash out of their mouths. (Just my pup? Got it. Moving on...)
• Morning commutes are the perfect time for a cleanup and I have a way to do one regardless of how you get to work.
  1. Walking: bring a bag and fill it up on your walk. Empty it at your place of employment or at the last garbage bin on your way.
  2. Driving/biking: park your car or bike in the back of the parking lot, down the street, etc. (so long as it is a safe place to park and walk alone), pick up the trash on your way in.
  3. Riding the bus: bring a bag and pickup trash on the bus. You never know who is watching you, whether it's a skeptic that will talk about it with other people later, someone who will join in, or a child that is taking in all that is around them.

Afternoon

• Walking to a lunch spot? Same drill, bring a bag, fill it up, empty it once you're done. (Don't forget to BYO utensils and lunch accessories to reduce your trash use!)
• Spending your break to sit in a park or in a break room? Spend at least 5 minutes of your break walking around your break spot to pick up trash. You'll be surprised at just how much you can accomplish in 5 truly dedicated minutes.

Evening

• Evening commutes should be done similarly to your morning commutes, but spend some time looking a big closer. Is the path you took cleaner than when you left it? About the same? Is there more litter? Pay attention to whether people seem to be more likely to litter when they are half asleep and haven't had their morning coffee or when they are exhausted after a days work.
• Evening stroll strikes again! Whether you have a pet that you take on walks or not, it's been scientifically proven that walks in nature reduce stress. You know what helps your mental state even more? Feeling like you are making a difference in the world. Before you get going to make dinner or dive into the latest episode of the show your bingeing on Netflix, spend 20 minutes outside walking around your neighborhood. East Coasters, the evenings are finally the perfect temperature to see your neighbors sitting outside with a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Say hi to them, show them the trash you’ve been collecting on your stroll, start the conversation!

Do any of you already implement some of these? What pockets of time do you find yourself more likely to commit to? Let me know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page!

- jamie

​Hi friends!

It’s been a little bit since my last CL post and that’s solely because I have been BUSY. I’m currently working an additional seasonal job and fighting off a cold which has had me spending any free time mostly just sleeping, but! I haven’t stopped my Sunday cleanup commitment, even in the nasty rain this week. I debated pushing it off to Monday and writing about the rain and a nasty cold keeping me in, but littering doesn’t stop on rainy days and this commitment isn't going to stop either. The garbage doesn’t say “hey, no one wanted to go outside today, let’s just stay right in place until a sunny day brings some friends to clean us up”. In fact, it more so says “hey, rain...wind...cloudy skies, let’s go for a ride to the closest waterway or waterway entry (sewers, drains, river beds). Then, we can get swept up with the rest of the trash and go for a lazy river ride” (Can you imagine how exhausting it is to be in my brain?). Alas, I got out of my sister's cozy car while she went into the store to get soup and got myself into the parking lot.

The thing about doing cleanups is you don’t have to be on a great hike or kayaking down a river to do one. You can be WHEREVER you are at any time of day. I filled an entire GIANT Go Puff bag (which is a topic for another conversation) with trash in under 21 minutes walking up and down just half of a parking lot aisle at Walmart. Could you imagine the amount of trash that could be collected if there were five of us? Ten of us? Now imagine if all ten of us committed to cleaning up for a full hour. Woah. I can. I can imagine it because I know what groups of people can do. When individuals come together with like-minded goals, the unthinkable is possible and the unthinkable occurs.

Sunday, October 27th is the last Sunday of the month. That means, I’ll have been at my Sunday cleanups for 4 weeks. Want to join me for November? Get a head start by joining me this Sunday, wherever you choose to be, and use #consciouslivingcleanup to show me what you do. With the holiday season coming up, people's lives tend to get a bit busier and it seems harder to find little pockets of windows to do cleanups, but my next post is all about the small amounts of time you can find to make a difference. Stay tuned!

- jamie

If any of you follow me on my personal social media pages, you may have seen that I started a new journey as a Wild Keeper with Keep Nature Wild. I’ve been doing cleanups for quite a while now, both with local communities and solo, and having the opportunity to be a Wild Keeper have given me the opportunity to create a bigger impact by sharing my cleanups with a large community of like minded people. It has also given me a place to record the impact that I’m making.

My plans for October have been to do a cleanup every Sunday, no matter where I am. This past Sunday, I went out in my local neighborhood and because I’ve always considered it to be “clean”, I was quite shocked to see just how quickly the trash bags began to fill. You'd be surprised how much garbage is located just in your "backyard".

Over the last two weeks, I’ve received unexpected messages from 3 people who were inspired to reach out after seeing my posts and it nearly brought me to tears. Seeing that my impact has reached even a single person inspires me to continue what I'm doing and more so, do it more frequently and more publicly. 

If you have any interest in joining me for cleanups in Philadelphia, please let me know! I’d love to have you join me. So far this Sunday I've gained one new cleaner and I can't wait to see how it continues to grow. While my schedule is going to be changing quite a bit come November, I intend to continue my weekly cleanups far beyond October as they’ve already began to be therapeutic for me. I hope to get home to Jersey for a few cleanups on the beach during the holiday season. All my Jersey people, stay tuned! I'll see you in the sand. <3

- jamie

Where have you been finding the most trash in your local community? I'd love to know. Head over to our Facebook page and leave me a comment. Perhaps we can plan a cleanup right there for the future! 

Have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to stay up to date with all the plastic-free alternatives out there? This age of social media can often leave us feeling like we're less than if we don't have the next best thing, but usually that "next best thing" is gone just as quickly as it came. Here are a few ways to reduce your plastic use without spending any money:

1. Using no straw vs. buying a reusable straw: Many of us are lucky enough to not have to use a straw for medical/health purposes. In that case, we really don't need a straw anyway! Ditch the straw all together and save on buying a metal or glass straw.
2. Using your utensils vs. buying new bamboo cutlery: Sure, bamboo items are convenient because they are often sustainably made, lightweight, and reusable, but having new utensils is of no importance when reducing your plastic use. Grab your lunch box, throw in the utensils you already own, and you're good to go!
   
3. Trading clothes vs. buying new (or secondhand): This one may seem silly at first, but go with me here. Have you always loved that band t-shirt your sibling owns? Have you seen them wearing it less and less? Chances are, they're getting tired of it, just like you're getting tired of your clothes. Set up a swap! Schedule a fun get together where you and your friends bring in some old (but in decent condition) clothing and do a little clothing exchange. If you're really enjoying it, consider through in some accessories too!
   
4. Your own water bottle and cups vs. new: If you don't already own a reusable water bottle, this one could cost a little $, but it applies to travel mugs too. Instead of forcing yourself to drink your coffee on the go, leave the house 15 minutes early, bring your own mug, and enjoy a cup of coffee at your local coffee shop. People watching at a coffee shop is a fascinating thing to do. Reading is fascinating too! Bring a book with you instead of scrolling aimlessly on Instagram.
5. Bags and containers you already have vs. a new lunch box set: You know when you're at work and people pull out their perfectly fitting lunch boxes with matching utensils and cups? Chances are they struggled at home to try to get everything to fit nice and neatly in a non one size fits all kit. Where's the fun in that?! Use whatever you already have to properly hold your lunch. Don't have a lunch box to carry it in? Grab a tote bag, backpack, etc. and store it in that. Just be sure to properly seal anything with liquids so it doesn't spill...I've found that out the hard way!
   

What are some ways you save $ while going plastic free? I'd love to hear your tips and tricks!

- jamie

I figured it was time to give you a little update on some products that I use everyday, every week, or at the very least, every month. I've made sure to include links to similar products or links to the exact product that I use. 

1. Reusable water bottle: I'm a big fan of S'well bottles, mason jars, and a water bottle that I received for participating in some cleanups with United By Blue. I recommend glass and/or stainless steel over plastic for longevity.
2. Reusable hot beverage cup: I mostly use a ceramic cup with a silicone top that I was gifted a few years ago. However, if you are looking to purchase new, I recommend a stainless steel or glass cup for this as well. Just be sure it has proper heat regulation to avoid any burns when holding it. I've heard great things about the KeepCup, but haven't tried one out yet myself. If you are dining in at a cafe that doesn't have dine in mugs and you don't have a reusable cup, feel free to bring your own mug! 
3. Reusable iced drink tumbler: I got one of these on Amazon quite a bit ago that is no longer available for purchase, but it was a summer GAME CHANGER. Bringing my own straw helped reduce plastic, but didn't cut out the plastic iced tea or iced latte cups so brining my own made all the difference. 
4. Reusable bamboo rounds: I use these every night to remove my makeup. I used to use cotton rounds, then switched to organic cotton rounds, and FINALLY found reusable rounds that can be washed in the regular wash cycle and reused. Check out similar reusable organic cotton rounds on Package Free.
5. Metal or glass straws: This is one we all hear a lot about and that's because it's really important. I've had glass straws from Simply Straws for quite some time now in addition to metal straws.
6. Jojoba oil: This is a nighttime staple for me as well. Used in combination with the bamboo reusable rounds, Jojoba oil is the perfect all-natural makeup remover. Baja Basics is my go to for carrier oils, also available on Amazon. 
7. Period cup: This is where the monthly part comes in. I converted from organic cotton tampons to the period cup and can't tell you enough how satisfying it is to see a nearly empty trash bin at the end of my cycle vs. one that is full of wrappers and applicators. There is often a learning period for getting used to the cup, so give yourself some time to get comfortable with it. Sustain Natural is my go to for all these feminine hygiene and sexual wellness. 
8. Dropps: Plastic free laundry detergent? Never did I ever think this would be possible unless I used the good old box of powdered detergent, but alas, Dropps are here and they have completely changed the game.
9. Bite toothpaste bits: Bye bye plastic toothpaste tube and sticky mess of toothpaste stuck to wherever it's stored, hello clean teeth free of chemicals and Bite toothpaste bits.
10. Reusable tote or grocery bag: I'm sure you have some sort of bag or backpack in your house that you can bring to the grocery store or shopping with you. In the event that you don't (or you want another one), STAY TUNED! ;)

What products do you use on a regular basis? What do you use them for? Are there any single use products that you're looking to replace? Leave me a comment and we can try to find a solution together!
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- jamie