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Company Spotlight: Dropps

8/30/2019

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Image via Google Images
The day that I found Dropps was one of my favorite days. After fussing with a messy, bulky laundry detergent container for many years, there was FINALLY something better. Better for my hands, better for my clothes, and better for the environment. 

Philadelphia based company, Dropps is "committed to delivering superior cleaning in the safest, most sustainable, and most convenient way possible". That statement is taken directly from their website and couldn't be more accurate.

They use 100% recyclable, repulpable, and *most importantly* compostable cardboard shipping boxes which significantly cuts back on plastic AND paper waste. Their formulas are plant-based, biodegradable, chlorine-free, and free of harsh chemicals and dyes. Their pod membranes are biodegradable and water soluble. When they dissolve, the natural micro-organisms in nature break down the pod to water and carbon dioxide. And last, but certainly not least, they are a cruelty-free company. 

They offer free shipping on all orders with flexible wash plans that ship every 4 months. Subscriptions can be altered at anytime whether it's to skip a shipment, pause a shipment, or cancel a shipment. I truly couldn't ask for a better laundry detergent company and the best  part? They have DISHWASHER PODS, TOO! I don't have a dishwasher so I haven't personally tried those pods, but I imagine they're just as incredible.

What do you do in the laundry room to reduce your plastic use? Have you made the switch to plant-based detergent? Were you aware of this AWESOME company? Keep the chat going on our Facebook page!

- jamie

BONUS: 30% off sale for Labor Day with promo LABORDAY happening NOW!

*Information for this post was taken from dropps.com. I am in no way affiliated with this company. 
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10 Easy Steps to Reduce Your Ecological Footprint

8/29/2019

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Trash made beautiful somewhere along the highways of Texas. Photo by Jamie Gallagher
By now we now how damaging humans have been to nature, but you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Has the "there's nothing I can do at this point" idea come to mind? Maybe something like "if I try now, I'll have to change my entire life" has entered. Either way, have no fear! I've got 10 EASY steps that you can start taking to make reducing your eco footprint a breeze.
  • Nix single use plastic
    Well, we're cool with ditching ALL plastic to be honest, but real talk, cut the single use. That includes straws, plastic shopping bags, snack bags, flossers, and yes, most hot coffee cups. While containers such as boxed water, milk cartons, etc. appear to be paper/cardboard, many are made with a HDPE (High-density polyethylene plastic) for durability. This type of plastic is accepted at most recycling centers, however, it is non-biodegradable and can take CENTURIES to decompose (thisisplastics.com + AZoCleantech).
  • Don't opt for the paper grocery bags
    I'm all for saying no to a plastic bag at the food store, Target, wherever you shop, but let's take it a step further and also say no to the paper bags. Paper bags may break down faster than plastic bags when given optimal landfill conditions, but often, they aren't given optimal landfill conditions. Less single use should include paper bags as well.
  • Eat less meat
    I know, I know, there are a lot of non-vegetarian and non-vegan people reading this, but hear me out. Did you know that "beef is responsible for 41% of livestock greenhouse gas emissions? That livestock accounts for 14.5% of total global emissions?...that methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide, is produced by cattle from both ends?" (cnn.com) I think you get the point. Start by reducing. I am newly vegetarian (like really new, I just started Memorial Day weekend) and you won't see me having judgey eyes at a table with my family and/or friends eating meat. Just reduce it a bit, yeah?
  • Walk or bike more
    I was going to just write walk more because I don't know how to ride a bike (you read that right), but that would've been rude. Walk or bike more. If you need to drive somewhere, carpool or take public transportation. Less gas=good.
  • Shop thrift stores
    Fast fashion is an area I know little about, but I still know it's a HUGE problem. You already spend a significant amount of time sorting through rubbish at Forever 21 or H&M, Zara, Macy's, you name it. If you're going to spend time sorting through styles and sizes anyway, why not save some $, save the planet, and grab a shirt that no-one else is going to have...except maybe your cousin Julie's mom's best friend, she might have something like it, but she's also a babe so it's cool.
  • DIY home cleaning products
    This will help you in nixing single use plastics. Buy a glass bottle at your local grocery store, supermarket, Goodwill, or from a neighbors pantry, fill it up about halfway with water and you're basically there already. Check out these blog posts for inspo! DIY cleaner + DIY wipes
  • Support Local Businesses
    Shipping emissions lead to air pollution, water pollution, etc. By supporting local businesses, such as shops that make their products in house, local farmers markets, etc. you not only support your local community but a cleaner environment as well!
  • Buy used books or hit up your local library
    This is one I terribly have been just starting to pay close attention to. For many years of my life, I wasn't a reader. In fact, I hated reading books. It's within the last year or two that I've been an active reader. The pride that I feel finishing a book is like no other, but it's time I realize my impact. Buying used books or renting books from a library makes a huge difference in reducing paper waste. Remember how excited you were as a kid to get your very first library card that had YOUR NAME on it? Let's get that excited about libraries again.
  • Repurpose what you already have
    I was chatting with some neighbors recently about the recycling issues in the city of Philadelphia when I mentioned that I've been repurposing glass containers, bottles, etc. much more lately and making my own products. I didn't realize how eye opening that conversation was going to be. A neighbor commented on how quickly we went from learning our "Three R's" to paying mind to just the last, recycle. What happened to reduce and reuse, friends!? Those two came first for a reason and it's time we start remembering that.
  • Clean up
    ​No-one wants to pick up your trash and no-one should have to so clean up after yourselves. Carry your dog waste bag to a proper garbage bin, put your cigarette out and dispose of it correctly (also, cut back and then QUIT smoking because...health), and if you see some trash, pick it up and throw it out. It's easy to walk around mindlessly in your own neighborhood. When was the last time you took a look at the ground around you? Is it polluted? How do the sewers appear? Gather a group of friends and host a neighborhood cleanup! Hell, offer to bring the wine and beer and make a fun day out of it. Check out this post for some DIY cleanup tips (and be safe!).​
What can you suggest to reduce your eco footprint? What are your favorites from this list? What have you already been doing and what are you planning to start? Leave a comment below or over on our Facebook page to get the chat going!

- jamie
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The Amazon is on FIRE (and it has been for WEEKS)

8/21/2019

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Photo via BBC.com
If you've been following the Conscious Living Facebook page, you may have seen a post regarding the lawsuit against the Trump administration including 29 states and major cities, but I'm taking a BRIEF pause on that blog post to let you know, Brazil's Amazon rainforest is on fire. Did you know? Chances are you're hearing about it around the same time as me because news and media outlets haven't seemed to be giving it coverage, but that' a conversation for another day. 

It was speculated that the blackout in São Paulo, a Brazilian city, on Monday was due to strong winds which brought the smoke from the forest fires burning in the states of Amazonas and Rondonia to the area. Though some meteorologists are speculating that the blackout was due to other major fires burning in Paraguay. Sao Paulo is approximately 1,700 miles away from the Amazon forest fires. Visual images of the smoke from these fires have been picked up by NASA space.
If you're wondering why this is so important, look no further than these statements from BBC that lay it out quite simply:

"The largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming. It is also home to about three million species of plants and animals, and one million indigenous people."

BBC.com
Share this article, dive deeper into what is currently going on, and share what you find with me. Head over to our Facebook group to continue the conversation. 

All my love, for a world that stays green, 
- jamie

Information and photos for this post were taken from NASA.gov, @AndreTheSolo on Twitter, globalnews.ca, and BBC.com.  

Please note: After doing some research, many photos that I have seen going around various social media platforms are photos that were taken years ago, perhaps in the same region, but from different points in time. Please continue to do your research about what you share and update me with any changes or corrections to this post you may find. I do believe it is important for visual representation about exactly what is going on, but I chose to leave out the graphic documentation. 
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DIY: Multipurpose Wet Wipes (Using Essential Oils)

8/4/2019

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When it comes to using Clorox wipes, I find myself frustrated that I don’t know everything in the cleaning solution and that I’m consistently creating single use waste. After doing a lot of googling, I found a recipe from Package Free Shop that worked out perfectly for me!

This is a mild cleaning solution made for disinfecting, not for use on your body.

What You’ll Need:

• 32 oz. wide mouth glass jar (Note: using wide mouth jars is a GAME. CHANGER. for hand washing. You can find a pack of 12 on Target.com) 
• 1 old, white t-shirt or cotton flour sack napkin (Note: if cutting flour sack napkins, you may want to finish the edges using a sewing machine as they can fray in washing machine. You can find some on Target.com.)
• Castile soap (I used the one currently in my shower, Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint. Tip: I refill my soap at MOM's Organic Market and bring my own container. They'll get the tare weight for you prior to filling your container up.)
• Filtered water
• Essential oils with cleansing purposes (I used Lemon and Purify from dōTERRA, found here.)

Please note: As a dōTERRA Wellness Advocate, I will receive commission on any purchase made using my ID number.

Directions:

1. Cut t-shirt or flour sack napkin into approximately 12 square pieces and place aside. (If desired, finish edges using a sewing machine before continuing on.)
2. After cleaning your jar, add 6-12 drops of essential oils.
3. Add 1 tsp of Castile soap.
4. Add filtered water to fill approximately 1/3 of your jar.
5. Stir with a metal spoon (knife, fork, etc.).
6. Add in your fabric pieces one by one.
7. Push fabric pieces down into the solution using your metal utensil.
8. Let fabric soak before use.
It’s as simple as that! I use an empty jar to collect my dirty wipes and will add them to my regular wash cycle when the jar is full. Less waste, less chemicals, AND a customizable scent! If you're looking for a little more power, feel free to add white vinegar to your recipe.

- jamie

How are you cleaning your home? Let me know over on our Facebook page and check out this other DIY cleaning post: All Purpose Cleaner. 
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    Jamie is a musician, avid lover of nature, and a dog momma living a more sustainable life each and every day. 

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