Sustainable Fashion Isn’t Only About Selecting Organic Materials

As the need to adopt responsible lifestyles increases, the demand for sustainable fashion has grown at a rapid pace. While opting for products made with organic materials is a fantastic solution, it’s not the only great way to reduce your carbon footprint.

A conscious effort to make fashion choices that protect the planet will remove any feelings of guilt that you may have had. Likewise, it’ll often deliver increased comfort and support your long-term financial health. Follow some of the steps below and you should notice a significant reduction in your carbon footprint.

Avoid Fast Fashion

Fast fashion can spell disaster for the environment for many reasons. The materials are often sourced in a less ethical way while the mass production methods create a lot of waste energy and materials. Worse still, the inferior quality of the goods means that consumers have to replace the items far sooner, which only adds to the problem.

Finding an online boutique that operates in a responsible manner and partners with reliable brands is good news for everyone. The increased quality translates to better styles for the consumer. Likewise, the long-term costs are far smaller than the false economy of super-cheap products. Besides, many boutiques are surprisingly affordable.

Use Local Services

When thinking about the environmental impact that fashion has on the planet, it’s not just about the materials. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of the planet’s carbon emissions. Waste materials and energy consumption during manufacturing processes are key contributors. However, it’s often the impact of transporting goods that really hurts.

Clothes may travel from one country to another before moving to a warehouse before then being transported to a store or customer. Where possible, using domestic firms is a far better solution than importing goods from halfway around the world. Not least when you consider the fact that you may have to return some of those goods. 

Learn To Repair Clothes

Even if you buy premium quality goods, there is always the risk that your sweater will get a hole or the zip on a jacket might break. Thankfully, there are plenty of online tutorials that will allow you to fix minor faults from the comfort of your home. Alternatively, you could use these ideas to revamp outfits that you’ve worn too often or have stopped loving.

Repairing and upcycling your existing clothes will breathe new life into them with stunning results. You will naturally reduce your carbon footprint because you won’t need to trash them or replace them. This will naturally save you a lot of money as you can find accessories like sequins, buttons, and thread for a fraction of what new products would cost.

Buy Used Fashion

Revamping your old clothes isn’t the only way to see the benefits of giving clothes a new lease on life. Another effective solution is to buy previously owned garments from charity shops, garage sales, or online platforms. There is, in particular, a growing trend for the latter option, and becomes even more effective when you find local sellers.

Buying used fashion items isn’t only a good way to save money and prevent products from ending up in the trash. It also gives you a fantastic opportunity to experiment with new fashion styles without breaking the bank. And once you’re finished with a garment or outfit, you can sell it or donate it to a charity shop to help someone else embrace sustainability.

Consider Rentals

There are few bigger forms of waste than buying an outfit that you’ll only wear once. However, weddings and special events may call for you to find an outfit befitting the occasion. In this situation, renting a suit or outfit could be the far better solution. It’s better for your bank balance and can make the outfit-hunting process far smoother.

Moreover, it’ll reduce your carbon footprint for many reasons. The outfits can be worn time and time again by multiple people. In addition to that increased usage, the fact is that the majority of clients will be local users. So, the carbon emissions caused by transportation will be significantly reduced. You will be supporting a concept that really makes a difference.

Take Care Of Your Clothes

Sourcing clothes in a sustainable fashion is one thing. However, it’s equally important to take good care of those items. For starters, washing them at a lower temperature can help reduce your carbon emissions. In addition to impacting your footprint in relation to fashion, it will influence the situation relating to the home.

It is also important to consider the storage and protection of seasonal clothes. Many people find that airtight clothing storage is the ideal choice. Whether kept in the garage or at a self-storage unit doesn’t matter. Any opportunity to prolong their lifespan will help. Of course, wearing appropriate clothing for an activity is highly advised too.

Analyze A Company’s Habits

Partnering with responsible brands and retailers is one of the best ways to support sustainable fashion. You will find that their actions easily outweigh any personal changes you implement. Therefore, it’s important to conduct a little research to see what steps they have taken to create a sustainable business model. 

Some of the most effective options include using renewable energy, EVs, and eco-friendly packaging. You can also check out any awards, press coverage, or initiatives that support the company’s claims. If nothing else, it helps you shop with confidence.

Focus On Organic Beauty

As already stated, the materials used to create your clothing will have a huge impact. However, it is difficult to buy exclusively-organic products. In truth, you may find it a lot easier to focus on organic beauty. Aside from helping the environment, it will actively enhance your skin and deliver long-term anti-aging. After all, chemicals are not good for the skin.

An organic beauty makeover can deliver a plethora of direct benefits. Crucially, seeing and feeling the rewards will help you adopt a better mindset. This should give you the added motivation needed to embrace the ideas above. Better still, you will find that it becomes easier to sustain the improvements for the long haul. Looking good never felt better.

10 Ways to Grow An Environmentally Friendly Garden

Social Squares

Gardening is one of the most rewarding activities you can do in your spare time. It provides you with a beautiful place to relax and unwind and helps protect the environment by providing an eco-friendly habitat for plants and wildlife. Caring for an eco-friendly garden requires more than just planting some flowers or trees; several tips and techniques will help ensure your garden is as environmentally friendly as possible. So read on to learn how to create a sustainable oasis in your own backyard! From choosing native species to using natural pest control methods, this blog post will provide the best tips for caring for your eco-friendly garden.

1) Choose Native Plant Species

One of the best tips for creating an eco-friendly garden is to choose native plant species. Native plants are those that are naturally occurring in your region, and they have adapted to local soil and climate conditions, making them more robust and resilient than non-native species. Native plants also help support local wildlife by attracting birds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Additionally, they can provide food sources for these animals, helping to create a self-sustaining environment in your garden. Furthermore, native plants require less maintenance and water than their non-native counterparts, saving you time and resources while also reducing your environmental footprint.

2) Create A Variety Of Habitats In Your Garden

Creating a variety of habitats in your eco-friendly garden is essential for providing habitats for a wide range of wildlife species. Different habitats can be created by planting different types of vegetation, such as native grasses, shrubs, trees, and flowers. These plants will create shelter and food sources for a variety of animals – from birds and butterflies to frogs and other small creatures. Additionally, creating various habitats will help maintain healthy soil by increasing organic matter and improving soil drainage. Furthermore, incorporating ponds or water features into your garden can provide important habitats for aquatic wildlife like fish and amphibians.

3) Utilize Organic And Composted Soil

Utilizing organic and composted soil is one of the most critical aspects of creating an eco-friendly garden. Organic soils are free from synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals that can be hazardous to your garden and the environment. Composting is a great way to create nutrient-rich soil that’s perfect for plants, as it helps increase water retention, improve microbial life in the soil, reduce erosion, and dispose of organic waste. By adding compost to your soil regularly, you can create a healthier environment for your plants while reducing your environmental impact. Using natural fertilizers like bone meal or fish emulsion will also help promote healthy growth while avoiding potentially toxic synthetic fertilizers.

4) Practice Water-Conserving Techniques

One of the best ways to conserve water and protect the environment when caring for an eco-friendly garden is to practice water-conserving techniques. This includes using mulch or rocks around plants to help retain moisture, collecting rainwater in a barrel and using it to water plants instead of fresh water from a hose, and installing a drip irrigation system with built-in sensors that track soil moisture levels. Additionally, planting drought-tolerant species is another excellent way to conserve water since they will require less watering than other species. Incorporating organic matter into your soil can also help reduce evaporation and increase the retention of available moisture.

5) Utilize Natural Pest Control Methods

Utilizing natural pest control methods is one of the best ways to protect your eco-friendly garden while also reducing your environmental impact. Natural pest control involves using techniques such as introducing beneficial insects, practicing companion planting, and using organic sprays and soil amendments instead of pesticides. Introducing beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and spiders can help keep pests under control as they prey on harmful species that can damage plants in your garden. Companion planting is another great way to help prevent pests by interplanting different species that deter each other’s enemies. Additionally, using organic sprays or soil amendments like neem oil or garlic spray can help eliminate pests without damaging the environment.

6 ) Pruning And Weeding

Pruning and weeding are essential activities for maintaining a healthy, eco-friendly garden. Pruning involves selectively removing parts of a plant that are damaged or obstructing the growth of other plants. It is essential to do this in order to allow air and sunlight to reach all parts of the plant and keep it from overcrowding other plants. When it comes to trees and shrubs, pruning should be done by professionals like Aardvark Tree Service in the winter or early spring to prevent disease and promote healthy growth. Weeding is also essential for preventing weeds from taking over the garden and competing with other plants for resources. Additionally, hand weeding is preferred over chemical alternatives as chemicals can be damaging to the environment.

7) Limit Usage Of Chemical Fertilizers

Chemical fertilizers are not always necessary for maintaining a healthy garden, as they can be damaging to the environment. When used in excess, they can disrupt the pH balance of the soil and lead to harmful runoff that pollutes local water sources. Additionally, synthetic fertilizers can wash away valuable nutrients plants need to grow. To limit the usage of chemical fertilizers, it’s essential to ensure that your soil is healthy before applying them. You should also use natural alternatives such as compost or manure if possible and only use chemical fertilizer when absolutely necessary. Furthermore, you should avoid over-fertilizing by following the directions on product labels and using organic mulch around plants to help retain moisture and reduce nutrient runoff.

8) Engage In Sustainable Landscaping Practices

Engaging in sustainable landscaping practices is essential for creating an eco-friendly garden that is both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious. Sustainable landscaping involves choosing native plants and species adapted to the local environment and selecting materials for paths, patios, and other features made from recycled or renewable resources. Furthermore, reducing lawn size can help save water as well as provide a larger space for native species to thrive. Additionally, planting trees or shrubs around the perimeter of your garden can help reduce noise pollution and provide much-needed habitat for birds and other wildlife.

9) Use Environmentally Friendly Gardening Tools

Using environmentally friendly gardening tools is essential for maintaining an eco-friendly garden. This includes investing in hand tools such as shovels, rakes, and hoes that are made from natural materials like wood or bamboo instead of plastic. Additionally, using battery-powered or manual mowers can help reduce noise pollution as well as your environmental impact by reducing emissions from gasoline-powered mowers. Furthermore, opting for hand pruners rather than electric trimmers can also benefit the environment since they require less energy. This also allows you to trim your plants more efficiently and precisely, ensuring they stay healthy and thriving.

10) Monitor Your Garden To Ensure It Is Eco-Friendly At All Times

Monitoring your garden to ensure it is eco-friendly at all times involves taking steps, such as regularly checking for signs of pests and diseases, to maintain its health. It also involves testing the soil for nutrient deficiencies and pH levels to ensure optimal growing conditions. Additionally, monitoring can also involve keeping an eye out for any changes in the local environment, such as weather or water conditions, that could affect the plants in your garden. Finally, it is essential to practice regular maintenance, such as pruning and weeding, to ensure that the garden continues to flourish. This can help ensure that your garden remains healthy and eco-friendly for many years to come.

In conclusion, maintaining an eco-friendly garden is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and make a positive contribution to the world around you. With a little bit of effort, you can help ensure that your garden remains healthy and thriving for many years to come! By following the tips outlined above, you can create a beautiful and sustainable eco-friendly garden.

How to Craft a St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Trap

green kids, green baby, eco kids, eco baby, sustainable design for kids, green design, diy crafts, kids crafts, how to, projects, jennie lyon
 
Everyone knows how sneaky and mischievous Leprechauns can be – especially around St. Patrick’s Day. They leave a trail of gold or green glitter footprints and can make a terrible mess when they are looking for that pot o’ gold. This St. Patrick’s Day, be prepared and make a Leprechaun trap. If you trap one of these little, diminutive men you will have your choice of either his pot o’ gold or three wishes!
 

What you will need:

– an empty box (large enough to fit a Leprechaun)
– a piece of cardboard (the same length as your empty box)
– multiple pieces of colorful paper
– cutting tool
– scissors
– eco-friendly packing tape
– pencil and markers
– something to use as a “pot o’ gold”
– leftover yellow eco-felt
– coins and something that smells yummy (we used a stick of gum)

green kids, green baby, eco kids, eco baby, sustainable design for kids, green design, diy crafts, kids crafts, how to, projects, jennie lyon

Step 1: Design the Trap

I did this project with Eben when he was little, he was so intrigued by the idea of actually capturing a Leprechaun and insisted that he only wanted to see one and take its photograph. Then, of course, he would release it. I asked him to sit down with pencil and paper and design the perfect trap in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. He did so with delight and your child will enjoy being the brainchild behind the project, too.

Step 2: Build the Trap

Once your child has designed the trap, get to work creating it. We taped a piece of cardboard to the back of the empty box to hold the rainbow. We also taped the empty box closed and then covered it with white office paper scraps.

green kids, green baby, eco kids, eco baby, sustainable design for kids, green design, diy crafts, kids crafts, how to, projects, jennie lyon

Step 3: Add the Rainbow

Using scissors, let your child cut out several rainbow stripes to create a backdrop rainbow above the trap, secure with eco-friendly packing tape.

Step 4: Make the Pot o’ Gold

Cover a small cylinder-shaped object for the pot o’ gold in leftover black paper scraps. We used a pencil sharpener covered in black paper, however, you could use a small jar, food container, or even a toilet paper roll cut in half.

green kids, green baby, eco kids, eco baby, sustainable design for kids, green design, diy crafts, kids crafts, how to, projects, jennie lyon

Step 5: Create the Trap Doors

Place your pot o’ gold at the “end of the rainbow” and mark three places to cut the holes that the Leprechaun will fall into (while trying to steal your gold) using your cutting tool.

Step 6: Disguise the Trap Doors

Using leftover blue paper, cut out three clouds that will cover the trap holes. Place the clouds over the holes. When the Leprechaun steps on the clouds to reach the pot of gold, he will fall in and become trapped inside the box.

green kids, green baby, eco kids, eco baby, sustainable design for kids, green design, diy crafts, kids crafts, how to, projects, jennie lyon

Step 7: Decorate the Trap

Give your child creature control and a stack of markers or crayons to decorate the outside of the trap any way that they would like. Just remember that Leprechauns like “outdoor” colors and are attracted to bright, shiny objects. My son also decided to use a leftover piece of cardboard to create a ladder, so the Leprechaun could climb up to the pot o’ gold.

green kids, green baby, eco kids, eco baby, sustainable design for kids, green design, diy crafts, kids crafts, jennie lyon, how to

Step 8: Set the Trap

Fill the pot with gold coins that you made from the leftover eco-felt. We also mixed in real coins and a piece of bubblegum. (My son was positive the Leprechauns would be attracted to the minty scent.) Place the pot o’ gold in between the three traps.

Step 9: Leave the Trap and Wait

Find a quiet place for your Leprechaun trap. My son chose the counter in our kitchen because he thought the Leprechauns may be looking for food. However, you can also place your trap outside among the trees and bushes, since this is one of the places that Leprechauns tend to frequent. Then, smile with delight as your child periodically checks to see if the trap has been sprung. Just maybe, by St. Patrick’s Day, your child will find a Leprechaun in the trap, if not – hopefully “Mr. Leprechaun” left a small surprise or his green and gold glitter footprints.

Spend the afternoon with your littles creating a Leprechaun trap and they will be engrossed in the entire process from design to set-up and will be checking the trap consistently. Your little one can get in on the St. Patrick’s Day crafting fun by following our easy Leprechaun trap how to. 

How to Bake Organic Rainbow Cookies with Your Kids for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s time to channel the luck of the Irish! St. Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday to celebrate with kids, given the fantastical and whimsical notions that go hand in hand with the occasion: rainbows, four-leaf clovers, mischievous leprechauns, and of course, the prospect of finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

One of my favorite ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is by making a healthy meal that’s filled with greens the color of shamrocks. Then we top off the feast with a sweet treat: organic rainbow cookies! Learn how to make these sweet little treasures in and of themselves!

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups organic flour
  • 3/4 cup organic butter
  • 3 ounces organic cream cheese
  • 1 cup organic sugar
  • 1 organic egg
  • 1 tsp organic vanilla
  • 1 tsp organic baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • natural vegetable food colorants

Step 2: Beat It

Beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar on medium speed, until well combined and fluffy. Then, add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.

Step 3: Mix It

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl and mix together with a spoon.

Step 4: Make the Dough

Add the dry mixture to the creamy mixture and mix until a dough ball forms. Then, divide your dough ball into 4 smaller dough balls. Add the natural colorants to each ball drop by drop until you reach the desired color mixture. I was going for yellow, red, blue, and green – however, my blue turned into more of a turquoise – which is okay.

Step 5: Chill Out

Wrap the dough balls in a moist towel and refrigerate for at least 2 hours – or overnight if you prefer.

Step 6: Roll it

Remove tablespoon-sized pieces from each dough ball and roll them out into a long log, then place the different colored logs together in a rainbow shape – cutting off any excess.

eco kids, green kids, eco baby, green baby, sustainable design for kids, organic recipes, recipes, how to, rainbow cookies, st patricks day, jennie lyon, baking with kids

Step 7: Bake it

Heat your oven to 350° and bake the rainbow cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet for 12 minutes or until lightly brown on the edges.

eco kids, green kids, eco baby, green baby, sustainable design for kids, organic recipes, recipes, how to, rainbow cookies, st patricks day, jennie lyon, baking with kids

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes and then enjoy them with your kids! I served my rainbow cookies on the rim of a mug full of milk or cocoa!

Organic Rainbow Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 3/4 cups organic flour
  • 3/4 cup organic butter
  • 3 ounces organic cream cheese
  • 1 cup organic sugar
  • 1 organic egg
  • 1 tsp organic vanilla
  • 1 tsp organic baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • natural vegetable food colorants

Beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar on medium speed, until well combined and fluffy. Then, add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl and mix together with a spoon. Add the dry mixture to the creamy mixture and mix until a dough ball forms. Then, divide your dough ball into 4 smaller dough balls. Add the natural colorants to each ball drop by drop until you reach the desired color mixture. Wrap the dough balls in a moist towel and refrigerate for at least 2 hours – or overnight if you prefer. Remove tablespoon-sized pieces from each dough ball and roll them out into a long log, then place the different colored logs together in a rainbow shape – cutting off any excess. Heat your oven to 350° and bake the rainbow cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet for 12 minutes or until lightly brown on the edges. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes and then enjoy.

Troublesome Signs To Watch Out For In Your Garden

If you have a garden and you are keen for it to be as healthy as possible, that is something that you can achieve in many ways. One of the things you will want to make sure of is that you are watching out for a number of signs of a garden that could be in a better condition. As long as you look out for some of these, you are going to be much more likely to have the kind of garden that you can be proud of – a healthy, vibrant one that looks beautiful and is a joy to spend time in.

Runways On The Soil

If you have noticed two-inch runways on the soil in your garden, that most likely means that it has been the victim of some pests, and you will probably want to make sure that you do something about that before the problem gets much worse. Of course, in dealing with them, be careful not to approach it in too damaging a way – there is always a humane and eco-friendly way to deal with any pests, regardless of their number or size. But you will want to do something about it so that you can reclaim your garden.

Mushrooms On Tree Trunks

This is such a common and normal sight that you might never have thought it was anything troublesome at all. But the thing with mushrooms is if you see them on your tree, that often means that your tree is actually dying. So this is something that you are going to want to act over if you notice it on your own trees. It might be that there is a disease, in which case you’ll need to manage it before it spreads and affects other trees in the area too.

Holes In The Ground

Having holes in the ground can mean that you have some visitors. In all likelihood, they are friendly. It might be a fox, for instance, a badger, or a mole. But you’ll want to make sure that you are managing this right, because they need to be treated with respect and properly, and you also want to limit the damage to your garden. As such, it’s vital that you pay attention to this kind of sign, otherwise, you might struggle to actually know how to approach your gardening in general. Make sure you don’t ignore this at any rate.

Broken Fences

Finally, if you notice broken fences, this might just be a result of some high winds. Or, it could be that you have had a visit from someone scoping out the house, a burglar for instance. In any case, it’s something that you should certainly not ignore. Broken fences are generally going to be something you need to pay attention to, and of course, you’ll want to make sure that you fix them up as soon as possible as well, otherwise they are going to provide only very limited protection for your garden as a whole.