When it comes to consuming alcohol, thereâs more than one way to drink responsibly. Many of us donât consider the fact that our alcohol consumption could have a high carbon footprint. From the manufacturing process to what ingredients you choose, there are many ways in which your drinking habits can affect the planet. Below are some tips on how to drink more sustainably.
Support local breweries, distilleries, and wineries
Many of the beverages we drink come from other states or are imported from other countries. This results in a lot of carbon emissions.
When choosing to buy from local producers, these carbon emissions are greatly reduced as the beverage doesnât have to travel so far to get to you.
Consider researching local breweries, distilleries, and wineries to see what is available to buy in your area. You may be able to buy these drinks in local stores or directly from the producer.
In some cases, it could be worth trying new types of beer or spirits. For example, there may not be any local rum or vodka producers, but you may have a bourbon distillery nearby. Experimenting with whiskey cocktails such as this paper plane cocktail recipe could open up your tastebuds to new drinks while reducing demand for imported goods.Â
Look out for beverages that strive to be green
Some producers go the extra mile to make their products eco-friendly. This includes using energy-efficient manufacturing methods, using organic ingredients, or giving proceeds to earth-friendly causes.
This list of sustainable beers is a good example. Choosing these beers could help to reduce your damage to the environment and possibly even go some way to undoing environmental damage.
Go vegan with your drinks
The meat and dairy industry has a huge negative impact on the environment. For many people, going vegan is not just a way of protecting animals, but also saving the planet from excess greenhouse gases.
Some people assume that all alcoholic beverages are vegan, but actually many arenât. Some wines add extracts of egg or casein to reduce bitterness and browning. Meanwhile, animal extracts like honey and gelatin are sometimes added to beers.
By sticking to strictly vegan beverages, you can reduce any harm to animals and any harm to the planet. This includes alcoholic drinks and mixers if you like to have cocktails.
You can check whether a drink is vegan by looking it up online. There are also online guides that you can read through. Check out some of the best vegan wines here at this post.
Use less disposable plastic (such as cups and straws)
Do you often drink cocktails through a disposable plastic straw? Do you give everyone plastic cups whenever you have a house party?
These disposable plastics are often not biodegradable and some arenât even recyclable. This means that they often end up cluttering landfill sites.
By using a reusable straw and sticking to glass or reusable plastic cups, you can help reduce your plastic waste.
If you’re considering embarking on a vegetarian lifestyle, you’re in luck! Not only is a vegetarian diet healthy and delicious, but it’s also one of the easiest ways to reduce your environmental impact. This blog post will discuss some tips for making the switch to vegetarianism, as well as some recipes for delicious and healthy vegetarian meals. So whether you’re a full-time vegetarian or just looking to add more plant-based meals into your diet, read on for some tips and recipes that will make the transition easy and enjoyable!
Do your research
As with any major lifestyle change, it’s important to do your research before you dive in headfirst. This means learning about the different types of vegetarian diets and what foods you’ll need to avoid (or eat more of) in order to maintain a balanced diet. You can find plenty of resources online or at your local library, so take some time to educate yourself on the ins and outs of vegetarianism before you make the switch.
In addition, it’s also important to research recipes like instant pot potato soup! This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’ll be surprised how many meat-based dishes you’re used to eating that can easily be made vegetarian. A quick Google search will yield tons of results for delicious and healthy vegetarian recipes, so take some time to peruse some cookbooks or food blogs before you start your new diet.
Find healthy substitutes for meat-based dishes
One of the best things about vegetarianism is that there are so many healthy and delicious substitutes for meat-based dishes. If you’re used to eating a lot of meat, you may be worried about giving it up, but there are plenty of plant-based proteins that can easily take its place. Tofu, tempeh, seitan, lentils, beans, and quinoa are all great sources of protein that can be used in a variety of recipes. And if you’re not sure how to cook with these ingredients, again – research! There are tons of resources available online or at your local bookstore that can help you learn how to cook with meat substitutes.
Incorporate meatless meals into your diet gradually
If you’re not ready to commit to a full-time vegetarian lifestyle, that’s perfectly okay! You can still reap the benefits of eating more plant-based meals by incorporating meatless dishes into your diet gradually. Start by substituting one or two meat-based meals per week with vegetarian alternatives, and then slowly increase the number of meatless meals as you get more comfortable with the idea. Not only will this help you ease into a vegetarian lifestyle, but it will also give you time to experiment with different recipes and find vegetarian foods that you really enjoy eating.
In conclusion, embarking on a vegetarian lifestyle is a great way to improve your health and reduce your environmental impact. With a little bit of research and some delicious recipes, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a delicious and healthy vegetarian diet.
I love fall – it is my favorite season and my favorite time of year! What’s not to love? We are at our mountain home in North Carolina right now and it is fall perfection! The cooler weather, morning hikes, snuggles by the fire, chai tea, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin everything. Looking for some fall inspo?
Here are 7 simple, fun eco-friendly ways to inspire you!
1. Take a Listening Hike One of my favorite fall activities is hiking! And one of my favorite ways to enjoy a hike is when we take what we like to call “a silent hike.” A silent hike is just that – we hike together as a family in complete silence. It’s amazing how the act of simply being quiet and listening can have a huge impact on your hiking experience. There have been many times that we come upon an animal grazing or fish swimming in a creek – it’s amazing. We also like to stop along the way to listen to the rustling of the trees, the chirping of the birds, or to watch leaves quietly wafting to the ground. It is a great time to reflect within too, while still being with the ones you love.
2. Take It Outside Fall is the perfect time to take whatever you are doing – outside! The mister and I start every morning by taking the dogs on a hike right out our backdoor. It’s quiet and there are always a ton of deer and turkeys around every corner. I also LOVE to take my tea and blanket and head out to the back porch to snuggle by the fire table while listening to the bubbling of the creek.Â
3. Slow It Down Now that school is back in session, you have to admit that you are much busier than you were all summer. I know that if something isn’t on my schedule, it probably isn’t going to happen. This is why during the fall months, we really take extra consideration to slow things down at our home. We like to schedule extra time in the morning and afternoon, just to be. We usually spend this time snuggled up chatting about our upcoming adventures.
4. Get Centered Along with slowing down, fall is a great time to get centered. Spend time each day doing whatever it is that makes you feel connected and centered. For the mister, this means yardwork – he loves to get outside in the North Carolina fresh air and work in the yard. For Eben, this means a hot cup of cocoa and a really good book on the back deck (it’s his happy place!) For me, I like to snuggle down with my iPad to pin my favorite eco-friendly things (usually on the back deck with Eben when he’s here with us!) or end the day with a soak in the hot tub!Â
5. Plan Ahead One thing that I have definitely learned along the way is that it is super important to enjoy the moment. To ensure that every moment of fall is enjoyable for my family, I like to plan ahead. I sit down with my journal and jot down things that I really want our family to do together during the fall. I include all of our traditional fall family activities, as well as new ideas that I can run by the guys (when Eben is home from college). The idea is that if I plan these activities ahead of time, we spend the time we have together doing fun things together without much thought – since everything was planned well in advance.
6. Find an Adventure One of my favorite parts of fall is the cooler weather – which always equals more time outside. We always schedule a trip to our mountain home during the fall season. I HAVE to visit the pumpkin patches! We really enjoy the cooler days spent outside, followed by the crisp nights roasting marshmallows over the fire!
7. Get Cozy Fall is a great time to reconnect with family and friends. Our best friends are visiting us next week while we’re still here in North Carolina. We have all kinds of fun things planned: bike rides, hikes (of course), visiting our surrounding small town, and peeping all of the leaves (they are already starting to turn colors!)
In what ways do you plan to spend fall with your family?
If your home overlooks a stunning landscape or natural vista, you are one of the lucky few ones out there. Itâs one of the best features you can show off to your guests when they visit, and itâs no secret that homes with amazing views tend to sell more, which could eventually fetch you a decent profit. The average home with a view, such as a lake or ocean, can boost its value by 75-100%. But it can be a little challenging, especially when you have to figure out the best home design that would help you make the most out of your views. Itâs normal to want to bring your home to life if it has beautiful scenery. Fortunately, there are tons of ways you can do that and be the envy of your neighbors and friends. Here are some great tips and ideas on giving your home more character and style while enhancing your views.
Build a sustainable deck
Are you thinking of building a deck to create an outdoor living space? Decks can be relatively expensive to build, especially depending on the size. However, they are wonderful additions to various outdoor activities. They are also great if you want to fully immerse yourself in your homeâs beautiful scenery and surroundings. There are several deck designs to consider, but if you want your landscape or view to be the focus of your outdoors, you will need to go with a simple design that doesnât compete with the beauty of your view.
This design will focus on your outdoors while also giving you, your house members, and other guests the opportunity to spend some downtime outside, whether for a fun dinner party or some much-needed quality time.
Include built-Ins
Built-ins are amazing. Not only are they sources of extra storage space, but they can beautify your home at the same time. If youâre fortunate enough to have a home with several built-ins, ensure that you use them to the best of your capability. You can turn that cozy built-in corner into a book nook, where you can catch up on your reading and admire the view outside.
You don’t have to worry if your home doesnât come with any built-ins. You can do that or hire a local carpenter to help you construct the perfect built-in, so feel free to consider this. Since you want to take in most of the scenery surrounding your home, it would be best to situate your built-in close to a window and turn it into your sanctuary.
Replace your windows with energy-efficient ones
If you live in an older house, likely, its windows may not let you fully appreciate the view. That said, you will need a home window replacement, so keep this in mind. Changing your windows comes with a lot of amazing benefits. Apart from being more functional and allowing you to get clearer views of nature around your home, it also helps increase the value of your home. Most modern windows are also energy efficient, which helps you spend less on energy bills. It also cools down your home better, as it keeps a large percentage of heat from filtering into your home. That way, when you invest in AC repair, you know that your home will benefit. Rather than letting too much cool out of your home, your new energy-efficient windows will help to keep things at the optimal temperature.
Some windows also block out external noises, which can be great since you can peacefully and quietly admire the view from your home without any distractions. Plus, when you change your windows, you get the opportunity to redesign your entire home and transform it from a traditional home to a modern one.
Work with neutral colors
The best thing about colors is that they come in various hues and shades. If you have a beautiful view that you would like to showcase in your home, you should work with colors that help enhance its beauty. Neutral colors can also make your home feel serene and bring in more light, allowing you to see more of what your surroundings offer. The more neutral or muted the color, the better your landscape or view stands out. Colors like white, brown, beige, and grey are all excellent options.
A typical example is using beige or grey walls for a room with a full view of the coast, trees, or leads to your outdoors. Of course, you can add a pop of color wherever possible, especially if youâre someone that appreciates a little brightness. You can use a color that matches your view and ties everything together.
Beautify your landscape with zero/low water plants
Even if you have an amazing view of the ocean, it can be easily marred by your landscape, especially when it isnât kept in good condition. Instead, why donât you enhance your views even further by upgrading your landscaping?
Fortunately, maintaining a beautiful landscape shouldn’t take much work. You can plant beautiful flowers and trees to give it color, decorate it with some lights and add a few furniture pieces. Ensure that decorating your front and back yards matches your homeâs overall look and personality. However, when decorating your landscape, ensure that it doesnât block your natural view or make everything seem too much.
If you struggle with mobility, have a particularly large space, or are looking for a complete re-design, consider approaching a landscaping expert. Search âlandscape designers near meâ to find someone suitable in your area.
Add a balcony
Whether you live in an apartment or a house, you probably know how important balconies are, especially when enjoying views. Itâs a great way to add more space to your home and spend some time outdoors. Thereâs nothing like enjoying a beautiful sunrise or sunset on your balcony. Itâs a priceless experience that you might miss out on. You should consider getting a balcony if your home doesnât have one.
Apart from the views, itâs a great way to get some fresh air. And if you have a green thumb, you can turn your balcony into your private garden. Adding a balcony can also make your home more attractive and increase its resale value. And you will especially come to love quiet moments admiring the scenery.
Build another level
One of the best ways to get the best views without obstructions is to add another level to your current home. But before you hire a contractor, you would have to check with building laws in your area to ensure that you can do that. Nonetheless, you canât go wrong with building up. Alternatively, you can try a split-level design. Itâs more cost-friendly, as you wouldnât have to spend much on foundations and give your home that illusion of another level. Plus, you would have the advantage of redesigning your space to help you get more access to your views.
Check out your design layout
Your current home design layout is crucial to how best you can maximize your views. Too much furniture and items can obstruct your view. A home with too many walls can also prevent you from getting a 360-degree view of your surroundings.
To get the best, having an open-space floor plan would be the most suitable option. Alternatively, if walls limit you, you must decide on which rooms need to have the most access to the view. It could be your living room or the master bedroom. All it would take is some careful consideration and planning.
If you have space on your property, you might also want to extend your viewpoints beyond your main home. Installing a log cabin on a hillside on your property or elsewhere can be a great way to make the most of the landscape. Of course, you’ll need to research how to maintain this sort of building because it requires log cabin media blasting. But fortunately, that’s about all you’ll have to do. Once you have your outbuilding or log cabin set up, you’re ready to go, and you can position it where you can enjoy the best natural views.
Having a scenic vista surrounding your home is truly amazing. Not only will it set the tone for the overall look and feel of your home, but it can serve as a stunning backdrop. Whether itâs a view of the mountains, ocean, or city skyline, these tips will help you make the most out of them. Ensure that your home takes advantage of your views with as many rooms as possible.
Styled Stock Photos for Instagram and Social Media, Flatlays, Social Squares from the SC Stockshop
Public transportation plays a significant role in our society today. People in large cities around the world rely on buses and trains for convenient and affordable travel. Additionally, many methods of public transportation have embraced new technological advancements in order to attract more people. If you’re still unsure about moving away from private travel, here’s a look at some important benefits of public transportation.
Community Asset
Many state government leaders believe that public transportation improves community relations. Public transportation also helps promote an active lifestyle. Riding public transportation likely means that you have to walk to your nearby stop, which is a form of exercise to help you stay in shape. Health experts recommend that people perform at least 15-20 minutes of physical activity every day. You could fulfill that requirement simply by riding public transportation on a regular basis.
Higher Fuel Quality
Using public transportation reduces your carbon footprint for several reasons. These types of vehicles use more eco-friendly fuel sources, for one. Public transportation vehicles receive high marks for utilizing electric resources as fuel. The vehicles are also more fuel efficient than other vehicles that also rely on gas. Less fuel is consumed utilizing public transportation compared to driving a public car on the road.
Mass Appeal
Public transportation is a major asset to people who live in urban and rural areas who don’t have the ability to drive on a regular basis. Public transportation helps people reach their intended destinations to complete tasks when they would be immobile otherwise. To that end, research shows that over 95% of public transportation buses are equipped to accommodate people in wheelchairs. In that sense, public transportation helps ensure that no one is left behind.
Stimulates the Economy
Supporting public transportation helps improve the local economy. When you use public transportation, you’re supporting the workforce and small businesses in the area. Perhaps you decide to shop at a local store near your bus or train stop. Popular transportation systems also stimulate the local community’s workforce. This helps create more jobs and also makes it easier for people who don’t own a vehicle to make a living.
Public Transportation Is Eco-Friendly
Recent data shows that traveling using the most common methods of public transportation (bus or train) is more environmentally friendly than driving your own car or flying. For reference, with a full tank, helicopters can usually fly around two and a half to five hours before running out of fuel. Public transportation can help you reach your destination way more efficiently. It really can’t be said enough; utilizing public transportation is a great example of green living practices.
Minimizes Traffic
Getting stuck in traffic is every person’s worst nightmare. Traffic jams also have a negative impact on local infrastructure. However, turning to public transportation is a potential solution. Public transportation can help reduce wear and tear on highways and other roads because there are fewer vehicles on the road at once. Utilizing public transportation also reduces the likelihood of potential traffic jams.
Reduces The Risk Of Serious Accidents
Driving requires all of your attention. However, many drivers have caused accidents because they were talking or texting while driving. Driving under the influence is also a major issue. Even for a first DUI offense, penalties can include license suspension, fines, community service, mandatory attendance at an alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration, and the required installation of a car ignition locking device. Relying on public transportation allows you to relax and avoid being overwhelmed by the pressures of driving. You won’t have to worry as much about evolving road conditions or the behavior of other drivers on the road.
Helps You Save Money
Public transportation also helps you save money in the long term because you aren’t spending as much money on fuel every month. Driving less frequently can also lower your car insurance premiums. Plus, many public transportation programs offer loyalty rewards programs to help you qualify for future discounts.
There are many advantages to using public transportation. Consider switching over to help support your community and the environment.
