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Author Archive | Jennie Lyon

6 Healthy Back To School Lunchtime Snacks

August 15, 2022 0

 

Fall is right around the corner, and that means it’s back to school for children, teens, and young adults across the country. For parents, that means it’s time to handle getting lunches packed, balanced breakfasts on the table, and sleepyheads out of bed!

I always get a wonderful nostalgic feeling from the end of summer, back-to-school time. It always reinvigorates me and makes me excited to try new things and make changes in my life, even though my own schooldays are long past. I think part of this has definitely been from raising Eben! 

Watching him go through the process of starting a new grade each year has been so rewarding and inspiring (and now, he’s applying to Graduate School, can you believe it!) I always want to support him and his efforts at school, and part of that means making sure he’s well fed and properly fueled so his brain can do all that learning each day (at least until he leaves us!)

One of the things I like to try and do each year is come up with new types of healthy snacks. Kids always seem drawn to any kind of single-serving snacks and fun foods—just think about those awful packaged varieties that your kids have probably begged you to buy while shopping. Packing the same things all the time gets boring and doesn’t offer much variety in terms of vitamins and minerals, which only eating a broad diet can do.

If you’re stumped for new ideas when packing lunches, here are some of our favorites, which I’m sure your kids will love, too:

  • Fruit Skewers: Use whatever fruits you have on hand (melons, apples, clementines, grapes, etc.) and stick bite-sized chunks onto wooden skewers or reusable plastic or metal skewers if you want to be extra eco-conscious. These colorful snacks are fun to eat and easy to share with friends at school!

  • Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter & Pretzels: This fun, dippable snacks make eating healthy nut butter a breeze. Eben loves these so much he had already gone through the package of them before school started! Like a healthier version of Nutella, these snacks feel like an indulgence, but they’re made from high-quality, all-natural ingredients with a focus on sustainability. Definitely a winner!

  • Fruit and Vegetable Chips: Whether you choose to make these in the oven, dehydrator, or buy them from your local health food store (such a variety is available these days!), fruit or vegetable chips are a great way of making healthy eating fun and delicious for kids. The possibilities are endless: apples, sweet potatoes, kale, zucchini, eggplant, all with any combination of flavored salts, herbs, and spices.

  • Stonyfield Organics YoKids Squeezers: This squeezable yogurt is both healthy and tasty. Eben loves the Cherry and Berry flavor pack, and they never come home uneaten when I pack them in his lunch! As with all of the Stonyfield products, they are organic certified by the USDA and made with pasture-raised milk.

  • Nuts and Seeds: I buy organic nuts and seeds in bulk at Costco and pack them in Eben’s lunch every day. They are the perfect snack to grab right before a big test or for an after-lunch pick-me-up!

  • Homemade Granola Bars: Unlike their store-bought counterparts, when you make granola bars at home, you don’t need to add any processed sugars and can control exactly what goes into them. There are endless healthy granola bar recipes online, and I guarantee at least one of them can be made with whatever you have in your cupboards right now!

What about you? Do you have any favorite back-to-school snack ideas that your kids devour? Or any packing secrets or life-changing products you can’t do without? I’d love to hear about them—the more inspiration, the better!

Eco-friendly Roofing Types for Your Tennessee Home

August 15, 2022 0

Roofs can be made from various materials, but not all roofing materials are created equal when it comes to being eco-friendly. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly roofing option for your Tennessee home, there are a few choices to consider. Keep in mind that the most eco-friendly roofing option is not always the most affordable, so you’ll need to weigh your options carefully. So long as you do your research, you should be able to find an eco-friendly roofing solution that fits both your needs and your budget, just like the ones offered by the roofing contractor Mighty Dog Roofing of Smyrna, TN. Here’s a look at a few of the most eco-friendly roofing types to consider for your home.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofing is one of the most well-liked environmentally friendly roofing alternatives available right now. Since recycled materials are used to make metal roofs, they are less harmful to the environment than other types of roofs. You won’t need to replace them as frequently because they are also highly resilient. Metal roofs may help keep your house cooler in the summer and reduce your energy costs by reflecting heat.

Solar Roofs

Solar roofs are another eco-friendly roofing option to consider. Solar roofs are made with solar panels that collect energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. Solar roofs can help you save money on your energy bills and are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Solar roofs are more expensive than other types of eco-friendly roofs, but the long-term savings may be worth the initial investment.

Recycled Roofs

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly roofing option that’s also budget-friendly, you may want to consider a recycled roof. Recycled roofs are made from recycled materials, so they have a smaller environmental impact than other types of roofs. They’re also usually more affordable than other eco-friendly roofing options. However, recycled roofs may not be as durable as other types of roofs, so you may have to replace them more often.

Green Roofs

Green roofs are another eco-friendly roofing option to consider. Green roofs are planted with vegetation, which helps absorb rainwater and provides insulation for your home. Green roofs can also help reduce your carbon footprint and improve air quality. Green roofs are more expensive than other types of eco-friendly roofs, but the long-term benefits may be worth the initial investment.

Clay Tiles

Clay tiles are a more sustainable roofing solution that is also inexpensive. Clay tiles, like all natural materials, have a lower environmental effect than other roofs. They’re also highly durable, so you won’t have to replace them as frequently. Clay tiles are more expensive than other types of eco-friendly roofs, but the long-term benefits may be worth the initial expenditure.

Cool Roofs

Cool roofs reflect light and heat, which can help keep your home cooler in the summer and save you money on your power bills. Cool roofs are most often created of light-colored materials like metal or white asphalt. Cool roofs cost more than other eco-friendly roofing systems, but the long-term savings may be worth it.

Slate Roofs

Did you know that slate roofs can last over a hundred years? Not only are they ultra-durable, but slate roofs are also eco-friendly. Slate is a natural material that has a low environmental impact. Slate roofs are also fireproof and energy efficient. However, slate roofs are more expensive than other types of eco-friendly roofs.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are a popular roofing material because they’re budget-friendly and easy to install. However, asphalt shingles are not the most eco-friendly roofing option. Asphalt shingles are made with petroleum products, which can be harmful to the environment. Asphalt shingles also don’t last as long as other types of roofs, so you’ll have to replace them more often.

Now that you know more about several of the greenest roofing materials available, you may begin looking into which one is best for your home. Keep in mind that the most environmentally friendly roofing solution isn’t always the cheapest, so you’ll need to make careful judgments. With a little bit of study, you should be able to find an eco-friendly roofing product that meets both your demands and your budget.

Simple Tips For Introducing Sustainble Living To Your Home

August 10, 2022 0

Using A Passive Solar Design 

Passive solar design, a non-mechanical energy system that uses smart building techniques to use the sun’s power, is used to build a lot of new homes these days. Passive solar design helps heat the house in the winter and keeps it cool in the summer by reflecting the sun.

When designing your home with passive solar, architects look at the weather in the area and where the building is located. This helps them figure out where the windows and doors should be. To get the most out of free energy, you should also think about the type of windows and look for the right patio door installation near me.

Window Sustainability

More than half of the energy lost in a home goes out the windows, so it makes sense to invest in the best window technologies available. Your annual energy bills will be lower, and your home will be more environmentally friendly if your windows save energy. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

When it comes to windows, you have a few choices. You can choose double or triple glazing; either of these is highly recommended, particularly if you live in a colder climate. Window coatings can also help control how much UV and infrared light gets into a room, which is good for the environment.

Appliances That Use Less Energy 

When you think about how much energy your home uses, you might think about how much it costs to heat or cool the building. It’s true that these things cost a lot of money every year, but the majority of your energy bills come from your other appliances. Things like refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers.

When you buy new appliances for your home, you need to think about two things: the cost of the appliance and the cost of keeping it running. Even though cheaper appliances are cheaper, they don’t always last as long. It’s better to invest in the long run.

Other Ways To Get Energy

Even though most households agree that lower bills and fewer carbon emissions are good, this isn’t always possible, especially if you live in an older home that doesn’t have the most modern heating and cooling systems. In this case, you have other choices, such as alternative fuels.

Efficient Gardening

If you have a backyard, you should keep it green and lush. You might also plant fresh herbs and vegetables there so you can use carbon-neutral food in your cooking. But you can also use your garden to clean the air and keep your house cool.

One way to make sure you don’t waste water and your plants get the water they need are to use a drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation is a collection of pipes that run through your garden and send water to the roots of the plants. The system works well and saves money.

Green Building Supplies 

If you want your home to be sustainable and good for the environment, it is beneficial to start off on the right foot and build it with materials that are good for the environment. Some eco-friendly building materials are recycled steel, synthetic wool, bamboo, straw, and paint that is safe for the environment and don’t harm people.

Not only do these sustainable, environmentally friendly building materials work well, but they are also free of toxins and don’t hurt the environment. If you wish to build a home that is healthy for your family, the environment, and future generations, make smart choices from the start.

Renewable Energy

Switching to renewable energy as the main source of power is one of the easiest ways to become carbon neutral and help reach net-zero goals. Most energy providers now get their power from renewable sources, so you might want to check with your provider and switch.

Energy Smart Meters

When trying to make your life more sustainable, you need to think about more than just your home’s structure. You also need to think about your habits and the way you live. With a few smart changes in the right places, you can save money on energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint.

There are different kinds of smart meters. Most of the time, your energy provider will give you one for free. A smart meter tells you exactly how much electricity you’re using and where it’s coming from. This lets you change how you run your home to make it better.

Recycle And Reuse

If you’re moving or having a big cleanout, you might want to buy a skip to put all of your trash in and take it to the dump. Before you do this, think about what you might be able to use or sell from the trash. You might be surprised by what you find that could be useful.

For example, old timber and metal can be taken to a scrap yard and traded for cash. The materials will then be used again or scraped in a way that is good for the environment. Even old appliances that don’t seem to be worth anything can be taken apart and sold for parts or materials. Most things have some kind of value.

Blinds And Drapes

Curtains and blinds are good things to think about if you want to let more light in on the south side of your house or keep more heat in your home in the winter. You can build in a sustainable way, but a cheap way to be sustainable is to choose the right window coverings.

As you can see, there are many ways you can make your home more eco-friendly. Have you already implemented any of these, or do you do anything else? We would love to hear about it in the comments below. 

Eco-Friendly Ways to Make Your Apartment More Comfortable

August 8, 2022 0

Making your apartment look as visually appealing as possible is something that should be a priority. However, if you are trying to keep things eco-friendly, there are some things you should consider when trying to do your upgrade.

Take a look at some of the easiest ways to get your apartment looking beautiful while keeping things environmentally friendly.

Low Volatile Compound Paints

Common household paint can contain a lot of toxic chemicals. These chemicals can be very harmful when they are inhaled. Luckily, there are paints available that are low-VOC. 

This means they have fewer volatile organic compounds than regular paints. These types of paints produce less bad odors and are less likely to cause respiratory discomfort when inhaled.

Natural paints are available as well, these are created by using plant dyes, chalk, and even clay. Natural paints tend to be water-based, which is good, especially if you have young children because you can easily wipe off any mess they get on the walls.

You can expect to pay a higher price for these types of paints, but it is well worth it. The good thing about natural paints is that you can be assured that they don’t contain toxic compounds.

Eco-Friendly Lighting

One of the things you can do is to add eco-friendly lighting to your apartment. Get rid of fluorescent bulbs and use LED light bulbs instead. LED light bulbs use a lot less energy which reduces electricity bills. 

Most traditional electricity is created by using fossil fuels that are harmful to the environment. By swapping out your light for more eco-friendly bulbs, you will be helping to save the environment by using less energy.

You can get LED lights with sensors, and place these in doorways where you have apartment video intercoms. The light will come on automatically when someone stands in the doorway and this is great for your security. 

Decorate With Sustainable Throw Pillows

Adding the right throw pillows can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your apartment. You can add colorful sustainable throw pillows in almost every room. These pillows are usually made of cotton and linen. If you can purchase pillows made from organic cotton, this would be best.

Add some of these throw pillows in your living room and even in your bedroom. This is a very inexpensive way to quickly add splashes of color all over your home.

It’s a good idea to take a look at what you already have in your home and then try to match the colors of your throw pillows with existing furniture and artwork.

Get an Upgrade

As you can see, there’s a lot that can be done to improve the look of your apartment in an eco-friendly way. All you have to do is to ensure that you take the time to carefully look around your apartment so that you can find ways in which you can do upgrades that are affordable and not time-consuming.

Making Your Mode of Travel Eco-Friendly

August 4, 2022 0

The world needs our help. Over generations, people have damaged the planet, almost to a point of no return. Thankfully, we are now growing increasingly aware of just what we’re doing that damages the environment and promotes climate change, and what we can cut out to reduce pollution and improve our carbon footprint. It really is important that each and every one of us takes steps to help the environment through lifestyle change and living a more eco-friendly existence. But where should you get started? One good area of focus to take into consideration is your primary mode of travel – how you get from A to B. Here’s some information that can help.

Driving

Driving, of course, isn’t the most environmentally friendly mode of travel. But for some of us, it is currently essential. Perhaps you live somewhere without great public transport options. Maybe you work night shifts and can’t take public transport to work. Whatever your reason for wanting to drive, it’s good to know that there are things you can do to improve its impact. For example, you could opt for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle over a vehicle that solely uses fossil fuels. You can ride share, picking others up en route somewhere rather than you all driving separately. You can look into New Energy Recovery Wheel Installations. Small changes can make a big difference.

Walking

If you are able to walk comfortably, you may want to consider walking to locations that are within walking distance. All too many of us automatically opt for alternative transport options when our own two feet can take us where we need to go. Walking is the most eco-friendly mode of transport as it’s entirely natural and has no emissions. Plus, it’s free and good for your overall health and wellbeing too! To walk as safely as possible, make sure to follow your common sense and the rules of the road. Always stay on sidewalks or paths where they are available and use designated crossing points. If you are walking at night, or in spots with low visibility, make sure to wear bright and reflective clothing, which will help drivers to see you.

Cycling

If you need to travel long distances but want a physical challenge and to keep fit, cycling could be a great option. Here, you only need a bicycle, a helmet, and any reflective gear or lights you need for nighttime riding and you’re good to go. You can get to places much faster on two wheels, and you can also save a lot of emissions. Just make sure to take your safety seriously. Drivers can often grow impatient with cyclists and try to overtake, so make sure to keep an eye on your surroundings and avoid sudden turns. Make sure to indicate your turns using your hands and to take cycle lanes wherever possible. 

Electric Scooters

Electric scooters, or “E-scooters”, are becoming more readily available for public use in cities and villages. These are a great options that is very environmentally friendly. Not only do they have low emissions, but multiple people get plenty of use out of them every day. Just makes sure that you are using them properly. You should only ride on roads in a responsible way while wearing a helmet and following the rules.

Public Transport

Of course, any mode of public transport tends to be preferable for the environment. This is shared transport that is efficient and has low emissions per passenger. The train, the bus, the tube, the tram… whatever your local area offers, you should try it out. Many locations will offer discounted rates for those using public transport on a regular basis. This could range from weekly or monthly passes to passes that are designated for particular groups, such as teens or the elderly. You may even be entitled to a public transport pass if you are disabled or elderly and may struggle to get around otherwise. Make sure to check timetables before heading to your public transport stop, as this will ensure that you get there on time. You may also want to make use of apps such as city mapper for longer or more complex journeys. These apps will tell you exactly what transport to take to get from one location to another. This can give you more confidence while you’re traveling.

These are a few options that you might like to try out while making your mode of transport eco-friendly. Take them into consideration, try a few out and you should find that something works for you. Of course, this may be a combination of options depending on particular situations or circumstances.

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