Archive | HEALTH AND WELLNESS

5 Easy Sustainable Beauty Routine Swaps

March 18, 2025 0

Your beauty routine should make you feel refreshed and radiant—but many conventional beauty products are filled with toxic ingredients and excessive plastic packaging that harm both our health and the environment. From harmful chemicals in skincare to single-use plastics in cosmetics, the beauty industry creates over 120 billion units of packaging waste every year! It’s time for sustainable beauty!😱♻️

If you’re looking to detox your beauty routine in a way that’s better for your skin AND the planet, this guide will show you how to switch to non-toxic, sustainable beauty products without creating more waste. 🌿✨

💄 1. Read the Ingredients & Ditch Harmful Chemicals

Many beauty products contain questionable ingredients that can be harsh on your skin and harmful to the environment. Look out for these top toxic offenders:

🚨 Ingredients to Avoid:
❌ Parabens (linked to hormone disruption)
❌ Phthalates (often found in fragrances & harmful to reproductive health)
❌ Sulfates (SLS/SLES can strip natural oils & irritate the skin)
❌ Synthetic Fragrances (can contain hidden chemicals)
❌ Plastic Microbeads (pollute oceans & harm marine life)

🌿 Eco-Smart Swap: Instead of conventional products with long lists of unpronounceable chemicals, opt for clean beauty brands with organic, plant-based ingredients that nourish your skin without toxins.

💚 Best Non-Toxic Beauty Brands:
🌱 Ilia Beauty – Clean, high-performance makeup.
🌿 OSEA Malibu – Ocean-inspired, toxin-free skincare.
💧 100% Pure – Natural, fruit-pigmented makeup & skincare.
🧴 Pacifica – Incredible collection of clean beauty products.

♻️ 2. Switch to Refillable, Recyclable & Compostable Packaging

Plastic beauty packaging is one of the biggest waste contributors in the industry, with most items ending up in landfills or oceans. One of the easiest ways to detox your beauty routine is by choosing packaging that’s refillable, recyclable, or compostable.

✔️ Ways to Reduce Beauty Packaging Waste:
💄 Look for brands that offer refillable makeup & skincare.
🛍 Recycle empty containers through in-store take-back programs.
🌎 Buy from companies using glass, aluminum, or compostable materials instead of plastic.

🌿 Eco-Smart Swap: Instead of single-use plastic deodorant tubes, try a refillable, zero-waste option.

💚 Best Sustainable Beauty Packaging Brands:
♻️ Elate Beauty – Bamboo & refillable makeup.
🌱 Meow Meow Tweet – Compostable deodorants & skincare.
🔄 Kjaer Weis – Luxury, refillable beauty products.

🧴 3. Opt for Solid Beauty Products to Cut Plastic

Switching to solid beauty bars is one of the easiest ways to eliminate waste in your beauty routine. Solid products last longer, require less packaging, and are often free from unnecessary preservatives.

✔️ Best Solid Beauty Swaps:
🛁 Shampoo & Conditioner Bars instead of bottled products.
🧼 Facial Cleansing Bars instead of plastic tubes.
🪒 Solid Lotion Bars instead of pump bottles.

🌿 Eco-Smart Swap: Instead of buying liquid shampoo in a plastic bottle, switch to a shampoo bar that lasts twice as long and creates zero waste!

💚 Best Zero-Waste Solid Beauty Brands:
🛁 Ethique – Shampoo, conditioner & body bars.
🧴 Lush – Naked packaging-free skincare & haircare.

🌎 4. Choose Multi-Use Products to Reduce Waste

Instead of buying dozens of beauty products, simplify your routine by choosing multi-purpose items that save space, reduce packaging, and streamline your regimen.

✔️ Best Multi-Use Beauty Products:
💄 Tinted Lip & Cheek Balms – One product, multiple uses!
💧 Face Oils That Double as Moisturizers & Hair Treatments.
🧴 All-in-One Cleansing Oils That Remove Makeup & Cleanse Skin. I adore Pacifica’s Melt for You Moisturizing Cleansing Oil

🌿 Eco-Smart Swap: Instead of buying separate highlighters, blushes, and lip tints, choose an all-in-one balm for a natural, effortless glow!

💚 Best Multi-Use Clean Beauty Brands:
✨ RMS Beauty – Coconut oil-based, multi-use cosmetics.
💖 Cocokind – Simple, multi-purpose skincare solutions.
🌿 Tata Harper – Luxury, all-in-one skincare formulas.

💚 5. Recycle & Dispose of Old Beauty Products Responsibly

Even with the best sustainable swaps, we all have old beauty products that eventually need to be thrown out. Instead of tossing them in the trash, make sure to recycle or properly dispose of them.

✔️ How to Responsibly Dispose of Beauty Products:
♻️ Check your local recycling program for accepted beauty packaging.
🔄 Use beauty take-back programs (like MAC, Kiehl’s, & Lush) to recycle empties.
🚫 Properly dispose of expired products to prevent harmful chemicals from polluting the environment.

🌿 Eco-Smart Swap: Instead of throwing out old mascara wands, donate them to wildlife rescue organizations that use them to clean animals! Wands for Wildlife is a great program to check out!

💚 Best Beauty Recycling Programs:
♻️ TerraCycle Zero-Waste Beauty Program – Send back empties from any brand.
🔄 Credo Beauty Recycling Program – A clean beauty retailer that recycles used products.
💋 MAC’s Back-to-MAC Program – Return empty containers for free products.

🌿 Detox Your Beauty Routine the Green Way!

Switching to a low-waste, non-toxic beauty routine doesn’t have to be overwhelming! By making small, mindful swaps—like choosing refillable packaging, using multi-purpose products, and recycling responsibly—you can create a cleaner, greener beauty routine that’s good for your skin AND the planet.

💬 What’s your favorite sustainable beauty swap? Drop your best zero-waste beauty tips in the comments! 🌎💚

Have a Lovely Weekend + A Few Green Things

March 14, 2025 0

Hello, Eco Friends! 🌿 The weekend is here, and I couldn’t be more excited to slow down, make homemade pizza, and cozy up with a movie. Spring is just around the corner, and I’m already dreaming of sunshine, garden-fresh greens, and eco-friendly outdoor adventures. But for now, it’s still a bit chilly—so we’re embracing the indoor vibes!

Eben is home this week for spring break! 🎉 He’s been busy doing observation hours for his Master’s degree, so we’ve only been catching up over dinner. Tonight, we’re taking it slow with homemade pizzas in our Gozney. I surprised Jayson with it as a holiday gift when we moved to the Banner Elk mountains, and let me tell you—it was so worth it! Living in the mountains means going out for dinner is a trek, and since we love pizza, bread, pretzels (you get it!), the Gozney has been a game-changer for our outdoor space. We use it all the time!

But before I unplug for the weekend (and dig into some pizza!), here are a few green things to inspire your days ahead:

🍃 Zero-Waste Lunchbox Inspo: We created a super fun March Madness promo (including photo shoot!) for ECOlunchbox! 🏀Check out our easy, delicious recipes for the Busy Mom MVP, Office Pro MVP, Road Trip Warrior MVP, and Student Champ MVP! Plus, you can grab 30% off the MVP collection while you’re there!

🍃 A Fun Read: Go Forth and Forgage – I’m loving this guide to foraging over 50 of the most common edible and medicinal North American mushrooms. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about wild mushrooms (or dream of foraging your own food), this book is a must! 🍄

🍃 DIY Green Cleaning Hack: Forget store-bought sprays—this 3-ingredient, all-natural cleaner will leave your home sparkling and toxin-free. (Hint: it involves lemon essential oil!)

🍃 The Perfect Pretzel Sandwich: We’ve worked with Smart School House for years, and we’re obsessed with this Pretzel Sandwich recipe! 🥨 Who knew pretzels could be the perfect base for a next-level sandwich?

🍃 How to Raise Eco-Conscious Kids: Want to teach your kids about sustainability in a fun, hands-on way? Here are some fun ways to get started.

Wishing you a restful, nature-filled weekend! Enjoy the little green moments and don’t forget to take a deep breath of that fresh, crisp air.

xo,
Sweet Greens 🌿

P.S. Follow along on Instagram (I started it back up!) for more behind-the-scenes from our weekend adventure!

Spring Cleaning the Green Way: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products & Decluttering Tips

March 13, 2025 0

Spring is here, and that means it’s time to refresh your home with a good deep spring cleaning! This is one of my favorite times of year to “spring clean.” I could have been a professional organizer in another lifetime, I LOVE it that much! But before you reach for conventional cleaning products filled with harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and plastic packaging for your spring cleaning projects, consider a more sustainable approach.

A green spring cleaning routine is not only better for the planet but also healthier for your home and family. In this guide, we’ll cover eco-friendly cleaning products, zero-waste alternatives, and simple decluttering tips to help you welcome spring the sustainable way!

🌿 Step 1: Switch to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Many traditional cleaning supplies contain toxic ingredients that pollute indoor air and waterways. Swap them out for natural, biodegradable alternatives that clean effectively without harming your health or the environment.

🧼 Best Non-Toxic Cleaning Brands

✔️ Blueland Cleaning Essentials Kit – We use ALL things Blueland in our home! This plastic-free cleaning system comes with reusable glass bottles and tablet-based refills for everything from all-purpose spray to dish soap. Just add water and clean without waste!

✔️ Branch Basics Concentrate – A plant-based, fragrance-free cleaner that replaces nearly every cleaning product in your home—just dilute it to create a non-toxic spray for surfaces, glass, and even laundry!

✔️ Grove Collaborative Reusable Glass Spray Bottles – Ditch plastic bottles for these durable, refillable glass alternatives that work with any DIY or store-bought natural cleaner.

✔️ Ecover Zero Dish Soap – A fragrance-free, plant-based dish soap that cuts grease without polluting waterways. It comes in a 100% recycled plastic bottle too!

✔️ Meliora Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub – This plastic-free, non-toxic scrub is perfect for deep cleaning sinks, bathtubs, and countertops without harsh chemicals.

✔️ Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent – A biodegradable, non-toxic detergent that’s safe for sensitive skin and free from synthetic fragrances and dyes.

🌱 DIY Natural Cleaning Recipes

Want to make your own cleaning products? Try these simple DIY formulas:

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, add a few drops of lemon essential oil. (Avoid vinegar on granite or marble!)
Glass Cleaner: Combine 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a spray bottle. Shake well before use!
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet, add vinegar, let it fizz, then scrub and flush!

📦 Step 2: Declutter Sustainably

Spring cleaning isn’t just about wiping down surfaces—it’s also a great time to declutter your home and let go of what no longer serves you. But instead of tossing everything in the trash, try these eco-friendly decluttering tips.

♻️ Sustainable Decluttering Strategies

✔️ Donate Gently Used Items – Give clothing, books, and household items a second life by donating to local shelters, thrift stores, or charities like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or Dress for Success.

✔️ Sell Unwanted Items Online – Apps like Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, and ThredUp make it easy to resell clothing, furniture, and home goods.

✔️ Repurpose & Upcycle – Before throwing something away, consider if it can be reused, repainted, or repurposed into something new!

✔️ Recycle Electronics Properly – Don’t toss old electronics in the trash! Take them to a local e-waste recycling center or retailers like Best Buy and Staples, which offer free electronic recycling programs.

✔️ Organize Sustainably – Use bamboo storage bins, glass jars, and fabric baskets instead of plastic containers.

🧺 Best Eco-Friendly Storage & Organization Products

✔️ Open Spaces Storage Bins – Minimalist, durable storage bins made from recycled plastic.

✔️ Bee’s Wrap Reusable Food Wraps – A sustainable alternative to plastic wrap, perfect for storing food in the fridge.

✔️ Stasher Silicone Bags – Reusable, dishwasher-safe bags that replace single-use plastic sandwich bags.

✔️ The Home Edit Bamboo Drawer Dividers – Stylish, eco-friendly organizers made from sustainable bamboo.

🧹 Step 3: Improve Indoor Air Quality

Spring cleaning isn’t just about what you see—it’s also about the air you breathe! Many home products release VOCs (volatile organic compounds), contributing to indoor pollution. Try these natural ways to freshen up your home:

✔️ Swap Synthetic Air Fresheners for Essential Oils – Instead of artificial sprays, diffuse lavender, citrus, or eucalyptus essential oils for a clean, natural scent.

✔️ Use Beeswax Candles Instead of Paraffin – Bee Organic Beeswax Candles purify the air while adding a warm glow to your space.

✔️ Invest in Houseplants – Plants like peace lilies, spider plants, and snake plants naturally filter indoor air.

✔️ Open the Windows! – The easiest (and cheapest) way to let in fresh air and reduce toxins in your home.

🌸 Make Spring Cleaning a Green Tradition!

Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to refresh your home, minimize waste, and adopt healthier, more sustainable habits. By swapping out toxic products for eco-friendly cleaning solutions, decluttering responsibly, and improving indoor air quality, you can create a cleaner, greener space for your family.

🌿 What are your favorite eco-friendly cleaning hacks? Drop your go-to green cleaning tips in the comments below!

Sustainable Gardening 101: How to Grow Your Own Organic Vegetables and Herbs

March 11, 2025 0

Mr. Sweet Greens (Jayson) and I are deep in it! Deep in what, you ask? Sustainable Gardening! There’s nothing quite like growing your own organic vegetables and herbs—not only does it provide fresh, chemical-free food for your family, but it also helps reduce waste, lower your carbon footprint, and support biodiversity. Plus, there’s something deeply rewarding about stepping outside and harvesting ingredients straight from your garden!

Sustainable gardening goes beyond just growing plants—it’s about working with nature, conserving resources, and making eco-friendly choices at every step. Whether you have a spacious backyard, a raised garden bed, or just a few pots on a balcony, this guide will help you create a thriving organic garden while keeping sustainability at the forefront.

🌱 Step 1: Plan Your Sustainable Garden

Before planting, take a moment to plan your garden thoughtfully. This will help you maximize space, conserve resources, and create a low-maintenance, high-yield garden.

Choose the Right Location

☀️ Sunlight – Most vegetables and herbs need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
💨 Wind Protection – Strong winds can dry out plants and damage delicate seedlings. Use natural barriers like shrubs, trellises, or fences for protection.
💦 Water Access – Place your garden near a water source to make irrigation easier and prevent water waste.

Opt for Raised Beds or Container Gardening

Mr. Sweet Greens built ours for a massive garden that we are putting in here at Clementine Cabin! (Photos coming soon!)
Vego Garden Raised Beds – These durable, metal raised beds are long-lasting and perfect for reducing soil erosion.
Fabric Grow Bags – A great alternative to plastic pots, these breathable grow bags promote strong root growth and reduce overwatering.

Raised beds and containers improve soil drainage, prevent weeds, and make gardening easier for beginners!

🌿 Step 2: Build Healthy, Organic Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of any sustainable garden. Instead of using synthetic fertilizers, nourish your soil naturally with compost, organic amendments, and regenerative techniques.

Create Your Own Compost

Composting reduces food waste and enriches soil with nutrients. Start a compost bin or pile with:
✔️ Green materials – Vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, grass clippings.
✔️ Brown materials – Dried leaves, cardboard, shredded newspaper.
✔️ Aeration – Turn the pile regularly to speed up decomposition.

Best Compost Bin Options:
♻️ We have an Aerobin Composter that we LOVE! It’s on sale right now too!
♻️ FCMP Outdoor Tumbling Composter – A compact, easy-to-use compost tumbler for beginners.
♻️ Worm Factory 360 Worm Composter – A vermicomposting system that turns food scraps into nutrient-rich worm castings.

🌼 Step 3: Choose the Best Organic Vegetables & Herbs

Not all plants are beginner-friendly! If you’re new to gardening, start with hardy, low-maintenance crops.

Best Organic Vegetables for Beginners

🥕 Carrots – Thrive in loose, well-drained soil.
🥬 Lettuce & Spinach – Quick-growing, great for containers.
🍅 Cherry Tomatoes – High-yield and easy to care for.
🥒 Cucumbers – Fast-growing and perfect for vertical gardening.
🌽 Zucchini & Squash – High-producers with minimal effort.

Best Herbs for Beginners

🌿 Basil – Loves warmth and full sun.
🌿 Mint – Thrives in containers (keeps it from spreading too much!).
🌿 Thyme – Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
🌿 Cilantro – Prefers cool weather; grows well in partial shade.
🌿 Rosemary – Hardy and thrives year-round in many climates.

Look for certified organic, non-GMO seeds to ensure your garden is free from synthetic pesticides and harmful chemicals.

Where to Buy Organic Seeds:
🌱 Seed Savers Exchange – Heirloom, non-GMO seeds that support biodiversity.
🌱 Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds – High-quality, organic vegetable and herb seeds.
🌱 Johnny’s Selected Seeds – Trusted source for organic and heirloom varieties.

💧 Step 4: Water Efficiently

Conserving water is a key part of sustainable gardening. Instead of overwatering, follow these eco-friendly irrigation tips:

✔️ Water Early in the Morning or Late in the Evening – Reduces evaporation.
✔️ Use a Rain Barrel – Oatey Rainwater Collection System captures rainwater for free, eco-friendly irrigation.
✔️ Try Drip Irrigation – Raindrip Drip Irrigation Kit delivers water directly to plant roots, reducing waste.
✔️ Mulch to Retain Moisture – Use straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves to lock in moisture and suppress weeds.

🐝 Step 5: Encourage Pollinators & Natural Pest Control

A truly sustainable garden works with nature instead of against it! Encourage pollinators like bees and butterflies while keeping pests under control without harmful pesticides.

Plant Pollinator-Friendly Flowers

🐝 Hostas & Zinnas – Attracts hummingbirds and are adorable.
🐝 Lavender – Attracts bees and smells amazing.
🐝 Marigolds – Repel pests and bring color to your garden.
🐝 Sunflowers – A favorite for bees and butterflies.

Bee’s Wrap Pollinator Wildflower Seed Pack – Grow your own bee-friendly flower garden to support biodiversity.

Natural Pest Control Methods

🐞 Release Beneficial Insects – Ladybugs and praying mantises eat garden pests.
🐞 Use Neem Oil Spray – Organic Neem Oil naturally repels aphids and fungi.
🐞 Companion Planting – Basil repels mosquitoes, while marigolds keep aphids away.

🍽️ Step 6: Harvest & Enjoy Your Homegrown Food

The best part of gardening? Enjoying your harvest! Here are a few ways to make the most of your homegrown produce:

✔️ Use Fresh Herbs Daily – Add homegrown basil, mint, and rosemary to your meals.
✔️ Preserve the Bounty – Try freezing, drying, or fermenting vegetables to enjoy them year-round.
✔️ Make Your Own Tea – Dry chamomile, mint, or lavender for homemade herbal tea.

Sustainable gardening isn’t just about growing food—it’s about building a deeper connection to nature and living in harmony with the earth.

🌍 Grow Green & Make a Difference

Sustainable gardening is one of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact while enjoying fresh, organic food right from your backyard. By using compost, water-efficient techniques, organic seeds, and pollinator-friendly plants, you can create a thriving, eco-conscious garden that benefits both your family and the planet.

Are you growing your own vegetables and herbs this season? Share your gardening tips in the comments! 🌿💚

New Clean Beauty Must-Haves: Skinovo’s Rose & Coconut Water Hydrating Mist and Strawberry Lip Balm

March 10, 2025 0

If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for high-quality, clean beauty products that actually work. I recently tried Skinovo’s Rose & Coconut Water Hydrating Mist and Strawberry Lip Balm, and I have to say—I’m obsessed! Not only do they deliver on hydration and nourishment, but they’re also vegan and cruelty-free, which is a huge win in my book. Let’s dive into what makes these products must-haves in any skincare routine.

🌹 Rose & Coconut Water Hydrating Mist: A Refreshing Skin Boost

One of my favorite skincare steps is a good facial mist. Whether I’m starting my day, refreshing my makeup, or just giving my skin a mid-day pick-me-up, a hydrating mist is a staple in my routine.

Skinovo’s Rose & Coconut Water Hydrating Mist is a perfect blend of botanical goodness and lightweight hydration. The rose water soothes and tones, while the coconut water provides deep hydration—leaving my skin feeling refreshed and glowing. It’s especially great for those days when my skin needs an extra boost of moisture without feeling greasy or heavy.

Why I Love It:
✔ Ultra-hydrating without feeling sticky
✔ Soothing & refreshing—perfect for all skin types
✔ Vegan & cruelty-free (because beauty should be kind!)
✔ Smells divine 🌸

I love spritzing it on in the morning after cleansing, and it’s also a fantastic mid-day refresher, especially if I’ve been sitting in front of a screen for too long.

🍓 Strawberry Lip Balm: Smooth, Soft, and Oh-So-Nourishing

Let’s talk about lips! I’m super picky about lip balms because I can’t stand anything too waxy, sticky, or drying. Thankfully, Skinovo’s Strawberry Lip Balm is the perfect balance of moisture, smoothness, and just the right amount of shine.

From the moment I applied it, I noticed how silky it felt on my lips. It keeps them hydrated for hours without constant reapplication, and the strawberry scent is just enough to be sweet without being overpowering. Plus, it’s completely vegan and cruelty-free, so I know I’m using something that aligns with my values.

Why I Love It:
✔ Deeply nourishing & long-lasting hydration
✔ Non-sticky & smooth texture
✔ Delicious strawberry scent 🍓
✔ Vegan & cruelty-free

This little balm has officially earned a permanent spot in my bag—I never leave home without it!

Clean Beauty That Delivers

Skinovo is quickly becoming one of my favorite skincare brands. Their commitment to clean, vegan, and cruelty-free beauty is something I truly appreciate, and the quality of their products speaks for itself. If you’re looking for a hydrating mist that refreshes and a lip balm that keeps your lips soft and smooth, I highly recommend checking these out.

Have you tried Skinovo products yet? Let me know your favorites in the comments!

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