Navigation

On the Go this Summer? Grab Stonyfield!

June 30, 2018 1

I don’t know about you, but for me, summertime is family time. We love going out together to walk the dogs, splashing in the pool, heading on a beach adventure, or simply riding our bikes down the Lake Trail. Biking is a big thing in our family, especially in summertime. We ride them everywhere – even to do our shopping!

Because we’re out and about so much, we need on-the-go snacks that are easy to transport, healthy, and (of course) delicious! Enter Stonyfield Organic Kids Pouches. Stonyfield’s pouches are lightweight, portable, and resealable. And, while I know it says “kids” on the pouch, I don’t mind telling you that I enjoy snacking on them from time to time, too!

Stonyfield’s are a great option for the whole family for many reasons:

  • they’re made with 25-35% less sugar than the leading kids yogurt
  • they have live active cultures to help keep your family *ahem* regular
  • you’ve got so many delicious flavors to choose from
  • and they’re USDA Organic certified, Non-GMO Project verified, made with milk from pasture-raised cows, Kosher certified, and gluten-free!

Right now, we are loving the strawberry, but, no matter which one we toss in our backpacks, everyone is snack-satisfied!

If you’re heading out on a bike adventure this summer or just lounging at the pool or beach, pick up some Stonyfield’s for your journey. And don’t forget the sunscreen! I’m currently obsessed with Badger Balm’s Broad Spectrum SPF 30. It’s a mineral-based sunscreen that is safe, effective, and smells great, too. And, just like Stonyfield, it’s B-Corp Certified. That means they’ve been third party certified to meet rigorous environmental and sustainability standards, along with accountability and transparency. Hooray! 

If you’re looking for a product that’s both earth- and kid-friendly, look no further than Stonyfield’s. Your whole family will love them, and they’ll make any trip you take – be it by bike, boat, or car – so much more pleasant! Which flavor of Stonyfield’s is YOUR favorite?    

 

This post is sponsored by Stonyfield – all opinions expressed are my own.

Hydroponic Gardeners Getting Even More Creative With Their Farms

June 19, 2018 0

The global hydroponics market was last valued at $19.95 billion in 2015, but is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, reaching approximately $27.33 billion in 2020.

Hydroponics is termed as one of the fastest growing soil less farming practices at a global level, and has evolved over the years to not only reach commercial farmers, but smalltime residential ones as well. The industry isn’t done expanding yet, ether. As the market continues to grow, more and more farmers are looking to not only utilize hydroponic gardening setups, but fully customize these crop spaces as well.

Soil stores about 0.01% of the total water on Earth within its pores. But for plants and crops to successfully grow, they need much more water than what the soil is already providing. Even with natural rainfall and frequent watering, it can be extremely difficult to find the exact amount of water in order to optimize plant growth. With hydroponic farming, however, it’s much easier to provide the plants with exactly what is needed. Some crops can even grow twice as fast in hydroponic farming setups because of the ability to receive correct amounts of not only water, but oxygen and essential nutrients as well.

In Florida,

According to Florida Today, a hydroponics farm in Central Florida is letting buyers pick not only the type of vegetable they want to purchase, but the is allowing individuals to cook them and eat them as well — right on the farm’s location.

Wichmann Farms and MJ Farm to Table in Melbourne has rows and rows of high-quality hydroponics fruits and veggies; along with a chicken coop and other amenities along their three-achre patch of land. They are even offering a hydroponic gardening workshop for kids in hopes of teaching the next generation of innovative farmers this new and exciting approach to gardening.

“We’re family-oriented,” said Matthew Wichmann, owner of the farm along with his wife, Joyce. “We have opportunities for mothers to come here and get healthy food at reasonable prices.”

“And to educate the children about where it came from,” Joyce Wichmann added.

The entire agricultural property is self-pick, meaning cutters get a basket, a pair of scissors, and a choice of all the vegetables than can gather. If a buyer isn’t able to spend time perusing through the hydroponic farmland, they can simply purchase bags of mixed lettuce greens, eggs, tomatoes, and all kinds of fresh produce and be on their way.

“Everything we grow out here has lots of flavor,” added David Murray, farm manager and hydroponics expert. “I tell everybody all the time, it’s the best salad they’ll ever have. There’s all kinds of things we can teach out here, not just healthy eating. There’s chemistry and business. We try to show them different hydroponic designs.”

Farms like this one in Melbourne and similar ones all across the globe are going to need to remain sufficient in the near future, especially as the global population reaches 7.5 billion. But it’s certainly an exiting time for agriculture and the hydroponics industry.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Relocate With These Eco-Friendly Moving Tips

June 7, 2018 0

Approximately 35.1 million Americans move every year. Though many consider it far too stressful of a process to even think about keeping it sustainable, it’s actually surprisingly easy to incorporate a few eco-friendly practices into your moving process to minimize waste and prioritize sustainability. Here are just a few ways to help you reduce, reuse, and recycle while you relocate.

Use the containers you already have.

Though you’re bound to need a few cardboard boxes to pack your belongings, try to make the most of the containers you already have in your home. So before you seek out additional containers, fully pack all of the suitcases, duffel bags, dresser drawers, reusable shopping bags, and other containers around your home. Today the world makes and consumes about 600 billion pounds of plastic yearly, and many homeowners have additional plastic storage containers to make transporting your belongings simple and safe.

Of course, to get the most from this tip, you’ll need to think about how you pack in addition to what you pack.

“If you have an item that can fit other things inside of it, fill it up before packing it. For example, line your small bathroom trash bin with a fresh garbage bag and use it to store items from under your sink. The more you can fit in containers you already have, the more you can avoid having to rely on purchased moving boxes,” writes Laura Mueller on Moving.

Get creative with packing materials.

The last packing material you want to use during your move is those styrofoam packing peanuts. Little do most homeowners know, they’re virtually never necessary. What you can do is use your clothing, linens, and towels to cushion some of your more fragile items, like your television or dishware. As long as you pack a few layers of clothing in between the container and the items, you can prevent damage to your belongings and to the environment.

Before you throw anything away, donate everything you can.

Downsizing is an inevitable part of the moving process. Ideally, you’ll be able to start the process of going through all your belongings several weeks in advanced so that you don’t have to rush. Either way, don’t throw anything away that you think someone else could still get some use out of. Whether you drop it off at a local donation center, recycle it, or give it to a family member or friend, there’s no reason it should end up in the trash if it doesn’t have to be.

In addition to your personal belongings, this also applies to any materials you may have leftover after performing any home repairs prior to your move, for example, painting. Studies have shown that levels of several organics average two to five times higher indoors than outdoors, and when inhaled they can contribute to several health problems. With that in mind, don’t just let your extra paint end up in a landfill contributing toxins to the environment. Give it to someone who’s in the middle of their own home improvement project. If you have enough to give away and you have the time, a yard sale is a great way to downsize while bringing in some extra cash.

Consider hiring a ‘green’ moving company.

Finally, there are countless moving companies that have been making an effort to incorporate sustainable practices into their business plans. According to a 2011 report, 86% of consumers will pay more for a better experience, and though these services may sometimes cost a bit more, it’s well worth it to limit the impact you’re having on the environment.

“A green moving company will use trucks that run on biodiesel fuel instead of traditional gas and can also help set you up with reusable moving boxes so that you don’t have to worry about going the cardboard box route. Search reputable movers…and choose a mover that has a proven dedication to keeping the Earth clean,” writes Mueller.

What other ways have you kept the Earth in mind during your move? Tell us in the comments!

3 Tips to Safely Install Eco-Friendly ICFs In Your Home’s Foundation

May 25, 2018 1

ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms) are becoming an increasingly popular option for eco-friendly homeowners looking for a major sustainable boost. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, ICF walls can save homeowners 20% to 25% on annual heating and cooling costs, and they have countless other sustainable benefits as well. Of course, as is the case with any large-scale home improvement project, extra care during the installation process is critical to ensure proper use and prolonged durability upon completion. Here are just a few quick ways to stay safe and properly install ICFs in your home’s foundation.

Cover Up

Before you start this lengthy project, it’s important to suit up. Though this project, in particular, isn’t inherently dangerous, it’s always best to cover up with the appropriate protective gear to avoid injury and damage to the material. Since ICF forms are available in various shapes and sizes, those working with larger or heavier forms may feel safer wearing some sort of protective helmet or headgear. Helmet head liners typically only break in about 5%, but you never know when a helmet could protect you from injury in the event of a bizarre accident.Similarly, if you’ll be working outside during the daytime, it’s always important to protect your eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. About 75% of U.S. adults wear Rx or plano sunglasses, and protective eyewear is essential during any activity that involves you being outside for an extended period of time. Once you’re equipped with the proper gear, you’re ready to get started with the challenge of the installation process.

Mark Clearly and Place Forms

Once your building plan is in place, be careful when making your final markings that indicate exactly where you’re building. The layout on the ground should be to full scale to avoid discrepancies with measurements. Chalk powder is a great resource for marking the layout.

Precise measurements are necessary to dig the trenches as well, and they, too, should be according to scale.

“Once you’ve gotten everything marked, you will need to dig trenches for the foundation footings…The trenches should accommodate the insulated concrete forms securely without a lot of room on either side. With the trenches dug you can place the insulated concrete forms in the trenches,” says DoItYourself.

Don’t Rush Cure Time

Finally, once your ICFs are installed properly, they’ll need to cure for a set amount of time, which is usually around 28 days. Though you’re probably eager to continue the installation process, like rewiring, it’s essential to wait the full time to ensure proper adherence and durability. Don’t compromise the structural integrity of your ICFs just because you’re impatient — the wait is 100% worth it for the sustainable benefits.

Ultimately, installing ICF forms is undoubtedly a major home renovation project. Unless you have significant DIY home improvement experience, it’s always best to leave the job to a professional who’s worked with this material before. But as long as you take the proper care and ensure correct installation, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of your home’s new ICF forms for years to come.

Getting My Summer Groove On With prAna!

May 17, 2018 0

It’s been a busy spring at the Sweet Greens’ house! In fact, our house has been the source of a lot of our busy-ness. A few months ago, our family moved into a new home! We’re so excited about our new place – a great house, only steps from the beach, with a pool in the backyard, as well! As you can guess, my spring has been filled with trips to the beach with the dogs, paddleboarding, relaxing in the hot tub with the mister, and splashing in the pool with Eben.

With all the swimming we’ve got planned, it was time for me to find a new bathing suit! As you know, choosing organic wherever I can is important to me. That’s why I was thrilled to discover this cute suit from prAna! I LOVE prAna and have a bunch of their clothing pieces and I have never been disappointed! If you’re not familiar with prAna, they’re an activewear and casual clothing brand known for using 100% organic cotton in their clothing. They have incredible sustainability values, as well, and a lot of their products are Fair Trade certified.

I was so thrilled with this suit when it arrived. It’s so cute and comfy! I know it can be challenging ordering things like swimsuits online, but their fit finder helped me find my perfect suit. I’m glad I used it, since their sizes seem to run a bit small. But this one fit me like I’d tried it on in-store! Perfect fit!

If you’re taking a trip to the beach this summer, or just splashing around the backyard pool like me, check out the swimwear (and other great stuff) at prAna! You can save 15% when you shop online with the code TRJLS18. They’ve got lots of great options, whether you’re climbing on a surfboard or just looking to get a good tan. And, you’re supporting a company committed to green living – what could be better than that?

What summer activities are you planning?

 

This post is sponsored by prAna – all opinions expressed are my own.

Older posts Newer posts