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.
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!
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. It’s one of the best features you can show off to your guests when they visit, and it’s 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. It’s 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 home’s 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 doesn’t 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 you’re 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 doesn’t 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 you’re 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 isn’t kept in good condition. Instead, why don’t 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 home’s overall look and personality. However, when decorating your landscape, ensure that it doesn’t 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 ‘landscape designers near me’ 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. It’s a great way to add more space to your home and spend some time outdoors. There’s nothing like enjoying a beautiful sunrise or sunset on your balcony. It’s a priceless experience that you might miss out on. You should consider getting a balcony if your home doesn’t have one.
Apart from the views, it’s 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 can’t go wrong with building up. Alternatively, you can try a split-level design. It’s more cost-friendly, as you wouldn’t 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 it’s 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.
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!
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.
