The food that you eat does not have to damage the planet that we live on. There is no reason for this to be the case, and if it is right now then you need to start making some changes. The world that we live in is precious, and we need to be doing everything in our power to take care of it. Even if it’s only small changes to start with, every little helps when it comes to the world. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you can do to change this, so keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.
Go Vegetarian/Vegan
The first thing that we are going to recommend is that you go vegetarian or vegan. A lot of the food that we consume requires a lot of carbon, water, and greenhouse gas emissions. A vegan diet however is different and studies have shown that there is a significant reduction in these gasses when the vegan or vegetarian diet is followed by a group of people. While it might not seem like a lot, the gasses are a massive contributor to the fact that there is currently a hole in the ozone layer that cannot be repaired.
Grow Your Own Food
One of the best things that you can do for yourself and for the planet is to grow your own food. Stay with us here, because the only reason that this sounds so awful to a lot of people is that we have become lazy about having things provided for us. It’s not the idea of growing and eating your own food that bothers you, it’s the fact that you have to put in the effort to make sure the food actually grows, rather than letting it die because you forgot to take care of it. But, how satisfying would it be to sit down to dinner and know that the oven roasted yellow squash came straight from your garden?
You don’t have to do it all straight away, you can start with one thing and work your way up. Just give it a go, as you never know, you might really enjoy it.
Sustainable Cooking Methods
The last thing that we want to mention is looking at sustainable cooking methods. This is going to include using as much of the product as possible to reduce waste, using eco-friendly cookware and so much more. You can learn more about this in another post, giving you plenty of ideas to try out in the future.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do in order to stop what you’re eating from damaging the planet. There is absolutely no reason that what we as humans are consuming needs to have a massive impact on the planet, but this is what’s happening right now. We wish you the very best of luck if you’re going to be making changes.
Did you know that approximately 50 million Americans experience acne every year? According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, acne is the most common skin complaint in the United States. More often than not, it begins in puberty. However, the condition can still appear when you are an adult.
Puberty-related acne is typically linked to a sudden change in hormones, which occurs during adolescence. Hormonal fluctuations can lead to an increased secretion of sebum and oil, which can lead to clogged-up pores. Unfortunately, it’s the reason why pimples appear to plague young people.
However, you may still be affected by unpleasant outbreaks as an adult. Why does acne continue to happen throughout your 20s, 30s, 40s, and even later in life?
The answer is more complex than it seems. There could be a variety of causes for acne in adult life, ranging from stress to lifestyle choices. But summer is a season that tends to increase the risk of pimple outbreaks, and here is why it happens and how to fight it sustainably.Â
The importance of packaging
Skincare has become an essential ritual, not only in terms of mental and physical self-care but also as a social expectation. People are expected to take better care of their skin because society now has access to better information regarding skin health.
Additionally, countless beauty and fashion magazines have jumped on the trends and offered insights into the skincare routine of celebrities and influencers, such as Vogue Magazine.
Unfortunately, the popular 10 steps skincare routine models that have become viral on social media present a huge inconvenience to the environment. The global skincare market size is expected to reach $145.8 billion by 2028 as people become more aware of their skin needs. Unfortunately, skin care products also bring packaging. As the market is growing, its impact on the environment needs to reduce rapidly.Â
So, if you are considering the purchase of new acne-focused products, you want to focus on brands that are actively reducing packaging waste and making green choices.
How to choose the right green products for your skin
You can work closely with a dermatologist to determine what your skin needs. It is not uncommon for dermatologists to have a specialist brand they partner with or help design. However, they also have knowledge of other brands and can help you make a better choice for your skin health.
A dermatologist can help you with:
Identifying brands with natural ingredients
Recognizing brands that have a low environmental impact through manufacturing to packaging processes
Understanding which ingredients are best for you
Cutting down and simplifying your routine (more is not necessarily better)
It may be worth also keeping a journal of the products you use as part of your beauty routine, as makeup or moisturizing lotion could be the cause of your outbreaks.Â
Summer skin inflammation problems
Why is your skin more likely to be inflamed in summer?
Summer is a season that makes a lot of promises but rarely delivers. You may be planning for a lovely day, so you can give your favorite light summer dress a spin. But, the temperatures can rise suddenly and ruin your plan. Suddenly, the dress feels suffocating on your skin, trapping the sweat under the surface. Additionally, you might find it hard to stay hydrated in summer. Mild dehydration is a frequent occurrence, leading to water retention, which can cause frictions against the dress fabric. You may notice red marks around the armpits, the elbows, and the waist, where light swelling can lead to discomfort. The condition is not dangerous and is often easily regulated via increasing your water intake over a few days. It can also be helpful to avoid excessive sun exposure so your body can keep its moisture. But the combination of frictions and sweat may lead to inflamed outbreaks. You can help with solutions that can soothe, cleanse, and target inflammation. You may even have everything you need already at home. Have you heard about the skin-calming benefits of using colloidal oatmeal? A mixture of water and oatmeal can work wonders on your summer skin, helping reduce problems in the typical areas.Â
Other causes of inflammation and acne in summer can be mosquito or other bug bites. The summer heat may increase discomfort around the area where you’ve been bitten. So it gets harder not to scratch. Yet, the more you scratch, the more likely you are to tear through the upper skin layer. This could increase the risk of exposure to bacteria, dirt, or even waste products such as sweat, causing inflammation and clogged pores.
Sunscreen protection is a must, but at which cost?
Ideally, you should wear sunscreen lotion daily, regardless of the season. Yet, most people tend to skip protection in winter and focus only on the summer day. As tempting as it is to buy lotions in inexpensive family packs, you want to research the skin benefits of each lotion.
Indeed, sunscreen cream is the number one cause of acne outbreaks in summer, as it can clog the pores. Some sunscreens may also use chemicals that can irritate the skin and increase the risk of breakouts. So, you want to ensure you pick a sunscreen that is safe for your skin type. Read the label carefully to check whether:
It includes oil, which is a no-no for oily skin
It mentions comedogenic ingredients (or is not labeled as a non-comedogenic sunscreen)
You can help clear your skin naturally with this homemade skin hygiene recipe that can reduce redness and inflammation.
Dermatologists also recommend mineral sunscreens, which tend to be lightweight and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Chemical sunscreens tend to increase sweating, which can affect your pores. Select also a product that contains niacinamide, which can help control breakouts.
Your diet affects your skin
You are what you eat. Nutritionists recommend healthy foods that can address skin balance and health, such as fatty fish for keeping your skin hydrated, walnuts for reducing inflammation, and bell peppers for bringing in antioxidants. Summer is the best season for healthy salads that are packed with nutrients and vitamins.
Yet, it’s also a season for indulgence! After all, the sun is hot, so it’s the perfect weather to have ice cream at the beach. Americans consume approximately 22 pounds of ice cream every year, and the hot weather contributes to increased consumption. Unfortunately, two of the main ingredients in ice cream are tightly connected to acne outbreaks: dairy products and sugar. The yummy summer scoops in a cone could well be the cause of your frequent outbreaks. The quickest way to know is to write a journal of your daily activities and food, comparing skin health day after day. You may also want to experiment with removing some food groups from your summer diet.
Another surprising effect of the nice weather is the friendly garden party and BBQ event. With Independence Day celebrations, you might find yourself standing in front of a garden grill, preparing burgers for your guests. Prolonged exposure to the smoke could lead to buildups on your skin, which could affect its health and appearance. So, if you are a BBQ lover, you may want to take good care of your skin hygiene during and after a grill party:
Avoid touching your face while in the vicinity of a BBQ
Always wash your hands after handling raw meat or any part of the grill
Wash your face thoroughly after a BBQ to ensure you can remove fine smoke particles that may clog your pores
Let’s be real: Summer leads to excessive sweating
If you live in a region that is prone to heatwaves, you are probably familiar with uncomfortable nights at the peak of the summer. Your body sweats more during the summer than it does in winter. So, you might notice dry sweat patches on your pillow or mattress cover. These patches can also trap bacteria. The last thing you want at night is to lie down on top of a bacteria pool. While it is unlikely to put your immune system at risk if you are healthy, it could affect your skin and lead to acne outbreaks.
As a rule of thumb, you should change your bed sheets at least once a week in summer. It may even be easier to switch to daily changes during a heatwave, especially if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin.
The same principle also applies to your bath and face towels, as they accumulate dirt and bacteria.
Some ideas to reduce sweating at night:
You can place your bed sheets in the freezer for a few minutes before making the bed at night.
If you have a bed water bottle, you can also place it in the freezer during the day so it is ready to use when you go to bed.
A cold shower will increase sweating as your body experiences a temperature shock. Instead, try to take a short shower at a warmer temperature, closer to your body’s natural temperature.
Hopefully, these few ideas can help you understand and manage the unpleasant summer outbreaks. Keep your skin clean and fresh this summer with strategic and sustainable choices in terms of cleansing routines, products, and everyday lifestyle!
The 4th of July weekend is here! It’s a weekend of reflection, celebration, and a great excuse for a BBQ!
There are many eco-friendly ways to make the holiday more sustainable. To get you started here are 5 quick tips to make your day of red, white, and blue a little more green.
#1: Think Reusable – Not Disposable
If you will be celebrating the 4th of July at home, choose reusable dinnerware instead of the disposable kind. It will only take a few minutes more to load them into the dishwasher and will save the environment a lot! Consider a great recyclable or compostable alternative if reusable simply isn’t an option. #2: Get it from the Garden
The 4th of July is the perfect time to share the abundance of goodies from your garden with the neighbors. Instead of letting all of those zucchinis and cucumbers go to waste, invite your family and friends over for a vegetarian BBQ and encourage them to bring a vegetarian dish to share – skip the meat and the environment will smile.
#3: Entertain the Kids with Nature Crafts
You don’t have to purchase anything new to entertain the kiddos on the 4th of July, instead, encourage them to create their own to make their own recycled lava lamps, succulent gardens with paint-dipped dinosaurs, or organic pine cone bird feeders. These activities will keep them busy all day long! Other fun options include encouraging them to have a bicycle parade around the neighborhood or a watermelon eating contest.
Instead of purchasing fireworks that only last a few seconds and create pounds of toxic garbage – visit your local park or beach for the community firework show. They are going to shoot the fireworks off anyways, you may as well enjoy the show.
How will you add a little green to your 4th of July celebration?
There are both major and small methods to make your home more sustainable, from establishing a compost bin to adding solar panels. Sustainable home upgrades can help you save energy while also reducing your impact and enhancing your health and wellbeing.
#1: Bring in Light EfficiencyÂ
LED lights use up to 90% less energy than conventional bulbs. Pulling drapes over your windows during the summer can reduce the load on your air conditioner and help keep your house cool. Consider light colors when choosing curtains because they will reflect the most sunshine away from your property. However, keeping your home cold will consume less energy than keeping it illuminated (especially if you’re using energy-efficient light bulbs), even if you’ll probably need to use your home’s lights more frequently with curtains.Â
Consider your climate when selecting where to install windows, how big they should be, and if you’ll want to cover them if you’re creating your own home.
#2: Fence panels and garden screensÂ
Fence and screen panels, on the other hand, are frequently overlooked. They define the limits of our property, fence our yard, and protect us. They should be regularly updated or maintained because they are a crucial component of the garden. A fence with openings where your child or pet could escape is not what you want. Contact a fence contractor if you need a complete project completed with your fences and want them professionally done.Â
#3: Utilize recycled, reused, or salvaged materials
Reducing, reusing, and recycling should always be practiced when making improvements to a home. Renovations and new construction frequently produce a lot of needless garbage. Most of the time, there is a gap between the origin of the materials for your home and their eventual disposal. Many homeowners are unaware of the significant cost and waste reduction benefits of furnishing (or, in some circumstances, even building) a home with refurbished or salvaged materials.
Consider employing recycled materials while remodeling a room in your house, whether you’re installing new flooring, cabinets, doors, or something else. Wood, beams, doors, flooring, copper, and other repurposed or reclaimed materials are still structurally sound and are offered in quantities and at costs that may surprise you. The biggest barrier to this practice’s broad adoption is still the availability of reused materials.
#4: Get a Compost Bin GoingÂ
Did you know that over 30% of what we throw away is made up of food leftovers and yard waste? Finding a means to reduce, reuse, or recycle this garbage might have a significant environmental impact given that the U.S. produces approximately 300 million tonnes of waste annually (almost 5 pounds per person each day).
You can convert that trash into organic matter by starting a compost bin, which you can then add to the soil to aid plant growth. Composting enables you to prevent climate change one banana peel or old coffee grind at a time. Healthy soil is essential to halting climate change.
Making your backyard eco-friendly is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while doing your part to help preserve the environment. Whether you are looking to install a new deck, add a garden, or build a playset for your kids, there are many ways you can make your backyard renovation project more sustainable. This guide will discuss some simple tips for conducting eco-friendly renovations in your backyard. Let’s get started!
Use sustainable materials
When selecting materials for your backyard renovation project, be sure to choose eco-friendly and sustainably sourced materials. For example, instead of using pressure-treated lumber for your new deck, opt for a more natural wood option like cedar or redwood. You can also look for recycled plastic lumber made from recycled milk jugs and other plastic waste.
Incorporate native plants
Using native plants in your landscaping is a great way to create an eco-friendly backyard. Native plants are naturally found in your area and require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than non-native species. Not only will this save you time and money, but it will also help to preserve local ecosystems. When planning your garden, select a variety of plant types to provide food and shelter for wildlife. You can also add a compost bin to help reduce waste and nourish your plants.
Use water wisely
Water is an essential resource, so it’s important to use it wisely when conducting backyard renovations. One way to do this is to install a rain barrel or cistern to collect runoff from your roof. This water can then water your plants or wash your car.
You can also reduce water waste by choosing drought-tolerant plants for your landscaping. These plants require less water and are better equipped to withstand periods of dry weather.
Consider solar power
Solar power is an excellent option if you are looking for ways to reduce your energy consumption. Solar panels can be used to generate electricity which can then be used to power lights, appliances, and other devices in your home. In addition, solar power is a renewable resource that doesn’t produce greenhouse gasses or other pollutants. It’s also relatively easy to install, making it an excellent option for eco-friendly backyard renovations.
Build a living fence:
Living fences are a great way to add privacy and beauty to your backyard while also helping the environment. A living fence in Japanese garden design is created by planting a row of trees or shrubs that will grow to form a natural barrier. Not only do living fences provide privacy and enhance the appearance of your property, but they also help improve air quality and provide habitat for wildlife.
When selecting plants for your living fence, be sure to choose native species that are well-suited to your climate. This will help ensure that your fence is low-maintenance and requires less water and fertilizer. You can also consider using fruit trees or other edible plants to create a living wall that provides food for you and the wildlife.
Many simple and effective ways to make your backyard renovation project more eco-friendly. Using sustainable materials, incorporating native plants, and using water wisely can help preserve the environment while creating a beautiful and functional backyard. So get started today and see how easy it is to go green!
