Sweet Greens

You’ve decided that the time has come to swap to a more environmentally conscious beauty routine. You may have been thinking about it for a while or it might be something that you’ve just decided on, either way, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to overhauling your entire beauty routine, isn’t there? The good news is that swapping to a more eco-friendly beauty routine doesn’t have to be a struggle – it’s just a case of knowing what steps to take, that’s all. 

Wondering what steps you can take to swap to a more environmentally conscious routine? Below are a few tips, ideas, and hacks to take note of and implement when it comes to your approach to beauty. 

Go reusable 

The first step to making your beauty routine a little more eco-friendly is to go down the reusable route. Instead of using disposable products, such as disposable makeup wipes, for instance, consider swapping to a zero-waste alternative, such as reusable makeup removal pads. The great thing about reusable products like these is the fact that not only do they help reduce your beauty routine’s environmental impact, but they also help to cut costs in the long run. Not only can you buy reusable makeup cleansing cloths, but also reusable cotton buds, sanitary towels, and makeup products. 

Opt for natural products 

Wherever possible, opt to use natural products. Products that contain chemicals and additives are not only bad for the environment but they’re also damaging to your skin and hair. Instead, opt to use natural products. Say, for instance, if you want to swap out your normal shampoo for a more eco-friendly alternative, you could try Graham’s Natural Shampoo. The good news is that there are lots of fantastic natural brands to choose from, it’s just a case of finding the one that offers the right products that meet your needs. Take the time to shop around and find the right products to meet your beauty needs, which also offer a more ethical approach to beauty. 

Look for ‘naked’ products 

Another great way to reduce your carbon footprint when it comes to your beauty routine is to look for ‘naked’ products wherever possible. Naked products come without packaging and thus, are ideal for anyone creating a zero-waste beauty routine. There are lots of fantastic packaging-free products to choose from, from solid cleansers and shower gels to perfumes and lip balms. You will find that stores like Lush offer a fantastic range of ‘naked’ products. 

Consider Beauty Procedures

Sometimes, you’re saving money and resources in the long run by opting for beauty procedures more than you would be buying the item. Razors are a great example; even if you buy a reusable razor, it gets to the point where the blade is dull, and a new head is needed. Even this can be considered wasteful, as those small razors cannot be recycled. So instead, opting for one year of laser hair removal for $99 could be the best option! You’ll be pampering yourself, and you’re saving the environment!

Refill where possible 

When it comes to products that you cannot buy ‘naked’, consider looking for brands that offer refillable products. By choosing products that come in packaging designed to be refilled, you can help to cut your environmental impact and make your beauty routine far more eco-friendly. You should be able to find refillable products at your local eco store or you can purchase them online. 

There you have it, a few simple steps for swapping to a more eco-friendly beauty regime. 

Climate change is a real and serious issue that is negatively affecting millions of lives. Fortunately, everyone can play a role in minimizing the impact of climate change. An excellent way to prevent environmental destruction is to reduce your carbon footprint. Here is all you need to know about the carbon footprint and four pragmatic ways to decrease it.

What is the Carbon Footprint?

Your carbon footprint, simply put, is the amount of gas pollutants you release into the environment. These can come from the production of items you use, like clothes and bags, food processing, and transportation. Of all greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is the most common culprit of environmental degradation.

If you wonder how you can lower the amount of gas emissions released to the environment, here are four practical ways to go about it.

1. Drive Less

Emissions from car exhausts are arguably the most significant contributor to air pollution. This is particularly true for older cars makes that are less fuel-efficient. It follows, therefore, that traveling by car less would be extremely beneficial to the environment.

Consider cycling to work to reduce your carbon emission. Walk to different places if you can. Both of these activities are good for the environment, and they also help you get some exercise.

If you must use a vehicle, opt for public transportation instead of driving. This is cheaper and can drastically reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. 

2. Avoid Red Meat

You may not believe it, but red meat is a leading cause of environmental pollution. How is this possible, you ask? It is because of the resources that go into cattle rearing and meat processing.

Animal agriculture consumes a lot of freshwater, which is a relatively scarce resource. Add in the feeds that cows consume and their production processes, and you have a terrible culprit of environmental degradation.

You don’t have to give up red meat entirely to save the environment: even a little reduction in your average consumption of the meat can go a long way in reducing your carbon footprint. You can even jump start to keto to lose weight and consume less meat.

3. Unplug Devices

How often do you leave devices plugged in even when you are not using them? You may not know it, but unplugged devices draw a lot of power, which is wasted. The energy wastage that results from unplugged devices every year runs into the billions of dollars.

Form a habit of unplugging devices once you finish using them, and you will lower your carbon footprints tremendously. What’s more, you will also save some money in the process.

4. Buy Clothes Wisely

Making clothes is yet another process that heavily burdens Mother Earth. The emissions coming from cloth factories and the discharges flowing to rivers contribute significantly to environmental pollution. Additionally, the garment industry still relies heavily on child labor, which is an incredibly ugly fact about it.

So, what can you do to minimize the ills of the clothing industry? Start by buying a few quality items that you can wear for years. Take care of your clothing to avoid having to replace it frequently. Consider buying gently worn clothes from second-hand stores to reduce the number of waste clothes that end up in landfills. And most importantly, avoid fast fashion; it is expensive and wasteful.

Conclusion

Now that you know what to do to reduce your carbon footprint, all that remains is for you to act. No action is too small to save the environment; even cycling to work once a week can go a long way. Start today and play your part in environmental conservation.

It’s no secret that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. You won’t get very far through your day without the chance to first eat something, and the type of food you eat will always impact the way you feel for hours yet to come. Of course, for many people, a slice of toast or a quick bowl of cereal is enough, though this doesn’t exactly create a thrilling breakfast experience. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring a range of healthy, delicious, and easy to prepare breakfast dishes for you to enjoy.

Everything Oats

Oats are one of the healthiest grains grown by humans in the modern world. They are gluten-free, along with being packed with essential vitamins and nutrients that will keep your body running smoothly. Studies have even shown that regular consumption of oats can lower your chances of suffering from heart conditions in the future, while also lowering your blood sugar and helping you to lose weight. Of course, though, how exactly should you be eating your oats?

• Oatmeal

Oatmeal has long been one of the most popular breakfast options in the world, with loads of people across the globe using this food source to fuel their days. You can learn more about oatmeal and gluten intolerance online, with loads of resources giving you the chance to soak up information about the type of food.

• Overnight Oats

Similar to oatmeal, overnight oats will usually come in the form of a range of ingredients that have been allowed to mingle with oats for a long period (usually overnight). This enables you to create rich flavors and complex meals with barely any work, all while benefiting from the health aspects of oats.

• Oatcakes

Similar to pancakes in their form, oatcakes offer a great alternative to this traditional breakfast treat. You can buy ready-made oatcakes, though they are also nice and easy to make for yourself if you’d prefer. You can treat these exactly how you’d treat pancakes, though it’s worth choosing things like fruit over sugar and chocolate.

Not only are oats really healthy, but they are also good for the environment. Unlike other crops, oats can be grown year in year out, all without harming the quality of the soil they are grown in. This means that farmers can continue to grow oats in fields that would otherwise have to take long breaks.

Fruity Fruity

Fruits have been on the menu for humans for their entire existence, and it’s no wonder that we like them so much; they’re an excellent natural source of vitamins and nutrients. This makes fruit great for breakfast, though most people will find it a little unsatisfying to eat raw fruit on its own. Let’s take a look at some of the best breakfast options available for those who love fruit.

• Fruit & Yogurt: Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, along with loads of other vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Plain Greek yogurt is the best of the bunch, but it will be a little boring without some fruit to liven things up. Chopped fruit in yogurt is a great way to start your day.

• Smoothies: Making fruit into a drink can be a great way to improve the way that it tastes, while also giving you the chance to enjoy an easy breakfast that can be taken anywhere. Smoothies have long been a popular choice for health enthusiasts, providing you with a way to enjoy loads of fruit and veg without having to eat it raw.

• Fruit Salads: Mixing chopped fruit with a little bit of fruit juice sounds nice and easy, right? Fruit salads provide an excellent breakfast option for those with limited time on their hands. Pre-made fruit salads tend to be very sugary, but you can check the pack to make sure that you’re not eating something bad here.

As you probably know, fruits come from plants, and plants are largely made from carbon. This carbon is drawn from carbon dioxide in the air; one of the primary components of climate change. With more and more fruit trees being planted, the impact of human activity could be drastically reduced.

Cereals

It can be all too easy to assume that something like cereal will be too boring for your morning meal. In reality, though, there are loads of different cereal options out there, and you need only find one that you like to enjoy a healthy and green breakfast each day. Granola is a great place to start with this, with options like muesli also appealing to a lot of people. When looking for cereals, you should always avoid those that come in colorful packets that are designed for children.

While not every cereal manufacturer is green, it’s easy to find examples that reflect your passion for the environment when you’re looking at healthier cereals. It’s always worth doing some research before you buy products like this, with companies like Nestle doing a good job to make their products look ethical and green, but the reality of these products being really quite different.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to kickstart a life of better breakfasts. It can be hard to make sure that your morning meals tick all of the boxes, but there are loads of options on the market that can help with this. From oatmeal to cereal, you’ve never had a wider range of breakfast options available, and this makes it easy to find options that you like and are good for your body.

Have you already started the countdown to the festive season? 

Most of us have! There are only a few weeks left to get your Christmas plans ready. However, with about 6 weeks before Christmas, you can still make it count and create a sustainable festive look. It’s easy to panic and choose easy solutions. But before you turn to the high street brands, here are some ideas to embrace the Christmas colors while going green. 

It’s hard to think of the festive season without thinking of Santa’s costume, Rudolph’s nose, and the yummy candy canes. Red is the color of Christmas, and that could be your festive look this year. Are you ready for a red Christmas that is green? 

Warm henna hues for your hair

If you are familiar with home DIY kits for hair dyes, you probably already have found a few trustworthy brands that are good for your hair and the environment. Natural hair dyes are safe for the planet, as they don’t cause any damage when you wash them away in the sink. More importantly, because of their low chemical content, they are gentle on your hair. Brands such as Aveda and Original & Mineral refer to their dye’s formulas as clean and eco-conscious technology. Alternatively, if you prefer a subtle red nuance, you can also try henna for the hair which gives a warm, reddish glow to most hair colors. If you’re new to using henna, be aware that it may take two to three applications to get it right. But the product is safe to use and reuse. 

Warm eyeshadow and blush palette

With plenty of skin-safe and gentle make-up products available, it can be challenging to find the right thing for you. When it comes to your Christmas look, you may want to splurge on the purchase of a vegan eyeshadow palette buy here for a warm look. You can use burgundy or maroon hues for a toned-down look. If you are feeling more adventurous, a trendy pink can turn heads around the Christmas dinner table. 

Your very unique Christmas dress

A little DIY can go a long way to getting your Christmas dress ready. You’ll find plenty of fabrics that have been colored using natural dyes and produced sustainably. Ecological textiles are typically available from specialist shops online. Sewing a simple dress can be a fun Christmas challenge. With a lot of tutorials available, you can rely on free material for guidance. If you are unsure how to proceed, it can be helpful to use one of your dresses as a basic pattern to follow. 

Eco-friendly tights that set the mood

Are tights eco-friendly? Not all tights are sustainably produced, but a lot of brands have green concerns. Swedish stockings recycle used tights from any brands. The brand also cuts down on water use and relies on vegan dyes only. So you can showcase your legs with an elegant design that doesn’t damage the planet. 

Are you ready to make your Christmas look go further? Looking your best for a stylish celebration at home doesn’t have to be damaging for the planet. You can be pretty in red while protecting our green and blue planet.