Last updated on August 13th, 2020 at 07:05 pm
This week we have a guest post from Lana Hawkins, a Sydney writer and student of architecture, with an interest in interior design and green living.
Now that you have made some positive changes – perhaps you’ve started to recycle, you’re turning off your appliances, and you have installed solar panels on the roof – it’s time to take the next step. Let’s take a look at some great New Year’s resolutions that will help you create a healthier, greener household.
Stick to a cruelty-free beauty routine
Here’s one you might not have thought of before: green makeup! Well, eco-friendly and cruelty-free are better terms. You probably know by now how the majority of the beauty industry works, and how companies are exploiting workers, animals, and natural resources to fuel the machine of consumerism, and get you your favorite beauty products. But it doesn’t have to be that way, not if you choose ethical, sustainable, and eco-friendly brands, and do your best to boycott the ones that are ruining our planet.
In recent years, people from around the world have started to speak out about the cruelty that’s going on in the beauty industry, and while I won’t name any brands here, you can do a quick Google search to find out whom you can and cannot trust. Aside from choosing sustainable brands, you can also eliminate certain products from your life such as makeup removers, and cleanse your face with olive oil or a combination of castor and hazelnut oils, or of course, just grab a Norwex makeup removal cloth and use it with nothing but water!
Prep meals the smart way
Meal-prepping is not only fun, rewarding, and a big time-saver, but it’s also one of the best ways to stick to ethical, sustainable, and eco-friendly consumption. This is something that I have been doing for a few years now, and I have to say that I have not only been able to stick to my hectic schedule while making some truly amazing meals for my family, but I have also been able to reduce the electricity use in my kitchen. To be honest, the financial savings weren’t that noticeable at first, but over the years it really starts to add up.
Now, meal-prepping is really easy, you just need to devote a lazy Sunday afternoon to preparing several dishes for the upcoming week. This saves you both time and money, and it allows you to spend your free time cooking in a stress-free environment, not to mention that you won’t have to worry whether or not there’s food in the fridge. What’s more, this way I can use the oven only once a week instead of firing it up every single day and wasting electricity.
[Note from Kirsten – and if you are preparing for a nasty flu season, as we have predicted this year, spend a Sunday afternoon making some chicken soup from scratch to have in the freezer too!]
Introduce eco-friendly décor and accents
Until the environmental revolution that has really gained traction in recent years, finding eco-friendly materials that were also sourced from reliable and cruelty-free production methods was, to put it mildly, difficult. Nowadays, an ever-increasing number of global brands are turning to a sustainable business model as well as cruelty-free and fair-trade production methods, making it easier for you and me to decorate our homes with healthy materials. And that’s exactly what you should do.
Start with the floors by removing synthetics from underneath your feet. Choose natural fabrics such as a comfy wool rug that has been obtained from sustainable sources, and support the local economy by making sure it was made by the local artisans. Follow this mindset, and when upgrading your furniture make sure it boasts eco-friendly fabrics such as bamboo, organic cotton, or recycled materials, and apply this principle to your accent pillows and other throws.
Clean your home the natural way
The next tip I think can make a big positive impact on your life and the lives of your family members is to simply eliminate all toxic cleaners from your home. If you’re going to use proprietary cleaners instead of making your own, then make sure to find the ones that will safeguard your health and nurture your skin, such as Norwex laundry detergent. When you’re cleaning the stove or trying to remove those caked stains from the oven, you can also use toxin-free brand cleaners, or you can make your own solutions from apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and warm water.
Donate, lend, and buy pre-owned
And finally, one of the biggest changes you can make is to simply say no to mass consumerism. Instead of throwing your old clothes away, be sure to donate them to those in need. Even better, instead of buying everything new, why not visit some of the thrift shops in your area and buy pre-owned clothes that are still in amazing condition?
You can also often borrow what you need from your friends and neighbors, and lend them something they need instead of wasting money on something that you’re going to use twice before storing it in the garage. Needless to say, this will help you preserve a clutter-free living environment, which is always a good way to create a healthier home.
With 2020 well under way, we’re past the time for New Year’s resolutions… Now’s the time to make some truly inspirational commitments that will elevate your long-term health and aid you in your quest to make this world a better place. With these tips in mind, I know that you will be able to build a thriving home imbued with health and happiness.
