Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you think about the state of the environment? I know I do. I often feel like I’m just one small person, so what can I do to change things, really?
The truth is that big changes are often composed of many small changes, by many small individuals. There are simple things that you can do to help the environment, starting TODAY. These small steps can have a huge positive impact on our earth.
Even better? These easy steps to improve the earth’s health also improve YOUR health. With so much conflicting and confusing information out there, it’s nice to know that the journey to wellness doesn’t have to be complicated.
Feeling sluggish, tired, and weighed down? Why not try going meatless once a week! Or more! It takes a lot of energy for your digestive system to break down animal proteins. A meatless day - or even a meatless meal - can help boost your energy and digestion. Studies have shown that adopting a plant-based diet, even for one day a week, can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. Not only that, but increasing veggie intake and consumption of plant-based proteins such as beans and legumes add more fibre to your diet, making weight management easier.
Eco Tip: Having a meatless day is not only great for your body, it also has a significant positive environmental impact. From fossil fuels to water, it takes a lot of resources to produce one pound of meat, not to mention the methane gas emitted by meat and dairy farms. Having a meatless meal is an easy - and delicious! - way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Still not sure? My meat-loving family absolutely loves these recipes for Cauliflower Kung Pao (pictured above), Pad Thai, and Vegan Chili and they don’t miss the meat one bit.
It's a well-known fact that headaches and fatigue can be caused by dehydration, which is a problem that can be solved easily! Drinking water boosts your energy, helps with kidney function and digestion, and it helps calm snack cravings - hunger cues are sometimes just thirst! Dehydration can also lead to dull, dry skin, so think of that bottle of water as an internal beauty product.
Eco Tip: Be sure that your water bottle is reusable. Plastic water bottles are environmentally taxing to produce and transport, and while most of us recycle them, many end up in the landfill or as litter. Solve the problem by purchasing a pretty water bottle to go with your pretty, hydrated skin, and aim to refill it several times a day. My favourite is a one-litre stainless steel bottle that I refill three to four times daily (it's shown in the picture above!).
I don’t know about you, but I love getting great lather in my shampoo and foamy bubbles in my soap. Unfortunately, those elements are usually the result of petrochemicals and sodium lauryl sulfate. Happily, there are beauty products that do not rely on such chemicals to get superior results. Live Clean products are safe, gentle, and plant derived, without sacrificing performance and all those foamy bubbles we all love!
I live in a very dry climate and am always on the lookout for products to counter the effects on my hair and skin. I love the Live Clean Coconut Milk body wash for its moisturizing properties – and delicious scent! – the Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner for my colour-treated and heat-styled hair, and the Fresh Face line for my parched face.
Eco Tip: Not only is the Live Clean product line better for your skin and hair, but it is also better for the earth. The plant-derived ingredients are natural, renewable, replenishable, and sustainable, making these products a great environmentally-friendly choice, one that reduces our carbon footprint. For us animal lovers, it's important to know that the Live Clean products are cruelty-free, and many are vegan. Plus, they work like a charm, smell fantastic, and aren't hard to find!
Need to get somewhere quickly and don’t have time to walk? Dust off your helmet and hop on your bike! Remember that feeling of freedom you had as a kid when you rode your bike? You can recapture that glorious feeling, increase your fitness, and fight car pollution all at the same time.
There is beauty in simplicity; exercise does not need to be complicated. Walking is a simple, effective way to maintain weight and increase fitness, and it doesn't require any expensive equipment or memberships. A brisk walk in the fresh air can do wonders for your mood, as well as your balance and co-ordination.
Eco Tip: By leaving your car at home more often, you're doing the earth AND your body a favour. You'll be contributing less emissions to the environment and you’ll feel better, both physically and with that virtuous feeling that you are doing something for the greater good.
Gardening is one of the best, most authentic ways to reconnect with the earth. Digging in the soil, and planting a garden is wonderful therapy and a beautiful counter to our technology-driven lifestyle. Not to mention, growing your own vegetables is a delicious and healthy way to eat. Show your kids where their veggie platter comes from by involving them in the process!
No room or time for a garden? Visit your local farmers markets and endeavour to buy local and organic where possible.
Eco Tip: By planting your own garden, not only will you be doing your body a good deed by eating more fruits and vegetables, you'll also be contributing to the health of the environment by choosing items that don't need to travel from afar to be on your plate.
Sometimes the news about our earth can be overwhelmingly negative, but big changes can come from small, individual steps. If we all do our part to make positive modifications in our lifestyles, we can truly transform the world, and, we can improve our own health along the way.
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