How I'm attempting to live more Sustainably & Eco-Friendly!

You know, our planet is pretty darn cool and I'd like to help save it. Saving the earth has now been at the forefront of a lot of trends and fads and in an incredible attempt to save the environment that we live in. I always wanted to find ways to live a bit more sustainably and eco-friendly and thank to the internet (and Instagram story replies!) I have found some ways to do just that.

I so far have started off with the basics AKA: bring your own bags to the grocery store, reusable cups, tupperware, etc, etc., I also discovered some incredible Etsy shops with reusable and eco-friendly products:

Reusable Starbucks Cups (Hot & Cold):

Starbucks has the whole world wrapped around its finger (myself included!), so of course I make a stop there every once in a blue moon (been trying not to go as much as I had in the past). As two partial graduation gifts to myself, as I was determined to live a bit more sustainably, I had bought a package set of reusable Starbucks cups for hot drinks (see photo below) and for relatively cheap too! Starbucks isn't particularly known for being cheap but this set of six reusable cups for only $12!

I also recently discovered ForTheLoveofPixieDust off of Etsy. If you're a Disney AND Starbucks lover (like myself), you'll find all of their products from apparel to reusable Starbucks cups to water bottles. Shared below is the link to her Etsy Shop and a photo of my purchase which was the reusable Starbucks cold drink cup.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLoveofPixieDust

Reusable Bags:

This hack has been super easy and has come in very handy on big grocery shopping trips! Kind of a weird confession, but I LOVE grocery shopping. I love food and not only that but I love the feeling of having a stocked fridge and cabinets (maybe having something to do with the feeling of being productive but oh well). Beside the point, I have accumulated lulu lemon bags, PINK Victoria's Secret bags, and even a Meijer bag whenever I went to places like Jewel or Hyvee, but nowadays it's more of jungle Jims and Kroger for all my O-H-I-O people. The Meijer bag I got at Meijer was super cheap, only a few dollars, I got my PINK bag from Victoria's Secret after spending a certain amount (and come on who doesn't love free stuff?!), and lastly, Lululemon bags are reusable when you make a purchase at the store and they have been a GOD SENT. Not only are reusable bags better for the environment, but hey, less trips! I usually buy a lot when I go grocery shopping and on average use about 5 or 6 plastic bags and when I do so and it is KILLER on the wrists, so the less bags the better not only for the environment, but for you physical health!

On earth day this past year, I asked good ole Instagram "What are ways you live greener/more sustainably?" and the responses I got were:

*Sell/donate clothes rather than throw away (had one purge of clothes, probably need to go through another!)

*Recycle and reduce your waste both food-wise and product-wise (BIIGGG fan of recycling!)

*Reusable straws (YES!)

*Eat some vegan meals such as chickpea pasta, jack fruit, indian food, and oat milk (This one is probably going to be super tough for me If I can fork over the will power to try because I do LOVE my food.)

*Vegetarian & limiting dairy (baby steps, baby steps!)

*Thrift shop because the clothing industry uses so much water! (Cue Thrift Shop by Macklemore because I've ALWAYS wanted to do this and maybe I'll go on an excursion and document it!)

All listed above^^^ are incredible options that I am so willing to try and also some good suggestions for anyone trying to live a more sustainable and environmentally friendly life.

Aside from food, the other place I've struggled with sustainability is beauty products. I have tried using certain brands of shampoo and conditioner that were eco-friendly/vegan, but they didn't produce the results I had thought. I also typically buy cruelty free beauty products but I know that is not generally the same as perhaps vegan or other labels. In the near future, I definitely plan to do my research and find products that work for me and are on the more eco-friendly side and I'll let y'all know what I find.

In conclusion, (I sound like I am writing a college level proposal/paper), there are simple ways I am attempting to live a more greener and environmentally friendly lifestyle and there are other ways I will work toward and hopefully give a shot! If anyone has any other ideas I'd be dying to know! There is never a shortage on all the good we can do for our incredible planet and all it brings us.

Until Next Time! Find a thrift store, buy reusable cups, plant a tree!