Be Green

Ever notice that nature wastes nothing? Once a life cycle is completed, it is returned to the earth and used as nourishment for the next generation. Everything has a purpose. We could learn a lot from this model! Here’s a roundup of green tips for everyday living that make a huge difference to both the planet and your own health.

Create a #LifeAfterPlastic
Just say no to single-use plastics. Here are some of our favorite ideas for doing so and the many reasons why it’s a good idea.

Use Reef-friendly Sunscreen
Tropical vacay faux pas: around 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the oceans each year, and the most damage they do is to the fragile coral reefs in Hawaii and the Caribbean. Choose mineral or physical sunblocks that do not contain the coral-bleaching chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. Happy body, happy ocean.

Go Electronic
Save trees by getting your bills delivered electronically and unsubscribing to all the unnecessary catalogs delivered each month. Catalog Choice is a free service that lets you communicate your mail preferences to companies and reduces the number of unwanted catalogs in your mailbox.

Grow Veggies
You’ll be so grounded and centered after all that time in the garden! Plus, growing food leaves a much lighter carbon footprint and gives us a deeper appreciation for the farmers who provide the bounty of food we experience at the markets and grocery store.

Compost
Every day, Americans generate 700,000 tons of trash. Composting your food waste means less goes to the landfills. Even better, when you compost, food scraps are turned into gardening gold, the result of which nourishes the soil of growing plants better than anything else. Talk about the cycle of life!

Unplug that Phone Charger
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, unused but plugged-in devices generate 44 million tons of carbon. Use power strips to make it easier to unplug several things at once and leave things that you don't use every day unplugged.

Eat Green
The way we eat has a huge environmental impact. Choosing sustainable food benefits both your body and the planet (makes sense since, after all, the two are deeply interconnected). Opting for organic, local, and vegetarian options are rockstar green moves.

Shower With a Friend
Only 0.4% of the Earth’s water is freshwater. If you live in dry climates, you know how precious it is. Take shorter showers (or shower with a friend!), fix leaky pipes, and consider low-flow toilets. Brush your teeth in the shower while your conditioner is on, and turn off the water when you're not actively using it while washing your hands or dishes.  

Check Your Car’s Air Filter
A dirty air filter can decrease your fuel economy by up to 10%! Next time you service your car, have it checked out.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Go green one step at a time and enjoy the journey (may we suggest starting with some beautiful, Plastic-free Bodycare?)