At JADA, we work to heal bodies and minds. This month, we want to draw attention to how we can help to heal our planet. Our planet and our bodies interact with one another on a daily basis, let’s take care of both.
Here are some ways we can support the planet that supports our life! These tips have been sourced from Dr. Hilary and other members of the JADA Studios family!
We want to remind you that complete lifestyle changes can be unrealistic and unsustainable. Be kind to yourself as you are caring for our planet and do what you can. Every little thing helps and can have an exponential impact when paired together.
Reuse Your Water
Have you ever thought about how much water goes unused while you let your water warm up for your shower? Keep a bucket in your shower and let it fill with the water that would normally be ‘wasted.’ Dr. Hilary uses her shower-water to fill up her dog’s water bowls and water her plants!
How about your dehumidifier? The water we usually dump down the drains could be used to water our plants, gardens, and lawns!
Rain water barrels are an investment. They’re also a great way to limit your water usage and lower your water bill. Dr. Hilary uses her rainwater to water her plants, garden, and dry spots on her lawn!
Compost Your Scraps
Minneapolis has made it easier than ever to compost your food and yard scraps! Organic waste can be picked up alongside your trash and recycling! The city is also supporting local community compost bins as well as providing compost at no-cost to community gardens. Dr. Hilary owns her own private compost bin as well and uses the organic material to feed her gardens each year!
Invest in a compost bin or use a cleaned out peanut butter jar and compostable produce bags found at grocery stores to store your scraps until you bring them to the bin. Keep an eye out for biodegradable takeout utensils and containers as well!
Limit Your Plastic
Before you start throwing out all of your products in excitement to replace them with eco-friendly versions (we feel your excitement!!) - it is important to remember that we are attempting to limit our waste! Use up every last drop of your face soap, then go looking for the biodegradable version in earth friendly containers!
Zero Waste Cartel is a great website to quickly research personal products. From makeup to food storage, to soap, to kitchen supplies... they’ve got it all.
Reusable sandwich baggies and glass tupperware are great options for food storage. If you have plastic baggies to use up, use them until they get holes and need to be replaced. Simply wash them between uses for a “like new” experience.
Biodegradable, eco-friendly products that come in contact with your skin, such as laundry detergent and makeup are not only helpful for minimizing our carbon footprint, but also limiting the toxins that enter our body. These toxins can cause flare-ups in the chronically ill as well as people with strong immune systems. The toxins wear down your immunity without you even realizing it, very sneaky!
Something we hear regularly is to refrain from using plastic bags and instead use reusable grocery bags. If you do have plastic bags from past trips to the store, be sure to reuse them by picking up dog poop, pack your lunch in them if you don't have a lunch box, or bring them back to the store to be recycled in their bins. Target, Lunds and Byerlys, Cub Foods, and Kowalski’s Market all have drop off locations! And while you’re there, invest in a lunch box!
We have heard of some people not packing their groceries up in a bag, but rather just putting them back in the cart and rolling them to their car where they will place their food in laundry baskets! This reduces plastic and paper and limits the number of trips it takes to bring the food inside your house.
Eat Your Greens
Now, don’t go crazy and transition from Paleo to Vegan overnight. But, it is a great idea to limit your consumption of animal products to reduce your environmental footprint. Did you know, one pound of beef takes the same amount of water as 135 showers to be produced?
One movement we love is Meat Free Mondays! Featuring research and recipes, the website is a great resource to make a world of difference one day a week! Once you get used to one day a week, you can add more! This also naturally increases your veggie intake… it's a win win!
A personal garden, or herb garden along with community gardens and co-ops are great resources for low-impact food! Think about how much you minimize your carbon footprint when you don’t drive to your grocery store to pick up potatoes shipped from Idaho (even though Idaho Potatoes are the best potatoes). Find locally grown, organic products when you become a member at Community Supported Agriculture!
Imperfect Foods allows you to shop for affordable groceries and exclusive items that went from unwanted to wished for. There is no reason to waste perfectly good food that might be an odd shape, small, blemished, or in abundance. They’re working to eliminate food waste and build a better food system for everyone by sourcing foods that might otherwise go to waste and delivering them right to your door for up to 30% less than grocery store prices. All boxes are customizable (you pick which items you'd like to receive and how often) and filled with affordable, delicious fresh produce and grocery staples.
One change at a time, you can reduce your carbon footprint. Be kind to this planet, be kind to those around you, and be kind to yourself!
Let us know what you’re doing to limit your carbon footprint on our social media this month, where we are focusing on healing our planet! The more ideas, the better we can all be! Check our our Instagram, linked below!
