Sustainable Minimalists

“My question is about moving. I have four weeks to pack up my house and the amount of plastic we will probably be needing is giving me nightmares already. Any eco-friendly moving tips for me?”   Carbon emissions from diesel-burning trucks. Excess trash (a.k.a. all the stuff not moving with us) we’re sending to landfills. Bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, tape, plastic liners, and countless other single-use disposables: moving a household’s-worth of stuff is stress-inducing, sure. But if we’re not careful, moving can also create an awful lot of waste. This week, I’m mixing things up a bit and answering a listener’s question about whether its possible to have an eco-conscious move and, if so, how. (Stay tuned for the week’s regularly scheduled interview to be released on Thursday!)   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Rabbit Movers * Gentle Giant * Greenwrap (the biodegradable alternative to bubble wrap) * Eco-friendly-ish bubble wrap made of 40% recycled content * Paper craft tape * Reduce & Reuse Refillery   * Thank you to Aether Diamonds for sponsoring this week’s episode! Give the world’s first positive impact diamond a follow here. * Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Prefer to send an email? Reach out at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #054: The Beauty In The Eco-Friendly Journey. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.  

“I would love to know what your minimalist eco-friendly skincare essentials looks like, especially in the dry summer months.”   While using too few skincare products can leave your skin dehydrated and undernourished, using too many can disrupt its natural pH. Minimalist skincare is a ‘thing’, and dermatologists argue that a comprehensive routine relies on just 5 products. On this bite-sized episode I’m answering a listener’s question about the items I put on my face each and every day. And because I personally don’t have much of a “routine”, per se, I’m also outlining the 5 items recommended by minimalist-minded dermatologists.   Here’s a preview: [3:30] Why skincare is less about products and more about whole-health routines [7:45] The drawbacks associated with an overly complicated skincare routine [8:30] 5 skincare essentials for minimalists, according to dermatologists   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Kinship sunscreen (reef-safe) * Upcircle cleansing balm (cruelty-free sustainable packaging) * Good molecules hyaluronic acid     * Thank you to ForDays for sponsoring this week’s episode! Get 15% off with code MINIMAL15 at checkout. * Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Want more episodes like his one? Check out #125: How Sustainable Minimalists Do Summer. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.      

How To Be Better At Budgeting   In America, capitalism entices us to spend now and pay later. But paying for what you don’t need with credit is a precarious practice, as living outside of your means may create a shaky financial future. Today I’m speaking with Certified Financial Counselor Ericka Young. Ericka helps clients learn how to be better at budgeting, as believes that successful money management begins with getting real about—and living within!—your means. Ericka understands that it’s entirely possible to rightsize your budget and still enjoy your life in the process, and she’s here to show us how.   Here’s a preview of this weeks episode: [5:00] The Number One way to reign in impulse purchasing [7:20] How to make that awkward and scary budget conversation more enjoyable [16:30] How to get out of debt and still enjoy life (The answer doesn’t always have to be no!) [21:45] What stepping away from adult peer pressure looks like in real life [26:00] 3 action steps you can take right now to rightsize your budget   Resources mentioned in this episode: * Wallet app   * Thank you to MamaZen for sponsoring this week’s episode! Get free access to the entire app for 30 days with promo code STEPHANIE. * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #128: How To Save Money Like a Minimalist. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest. * Watch the unedited version of this interview on Youtube here.        

“I have struggled with climate anxiety for awhile now … I try to have a positive look on the climate crisis and say that we can still fix it but … it’s taking its toll. How do you not get stopped by this? Can we still fix the climate?”   The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC) released its latest report earlier this month, and its outlook was dire. The report—prepared by 234 scientists from 66 countries—named human influence as the cause of unprecedented climate warming. Indeed, nearly every region across the globe is already experiencing weather extremes. While experts argue there’s still time to limit climate change’s effects, the report signaled the need for decisive and swift action, right this minute. On this short-and-sweet episode, I’m answering a listener’s question about how to remain optimistic amidst crippling analyses. I’m also suggesting the best ways each of us can push for change despite our uncertain collective future (hint: it’s not about personal choices; it’s about social movements, instead).   Resources mentioned in the episode: * IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report * Sustainable Minimalism: the book!  * Episodes #087 (eco-anxiety)  and #156 (eco-madness) * Recycling Reconsidered by Dr. Samantha McBride   * Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Say hello and send Stephanie an email. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.    

Surprise, surprise: Our culture reveres youth. Getting older, then, becomes a dreaded rite of passage that many of us feel we must outrun. And although dyeing our graying hair is one way in which we can turn back the clock for at least a little while, conventional dyes are full of toxic chemicals including formaldehyde, ammonia, and titanium dioxide, to name a few. This week, guest Megan Mikkelson and I seek answers to questions that are both pragmatic and philosophical: Must we subject ourselves to toxins in our search for the fountain of youth, or are there non toxic hair dye options that actually work? Is it possible to age gracefully in a culture that disregards aging females and, if so, how?   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [5:00] The health effects associated with hair dye and salon processing options [9:00] Outlining of 4 safer hair dye alternatives on the market [11:30] What to consider if you’re interested in henna dye [15:00] How to find a salon that offers non toxic hair dye [19:45] Megan’s best tips for boldly going gray   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Hairprint color restorer * All Nutrient * Megan on Instagram   * Thank you to ForDays for sponsoring this week’s episode! Get 15% off with code MINIMAL15 at checkout. * Thank you to also to Quince! Use code SM10 at checkout for 10% off your order of $100. * If you’d like to view my (somewhat pitiful) first attempt at video and watch this interview unedited, you may do so on YouTube. (Thank you in advance for subscribing!) * Want more episodes like this one? Check out#194: Intentional Nail Care. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.  

“I’m desperate for tips about staying organized in a two bed townhouse. My husband and I have a 13 month old and are thinking of adding another to our family soon.  Our son shares the spare room with some storage and furniture while my husband is working from home from a desk in our bedroom. We don’t have heaps of toys, but there are some sentimental items like furniture, essential woodworking and sewing supplies, and so many clothes it seems silly to give away when we’re hoping for even more kids. How can I get organized in a small space?”   Effective organizing is all about prioritizing first. On this episode, I’m answering a listener’s question about how to get organized in a small-ish space by divulging my 3-step organizing method; I’m introducing the ultra-effective concept of space limits, too.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [300] How to prioritize possessions like a minimalist [4:05] Using the concept space limits to keep clutter at bay [7:00] How (and why) to trim the fat on your essential items [8:00] Thoughts on effectively storing craft supplies   * Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Say hello and send Stephanie an email. * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #181: 5 Tips For An Organized Home With Kids. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.    

The global pandemic may have reduced the scope of your social circle. And while pandemics can indeed lead to isolation and loneliness, they may also usher in clarity about what—or in this case, who—is truly important. There are deep friendships and there are not-so-deep ones: are there benefits to intentionally nurturing fewer friendships while simultaneously giving your soul-level connections your best? On today’s show we apply the principles of minimalism to adult friendships with Lifestyle Optimization Coach Meredith Keith-Chirch. Meredith argues there are mental and emotional benefits to consciously keeping our social circles small; she believes, too, that minimalism can help us navigate a friendship’s complexities without dramatics.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [4:00] The health benefits associated with having fewer but better friends [9:00] Real friendship vs fake friendship: How to know when a friendship has reached its natural expiration date [14:30] Breaking up with friends in a heart-first way (and without a big, dramatic moment) [23:00] How to best handle a friend who never reciprocates the effort [26:00] Drawing appropriate boundaries with ultra-needy friends [30:00] 3 ways to nurture your soul-level friendships for the long haul   * Thank you to MamaZen for sponsoring this week’s episode! Get free access to the entire app for 30 days with promo code STEPHANIE. * Thank you to also to Quince! Use code SM10 at checkout for 10% off your order of $100. * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #094: Minimalism for Moms: Parenting The Simpler Way. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.    

“Hi Stephanie, One topic I’d like covered is the ways in which trying to live a low impact lifestyle can actually contradict each other. Secondhand polyester, or eco-friendly fibers but new? Plant-based but packaged food, or animal-based and package-free? Thanks for any help you can offer. – Heather”   We’ve all been there: we want to do better, but eco-contradictions trip us up. Even worse, in most cases achieving definitive right (versus definitive wrong) clarity is impossible. No one wants to spend hours down an internet research rabbit hole, and so on this episode I’m answering a listener’s question about how to best proceed when hit with an environmentally friendly contradiction. My hope is to leave with you with the 3 tried-and-true tricks I use in my own life to guide my decision-making, no rabbit hole required.   Here’s a preview: [1:45] Why it’s important to check dichotomous thinking at the door [3:05] How to identify—and be guided by—your heart-first values [7:10] Why rank ordering potential solutions is a quick and easy way to manifest your course of action [11:45] A simple rule of thumb for supporting heart-first values with your dollars   * NEW FEATURE! Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.      

Ready to embrace pre-loved clothing but hate that thrift stores and online marketplaces sell last season’s fast fashion discards? If so, secondhand vintage may be for you. Vintage items by definition are made from quality materials with skilled craftsmanship. Incorporating select vintage pieces into your wardrobe, then, is an intentional to prioritize quality over quantity. I believe it’s important to normalize secondhand shopping, and so today I’m speaking with vintage lover Endia Henry. For Endia, thrifting introduced her to sustainability, and that’s because embracing secondhand vintage prevented her from buying new. In time, Endia decided to launch her own online preowned designer accessory boutique with the goal of bringing quality vintage accessories at a reasonable price point to others.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [4:30] 3 ways vintage differs from secondhand (hint: it’s about age and materials) [8:00] Why, exactly, purchasing vintage embraces quality over quantity [11:00] For the fashion-challenged (like myself!): How to incorporate vintage into your modern wardrobe without it feeling forced [14:00] How to inventory your closet as a means of preventing the accumulation of fashion clutter [24:00] 5 tips for confidently purchasing quality vintage without getting scammed   Endia’s recommended vintage websites: * Vestaire Collective * Farfetch * Fashionphile   * Thank you to Quince for sponsoring this week’s episode! Use code SM10 at checkout for 10% off your order of $100. * NEW FEATURE! Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #124: How To Embrace Secondhand at the Best Online Thrift Stores. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.  

“Hey Stephanie, I’m wondering what some of your tips are when it comes to preparing for a baby for the first time when you want to maintain a minimalist lifestyle. Thank you.”   Want to be a minimalist parent but don’t know where to start? This short-and-sweet bonus episode lays bare my down-and-dirty, not-so-socially-acceptable advice. Here’s a preview: [3;30] The bare minimum: Stephanie’s list of 7 (just 7!) essential items every infant needs [8:30] Why you shouldn’t have a baby shower (and what you should have instead) [10:00] How to be a frugal parent without depriving your kid   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Rent-a-Romper: rent a curated wardrobe that grows with your child * Tiny Earth Toys: rent age-based toys * How To Use A Cloth Diapers   * Did you know there’s a book based on this podcast? Thank you for supporting my work in any way you can! * NEW FEATURE! Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #130: Eco-Conscious Gifts For New Parents (That Are Actually Helpful). * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.  

When discussing reducing toxin exposure, we often frame the conversation in terms of cleaning up our beauty and home products. But there are plenty of toxins in our food, and that’s why simple, clean eating is so darn important. My guest this week is Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist and author Tonya Harris. Tonya experienced the benefits of a healthier food firsthand when her son—who displayed tell-tale signs of ADHD—significantly reduced his symptoms after cutting the nasties from his diet. These days, Tonya believes that simple, clean eating starts by focusing on micro-habits, and so she’s on the show to share small changes you can make to your panty that won’t break the bank or upend your life.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [7:20] Why simple, clean eating starts with investing in organic, plus: differentiating between the different ‘organic’ labels at the supermarket [12:00] What not to eat if you want to lose weight [20:00] What not to eat if you want to alleviate a specific symptom [28:00] What not to eat if you’re pregnant or if you want to reduce your cancer risk   Resources mentioned in the episode: * The Slightly Greener Method     * Thank you to Quince for sponsoring this week’s episode! Use code SM10 at checkout for 10% off your order of $100. NEW FEATURE! Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #116: Your Conclusive Clean Beauty Guide. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.        

“I just moved to a small country town and for some reason they stopped accepting glass for recycling. I had purposely been buying more glass products to avoid plastic as much as possible … I don’t know what to do. Do you have any suggestions?”   US recycling is in chaos, and packaging materials that were once recyclable may likely be headed to your local landfill. What’s an eco-conscious consumer to do? On this short and sweet bonus episode, I’m answering a listener’s question about how to best proceed amidst severely restricted recycling options in the United States.   Here’s a quick preview: [1:15] Facts about glass: The good, the bad, and the ugly [4:30] The sad state recycling in the United States [7:50] Stephanie’s 6 suggestions for eco-conscious recyclers   Resources mentioned in the episode: * University of Southhampton research study * Dementia and aluminum * 9 Items You’re Recycling Wrong   * NEW FEATURE! Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest. * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #078: Yes, Your Recycling Is In Landfills.  

We women have been primed since we were young to be critical of our bodies. Even though we’re adults—and even though we know better!—it’s natural to revert to what society tells us about the connection between body shape and self-worth. A negative body image impacts us all (regardless of size!), and minimalism is here to help. My guest this week is Wavelength founder Sarah Stites. Sarah gained significant weight in high school; her self-esteem plummeted soon after. As she yo-yo dieted without success, Sarah realized that conventional wisdom (just practice more self-control!) isn’t accessible for most women. Sarah believes body acceptance doesn’t start with weighing yourself every morning, nor does it continue with rigid calorie counting. These days, Sarah helps women reduce unhealthy food cravings, stop overeating, and heal negative body image issues for good.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [10:30] 3 reasons why conventional wisdom (eat less, move more!) is utterly inadequate [13:00] A definition of allostatic load and its impact on what and how much we eat [17:30] How perpetual existence the “shame spiral” plays into the body acceptance conversation [29:00] How to turn down your negative self-talk around food and body image [36:30] 3 things you can do right now to heal your less-than-stellar relationship with food   Resources mentioned in this week’s episode: * Get 50% off the Wavelength app here   * Thank you to Quince for sponsoring this week’s episode! To get 50-80% off luxury apparel, accessories, home goods, and more go to OneQuince.com/SUSTAINABLE. NEW FEATURE! Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #166: 8 Minimalist Style Principles. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.        

Perfectly manicured hands and feet are the norm in 2021, and many of us feel out of place when we choose to abandon what’s socially accepted. But there’s a “toxic trio” of chemicals in nail polish (toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate) and these chemicals leak through our nail beds and into our bloodstreams. What’s the true cost, then, of fitting in? Is fitting in worth it if doing so harms our health? This week, I speak with podcast host Megan Mikkelson. Megan is passionate about creating a non-toxic home for her daughters and uses her platform to help others become conscious, informed consumers. Today we dive deep into the problems behind conventional nail products and salon services; we also discuss safer nail polish ideas that can seamlessly stand in as alternatives to conventional products. Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [4:30] Why exactly nail polish is concerning from a health perspective [10:00] Manicures, culture, and the costs associated with “fitting in” [11:45] Gel, dipped, and more: the health and ethical effects associated with our favorite salon treatments [17:30] Eco-friendly and non-toxic nail polish ideas that actually last; plus: incremental nail care tweaks for better health [27:30] Stephanie’s unbiased opinions on Dazzle Dry     Resources mentioned in the episode: * Karma Naturals nail polish remover * Dazzle dry nail system * Toxin-Free Talk: the podcast * Megan’s Ultimate Safe Swap Guide   * Thank you to Quince for sponsoring this week’s episode! To get 50-80% off luxury apparel, accessories, home goods, and more go to OneQuince.com/SUSTAINABLE. NEW FEATURE! Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #190: How to Curate a Healthy House. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.      

Uses for Essential Oils An essential oil is not quite a perfume and not exactly a medicine. Still, advocates promise the uses for essential oils are many, and their benefits include better sleep, reduced anxiety, improved overall well-being, to name a few. Are essential oils worth the hype, or are they just another product that makes oversized promises? On this short and sweet bonus episode, I’m answering a listener’s question all about whether essential oils fit into a sustainable minimalist lifestyle and, if so, how. Here’s a quick preview: [2:00] Potential uses for essential oils within the home [7:15] Essential oil controversies, debunked [8:45] Buyer beware: 4 things to look for in any essential oil before making a purchase [11:00] Critical safety precautions   * NEW FEATURE! Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at (508) 960-9046. (This new feature only works with audience participation, so don’t be shy!) * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest. * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #080: 13 Items My Grandma Never Threw Away.