Sustainable Minimalists

Becoming a Zero Waste Chef   The daily habits zero waste chefs rely on to reduce food and packaging waste can seem daunting to the rest of us, to say the least. But in the era of meal delivery kits and takeout culture, cooking from scratch and ensuring nothing gets wasted may indeed be self-sufficient skills that consumers are in danger of losing. On today’s episode, Anne-Marie Bonneau, better known as The Zero Waste Chef, and I discuss cooking as a both an art form and a skill our grandparents had down to a science. Anne-Marie offers her best tips from her new book on how you and I can create less waste without overwhelm, too. Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [4:30] Is zero-waste in 2021 even possible? [7:15] Anne-Marie’s motivation for listeners who don’t like cooking [10:00]  The what, how, and why behind freestyle cooking [12:30] A discussion of fermentation (plus Anne-Marie’s secret for perfect sourdough) [24:00] The convenience factor: Why so many of us buy instead of make despite excess cost and waste [24:50] 5 reasons why knowing how to cook is really darn important     Resources mentioned: Anne-Marie’s new book   * This episode is sponsored by Outrage + Optimism. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes every Thursday. * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #093: How (Exactly) To Cook Zero Waste Meals. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.      

The benefits of 1000 hours outside   Most of us understand intuitively that spending time outdoors – 1000 hours outside, in fact! –  is important. But what does science say about the role of nature in our lives? How can we make the outdoors a staple of our children’s childhoods without tears? The 1000 Hours Outside campaign seeks to match nature time with screen time, and that’s because kids spend approximately 1200 hours per year in front of electronic devices. I’ve dedicated my family to the lofty goal of spending 1000 hours outside this year in ways that are structured, completely unstructured, and everything in between. (Full disclosure: I’m a bit behind!) Today I speak with Molly Ridic and Austin Rempel. Molly is a representative for b4 Adventure; Austin is a Forest Restoration Manager for American Forests. Together b4 and American Forests have teamed up to plant thousands of trees across North America. Molly and Austin are on the show to outline research-backed benefits of extended playtime outdoors for adults, children and even nature; they offer practical tips, too, to help you and me prioritize nature play in all kinds of weather.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [6:15] Why is it important to spend time outdoors? Here’s what the research says [10:30] The connection between fostering nature love and creating environmental stewards, plus an exploration on the benefits of trees [17:30] Why adventure is an important component of nature love [21:30] Pragmatic motivation for listeners with obstacles, including living in an urban environment, experiencing challenging weather, and more   Resources mentioned in this week’s episode: * The 1000 Hours Outside Campaign * The Slackers Play to Plant Partnership   * This episode is sponsored by Outrage + Optimism. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes every Thursday. * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #099: How to Raise Eco-Conscious Kids.    

Sustainable Consumption for you and me Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available as an e-book, audiobook, and paperback now, and it dives *far deeper* into the topics we discuss on this podcast. Thank you for supporting my work!   Sustainable consumption is confusing. What does it mean to be an intentional eco-consumer, exactly, and how does the identity differ from being a conscious one? There are problems associated with greenwashing, too. Assuming you want to be more sustainable in your purchases, how on earth can you find the good guys amidst the uncorroborated claims and outright lies on the packages of many “green” products? This week I chat with “Sustainability Policeman” Steven MacMaster from Impact Snacks. Steven and I discuss all-things sustainable consumption, including how to be eco-intentional in our purchasing decisions and best tricks for spotting (and avoiding!) greenwashing.   Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [6:15] How sustainable purchasing differs from conscious consumption [9:50] What greenwashing looks like in 2021 [12:30] Skepticism as the first step to sustainable consumption [15:30] How to use timing in your favor [22:45] The Number One change we can all make toward becoming eco-consumers   Resources mentioned in this episode: * Episode #153 with Marci Zaroff: The Future of Sustainable Fashion * Episode #154 with Corey Nobile: Eco-Resolutions The Benefit the Collective   * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.    

Environmentally Friendly Parenting that’s Good Enough   Parents are tired. So tired, in fact, that adopting an environmentally friendly lifestyle may seem impossible. But the goal is progress—not perfection!—and so this week’s show is dedicated to parents who want to do better but don’t want to completely upend their lives. Today I am speaking with Stace Dixon and Taylor Shearer of DYPER. Together we outline low-waste parenting strategies that are *good enough* in that they don’t require lots of time or extra money. My goal is to encourage you to move toward environmentally friendly parenting without burnout by taking baby steps.   Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [8:00] Practical tips for reducing food waste [10:15] Why municipal composting may be the solution for listeners who don’t want to compost [11:45] Practical toy guidelines to ask for in advance of a birthday or holiday [14:15] No slow fashion for kids: Solutions to the kids’ clothes conundrum [20:15] How to be ruthless with your child’s art and art supplies   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Romp + Tumble kids clothes rental * Episode #130: Eco-Conscious Gifts for Baby (That Are Actually Useful) * Beeswax crayons   * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #021: Low Waste on a Low Budget. * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.      

How to simplify picky eating   It’s the bane of parents’ existences: Picky eating. And while some children are certainly pickier than most, most moms and dads worry whether their kids regularly consume a variety of nutrients – and in the right quantities! – for optimal growth and development. What kids eat matters, and so this week I’m speaking with a certified nutritionist to help us both understand and simplify all the intricacies around feeding our children. My guest is Kaitlin Cushman. Kaitlin is the Director of Product Development and Education for Healthy Height, a nutritional shake to help kids grow. Here’s preview of today’s conversation: [7:30] 3 ways in which parents can prevent picky eating in young children [9:15] How to best encourage our kids to have positive relationships with food [13:30] Dessert best practices [16:15] How to inspire our children to try new foods [21:30] Why and how to use snack time as your secret nutritional weapon   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Healthy Height kid’s growth shakes * USDA’s MyPlate graphic   * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #014: How to Reduce Food Waste at the Grocery Store. * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.      

Minimalist tips to manage time   Time: There never seems to be enough of it. And while the internet flows with tips to manage time, minimalists understand that we can gain more time by having less stuff. Today I’m speaking with my friend and fellow podcaster Diane Boden. Diane is the host of the Minimalist Moms Podcast; she also has a new book by the same name. Today Diane and I discuss tangible ways in which we can pare down our obligations and apply the tenets of minimalism to time management.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [3:30] Why your RSVPs should either be a “no” or a “heck yes” [7:30] Thoughts on managing relationship dynamics, obligation, and guilt [15:15] How to limit choices as a means of gaining time [19:30] The benefits to unsubscribing, unfollowing, and unfriending [24:15] Why quitting can sometimes mean winning   Resources mentioned in today’s episode: * Diane’s new book: Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting Simplicity * Minimalist Moms Podcast * Charlie Banana reusable cloth diapers (Last Chance! Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 31% off your order!) * Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available now!   * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #094: Secrets to Parenting the Simpler Way. * This episode is sponsored by Charlie Banana. Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 31% off your order! * Like the show? Help it grow by leaving a quick review! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.      

What’s Really Important When Learning at Home   Many minimalists correctly view their homes as havens. But because critical learning happens within the home during pandemics and always, our living spaces also provide daily opportunities to nurture lasting loves of learning in our children. On today’s show my guests and I explore the ways in which parents can both facilitate and simplify learning at home, 365 days per year. First I bring you an interview with educational consultant Hillary Einboden, who suggests tangible tips to encourage our children to explore their passions while simultaneously putting down their screens. Second, I chat with science educator Jess Purcell. Jess is dedicated to bringing environmental science into homes, and so Jess presents 3 simple activities for kids of all ages that get them thinking critically about issues surrounding sustainability.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [3:30] How to focus on the big picture (and not the learning standards) [9:35] What our kids should *actually* be learning at home (hint: it’s not reading, writing, and arithmetic) [10:45] How and why to encourage your child to prioritize his/her passion projects [17:15] 3 no-stress ways to reduce screen time by 30 minutes per day [29:15] Learning at home experiment #1: Examining petroleum-based versus starch-based packaging [35:35] Experiment #2: How to teach the perils of food waste with science [39:20] Experiment #3: Will they sink or will they float?   Resources mentioned in today’s episode: * Charlie Banana cloth diapers (use code MINIMAL at checkout for 31% off your order!) * Hillary’s Instagram * Jess’s Instagram * Stories podcast for kids * Impact snack bars     * This episode is sponsored by Charlie Banana. Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 31% off your order! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #141: Minimalism During the School Year. * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.        

Routines and Rituals For Housework Help   Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available as an e-book, audiobook, and paperback now, and it dives *far deeper* into the topics we discuss on this podcast. Thank you for supporting my work!   Have 4 walls and a roof? If so, you probably have housework. And if you are fortunate to have a family? You’re likely burdened by household chores every single day. Today I’m speaking with author and cleaning guru Becky Rapinchuk, better known as Clean Mama. Becky is on the show to outline both her uber-popular daily housework routine and her weekly one that have have transformed countless messy homes into peaceful ones. She also offers up tangible ways for those of us who despise housework to spin pain points into effortless rituals.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [6:00] Why (and how) to pair pain points with happy tasks [10:30] Examples of reactive versus proactive cleaning [12:15] The 5 essential household chores to perform every single day [19:30] 6 weekly tasks (and when you should do them) [27:00] Listener Pain Point #1: How to deal with paperwork, mail, and school papers [34:00] Listener Pain Point #2: How to manage the kids’ spaces   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Clean Mama’s Guide to a Peaceful Home   * This episode is sponsored by Charlie Banana. Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 31% off your order! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #152: How to Organize For Your Personality. * Like the show? Help it grow by leaving it a quick review! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.  

How To Use Cloth Diapers   Cloth diapers have a reputation as the time-consuming and stressful way to diaper a baby. Yet parents who proudly embrace reusables report that the opposite is true: after you learn how to successfully use cloth diapers, the practice provides daily opportunities to connect with your child. Cloth diapering ushers in a unique joy, too. On today’s show I speak with Gaëlle Wizenberg, founder and Chief of Commerce of Charlie Banana. First, Gaëlle debunks 3 common myths that haunt cloth diapering (They’re time consuming! They lead to frequent blowouts! They’re not all that eco-friendly!). Next, Gaëlle distinguishes between all the different diapering products on the market, suggests which fibers to consider for inserts, and details how—exactly!—to cloth diaper with both confidence and joy.   Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [8:30] Why cloth diapers are just as convenient as disposables [12:45] Is cloth more eco-friendly? Weighing the water costs [17:45] Essential cloth diapering supplies and quantities [21:25] A breakdown of the different kinds of reusable diapers on the market: all-in-ones vs. pre-folds vs. flats [25:15] How to use all-in-one cloth diapers and choose the right insert fiber Resources mentioned in the episode: * The Latest Trend in Millennial Parenting: Cloth Diapers (Vogue, November 2015) * This episode is sponsored by Charlie Banana. Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 31% off your order!   * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #164: Your Minimalist Play Room. * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.      

Intentional Living at Home Intentional living is all the rage right now, as it’s about letting your purpose guide your actions as they relate to your family, your work, your finances, your environmental impact, your spirituality, and more. That said, it’s easy to revert to living on autopilot. It’s too easy, in fact, to be blown off track by snags in the plan. On today’s show I speak with Desirae Endres, host of the With Intention podcast. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed—if you’ve ever felt a bit lost, even—my conversation with Desirae is for you, because she comes armed to our conversation with her best intentional living tips to steer the course and prioritize what’s  important. Here’s what we discuss: [7:45] Minimalism’s usefulness as a gateway to an purposeful life [12:00] Why it’s entirely possible—preferred, even!—to be flawed yet still share your story [15:20] Why morning routines are so important (plus: how Desirae starts her days) [ 22:50] 2 tips to staying purposeful during the day despite distractions   Resources mentioned in this week’s episode: * Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things * The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod * The Pomodoro Method * The Tomato Timer     * This episode is sponsored by AeroGarden. Use code MINIMAL for 20% off your order! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out ##163: Intentional Personal Development. * Like the show? Help it grow by leaving it a quick review! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.      

Impactful Eco Friendly Changes   We’ve all been there: The awkward moment when we realize that, when it comes to eco friendly living, we could be doing more. On this week’s bonus episode, I speak with Marie Ève Gaudreau Lamarre. Marie Ève walks us through the moment she realized that she wasn’t eco friendly simply because she recycled; soon after, she knew she could – and therefore must – do more. In our conversation today, Marie Ève makes clear the reality that some of us actually can up our sustainability games, and she walks us through how she did just that.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [5:45] Practical ways to transition from being a meat lover to a vegetarian [9:00] The thought process (and the logistics) that lead up to a no-buy year [13:45] The cost savings associated with a no-spend year and why, when you track your spending, it pays to categorize your purchases [17:45] How to stay motivated during your no-buy year   [A note from Stephanie: This is the third episode in a 5-episode series that features podcast listeners just like you. My goal with these bonus episodes is to highlight real people—their real successes, their real challenges—as they seek simpler, more intentional existences.]   * This episode is sponsored by AeroGarden. Use code MINIMAL for 20% off your order! * Sustainable Minimalism (the book based on THIS podcast!) is out now! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #162: New Is Not Best with Murielle G. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.    

8 Minimalist Style Principles   It happens to the best of us: despite our best intentions, we fall for trends. We assume that if a new style looks great on a model it will also look great on us. But wardrobe simplicity is about employing select minimalist style tricks that save money, reduce clothing waste, and empower you to look your best. On today’s show I speak with style coach Kim Hancher. Kim is a huge advocate for NOT running to the mall for new clothes; instead, Kim argues that being intentional in what you keep and wearing the heck out of what you already have can have a huge impact. Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [8:00] How to combine conservative and spicy items into every outfit [12:20] Why you should zero in on your neck (V-shaped) and waistline (defined) [17:30] Why every outfit should have white space [26:30] Why sustainable minimalists employ alterations as a go-to minimalist style trick [21:45] Incorporating something notable in every outfit: the Why and How [32:15] How to pattern mix without looking like a hot mess     Resources mentioned in the episode: * Sign up for the FREE Simplicity & Sustainability Live Q&A webinar here (and be sure to bring your questions!) * Want to chat? Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com * Kim’s Instagram profile * Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available as an e-book, audiobook, and paperback now! Thank you for supporting my work. * This episode is sponsored by Charlie Banana. Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 31% off your order! * This episode is also sponsored by Juni Essentials. Use code MINIMALIST at checkout for 20% off your order! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #079: The Secret to a Successful Capsule Wardrobe. * Join our (free!) community here.  

Difficult Sustainability Conversations   If you are passionate about sustainability, you may often find yourself in the middle of thorny interpersonal interactions. Here are just a few statements I’ve heard over the years in which I’ve tried – but miserably failed! – to bridge the gap between my opinions and the persons’ sitting in front of me: “Environmental policies kill jobs.” “God is omnipotent. He’ll take care of climate change.” “Recycling is pointless. Why bother?” Today I’m speaking with fellow podcaster Jaiko Celka. Jaiko is the host of Hopefully Sustainable, a weekly show in which Jaiko speaks with extraordinary people who are making the world a better place. Jaiko is  cool, calm, and collected (unlike me!) so she is the perfect person to offer advice on how to balance environmental passions in touchy interpersonal interactions. Here’s a preview of our conversation: [6:45] Why hope matters [9:00] 5 tips for talking to naysayers about sustainability [17:40] How to respond to the criticism that individual efforts don’t matter [21:45] What to say when environmentalism and religion collide [26:00] The common ground that exists between all of us when politics come into the mix   * This episode is sponsored by AeroGarden. Use code MINIMAL for 20% off your order! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #143: How to Discuss Climate Change (Without Discussing Politics). * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.          

** Sustainable Minimalism (the book based on THIS podcast!) is out now! Get your paperback or e-book copy here.**   Your Minimalist Play Room: Why Basic is Best & Less is More Got kids? If so, you’ve also got toys. If you’re like me, you may also have a play room that’s bursting at the seams with active, plastic toys. Parents want to provide novel play experiences for their children, as no one wants their kids to be deprived. But the sad reality is that inexpensive and poorly made toys are played with just a handful of times before being discarded. Today I’m speaking with Rachael Classi of Tiny Earth Toys, an educational toy subscription curated by learning specialists. Rachael is on the show to discuss what research says about toys and play; she also offers her best suggestions on how to foster diverse play experiences for children without buying junk. Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [6:10] What ‘basic is best’ really means (with examples of passive versus active toys) [11:00] What to look for when acquiring toys for your child [19:00] Practical tips for steering clear of gendered toys [25:00] Eco-friendliness in the play room   Sign up for Tiny Earth Toys’ no-obligation waitlist here!   Resources Mentioned In the Episode:  Study Underscores Why Fewer Toys Is the Better Option via Psychology Today What the Research Says: Impact of Specific Toys on Play via National Association for the Education of Young Children Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era via Official Journal of the Academy of Pediatrics Scientists’ Warning On Affluence    * This episode is sponsored by Charlie Banana. Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 31% off your order! * 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.  

** Sustainable Minimalism (the book based on THIS podcast!) is out now! Get your paperback or e-book copy here.** Intentional Living and Personal Development   Prioritizing personal development is a staple of an intentional life, yet listeners overwhelmingly report that they have neither the time nor the energy to pursue good habits. The result? We tend to focus on our personal development only when a problem occurs. But by then, it’s too late to proactively make a change. Today I speak with Calum McGuigan. After experiencing a panic attack while driving with his child in the backseat, Calum made a life change, then another; next, he embarked on a journey toward improving all facets of his life. Fast forward a few years: Calum left his job to create Shape & Foster, a personal development app that helps you proactively address your finances, fitness, life goals, nutrition, and more. Calum and I discuss why sticking with your own personal development is the epitome of intentional living; he offers practical tips backed by research so you can foster good habits for the long haul, too. Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [5:35] The importance of being proactive in your personal development (as opposed to being retroactive) [19:15] Why creating a ‘Culture of Positivity’ matters when habit building [19:45] How to stack habits as a means of creating lasting change [27:15] How to use the Drill Down Method to maintain mental well-being Resources mentioned in the episode: * Shape & Foster’s 10% discount and 3-day free trial.   Happy listening!   * This episode is sponsored by Charlie Banana. Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 31% off your order! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #154: Resolutions That Benefit The Collective. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.