Sustainable Minimalists

In-store or Online Shopping: Which is Better for the Planet? Every year, 165 billion packages are shipped in the United States. Does this figure seem staggering? It should. Because all these packages generate enough cardboard to equal more than 1 billion trees. Online shopping isn’t going anywhere; in fact, e-commerce sales are expected to double in the next decade. This week, I tackle both the environmental advantages as well as the disadvantages to our collective online shopping habit. (You may be surprised to learn that – when it comes to sustainable shopping – the issue runs much deeper than overboxing). I offer 6 strategies for shopping intentionally, too. Enjoy! * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.

  Declutter tips for *before* the holidays The holidays are coming, and you know what that means: Stuff, stress, and more stuff. Enacting simple declutter tips enable you to create space in our homes, heads and hearts so that we may usher in the festivities with open arms. My guest this week is blogger Rebecca Benson. Rebecca is on the show to identify 5 very specific spaces to tackle this instant including the gift wrap bin, the medicine closet and more. And before you throw up your hands in exasperation at the thought of One. More. Thing. to get done in December, know that Rebecca’s suggestions require neither excessive effort nor time. Enjoy! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #051: How to Handle Holiday Clutter with Joshua Becker. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.

(Anti) Black Friday 2020   What are you doing on Black Friday? Will you elbow your way through crowds of fellow consumers in hopes of scoring an epic Black Friday-only deal, or are you curious about enjoying a different kind of day? I’ll never forget the first (and only) time I participated in Black Friday festivities. I woke up early—too early, if I’m honest—and stood in a line that snaked around the side of a big box store. It was a frigid November night and I shuffled side to side to keep warm. The lights in the parking lot illuminated by exhales and, in that moment, I had the fleeting thought that this was all so silly. I should go home. I should get back in bed. But in the end, I bought a flat screen television. I saved some money, but not all that much. The TV worked, but only for a few years before it pixelated. When I look back on this particular Black Friday I realize I was right: I should have gone home. I wish I had gotten back to bed.  Corporations want us to believe that happiness lies in stuff, but research suggests otherwise. Forty percent of Americans are more anxious than they were last year, and 1 in 15 report symptoms of depression. Our buying behavior has catapulted us into debt, and the average American has four credit cards and a collective $6,200 balance at any given time. It’s crazy but it’s true: Only in America do we trample each other for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what we already have. My guest this week is blogger Barbara Alfeo. Barbara is on the show to explain the history behind Black Friday (you’ll definitely be surprised!).  She then suggests novel – but structured! –  alternatives to shopping for conscious consumers.   * Like the show? Please leave 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!) * Get Anti-Black Friday 2020 camaraderie in our private Facebook group. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.

It’s cliche but true: Our children are always watching. As eco-conscious parents, we consistently lead by example on the ‘big’ actions (reducing air travel, cooking plant-based meals) as well as on the small stuff, too (repurposing water, line-drying clothes). We assume that – because our kids are always observing our behavior – they’ll naturally pick up on our low-waste, environmental ideals. And while it’s certainly true that our children are watching us, it’s also true that they are learning from their peers, from advertisements and from society in general. Not surprisingly, these varied sources of information send conflicting messages and confuse our children. On this week’s show I’m thrilled to offer 10 unique ways to raise eco-friendly kids with curated suggestions for young kids and teenagers alike. Enjoy! * This week’s episode is sponsored by SF Bay Coffee Company. * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.  

Is it me, or do we often forget self-care during the holidays? For better or worse, the holiday craze starts on November first. Christmas commercials inundate our favorite television programming. Christmas trees abound in stores. Holiday “sales” entice us here, there and everywhere. In November, it often feels as though being busy – and being stressed – is expected. But the weather is cooling; it’s darker earlier, too. It’s natural for you and me to desire a slower pace and that’s why November is the perfect time to go inward and reflect. This week’s guest is blogger Kelsie Bentley. Kelsie believes the secret to a happy season is to get comfortable with 4 self-care must-dos  including compromising, delegating, practicing gratitude + taking shortcuts. Kelsie believes in a slow November, too, and she’s on the show to explain how it’s possible. Enjoy! * Want more episodes like this? Check out #051: How to Handle Holiday Clutter (with Joshua Becker) * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.

They’re nearly here: the holidays. And with ethical gift giving on the rise, it’s no surprise that discerning shoppers aspire to support sustainability with their dollars. But how, exactly, to give ethically? Although shoppers are becoming more brand conscious + 1 in 5 Gen Z’ers are taking extra steps to shop with intention, confusion abounds over what ethical gift giving really means. The Ethical Hierarchy of Gift Purchasing makes reminds us that the bulk of the gifts we give should be memories in the form of event tickets and experience days as well as giving your time via “special time” with children or cooking lessons with loved ones. Not only are experiences eco-friendly gifts (nothing’s wasted!), they’re also a minimalist’s dream gifts because there’s no unnecessary clutter. If gifting memories is infeasible, The Ethical Hierarchy advises to upcycle, buy secondhand or make. Not surprisingly, buying new is always at the bottom of the inverted pyramid, with a distinction between ethical purchases versus unintentional ones. On this week’s show I outline the nuts and bolts behind the Ethical Gift Hierarchy. Then I divulge 5 DIY ideas that are actually awesome and not at all lame; I feature 7 eco-conscious brands dedicated to sustainability, too, so we can easily and mindfully check everyone off our lists. Enjoy! * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * Want more episodes like this one? Check out .#149: Sustainable Gifts for Everyone on Your List. * Love 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.      

Why Being Self-Sufficient Matters   Our grandparents and great-grandparents knew the importance of being self-sufficient. They survived an economic depression and major wars so they fostered age-old skills, just in case. These days, you and I are a generation (or two!) removed from crisis, and we are heavily dependent on products that make our lives easier. This lack of perspective coupled with reliance on convenience means we’re one thing and one thing only: Vulnerable. Preparing for job loss or sudden illness isn’t futile; it’s smart. And when it comes to climate change? As devastating storms increase in frequency we may find ourselves relying on our great-grandparents’ long-lost skills to get us through. My guest this week is Kelly Morris. Kelly is a homesteader who is passionate about fostering self-sufficiency. She is an expert at the arts of foraging, preserving food, bartering, and maintaining a working pantry, too. Kelly is on the show to outline why, exactly, it’s vital to rely less on modern conveniences + more on our own talents; she offers practical ideas for nurturing the self-sufficiency in all of us, too.   Your episode reading list: * The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn * Lights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath by Ted Koppel * The Self-Sufficient Life & How to Live it: The Complete Back-to-Basics Guide by John Seymour * Ball Complete Book of Canning & Preserving  * Peterson Field Guide: Edible Wild Plants by Lee Allen Peterson   * Want more episodes like this one? Check out .#035: How to Preserve Food Like a Pro. * Love the show? Leave a review and help it grow! 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.          

Planned Obsolescence: What It Is + What To Do About It They just don’t make things the way they used to. It’s true: These days, electronics and appliances are often made with cheap parts that are designed to break just after warrantees expire.  But planned obsolescence is more than just cheap products; it’s automatic software updates that render our tech useless. It’s missing user manuals and discontinued parts, too. The linear economy favors production, consumption, and—eventually—disposal. Not surprisingly, planned obsolescence creates extra and unnecessary waste and is a serious problem for our planet. Every year, up to 50 million tons of electronic waste is randomly disposed of, and e-waste, specifically, leaches hazardous chemicals into landfills as they break down which pollutes soil and waterways well beyond the confines of the dump. On this week’s show I describe the sneaky ways planned obsolescence creates repeat customers out of the best of us. I offer 8 concrete tips for fighting back, too, as well as specific ideas on how to extend the lives of our smart phones. Enjoy! * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * Like what you hear? Please leave the show 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!) * Want more episodes like this one? Try #071 Conscious Consumerism for Real People. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.

Minimalism For Moms Minimalism for moms may at first seem impossible, for 3 reasons: – First, there’s all the stuff children need and somehow accumulate. – Then there are the endless calendar-fillers including appointments, extracurriculars, playdates, birthday parties and volunteer opportunities. – Finally, mothers manage an increased mental load because organizing, planning and juggling all the facets of domestic life is a full-time job. But minimalism in motherhood is possible, and the benefits are multitudinous. Indeed, proponents of slow parenting attest that minimalist parenting creates space for what matters. It reduces family tension, too, because a tidy home sets the foundation for a calmer internal baseline in adults. And the most immediate benefit of a minimalist home? Decluttered spaces are much easier to maintain than cluttered ones: When you own less, you have fewer items to dust, organize, and put away. As a result, you naturally have more time to do what you love with the people you adore. This week’s guest is Diane Boden. Diane is a mother and fellow podcast host who believes that minimalism for moms is possible, and it all comes down to simplicity, routine, and structure. Diane describes what slow parenting looks like in real life; she offers ideas for teaching children how to live simply in a consumerist culture, too.   * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #134: Raising Good Humans With Minimalist Parenting Guidance. * Love the show? Help it grow by leaving a 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 and Pinterest.  

How (Exactly) to Cook Zero Waste Meals   If you’re like most eco-friendly parents, you’d like to cook zero-waste, plastic-free meals for your family, but you’ve realized that doing so is much harder than it sounds. Does this sound right? – Feeding your family demands significant mental energy. Although you’d like to serve low-plastic, zero-waste meals, you have no idea where to start. – You eat out more than you’d like; you spend more money than your wallet likes on restaurant food, too. – Weeknights are hectic so you cut corners to ease your burden in the form of frozen pizza + other highly-processed foods. The result? Extra pounds. – You know that with a bit of planning + forethought you could do better. I’ve experimented with my meal strategy for the past year. In that time, I have tweaked my method and updated my routine to reflect my low-plastic, zero-waste principles. On today’s show I’m thrilled to divulge exactly how I feed my family 3 times a day. I offer up some of my family’s favorite zero-waste meals, too. Enjoy!   * Access this week’s Show Notes (and get Stephanie’s zero-waste dinner recipes!) here. * Want more episodes like this one? Try #062: 5 Ways to Take Home Less Plastic from the Supermarket. * Love the show? Help it grow by leaving a 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!) * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.    

The Healing Effects of Sentimental Clutter Cleaning   Sentimental clutter lives in the past; keeping it around often prevents full presence in the here and now. Conversely, removing what’s unnecessary ushers in freedom. It presents opportunities for personal growth, too. If you have items in your home that leave you emotionally drained, it’s likely time for a sentimental clutter cleaning. My guest this week is Erin Beckman. Erin is a single mother and widow who faced her attic full of  nostalgic items head-on and found herself in the process. Erin describes the process of sifting through her deceased husband’s items as a transformative one. That’s because facing those tough emotions – instead of working so hard to avoid them – cleared the way for healing. On today’s show, Erin describes how she knew the time was right to face her sentimental clutter. She lays out 9 specific tips on how she did it and why you, too, should usher in fresh energy in the form of tidied simplicity, too. Happy listening!   * This is Part 2 of a 2-part series on sentimental clutter. Find Part 1 here. * Love 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 and Pinterest.    

Declutter tips for tackling sentimental items   You listeners often ask for declutter tips when tackling sentimental items. What should you do with a talented family member’s paintings? What about that box of childhood mementos? How about the yellowed wedding dress hanging in the far recesses of the closet? Although the “stuff” in question differs from query to query, the underlying obstacle is always the same: What’s the best way to let go of clutter that’s laced with emotion? First things first:  There’s nothing wrong with keeping sentimental items around; there’s nothing wrong with displaying them, either. If your sentimental stuff fills you with joy, love, and fullness then I suggest you keep it close. The problem, however, is when sentimental items hold you down and hold you back. If your home is overwhelmed with sentimental items, it’s hard to make room for creating new memories in the present. This week, I take the emotion out of the clutter by offering 7 strategic declutter tips to tidy up the sentimental stuff.   Note: This is Part One of a Two-Part series on sentimental clutter. Listen to Part Two here.    * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * Want more episodes like this one? Try #061: How to Stay Motivated When Decluttering Gets Hard. *Love 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!) * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.    

10 Household Neurotoxins, Uncovered   Your couch may be dangerous to your health; your shower curtain liner may be, too. Many household neurotoxins lurk in common, seemingly benign items; as a result, we may find ourselves holding onto the hazardous stuff despite the fact that non-toxic alternatives abound. The sad truth is that many consumers assume products are regulated. But while 62,000 chemicals are approved for use in the United States, less than 300 have been actually been tested. On this week’s episode I’m exposing 10 seemingly-innocent but actually-quite-toxic items lurking in our homes. I’m offering up eco-friendly replacements, too. Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [2:40] Shower curtains and PVCs [4:30] The vague ingredients in air fresheners [10:00] The sneaky places where Triclosan lurks in our homes [11:15] The relationship between non-stick pans and household neurotoxins [12:30] The household neurotoxins in your laundry room [16:00] Flame retardantsMattress woes   * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * 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!) * Want more episodes like this one? Try #042: Green Cleaning Made Easy. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.  

Eco Friendly Home Decor Ideas   Are you tired of your decor? Maybe your furniture isn’t contemporary enough for your taste. Or perhaps your once-trendy, heavily-patterned curtains feel stale. But you lean toward the sustainable side of things—you’re a stand-up human, too—so you won’t chuck your old decor for new stuff without a bit of eco-guilt. You’d like to find eco friendly home decor ideas, even, but you don’t know where to look. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 9 million tons of furniture end up in landfills every year. Poorer quality furniture is more likely to get tossed. Furniture is an awful lot like fashion. The sustainable stuff—the stuff you want to keep for decades—is expensive. The cheap stuff is trendy. It doesn’t stand the test of time, either, due to poor materials and shoddy craftsmanship. What’s an environmentally-conscious home dweller to do? On this week’s show I’m offering 5 cheap eco friendly home decorating ideas to refresh your space in ways that are affordable, stylish, and sustainable (without relying on Ikea or Wayfair). Enjoy! * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #076:Declutter your Home with the Shoebox Method. * 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 and Pinterest.  

25 Ways to Create an Eco Friendly House   Green living sometimes gets a bad rap as being reserved only for the privileged. And curating an eco friendly house? Many people assume that doing so requires a hefty upfront cost. Here’s why: –  While organic food + hybrid cars are certainly green, they have oversized price tags and therefore aren’t accessible to everyone. – Some eco-friendly products will save money in the long run, but their significant up-front costs deter consumers from ever purchasing. (A $30 box of disposable diapers, for example, is much easier to swallow in the short-term than a $250 set of cloth ones!) – Finally, there’s a growing market for sustainable goods (Think: silicone bags, beeswax wraps, microfiber-catching washing bags, dryer balls, and many more). As a result, it can sometimes feel as though living green requires spending money. But creating an eco friendly home isn’t just for the privileged; it’s for you and me, too. This week, I’m thrilled to offer 25 unconventional ways to be eco-friendly that don’t cost a single cent. Even better? Adopting just *some* of today’s ideas will save significant money in the long run.   * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * This episode is sponsored by Sparetoolz. * 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!) * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.