I Want to Make a Change, Where Do I Start?
I’m taking some time off this week, so thought I’d share some of our older posts that get buried in the back of the site. They all offer simple suggestions about thinking more sustainably. I always say that you don’t need to adopt an “all or nothing” philosophy in order to make a difference. ByContinue reading “I Want to Make a Change, Where Do I Start?”
State of my Green(er) Yard Report
We moved into a new home a little less than a year ago. Our goal is to make as many ecological changes as we can to the yard, within reason (since we don’t own the home and need to work on a budget). I’m so inspired by friends, family, and random people on the internetContinue reading “State of my Green(er) Yard Report”
Products We Use: Cleaning
True or false – a few months ago, before I started the bi-weekly cleaning of our bathrooms, I said “I’d rather be giving birth.” The answer is true. While I realize that’s dramatic, that’s how much I hate these types of chores. But I still clean because the alternative is worse. Over the years, ourContinue reading “Products We Use: Cleaning”
Skip the Box Pizza Delivery! Make six low-waste pizza crusts to freeze and use anytime
Pizza delivery is wasteful (the driving, the packaging) and expensive. Keep pizza easy and fun with this six crust recipe. It’s much healthier than restaurant pizza and just as good (my daughters think it’s better). Freeze five crusts and you’ll have easy dinners right at your fingertips. Why is this pizza low waste? We buyContinue reading “Skip the Box Pizza Delivery! Make six low-waste pizza crusts to freeze and use anytime”
1000 Hours Update and Planning for Summer
As I’ve mentioned before, and could have likely predicted, we’ve lost count of our 1000 hours over here. However, like many of you, our family has been spending way more time outside now that the weather is nicer. We are gardening, nature walking, playing in the yard and pretty soon swimming at our local poolContinue reading “1000 Hours Update and Planning for Summer”
How to STAY COOL this summer without AC
Summer weather is on its way. Instead of heading down the slippery slope of air conditioning your home (once you pop those units in for the first 90 degree day, they tend to stay on all summer), try these age-old and remarkably effective methods instead. Work with the natural rhythm of the summer day andContinue reading “How to STAY COOL this summer without AC”
My Low Waste Morning Routine
It occurred to me it might help to see how some of these low-waste behaviors fit together in a normal day, so today I’m going to share my morning routine. Striving for a low waste lifestyle is a matter of changing small habits, products, and behaviors over time. I didn’t wake up one morning andContinue reading “My Low Waste Morning Routine”
May’s Zero Waste Wins and Struggles
Somehow it’s May and we’re already nearing the end of the school year. It’s been quite the ride, correct? Yet the days move forward, the seasons change and I keep working on my zero-waste lifestyle in order to help the Earth. Like I always say, small actions add up to big ones. Every little bitContinue reading “May’s Zero Waste Wins and Struggles”
The Battle of Green Desert has begun
It’s time to man your battle stations against the most insidious enemy you never knew you had. It’s time to stop aiding and abetting the enemy. Don’t let the Green Desert continue to spread across New Hampshire. Seize the Day! The good news is this may be the easiest battle you’ve ever fought because allContinue reading “The Battle of Green Desert has begun”
I Tried It: Dairy-Free Yogurts
I had a different “I Tried It” post planned for this month, but then we had a tumultuous week (kid’s class got shut down due to Covid) and some family members were reluctant to rock the boat too much. In response, I decided to focus on hopefully painless food substitutions instead, since dairy and factoryContinue reading “I Tried It: Dairy-Free Yogurts”
1000 Hours Update and Mother’s Day Ideas!
Like I admitted last month, we’ve lost count over here with our 1000 hours challenge. However the weather keeps getting nicer and we consequently find ourselves naturally gravitating out of the house a bit more often and for longer stretches of time. There have obviously been a lot of downsides and tragedies with the CovidContinue reading “1000 Hours Update and Mother’s Day Ideas!”
Reusable Snack Bag Tutorial
Ditch those trashy, tasteless plastic bags and make your own fun, stylish reusable snack bags instead. Great for kids or adults, these bags can be made in any size, with any fabric. No sewing machine required (but you can use it, if you want!). STEP ONE: Choose your fabric and your pull-string. Arguably, the mostContinue reading “Reusable Snack Bag Tutorial”
Low Waste Snacking
Go to any grocery store and you will find row upon row of individually-packaged snacks. Gas stations, pharmacies, and even health food stores are fully stocked with snacks wrapped in plastic. Marketed as easier and more convenient, these snacks add so much waste to our lives and they are completely unnecessary. Many foods come unpackagedContinue reading “Low Waste Snacking”
April Zero Waste Wins and Struggles
As we’ve discussed here on the site, we’re all somewhere on our “zero-waste journey.” It’s pretty impossible to practice a perfect zero-waste lifestyle – society just doesn’t work that way – but we can all work towards making small changes and improvements towards helping the Earth. So I’ve made a decision to celebrate those accomplishmentsContinue reading “April Zero Waste Wins and Struggles”
Plant a little self-sufficiency this year
Backyard gardens and backyard chickens have had a Renaissance recently, thanks to Covid. It gives people a sense of security to know that their food is right in the backyard, not on a barge delayed from China. It was exciting to see so many new people joining the gardening community. I was surprised, however, atContinue reading “Plant a little self-sufficiency this year”
Avoiding Food Waste
Most environmentalists will tell you that food waste is one the leading contributors to climate change. Not necessarily the food itself, but the fact that it’s the item most excessively thrown into landfills. Think spoiled leftovers, rotten fruits or veggies or unopened/half eaten foods from a lunchbox. So what can we do? A few ideasContinue reading “Avoiding Food Waste”
Thank you, Earth!
Dear Earth, Thank you for all the magnificent forests, beaches, rivers, mountains, lakes, oceans, deserts, grasslands, and jungles. Thank you for the amazing animals that crawl, fly, walk, swim, and hop. Thank you for the air we breathe. Thank you for hot days and cold days, for snowy days and rainy days, and everything inContinue reading “Thank you, Earth!”
What’s Bringing You Joy in April?
RACHEL: Any rain we get! I feel like these things tend to sneak-up on us (unless you’re the type of person who meticulously tracks the weather), but New Hampshire is heading towards a drought again. It feels a bit early in the year, yet here we are. Hannah offers some great suggestions with preventative measuresContinue reading “What’s Bringing You Joy in April?”
Carbon Sequestration is the future (please read despite the boring title)
A recent headline on NPR caught my eye: Carbon Emissions Could Plummet. The Atmosphere Will Lag Behind. At first, my eye caught the words “emissions” and “plummet” in the same sentence and I got cautiously hopeful, then I saw the second clause and went back to my usual state of climate anxiety. Thanks to aContinue reading “Carbon Sequestration is the future (please read despite the boring title)”
Earth Day Prep
Earth Day is one week from today and there is so much to do! Trees and flowers to buy. Organizations to research. Gloves and bags to find. Books to borrow…. You may not think of Earth Day as a holiday that requires preparation, but a successful Earth Day requires just as much forethought as anyContinue reading “Earth Day Prep”
I Tried It: Meatless Ground “Beef”
By now, we all know that eating countless amounts of meat plays a factor in climate change. Some believe that we should stop entirely and adopt vegetarian diets, while others take a more measured approach. I have tried going “cold turkey” but usually revert to meat eating ways for various reasons. That said, I’m stillContinue reading “I Tried It: Meatless Ground “Beef””
USED is the new NEW
I was ten the first time my parents bought a new piece of furniture from a store. Before this momentous occasion, everything in their house was either from my dad’s great aunt, who had passed away the year they were married, or from the side of the road. My parents lingered over catalogs for daysContinue reading “USED is the new NEW”
Scenes from the Weekend
Happy Monday! I hope you had a nice weekend and were able to enjoy the warm weather (though I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it made me a bit nervous). We had family in town, and celebrated a wedding anniversary, so spent the day in Maine. When we first moved to NH fromContinue reading “Scenes from the Weekend”
Guest Post! Why You Should Join a CSA
Today we have a guest post from Melina Caron of Local Harvest! Melina is the public face of Local Harvest and coordinates everything between the farmers and members, while ensuring smooth operations throughout the seasons. We were connected by my friend Barbara, who also helps the collective by teaching some cooking classes. Learn more aboutContinue reading “Guest Post! Why You Should Join a CSA”
Be the Change – Join these two challenges today!
The family and I have been working hard this spring on our new Square Foot Garden (post on that to follow). Our goal is to plant salad green and snack foods close at hand so we don’t have to bike to our community garden every time we want a snap pea or cherry tomato. WeContinue reading “Be the Change – Join these two challenges today!”
Guest Post! Make Your Own Soap
I’m part of a like-minded Facebook group of zero-wasters in NH and recently saw a post where Amy Lamb generously offered to give away some of her homemade soap. Of course, I jumped at the chance to learn more and asked Amy to share her recipe with us on GreenLifeNH. Amy graciously accepted and wroteContinue reading “Guest Post! Make Your Own Soap”
My Low Waste Breakfast – An introduction to bulk buying
Chances are you, like me, eat the same thing for breakfast most mornings. For my family, it’s oatmeal. Big hearty bowls of oatmeal, flavored with peanut butter, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, cinnamon, and a splash of maple syrup. When berries, apples, peaches, and other fruits are in season, we add those too. In order toContinue reading “My Low Waste Breakfast – An introduction to bulk buying”
Monthly Zero-Waste Wins
Happy Monday! As I’ve mentioned on the site before, I am somewhere in the middle of my zero-waste journey. I have some fast fashion clothes, still eat meat and drive a small sized SUV, but I’m working on making better choices for the future. In my opinion, little accomplishments add up to big ones andContinue reading “Monthly Zero-Waste Wins”
Green your Shaving Routine
Daily habits – like shaving – can be hugely wasteful. Each year, people go through can after can of shaving cream or gel, tons of disposable razors and/or disposable blades, and bottles of aftershave and lotion. But shaving, like your other daily habits, doesn’t need to be wasteful! Here are some products, tips, and tricksContinue reading “Green your Shaving Routine”
Maple Syrup is on tap at Kearsarge Gore Farm
When I texted my friend Sarah Hansen, of Kearsarge Gore Farm, last week to see if I could come learn about maple sugaring and take some pictures of the process, her response was enthusiastic: “Yes! The weather is A+++ next week.” When we arrived at the farm in Warner, everyone was busy, busy, busy. “It’sContinue reading “Maple Syrup is on tap at Kearsarge Gore Farm”
What’s Bringing You Joy in March?
While there’s a lot to stress about in the world – climate change, for example – there is also much to celebrate. Time for our monthly series “What’s Bringing You Joy?,” where Hannah and I share some recent items that have made us smile. Share with us too. We’d love to hear from you! RachelContinue reading “What’s Bringing You Joy in March?”
Small Wins: Tiptoeing into Sustainable Living
I have been listening to The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg on OverDrive whenever I am in the car. It’s fascinating on several levels, but the thought that keeps jumping out at me is this – sustainable, green living is all about habits, smallContinue reading “Small Wins: Tiptoeing into Sustainable Living”
I Tried It: Toothpaste Tabs
By now, you likely know that I am the less eco-evolved out of Hannah and me. When I talk about our GreenLifeNH work and team, I like to explain that Hannah is the paragon of all things “green,” while I am the average person who cares and is working towards small but collective changes. AsContinue reading “I Tried It: Toothpaste Tabs”
Seed Starting 101
The beautiful weather these last few days has had me thinking Spring, Spring, Spring! And Spring makes me think of gardening and gardening makes me think – it’s time to start some seeds! (I wrote last month about planning for your garden, if you want to start there). March is a good time to startContinue reading “Seed Starting 101”
Stop! Don’t trash that! Thin Plastics Edition
It happens all the time! I’m trying to be all low-waste and then suddenly there it is – plastic film. Birthday presents come shrink-wrapped in it. Produce comes enshrined in it. Lovely neighborly baked goods come packed in it. Toilet paper is encased in it. Somehow, even though I haven’t bought a sandwich bag inContinue reading “Stop! Don’t trash that! Thin Plastics Edition”
Why I am NOT a minimalist.
If you’ve been following GreenLifeNH for any length of time, you have probably noticed a theme to my posts. I’m all about buying less, taking care of what you have, and doing things yourself if you can. So, it would be a natural jump to assume I am a minimalist. In fact, minimalism and environmentalismContinue reading “Why I am NOT a minimalist.”
Spring is in the air!
Spring is in the air! Can you feel it everywhere? While I’m being a little grouchy about saying goodbye to winter (not sure why, maybe change is hard right now), there is something nice about opening the windows, feeling the fresh breeze and thinking about warmer and brighter days ahead. The temps are rising, andContinue reading “Spring is in the air!”
Five Eco-Don’ts when you’re Going Green
In January, I posted a list of 12 green resolutions for 2021. Now that it is (somehow!) March, I’m delving into all things reusable. We’ll talk about how to make lots of wonderful changes in your home that will help you reduce your waste and your impact on our wonderful planet. But, first, a fewContinue reading “Five Eco-Don’ts when you’re Going Green”
Five Questions with Laura Johnson of Design 645
I had a fun and inspiring chat with my friend, Laura Johnson, this weekend about sustainable ways to redecorate your home using what you have, found treasures, and eco-friendly materials. Laura runs Design 645, an interior design studio based in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. You can see Laura’s work on Instagram and Facebook. I think IContinue reading “Five Questions with Laura Johnson of Design 645”
What Are Your Recent Zero Waste Wins?
If you’ve been reading GreenLifeNH for a while, you likely know that I don’t drive an electric car and sometimes like a good hamburger. I know the perils and pitfalls of both and am working to improve my habits. Rather than eating a regular beef burger, it has become a once in a while treat.Continue reading “What Are Your Recent Zero Waste Wins?”
What to wear?! or Capsule Wardrobes 101
We’ve done several posts about shopping for clothing on this site, including Rachel’s posts on where to buy quality used clothes, Kidizen, and Pact. We’ve also written about how to wash and dry your clothes in a sustainable way. But we’ve never offered fashion advice… until now. I’ll be the first to admit that IContinue reading “What to wear?! or Capsule Wardrobes 101”
Guest Post! How to Make Homemade Gummies
Today we have a guest post from my friend Barbara! She and I first met a few years ago at a moms event and clicked right away. We have children who are the same age and she is one of my go-to friends for exploring the outdoors. She also knows a ton about gardening. EnjoyContinue reading “Guest Post! How to Make Homemade Gummies”
What’s Bringing You Joy In February?
Time for our monthly series where we share a little bit of what’s bringing us joy. Do you have something to add? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you! RACHEL – HANDED-DOWN SPORTSWEAR AND ICE-SKATING! As a native NYCer, I’m still amazed that ice-skating at the town pond has become part of myContinue reading “What’s Bringing You Joy In February?”
What’s your magic number?
This has been a cold February here in New Hampshire. Cold and snowy and Februarish and I’m not complaining in the slightest. But this month has been a test of our magic number, so I think it’s time we talk about it. Our magic number is 63. That is, we set our downstairs thermostat toContinue reading “What’s your magic number?”
Do You Participate in Politics?
(Short on time? Skip down to the “Action Here” section.) I was never a hugely political person. Sure, I always voted (anyone else get teary as they “pull the lever”?) and knew who the major players were, but I rarely paid attention to the day-to-day workings. Until November 2016 happened. I remember watching the newsContinue reading “Do You Participate in Politics?”
Guest Post! Rachel’s Husband Talks About His “So-Called Eco Life”
I don’t know when it first started. It may have been the scratchy toilet paper. Maybe it was the Seventh Generation baby wipes or suddenly not being able to find the paper towels. It could have been going from the Vanity Fair napkins to the big stack of cloth napkins on the kitchen table. Perhaps itContinue reading “Guest Post! Rachel’s Husband Talks About His “So-Called Eco Life””
Tom Brady is (almost) vegan!
There’s a lot of hype right now around Tom Brady and rightfully so. He is considered by many to be the best quarterback of all time. He has many records and achievements under his belt. He is also the oldest player to be named Super Bowl MVP and win a Super Bowl as the startingContinue reading “Tom Brady is (almost) vegan!”
Save our Marsh! Attend the Concord Hearing TODAY
We received an email yesterday from a reader letting us know that the Hoit Road Marsh Wildlife Management Area in Concord is in danger. NH House Bill 571 seeks to repeal recent prohibition of OHRV use on the Marsh, opening the vulnerable ecosystem up to motorcycles and other motorized vehicles. There will be a hearing on HBContinue reading “Save our Marsh! Attend the Concord Hearing TODAY”
Dreaming of Spring: Planning your 2021 Garden
This Monday was Imbolc, a Pagan celebration marking the midpoint between deep winter and first spring. At Imbolc, I always try to sort through my seeds from last year, check over my garden maps, and start dreaming of spring. For some of you, gardening may be old hat and you may already be pouring overContinue reading “Dreaming of Spring: Planning your 2021 Garden”
1000 Hours Monthly Check-In
It’s been about a month since I decided to commit my family to this challenge and I have to say that it’s been going pretty well. If you’re new to this program, you can read more about it on their site and my reasons for trying it. In a nutshell, more outdoor time is alwaysContinue reading “1000 Hours Monthly Check-In”
Portsmouth Bans Single-Use Plastics
You might have missed this recent headline amidst the craziness of December: Portsmouth high school students convinced city council to continue with a proposed city-wide single-use plastics ban, beginning in 2021. The council had intended to put off the ban for another two years, but students from the Eco Club collected over 225 signatures protestingContinue reading “Portsmouth Bans Single-Use Plastics”
What is Greenwashing?
Ever hear the old saying “if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” That’s how I feel about greenwashing. Greenwashing is the process of conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about how a company’s products are more environmentally sound. Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believingContinue reading “What is Greenwashing?”
Only YOU can save New Hampshire’s forests
Our beautiful state of New Hampshire is the second most forested state in the nation. Nearly 84% of our land is covered with carbon-sequestering, oxygen-giving, awe-inspiring trees. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that large swaths of our planet are not. Taking care of our forests and keeping them healthy is everyone’s job. New Hampshire’s forestsContinue reading “Only YOU can save New Hampshire’s forests”
How Do You Buy Your Clothes?
I think a lot of people look at me and don’t assume that I’m an environmentalist. I’m not a fashionista but like to somewhat follow trends and look a little put together on days that I’m not in yoga pants! I’m also human and not impervious to a good sale, especially right now when everyoneContinue reading “How Do You Buy Your Clothes?”
It’s Burger Night! Hold the beef, please.
There are lots of burger alternatives out there, but there is really nothing compared with a freshly made, delicious, and healthy burger that the kids love and makes great leftovers. Think I’m dreaming? It took us awhile, but we finally found the perfect burger recipe in The High Protein Vegetarian Cookbook. Not only does theContinue reading “It’s Burger Night! Hold the beef, please.”
What’s Bringing You Joy in January?
Rachel: Inauguration Day! Without getting too much into politics, there is much to celebrate today. My two daughters get to watch the first woman and person of color become our Vice President. Joseph Biden has worked in public service for over forty years and will try to unite the country. Our environment also receives aContinue reading “What’s Bringing You Joy in January?”
Who’s paying for your burger?
Meat and dairy production accounts for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. – CarbonBrief The United States Department of Agriculture’s guideline for a healthy diet is illustrated with a plate divided into fourths. The largest portions on the plate are fruits and vegetables; next comes grains; and, lastly, proteins. The USDA lists the following foods asContinue reading “Who’s paying for your burger?”
My Top Five Cookbooks, plus one bonus
Let me preface this post by saying I am not an amazing cook. I am not a foodie. I do not pretend to be an expert on cookbooks. But I do know what I like and these cookbooks have been my go-tos for years now. I wholeheartedly recommend them. Two of these cookbooks are vegan;Continue reading “My Top Five Cookbooks, plus one bonus”
Eco-Laundry 101
Want to green your laundry routine? You’re in the right place. We’re going to start at the clothing store and make our way through the hamper, into the washer, and onto the clothesline as sustainably as we can, choosing products that reduce waste and still get the job done. Ready? Here we go! Reduce yourContinue reading “Eco-Laundry 101”
Vegetarian Cookbooks Owned by a Meat-Eater
If you’ve been following Hannah’s awesome 12 eco-resolutions, you know that reducing your meat intake is first on the list. For reasons as to why this move is needed, you can refer to these books. I recognize some people can’t go fully-vegetarian for health reasons (celiac or similar conditions), but most of us can affordContinue reading “Vegetarian Cookbooks Owned by a Meat-Eater”
1000 Hours Outside
It’s a new year and many of us have resolutions, special words or goals that we want to meet. Some of my personal ones are to listen better, interrupt less, practice more yoga and eat less meat. Hannah has started an awesome series here on GreenLifeNH, where you can set a new eco-resolution for eachContinue reading “1000 Hours Outside”
6 Easy Ways to Cut Back on Meat in 2021
One of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint – and your environmental footprint generally – is to reduce your meat consumption. If you’d like a visual to help you understand why eating less – or no – meat is so beneficial, check out this article by Visual Capitalist. Eating less meat is notContinue reading “6 Easy Ways to Cut Back on Meat in 2021”
12 Green Resolutions for 2021
2020 has finally ended! While things are still far from normal, there is hope on the horizon. A vaccine. A new president. In honor of this hopeful new year, I would like to offer twelve resolution ideas that will help you live a greener, more sustainable life for our children and our Earth. You canContinue reading “12 Green Resolutions for 2021”
What’s Bringing You Joy In December?
Before Hannah and I say good-bye until 2021 (though you’ll like be able to find us a bit on Instagram), we’re sharing what’s bringing us joy this December. Of course there are the usual holidays, but what else? What happiness can we find in our every day lives? Rachel – SNOW! We finally got aContinue reading “What’s Bringing You Joy In December?”
The Importance of Watching the Sun Rise
This morning we bundled up early and drove to Dimond Hill Farm to watch the sun rise. It was cold, but totally worth it to see the bright light gather on the horizon and slowly rise up into the sky. My kids were amazed at how big the sun looks when it is near theContinue reading “The Importance of Watching the Sun Rise”
Do You Know How to Sew?
Happy Solstice! How will you be celebrating? I shared a little bit about what my family does on this day, but I hope you enjoy your own traditions too. Plus, if you’re looking for a special light show tonight, head outside. On Friday, I shared on our Instagram that our old duvet accidentally ripped andContinue reading “Do You Know How to Sew?”
Become a Frugal Hedonist and enjoy life again
I don’t know how I ended up in possession of The Art of Frugal Hedonism by Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb- and I have since lost my copy and had to borrow it from the library in order to write this – but this small, strange book really changed my life. Or, rather, it changedContinue reading “Become a Frugal Hedonist and enjoy life again”
Guest Post! Pandemic Winter With Kids: It’s for the Birds
Today we have a guest post from my new friend, Alyssa Walker! Alyssa and I recently met through our children and have enjoyed some outdoor adventures together. Today she’s offering a safe and fun way to spend time outdoors with your kids! – Rachel We typically love winter at my house: lots of skiing, snowshoeing,Continue reading “Guest Post! Pandemic Winter With Kids: It’s for the Birds”
21st Century Gift Wrapping
If anything is the poster child for superfluous waste, it is wrapping paper. It is made to be ripped off and thrown away. When I was a kid, I remember my mom keeping a big trash bag handy on Christmas morning so we could toss all the discarded paper directly into the bag. Easy cleanup!Continue reading “21st Century Gift Wrapping”
Hannah’s Holiday Gift Guide
Wondering what to give friends and family this year? Hoping to give wonderful gifts AND stay true to your low-waste and low-impact lifestyle? If you haven’t yet, check out Rachel’s guide. Here are some suggestions to spark the green glow in anyone. But first, a general guide for gift-giving: Experiences! There are literally unlimited onlineContinue reading “Hannah’s Holiday Gift Guide”
Put On Your Yarmulke, It’s Time For Hanukkah…
There are a lot of posts about zero-waste Christmas trees appearing online this time of year. Those are super helpful, but what about the other holidays? For example, Hanukkah starts tomorrow night, and I thought it’d be fun to talk about those traditions as well. Especially since my favorite one includes seasonal food! For thoseContinue reading “Put On Your Yarmulke, It’s Time For Hanukkah…”
Green Gifts for your Favorite Techie
No one has ever described me as a techie (the computer I am writing this on is over ten years old and my cell phone is at least five years old). But, when it comes to reducing my carbon footprint, I am a pretty reliable source. So, trust me when I tell you that aContinue reading “Green Gifts for your Favorite Techie”
Products We Use: Misfits Markets
I debated for a while about writing this recommendation because I’ve admittedly had mixed feelings about Misfits Market. I live in NH and love being able to buy my produce from neighboring farms, especially in the spring, summer and fall. However now we’re in the winter, snow is on the ground and local fresh fruitContinue reading “Products We Use: Misfits Markets”
Decorating with Nature – Winter Edition
Three weeks until the Winter Solstice and it’s finally starting to feel a bit like winter. Still no snow, but our family is definitely starting to feel that yearly urge to snuggle up with some popcorn and listen to holiday music (aka hibernation). Aside from my magical trip to We Fill Good, I haven’t beenContinue reading “Decorating with Nature – Winter Edition”
Less-Waste Living in the Time of Corona
In some ways, it feels ironic to me that Hannah and I started this site during the Covid crisis, because my living habits have changed a bit since we all began staying home. We all saw that our collective quarantine provided the Earth with a small reprieve as our cars sat idle. (Beautiful pictures ofContinue reading “Less-Waste Living in the Time of Corona”
Shopping Green at We Fill Good in Kittery
If you live in the Seacoast area and haven’t stopped into We Fill Good yet, you are truly missing out. This beautiful low-waste refill store is basically a one-stop-shop for anything and everything you would need to live the low-waste lifestyle At the recommendation of a friend, I headed to Kittery this week to checkContinue reading “Shopping Green at We Fill Good in Kittery”
Rachel’s Holiday Gift Guide
Now that Thanksgiving is over, we’re all turning our attention to the next big event – the holidays! I could say that we shouldn’t give each other gifts, and rather just focus on the meanings of the holidays instead. However let’s be real and admit that this year has been HARD. We can’t gather likeContinue reading “Rachel’s Holiday Gift Guide”
Have A Happy Thanksgiving
Friends, we wish you have a happy Thanksgiving and hope you are able to relax a little bit with your close ones. We know it’s a tricky time but hopefully next year we’ll be back to the traditions we know and love. In the meantime, Zoom is offering unlimited video-calling so you can connect withContinue reading “Have A Happy Thanksgiving”
For the Birds
One of our goals in our new house is to create a backyard habitat for birds, butterflies, and bees. I am going to be using this article as my inspiration this Spring and Summer, but for now we are focused on the birds. Unfortunately, our new yard has only two young trees, too small toContinue reading “For the Birds”
Scenes From Our November Weekend
We purposely made no plans this weekend because we’re trying to keep our circle small in order to prevent Covid-19. However we had such a lovely weekend with a good mixture of adventuring, crafting, cooking, chores and relaxing, so no complaints here. On Saturday, I was itching to get outside and adventure so I checkedContinue reading “Scenes From Our November Weekend”
The 3 Commandments of Food Waste Reduction
With the holidays on the horizon, I’d like to take a few minutes of your time to discuss an often-overlooked environmental issue: food waste. According to the FDA, food waste accounts for between 30 and 40 percent of the food supply. Yes, we waste one third to two-fifths of the food we produce in thisContinue reading “The 3 Commandments of Food Waste Reduction”
Easy Less-Waste Bathroom Swaps
I’ve been trying to decrease my waste for a few years now and have found it most difficult to change my grooming habits. Maybe it’s vanity, or my affinity towards certain products for certain reasons, but I can’t let go of my favorite shampoos or face creams. Perfect “zero-wasters” lather up with coconut oil andContinue reading “Easy Less-Waste Bathroom Swaps”
Our New Clothesline!
If you are an avid follower of this website (and I hope you are!), you will know that upon re-reading How Bad are Bananas by Mike Berners-Lee, I was reminded that drying your clothes in a dryer is a huge waste of electricity. We’ve always tried to reduce the amount of laundry we do byContinue reading “Our New Clothesline!”
My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
It’s going to be a different one this year, but we’re still planning on having a good Thanksgiving with just our family of four. Since so many activities are currently unavailable, enjoying accessible traditions feels even more important to me. There are a few activities my family does every year, including listening to Adam Sandler’sContinue reading “My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes”
Planning your Vegetarian Thanksgiving
I know for a lot of people Thanksgiving and other winter holidays are a big question mark this year – will we see family at all? How many family members and who? Will we eat outdoors? Will we see the bottom half of our loved-ones’ faces? It feels like so much is out of ourContinue reading “Planning your Vegetarian Thanksgiving”
What’s Bringing You Joy in November?
Rachel: I’ll admit it, I’m a pumpkin-spice coffee fanatic and love drinking it once September hits. Something about the warm sweetness provides comfort, as the wind gets stronger and the temperatures drop lower. I have spent way too much money on this little habit. However, a few weeks ago, I found the above coffee atContinue reading “What’s Bringing You Joy in November?”
Kale is King! Year-Round Salad Gardening
Looking to grow your own greens (almost) year-round here in New Hampshire? Kale, the darling of health nuts, is also one of the hardiest greens and will happily provide you with salad most of the year. Here’s what you need to know: One secret to growing year-round kale is to keep a KALEndar (yes, IContinue reading “Kale is King! Year-Round Salad Gardening”
What to do after you vote…
If you haven’t voted yet, STOP READING IMMEDIATELY AND GO VOTE! To find your NH polling location, visit this site. If you want some more information and motivation, please check out my post from last Tuesday about voting and then GO VOTE! If you are still reading this, I’m going to assume you have alreadyContinue reading “What to do after you vote…”
Products We Use: Reusable Ziplock Bags
Until a couple years ago, I kept a box of ziplock bags in my pantry for three purposes*: freezing berries, freezing soups and other meals, and storing homemade bread. After I had used a bag, I would wash it, dry it, and reuse it until it stopped working. I usually got three to five usesContinue reading “Products We Use: Reusable Ziplock Bags”
Vote for a Greener Tomorrow
In one week, our country will make a very important decision – do we care about the future of our planet or not? Do we care about the future of our children or not? It won’t surprise anyone to know that a vote for Trump is a vote against our planet and our children’s future.Continue reading “Vote for a Greener Tomorrow”
Guest Post! The 45 by 2030 Pledge: Climate Change Commitment at the Household Level
Our friend, Jessica Forrest, is back! Following-up on her previous post, she imagines household level commitments on climate change… It is October, and typically there would be a buzz around the upcoming UN Conference on Climate Change, in which country governments strengthen their commitments to address climate change. This year, the conference has been postponedContinue reading “Guest Post! The 45 by 2030 Pledge: Climate Change Commitment at the Household Level”
How Living Green Saves Me Green
We had an excellent comment on Rachel’s last post about how Zero Waste can seem like an elitist movement created by people who can afford to buy organic bed sheets and drive a Tesla. What if I can’t afford that $20 dish cloth or those $100 slippers? What if I don’t have a backyard forContinue reading “How Living Green Saves Me Green”
My Favorite Fall Recipes
Here’s a secret about me: I love to eat. Not only do I love to eat, I also love everything food related – cooking, food shows, food websites, gardening, farmers’ markets…. You get the picture. When we first moved to NH from NYC, I was excited about a bigger kitchen and easier access to localContinue reading “My Favorite Fall Recipes”
What’s Bringing You Joy in October?
It’s a tricky time in the world, but we can still find happiness! What brought you joy this October? Here are some things that made us smile: Rachel: Crispy, crunchy fall walks! We used to hustle and bustle on the weekends – running from birthday parties, errands and other responsibilities. Now that we’ve been forcedContinue reading “What’s Bringing You Joy in October?”
Zero-Waste: Is That A Helpful Term?
The other day, our kids were at school, so my husband and I took a rare walk just the two of us. Like many couples these days, our conversation turned to current events and the upcoming election. We discussed climate change and the need for the United States to re-join the Paris Climate Agreement. HeContinue reading “Zero-Waste: Is That A Helpful Term?”
Products We Use: Crayola
Dear Readers, I am a homeschooling mom of three (thanks, COVID) and I have an embarrassing array of markers, colored pencils, and crayons for my kids to choose from. This is partially because my mom passed on all my childhood art supplies (yes, she saved them) and partially because I love art supplies and, beforeContinue reading “Products We Use: Crayola”
Guest Post! Foraging Fungi in NH Forests
Hannah Kivikoski has been a nature enthusiast and animal lover since childhood. She explored the American outdoors with her mother, driving and camping across the country. Now, with her husband, two sons, one dog, three cats, four chickens, one bunny, and a bucket of worms, she works on introducing nature into her suburban NH neighborhood.Continue reading “Guest Post! Foraging Fungi in NH Forests”
Halloween Costumes that will please your kids and the planet
It’s that time again! I love Halloween. It’s so much fun to watch children transform into the stuff of fairy tales, myths, and yes, even Disney movies and video games. For that one night they get to be whoever they want and, hidden behind masks, traipse from house to house in their neighborhood knocking onContinue reading “Halloween Costumes that will please your kids and the planet”
Build your Eco-Hygge Survival Kit Now!
While I would argue that we never need AC in New Hampshire, heating our houses to at least 55 degrees in the Winter is usually a must so that pipes (and people) don’t freeze. But how can we keep ourselves comfortable and even cozy without turning up the thermostat? The answer, I think, is eco-hygge.Continue reading “Build your Eco-Hygge Survival Kit Now!”
Guest Post! What is your Household Carbon Footprint? And What Can You Do About It?
Today we have a guest post from our friend and fellow Concord resident Jessica Forrest! Jessica has developed tools for companies to measure and reduce their environmental impacts, and has worked with her city of Concord, New Hampshire on carbon footprinting and strategic planning relative to their ambitious 100% renewable energy and emissions reductions goals. Continue reading “Guest Post! What is your Household Carbon Footprint? And What Can You Do About It?”
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