Take Care of the Earth This Spring
Spring is such a magical time. It reminds us of the earth, how many things are alive, and how beautiful nature really can be. Plus, it’s officially my favorite month because April is Earth month! I'm a huge believer in reducing your carbon footprint year-round so I wanted to give you some ideas on how to take better care of the Earth this spring.
1. Create a backyard garden
I adore gardening, and not just because it connects me and my family more to the Earth, but because it takes care of it too! Did you know that having an organic veggie garden can save 68 lb of CO2 a year? And that's really just the start of it! You can grow flowers, fruits, herbs, veggies- whatever fits your backyard and your lifestyle.
But I highly suggest starting a garden however you can. Not only does it help support the Earth by bringing more organic goods into the world, it helps you feel more connected to it too. You get to see in real time all the beautiful things that nature can do. Also, if you have littles, it's a great way to teach them about the Earth and why they should want to take care of the planet!
2. Start composting
We all know about trash and recycling, but have you tried composting? Instead of throwing them away, you can put things like cardboard, grass, leaves, and food waste into a compost pile. It can be as easy as having an outdoor compost bin, or there are options that can be stored in your kitchen with no mess and no weird smells.
I always recommend keeping the pile moist, turning it regularly, and adding new material to keep the composting process going. Composting not only helps the environment by reusing material, but it adds nutrients to garden bed soil. And it's a great thing to have if you’re starting that home garden!
3. Swap to LED lights
It's a quick swap, but LED lights really do make such a difference for the environment. The greenhouse gas emissions from LED lights are significantly lower than any other form of light bulb. Plus, it has the great added benefit of you don't have to change your lights as often! LED lights can change colors, connected to your smart home devices, or be set on a timer.
These energy efficient bulbs can support both you and your household by not only being more environmentally friendly, but just more convenient for you in the long run! You can also easily use LED lights both indoors and outdoors. So I suggest changing all your bulbs to LED!
4. Repair, don’t replace items
We're all guilty of throwing out a shirt just because it has a small hole, but I'm telling you that you really can learn how to repair instead of replace your items! Learn how to stitch small holes, how to refasten buttons, or how to deep clean that pot that seems beyond repair. There are so many things that are just a Google search away to help us further love and care for our items, instead of putting them in a landfill.
Even if you don't want to learn, it might be a great idea to make friends with a local tailor, cleaner, or handyman who knows how to give items a longer lifespan. The real goal here is to not see your items as disposable as soon as they have a small imperfection. Train yourself to look for ways to help your stuff last longer and not end up in a trash pile because of a very fixable issue.
5. Use more non-toxic products in your home
You would be scared and surprised to find out how many toxic ingredients go into everyday household items like makeup, cleaning supplies, and so many more. They can be full of parabens, harmful chemicals, microplastics, and so many ingredients that do harm to the planet and to us! So, if you really want to reduce your carbon footprint, I highly recommend looking for non-toxic products to use in your home and your everyday life.
One of my favorite non-toxic brands is Blueland. Non-toxic products can be all over the place, but Blueland has been consistent and transparent about what’s in their products. They've also been consistently high quality and reliable in all of their cleaning products- from personal care to laundry soap.
These are five ways that you can have a smaller carbon footprint all year-round. Some are quick intentional changes, some are lifestyle shifts to help you be more in touch with the Earth and more aware of how you impact the world around you. Plus, so many of these tips also give you some benefits, like better health, more family time, and reminders to slow down and better care for the things around you.
It's okay if it takes you time to explore these habits and discover the best ways for you to be a little more eco-friendly in your daily life! Remember, it is not about perfection, it's always about growth and becoming a little bit more aware of how to better take care of our Earth.
Welcome to my visit to The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art!
First off, a huge thank you to Holly for the incredible tour. The museum is truly a gem, offering a unique blend of contemporary art that both inspires and captivates. The new sculpture garden is particularly stunning and is poised to become a vibrant community hub. I highly recommend visiting the museum to experience it for yourself.
There's something magical about watching your children grow, from their first uncertain steps to their confident, chaotic sprints through the hallways.
When you first brought your little one home, the space you had might have seemed more than ample. Your living room was a castle, and the backyard a vast kingdom. Yet, as the years fly by, that once spacious home begins to feel more like a cozy cottage—charming but decidedly cramped.
As your child hits milestones, such as turning five and starting school, you might notice they need more room to explore, play, and simply be a kid. This can be a clear signal that it’s time to consider upsizing your home.
This blog will talk about how to recognize when your family might need a bigger space and how to take those next steps.
Wherever you are in the world, there are plants that are best suited to grow based on your local environment. Embracing the plants native to your area not only enhances your yard but also supports local wildlife and ecological balance. What native plants grow where you live? Let us delve into the vibrant native flora of New York State, each species boasting its unique traits and benefits.