Tips
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The Where to Donate Guide
Last Updated: August 2024 We all have bits and bobs floating around the house — most are things that go unused because a. we have no need for it b. we have too many of the item c. we don’t like/use it anymore but hold on to it because we don’t want to throw our hard earned money in to the trash. While some of these items may end up in the landfill or recycling facility, most can be donated somewhere it will be given a second life. Yes — your local Goodwill or Salvation Army will take a large chunk of your donations. However, recently I’ve been working on…
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Zero Waste Dallas-Area Resources
I will keep this list updated as I explore and learn more. Please let me know if you’ve found any other places that aid in a lower waste lifestyle. Last updated: November 2024 Bulk Buying: Groceries, Home Care, Personal Care Products Usefull: Love this little booth that pops up across different markets in the Dallas area throughout the month! Bring your own container to refill hair/body care and home care products! (I love their shea butter body cream.) (August 2024 Update: usefull now has a brick and mortar store at 914 Sunset Ave. Dallas TX 75208!) Volleman’s: You can buy these glass packaged dairy products in stores with a $2…
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Keeping Items out of Landfills
I had the pleasure of giving a presentation on Conscious Consumption and Keeping Items out of Landfills with the Dallas Public Library. We talked about ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle and had a great Q+A after. If you want to learn more about low waste swaps and how to recycle better — watch the recording!
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A Minimal Cleaning Product List
While I adore #cleantok — it can really influence you to buy a billion products you don’t need. But I also did find some of my favorite cleaning products (I see you, Sprayway) and hacks (dish brush in the shower) on there, so… I’ll take the good with the bad. Truly though, you don’t need a lot to keep your home clean. Here are my go to products that I always have on hand. Liquid dish soap (Dawn is effective but use whatever you like) used with Oxo Soap Dispensing Brush (this one has worked well for me and I like the refill heads). Great for cleaning dishes (without nasty…
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Healthy Habits in a Trying Year
At this point… no one wants to hear “you should eat healthy!” or “do a HIIT workout 5x/week!” … many are just trying to survive/get through this year without feeling guilty that they aren’t doing the “right” thing. I’m definitely on this boat but at the same time… I also don’t want to feel like total physical (and mental) crap. So how do you balance the two? Enter tiny, achievable habits that don’t involve saying “No, that’s not allowed.” For me, that looks like the following: Add water. Not “drink water instead of copious cups of chai” but rather… just have the cup of water around while drinking chai. At…
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Make Your Clothes Last
A huge part of both the zero waste and minimalist lifestyles involve taking care of what you already own so that you aren’t buying things unnecessarily. This is incredibly important especially when it comes to clothing. A few simple steps can help prolong the life of your clothes and prevent items from inevitably ending up in the landfill or getting downcycled. Wash your clothes gently/per label instructions. I almost always wash my clothes with cold water and on a gentle or “casual” cycle. I then dry my clothing on the low setting (or hang to dry in my closet). It takes a bit longer but my clothes take less of…
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What To Do While Social Distancing
It’s been some week, huh? I’m sure you are consuming enough news at this point to know the facts about coronavirus and how best to keep immune compromised populations healthy. And, yes, that means “social distance”. My husband and I have both worked from home for many years now so we haven’t taken a huge hit to our day to day activities… but I admit, it’s tough to not go stir crazy. Right now, we’ve been hanging at home except for grocery or takeout pick ups and the occasional quick errand. So what are we to do in our non-working hours? Below are some ideas (including some sent to me…
