How To - Live a Sustainable Life --Gabriela

These past few years, I have become interested and passionate about the environment. A sustainable lifestyle is basically an eco-friendly lifestyle. Right now, I do my best to be aware of the decisions I make and how they would affect the environment. I love being able to give other advice on topics like this, so here I am, giving pointers to living a more sustainable lifestyle.
Become More Aware
Focus on your habits; do you litter, eat red meat often, always take leftovers in a styrofoam
container, or use plastic straws everytime you eat out? Become more aware of the products you use throughout the day like perfume/cologne and hygiene products. By becoming more aware of the choices you usually make, you can form new habits and fine sustainable alternatives. There are resources that can help point out products that are harmful like “BeattheMicrobead.org.” This website gives lists of products that contain microbeads which are tiny plastics that we eventually consume. 

I actually didn’t know that pomade has microbeads in it till after I bought it.
Disposing Disposables
Avoid all short lived products! Switch to glassware or stainless steel containers if you don’t
already have some. Ross and TjMaxx have really great glass containers for less than $7 a pack, they come in a bunch of sizes. Having sustainable containers can be used for your lunch or used for

leftovers at a restaurant. Carry utensils! Grab a fork/spoon from your kitchen and always carry it with you, this helps avoid plastic cutlery at any place you plan to eat. Save up to buy stainless steel straws, these can be indefinitely recycled. I bought a set of utensils and straws on Amazon for less than $17. These alternatives make a huge difference! 

These are a few things I might carry in my bag/backpack.
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
The three R’s are essential, reducing can be applied to anything, Reducing the amount of energy
used/consume, the amount of water being used, and reduce the waste produced/packaged. Paying attention to small details like these, take the time to make changes. Reduce your shower time by 5 minutes, choose to only eat red meat twice a week, buy things that are in sustainable packaging. Reusing,
instead of throwing something away either fix it or donate it. Donate clothes you don’t wear anymore
and make sure to use something till it can’t be used anymore. Recycling, it’s a win-win situation.
Recycle plastics and other items but keep in mind that plastic can only be recycled a FEW number of times so overall it’s better to avoid it. But I understand, maybe not everyone in your family is not willing to make any change so... recycle plus you’ll earn money for doing it. 

Get a reusable grocery bag, also I reused a mason jar for a homemade sugar scrub.
Adjust your Diet
I’m not saying go vegan but there are other forms like being pescatarian, vegetarian,
pollo-pescatarian. They’re all great options but I get if it might be hard. Push yourself to try, give yourself small challenges like eating 3 vegetarian meals out of the week. Agriculture plays a major role in environmental degradation. Overuse of fertilizers lead to water pollution which causes fish kills. According to “OneGreenPlanet.org” the amount of energy that goes into producing one burger is the same amount of energy to drive 20 miles. Not only does changing your diet help the environment but it is also healthy for your body! 

Eating a veggie crepe, it was delicious.
Plant
Planting is therapeutic, instead of spending a whole hour on social media... choose to grow
something of your choice. It can be fruits, vegetables, or flowers; personally I love growing flowers. It’s a relaxing hobby that takes little effort, plant easy growing plants like succulents or sunflowers. Plant flowers that attract bees, cause we need bees for our basic needs ya feel me. Growing a garden does wonders for our environment; it filters air, provides a small habitat, creates biodiversity, and absorbs carbon dioxide. But be careful in choosing a plant to grow because some can be toxic to pets so make sure to do your research. 

A beautiful sunflower I planted a while back, harvested the seeds and gave them to friends.
Believe in Yourself and Support Others
You might think that you won’t be able to make these changes but trust me when I say
anyone can make adjustments that will not just benefit the environment but yourself as well. Support others when they decide to live more sustainability, it gets hard when people are constantly questioning your lifestyle and saying you’re doing the most. Don’t be the person to point out other people’s faults or the deterioration of the environment, take action and make a difference. Educate others on how their lifestyle affects the life of all animals on land and in the ocean. There are so many resources that can be used to help with transitioning to an eco-friendly way of life. Apps like JouleBug gives you small challenges to complete that measures your ecological footprint and Healthy Living rates products by their developmental concerns. Don’t just retweet “Save the Turtles” but take the steps that actually prevents ecosystems from destruction. 

Some apps I use.