The Power of Saying No

We all know the mantra, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" right? Well, I'd like to throw in another "R" word - Refuse. 

Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

It’s an amazingly simple concept to keep in mind:

 "What comes into your space must leave your space." 

Only you can control what comes into your space (unless of course, it's junk mail, but that's a different war for a different story). 

You should be very calculated about what you let into your space. Your space should be a cohesive sanctuary, where everything is used or loved.

Repeat after me: "if you don't use it or you don't love it - you don't need it."

By keeping the word refuse in my mind, I'm able to keep myself from accumulating unwanted items. Saying "No," to unnecessary materialistic items is one of the most powerful and freeing things you can do.  

You have dominance over your space, and you can control the quality, the ethics, and the end life of a product. Saying "No" is the easiest way I cut down on my waste stream.

I save money because I'm not accumulating unnecessary things. I save time by not dealing with cheap freebies at parades or events.

I save my sanity by not having to declutter and put away items that will never be touched and eventually tossed. 

Below there are 7 questions I like to ask myself: 

1.    Do I need it?

2.    Can I use something else?

3.    Do I have something similar used for a similar purpose? 

4.    Will this be used at least 5 times? 

5.    Is this good quality and will it last?

6.    Do I support how or where it's made? 

7.    Will this bring joy to my life?

Saying "No" is the most powerful thing you can do to control your waste.

What do you think? Do you think you'll turn down any free cups, t-shirts, or other event gear that's usually thrown out? Do you think you'll say no to unnecessary purchases.

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The Problem With Plastic

Growing up I would microwave my Chinese takeout in Styrofoam, load up plastic Tupperware with leftovers, eat individual plastic wrapped snacks with lunch, and grab water bottles on the golf course.

Of course, I would throw all of this into a landfill without a second thought. But, I also didn’t realize the harm I was causing my body. As I’ve switched to a zero waste lifestyle, I cringe at my younger self.

I’ve tried to ditch most plastic in the house, but occasionally I thought if I was going to reuse it – it would be ok. But, I forgot how cheap plastic is.

Justin really wanted to make some popsicles which sounded like a marvelous idea for summer. I knew we would probably only use them once or twice, and I didn’t feel the need to splurge on these gorgeous stainless-steel ones from Life Without Plastic.

I was at the store and saw some of the traditional plastic popsicle makers. Justin got excited and I thought, why not? If we’re only going to use it once or twice, it’ll be OK. Well, it broke the first time we used it. Now, I’m left with a mostly unusable popsicle tray that’s headed straight for the landfill.

I would have been so much better off buying the stainless steel one. At the time, I thought I would have to buy regular popsicle sticks. I just noticed that Life Without Plastic sells reusable bamboo popsicle sticks.

So, I’ve been thinking… what is plastic? Well it’s derived from oil, natural gas, and coal.

In order to achieve its level of flexibility there are certain chemical additives used in the manufacturing process. Some of the more familiar ones include BPA, BPS, and phthalates. All of which are endocrine interrupters.

They have been linked to reproductive abnormalities, impaired brain function, cancer, diabetes, obesity, early puberty, genetic and neurological damage to babies and toddlers, miscarriage, and resistance to chemotherapy.

Did you know receipts are now made with BPA? It’s recommended that pregnant women not touch receipts. Isn’t that terrifying?

We’re also seeing an onslaught of obese animals in the wild. Their diet hasn’t changed. You know what changed? Their level of interaction with plastic. Microbeads and plastic fill waterways; litter and plastic pollution are becoming a huge problem.    

Not to mention, that plastic uses vital non-renewable natural resources that could be put to better use elsewhere. 10% of our oil production is for plastic. The manufacturing process uses tons of energy, pollutes the air with incineration and plastic particles, and exposes workers to toxic chemicals.

Most of the plastic we consume will wind up in a landfill or in the ocean. It will never biodegrade. It will only break down into smaller pieces making it even more of a hazard for wildlife and for us. There are plastic particles in the air we’re breathing right now.

This may sound super depressing. But, it’s good to be informed! Now, you can start making better choices.

Even if you’re not ready to embrace a zero waste life style there is so much you can do to stop buying plastic. Opt for things in paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, or glass. Look for natural fabrics like wool, cotton, hemp, silk and linen.

When you purchase something, you’re effectively saying, “Yes, make more of this.” We need to start voting with our dollars.

We can say, “Please make more stainless-steel popsicle makers,” and “Please, stop making crappy plastic popsicle makers.”  The power is in the consumers’ hands, our hands.

We can have a healthier ocean, healthier wildlife, and a healthier us. We can make a difference; let’s say no to plastic.

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Sources & Further Reading

http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/pdf/FourthReport_ExecutiveSummary.pdf

http://consumer.healthday.com/diabetes-information-10/misc-diabetes-news-181/plastics-chemicals-may-boost-kids-risk-for-obesity-diabetes-679341.html

http://www.newsweek.com/what-fat-animals-tell-us-about-human-obesity-69021

http://environment.yale.edu/magazine/fall2009/the-problem-with-plastics/

https://student.societyforscience.org/article/tiny-plastic-big-problem

https://go4ges.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/plastic-particles-found-in-honey/

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/19/135245835/our-toxic-love-hate-relationship-with-plastics

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/dangers-of-plastic

How to Make Rejuvelac & Vegan Cheese

Americans consume way too many animal products. The average American diet is completely unsustainable. 

THE AVERAGE AMERICAN DIET

Only 4% of the American diet comes from fruits and vegetables. Just a quick scroll through my Facebook feed, and I see people proudly parading pictures of their dinner plates. Not a single one has vegetables. It's all pastas and breads with meat stuffed in more meat and covered in cheese. It has to end. Our highly processed diet is killing us and the planet. 

I'm severely allergic to cow dairy. Sheep, goat, and buffalo are all fine, but practically impossible to find in bulk. So, we're here with vegan cheese. I checked out Artisan Vegan Cheese by Miyoko Schinner from the library, and it was amazing! I also really like her story which you can read here.  

You'll need a clean 16oz and 32oz mason jar, some cheese cloth or loose knit fabric or a mesh sprouting lid, and a cup of millet. Millet is a common grain found in bulk. It's gluten free, and has a lemony, cheesy flavor. You can use other grains, but please do research on the proper technique for fermenting it specifically. This is a long process, and can be tricky. I did a lot of research on the topic, and I'm going be super detailed. This was my first time, and it turned out great. Don't be discouraged.  

• STEP 1: Put the millet in the 16oz mason jar and fill with filtered water. Filtered water comes out of my fridge. If you don't have access to filtered water, boil some and then let it cool. Let the millet and filtered water sit overnight.

Rinsing. I just dump it into a tiny strainer. I had grains running all over my counter. Don't sweat it if you loose some. This isn't pokemon, you don't have to catch them all. 

• STEP 2: In the morning, dump out the water. Rinse the millet, place back in the 16 oz jar, cover the top with the cheese cloth and turn the jar upside down to drain.

• STEP 3: Repeat step 2 when you get home from work or before you go to bed.  Rinse the millet, place in the jar, cover the top with the cheese cloth and turn the jar upside down to drain. Repeat this twice a day until you start to see tiny tails sprout.  

See the tiny tails? This only took 24 hours. But, it can take up to 48. About half of my grains sprouted. They don't all need to sprout. 

• STEP 4: Move the sprouts to the 32 oz Mason Jar and fill the jar almost all the way with filtered water. Place the lid and the top on, but don't screw it down. Let it sit for 48 hours away from direct sunlight and where the temperature is constant. I kept it in the pantry. 

This is a small portion. It should taste bright, clean, and slightly lemony. It's great for your digestive system and a refreshing drink. It will get your system going; so, start with small increments so your body can adjust.

• STEP 5: Congratulations, you have rejuvelac! Now drain the liquid into a glass container and keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.      

• STEP 6: You can use the grains twice, but the second time it only takes 24 hours. After that, compost your grains.
• NOTE: IF AT ANY TIME ANYTHING SMELLS BAD, TASTES BAD, OR YOU SEE SIGNS OF MOLD: THROW IT OUT. . 

Now how about that cheese!? This recipe makes around a pound and should fill up 3/4's of a 32 oz Jar. 

            1/2 Cup of Rejuvelac

            2 Cups of Cashews soaked overnight

            3 Tablespoons of Nutritional Yeast           

            1 Teaspoon of Salt

In a food processor combine the cashews and rejuvelac. Let it blend for several minutes. Place the mixture in a glass bowl, cover, and leave on the counter up to three days. I used a dish towel to cover it. I didn't experience any mold. But if there is any mold in this stage, it's fine. Just scrape it off - we are making cheese.  

This is after it sat on my counter for three days. It's a little crusty on the sides, but after mixing it all together it was fine.  

Stir in the salt and nutritional yeast, and store in fridge for at least 6 hours. You can also add any herbs you like. Now devour it with anything! It's so good. It tastes just like goat cheese. I like it on crackers, pizza, tarts, sandwiches - you name it! Plus, it will keep in the fridge up to a month! 

I know this seems like a lot of work, but it's not. Total active time may have been 30 minutes. It's just a lot of waiting. But, it's exciting, delicious, waste free, and great for the environment. It's a total win. Will you give it a try?