6 Tips for Shopping Less

As a former shopaholic, I am excited to bring you my tips for shopping less! I tend to go through waves. There are times when I’m super good, but there are also times when I’m not so good.

I think we’ve established that I used to have a shopping problem…

But, these are the six tips that never fail to bring me back on track. ESPECIALLY #3! You can get all six tips in the video down below.

I used to buy a lot… and I mean a LOT of stuff. Especially clothes. You can read about this in depth in this post about how to make a small wardrobe work for you. In this post I talk all about my shopping problem, but the post itself is all about the time I tried an 18 piece wardrobe and totally failed.

Surprise, going from shopaholic to an 18 piece wardrobe wasn’t the smartest idea!

One of the best things I did to curb my shopping habit was implementing a personal 30 Day Buy-Ban on all new items coming in. That in combination with the tips below have been my ticket to shopping less - which is honestly one of the best things you can do for the environment.

Yep, shopping less really is one of the best ways for you to reduce your impact on the environment because we tend to buy a lot of stuff that we don’t really want or need. You can read about that here in my Beginners Guid to Zero Waste Living.

What is CBD? Everything You Need to Know

I’ve been taking full spectrum CBD oil for almost a year now, and have received a ton of DMs and questions about what it is, how it works, why - pretty much the full run down of who, what, where, when, why, AND how.

I figured it was high time to answer all of your questions in ONE ULTIMATE CBD GUIDE.

This post was sponsored by Sunsoil all thoughts and opinions are my own. For more information please see my disclosure policy.

I am so excited to be partnering with Sunsoil on this blog post. A huge shout out for them taking the time to answer all of my questions and find out just how sustainable this product is. Plus, they’re teaming up with me for a giveaway so make sure you check that out on my Instagram feed!

Sunsoil is a small, organic farm located in the rolling hills of Hardwick, Vermont. They offer several products like CBD tinctures, CBD oil capsules, and an edible salve all combined with organic coconut oil.

They own the entire process, “seed-to-shelf” which makes their process very eco friendly.

My personal favorite is the full spectrum cinnamon CBD oil or tincture. I like to make tea lattes in the morning and always add a nice dash of cinnamon on top - making this the perfect accompaniment.

what the heck is it?

CBD is a cannabinoid and is short for cannabidiol which is one of the 80 naturally occurring chemicals in cannabis.

Did did you know that our bodies have an endocannabinoid system?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for neuroprotection, stress recovery, immune balance and functions, our moods, memory, pain, appetite, sleep etc. Basically it’s pretty gosh darn important.

Because the ECS play such a vital role in so many of our bodily function, CBD can be used to help manage all sorts of problems like:

• pain management for chronic pain, migraines, or cramps

• anxiety

• depression

• insomnia

I personally use CBD to help me focus, relax, and reduce stress. I also always use it when I’m on my period for cramps.

how are CBD and Marijuana different?

Full-spectrum CBD contains a very, very small amount of THC so little that it shouldn't show up on a drug test.

THC, a tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects and the feeling of being high.

Hemp derived CBD products such Sunsoil’s are legal in all fifty states where as Marijuana is only legal for anyone over 21 in nine states plus Washington, D.C. Of course many states have access to medical Marijuana.

is hemp farming sustainable?

Oh yah. This is the best part. Hemp is a rockstar plant for the planet.

“Hemp is the most eco-friendly answer to the soil pollution that is causing headaches for our farmers. The GMO monoculture of harvesting corn and wheat has caused considerable damage to our fields.

“Our heartland is becoming more dry and causing soil erosion. Farmers from Eastern Colorado are claiming that soil conditions are similar to those during the Dust Bowl in the 1930s.

“Hemp is a great answer to these problems as its wide climatic adaptation and fast-growing foot-long roots allow it to thrive in drought-damaged soil.

“It also helps with soil stabilization thanks to its long, fast-growing taproots. Internationally, in countries like China, hemp has traditionally been used for erosion control. “ (source)

Sunsoil never uses any pesticides, and they’re vertically integrated which makes their carbon footprint much smaller! They don’t need to ship flowers or products anywhere because everything happens on site. AND, I’m currently working with them on their packaging so their shipping should be zero waste very soon!

what should I look for when purchasing CBD?

There are tons of CBD options out there, but you definitely want to find one that’s full spectrum.

It’s believed that CBD performs better when there’s a mix of all the other cannabinoids to go along with it creating the entourage effect which maximizes the benefits of the plant’s other naturally occurring cannabinoids (remember, there’s 80!). Basically, the whole plant is better than just isolating on piece of it.

Here’s some of the terms you might see:

• Whole Plant Extract: Is just what it sounds like, it uses the whole plant! Sometimes this term is used interchangeably with full spectrum oil, but the main difference is that whole plant extracts contain waxes, fats, and other fibrous materials from the plant.

• Full-Spectrum Oil: It contains a wide range of cannabinoids which helps to produce the entourage effect.

• Broad Spectrum Oil or Distillate: This happens after a full spectrum oil has been heated slightly and goes through a process to remove cannabinoids.

• CBD Isolate: This is the purest form and it contains no other active compounds, just CBD.

what do you take?

My personal preference is full spectrum oil which I’ve been taking for over a year now.

how do you take it?

I always like to put a few drops in my tea in the morning. There’s no high feeling, I just feel motivated and relaxed! My personal pick is the Cinnamon CBD oil.

I, also, use the edible salve for Nala! Just the tiniest little bit goes a long way, but Nala has pretty bad anxiety. We’ve been giving her CBD for almost five years to help calm her down when we leave her alone.

I want to thank Sunsoil for sponsoring this post! If you’re looking for a quality CBD products that are both effective and affordable then you have got to check out Sunsoil!!

Eco-Friendly Gifts for Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching and I’m not entirely sure what to get my mom. So far she’s asked for a Gucci scarf and a pet alpaca. She not-so-secretly wants to be an alpaca farmer.

I am definitely on the hunt for a nice vintage Gucci scarf for her, but thought it would be fun to round up some other great gifts for mom!

My mom’s love language is gifts and me, living a zero waste lifestyle, and not wanting gifts or at least physical gifts has been a bit hard on her. She likes gifting physical things, and even though I would much rather have a gift card or cash, she’d much rather have someTHING.

Check out this post if you’re looking for Experience Gift Ideas or this one if you’re looking for A Minimalists Guide to RECEIVING Gifts. Some of the links below are affiliate links for more information see my disclosure policy.

Having said all of that… my mom does still like getting a gift card to her preferred spa… which leads me to #1…

1. cause she’s such a hard worker:

Let mom get ultra pampered by gifting her the great experience of relaxation. Here was an article on eco-friendly spas around the world, but am thinking I should upload a blog post on how to find/what to look for when it comes to eco spas!

A few other ideas would be taking her to a delicious restaurant, on a thrifting shopping spree, or to a snazzy winery.

If you’re looking for ideas in Northern California, check out my Zero Waste Guide to the Bay Area which is basically my list of the best wineries, thrift shops, and FAV restaurants.

2. cause she’s a shining star:

If you’re leaning towards jewelry, then you’ve got to check out Smiling Rocks.

Smiling Rocks makes ethical, lab-grown diamonds that have the exact same crystal and chemical composition as mined stones - in fact, they’re identical!

But, with lab-grown stones, you don’t have to compromise on ethics or environmental impacts. 

Smiling Rocks also donates 10% of each sale, and you get to choose where that donation goes whether it’s education, environment, medical, or animal welfare.

A few of my favorite pics are:

1. the necklace I wear almost every day

2. the necklace I got for my mom

3. the necklace pictured below

4. the ring I’m dropping hints at for Justin…

Smiling Rocks is also offering 20% OFF for Mother's Day with code ‘Smile20.’

3. cause she needs to relax:

Is your mom a yogi? Or does she just need to stretch and relax? Get her a gift card to a local yoga studio! If she’s not a pro try a restorative yoga class that is relaxing and great for beginners.

If she’s in need of a new yoga mat, check out this corc yoga mat or if she might need some spruced up leggings check out the Eco Friendly Athletic Wear Companies.

Also check out getting some sweet organic sheets or a snuggly, new robe.

4. cause she makes the best food ever!

Does your mom make the best food EVER? Then maybe she could use some sustainable upgrades around the kitchen.

You know that I LOVE my glass snapware. I don’t recommend throwing out your plastic tupperware, but I also don’t recommend that you use it for your food. You can read more on what to do with your old plastic when going plastic-free.

• glass bowls with lids - perfect for storing tons of leftovers!

• reusable silicone baking cups - cause she makes the BEST cupcakes!

• compostable dish scrubs - make this gift even better by doing the dishes the next time you have dinner together.

• beautiful olive wood utensils - Justin bought me a set a few years ago and I love them! They’re my favorites.

• beeswax wraps - for wrapping up her world-famous banana bread.

• stasher bags - perfect for when she packs your lunch. She still does it occasionally. ;)

5. cause she loves gettin’ dirty:

Your mom is a gardening pro! Or maybe she just loves fresh flowers. Who doesn’t love fresh flowers?

Does she need a beautiful new straw hat to keep the sun off of her face while she gardens? You could always get her new organic seeds or bulbs or just spend and afternoon with her pulling weeds!

I do love gifting flowers. It’s one of my favorite gifts to give especially for hostesses. You can read more about my Favorite Eco-Friendly Hostess Gifts.

When it comes to choosing flowers, you want to make sure that you’re choosing flowers that are eco-friendly. I chatted with my friend Chelsea a sustainable florist from Bhakti Flowers on choosing the greenest floral options around.

Here’s Chelsea’s top three tips!

1. Opt for bouquets that are wrapped in paper, instead of plastic, and when you compost the old flowers (because you will compost them, won't you?) reuse the rubber band and toss it in your junk drawer.

2. If ordering an arrangement instead of a bouquet, ask your florist to not use floral foam. Floral foam is made of carcinogenic materials like formaldehyde that are harmful to florists, and harmful for the air in your house.

3. Ask your florist for US, or locally grown flowers. Just letting them know that you value more sustainable options makes a positive impact on this industry. If they grew the flowers, ask about their growing practices. If they bought them, ask where they came from, and encourage them to source locally if they don't already.

And, if you’re in the Ann Arbor, MI area then you have to go see Chelsea at Bhakti Flowers for all your flower needs.

6. cause she taught you everything you know about skincare:

Is your mom the most stylish person you know? Then I’ve rounded up my top picks from one of my favorite places Credo Beauty!

• bath salts

• a rose quartz face roller

• natural linen eye pillow

• organic botanical perfume

• blue clay mask

You could even have a little spa day together! You could change into comfy robes, create a delicious and hydrating non-alcoholic cocktail, put on a face mask and soak your feet in the tub together and maybe finish off the night with a movie!

How will you be celebrating Mother’s Day this year?