With the UN climate report slating our point-of-no-return for global warming at 2040 and the US climate report coming in at 2030, we’ve got to work to make 2019 our most earth-friendly, sustainable year yet.

Unfortunately, both of these reports have led to some proposed solutions that are downright scary, like spraying sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere to dampen the heating capacity of the sun. The scientists behind this ludicrous idea call it geoengineering. The potential environmental fallout from this solution is so catastrophic that, to be frank, our planet being wiped out by climate change is a much more merciful end.

Why is it we don’t see more calls to action for the general public? Our climate change issues are driven by industry led by consumption. Consumers run the show. The sooner we can get to work on ourselves and our own habits, the sooner we can see mass shifts for the health of our planet.

So before we dive in, serious gold stars for you because you are taking the time to understand how you can be a part of the solution (and a positive not-scary solution at that). Before we continue, be sure to give yourself a mental (or physical!) pat on the back for caring and wanting to do better. Earth lovers rock!

​Alright, here are the top six ways you can make 2019 your most earth-friendly and sustainable year yet.

Here at Green Willow Homestead, it’s important for us to take the time to look back on the year. There were so many gains and pains we experienced on our farm and in life during 2018. I want to share them with you in hopes that you can learn from our mistakes and take joy in our successes. Living sustainably, farming regeneratively, and being a crazy chicken momma takes a village - so don’t hesitate to reach out if any of these reflections hit home for you.

Guess what?! A new episode of the Positively Green Podcast just dropped! I am so excited for today's episode because Becca (Organically Becca) ​and I talk about all things plastic. 

Show Notes:

• Learn which plastics are actually recyclable
• ♳ What is Polyethylene Terephthalate?
• ♴ What is High-Density Polyethylene?
• ♵ What is Polyvinyl Chloride?
• ♶ What is Low-Density Polyethylene?
• ♷ What is Polypropylene?
• ♸ What is Polystyrene?
• ♹ What is BPA, Polycarbonate, and Lexan?
• Learn which types leach the most into your food or body.
• Five easy ways to go plastic free 

Products Mentioned:

• Washable Luna pads
• Reusable shopping bags and produce bags
• Travel bamboo utensil set
• Mason jars, glass, or metal tiffins instead of Tupperware
• Reusable cups like Kleen Kanteen
• Silicone sleeves

​I love this episode because it’s short, it’s actionable, and it’s empowering. All the things that make our podcast a keeper! Listen in by clicking the player below. You can also listen in on iTunes, Spotify, or Libsyn at the links below.

The buzz phrase "closed-loop cycle" has been popping up more and more in mainstream culture and it pleases me to no end. Why?​ The more we become aware of this concept, the faster we can live more sustainably room-by-room in our homes, and then ultimately work towards curbing climate change. This is because the principles behind closed-loop cycles are inherently better for our health, the earth's wellbeing, and keep us more connected to our local ecosystems.

​So this begs the question, what exactly is a closed-loop cycle?

In this post we are going to go over the sustainable and zero-waste options you have for your menstruation cycle.

In my last post, I explained why switching to these options is so important for our health and the earth's health. Be sure to pop over to that post if you haven't gotten a chance to read it yet!

There are three options at your fingertips to complete a zero-waste and non-toxic period - the cup,  absorbable washable undies, and washable pads. Let's go over all three in depth and talk about their learning curves as well!

In this episode, Becca (Organically Becca) ​and I will be talking all about how you can navigate the fashion industry when it comes to sustainable brands, materials, and fast fashion.

We are so excited to have our first guest on the show. Her name is Marissa Biese and she is a dear friend of Becca's. They actually met on Instagram of all places. Like Becca and I, Marissa also lives in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. She’s a dog mom, photographer, and blogs about many aspects of living a more waste-free life, from eco fashion, to plastic-free products, to eco-friendly pet supplies. She is one of Becca's go-to resources for learning about sustainable fashion and shares a ton of awesome brands that are doing great things for the environment.

Show Notes:

• What is fast fashion?
• The amount of waste and pollution the fashion industry creates
• Different categories of sustainable fashion (vegan vs. sustainable vs. slow vs. ethical etc.)
• Why you should care about where your clothing comes from
• Breakdown of sustainable materials
• Common misconceptions about sustainable fashion
• Where to start and big red flags to look out for
• What to look for in a sustainable clothing brand
• Fair wages and safe working conditions for workers (Good on You app)
• Greenwashing traps to look out for
• Tips for shopping secondhand and creating a capsule wardrobe
• Thrifting and buying second-hand clothing
• Best practices for discarding, donating, and recycling unwearable clothing
• How to make the clothes you already have last longer (Guppy Bags)
• What to do if you just can’t give up your fave fast fashion brands

​Extra Tidbits:

• Marissa's Website The Greener Girl
• The True Cost Documentary
• ​Slave to Fashion and Slow Fashion by Safia Minney
• Wear No Evil by Greta Eagan
• The True Cost documentary
• Fashion’s Dirty Secrets documentary
• Green Dreamer Podcast by Kamea Chayne
• Other brands mentioned: Pact, Krochet Kids, United By Blue, Prana
• Marissa’s Ethical + Eco-Conscious Fashion Directory

Well hello my fellow bleeders! Who’s excited to talk all things menstruation? The topic of your period and how to approach it with a zero-waste mindset can be super overwhelming. There are multiple points to consider when working towards a low to no-waste and toxin-free option for feminine care and your cycle.

I want you to take a deep breath and know it has taken me nearly a YEAR to finally get to a zero-waste period. I had done all this research, bought all the things, and then had to get through the last of my disposables before trying (and failing) for a few cycles to get to a no-waste solution.

Please oh please be patient with yourself. Don’t force yourself into a sustainable solution that doesn’t work for you because then it’s not truly sustainable! We often forget on this sustainable living journey that our own emotions and willpower require a sustainable mindset as well. Cultivate kindness and patience with yourself as you try out the following various zero-waste menstruation options.

In this first post, we will go over conventional products, like tampons and pads, and the significant issues they pose for our bodies and the environment. Then in my next post, we will chat about the zero-waste options you can use instead. Finally in the last post of this series, I’ll share some awesome zero-waste and toxin-free pain management tips for your monthly visitor.

First, though, I need to teach you about your mother of all souls, ahem, I mean vagina.