Throwing a sustainable, zero-waste, and ethical wedding does not have to feel impossible. I created this guide as a way to help put all the options in one place.  In June of 2019, my husband and I pulled off our very own sustainable wedding and I am so excited to share the eco-friendly an zero-waste options you have at your disposal, hah, you see what I did there? 

If you are here as a new bride, congrats! If your here because you want to get your research done before the ring is on your finger, awesome! Take a moment and give yourself a pat on the back for caring enough about the earth to learn how to go about a green wedding.
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I want to preface this guide by saying I worked as a wedding photographer for a decade in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. I’ve photographed over 100 couples and thus have seen a lot of different types of weddings, and in turn, have seen first-hand the amount of waste that is produced from the average wedding day. Even then, when I wasn’t the conscious consumer I am today, it raised a red flag in my mind.

As a low-maintenance lady, I'm always on the lookout for ways to simplify my non-toxic and natural skincare routine. Now don't think that simplifying your skincare routine means sacrificing its effectiveness. Having a simple and straightforward process when caring for your skin also means having one that packs the most beautifying power. 

That's why today I want to turn the spotlight onto Becca Tetzlaff of the blog, Organically Becca. This amazing clean beauty maven has been documenting organic skincare for years and she's seen (and used!) it all. Becca is a godsend for us low-maintenance ladies who just want someone to tell us the most simple, organic, and effective way to care for our skin.

So without further ado - here are the top four natural products for a low maintenance skincare routine!

Through the hubbub of holiday shopping I like to keep it simple here at Green Willow Homestead - today through December 2nd enjoy 40% off!

Grab the Holistic Home eBook, the Chicken Tractor Build Plans, or even preorder the Cultivating Capital Course at 40% off (no discount code needed) and start 2021 with your best foot forward. Scroll on to learn more about all three deals!

I know how overwhelming holiday shopping can be. As someone who loves finding the perfect gift, I understand how daunting it is when there are so many people you hold dear that you want to make feel special. I will admit that sometimes it feels like I am buying “just to buy" and get it crossed off my list. Pair that with being someone who cares deeply about being sustainable, ethical, and low to no waste with my shopping - it can take hours of online searching to find companies and products I trust.

So I know firsthand when the holidays come around, the call to spend money on gifts is at a fever pitch. It can be hard to navigate everyone’s wants and needs, while also keeping in line with your own values. 

That’s why I created The Green Gifting Guide. 

With over 60 gift ideas (categorized by age group and interests!), you can easily shop for everyone from toddlers to besties using the guide and give the earth a big hug while doing so. I want to save other earthy-friendly shoppers the time spent searching so you can breeze through your gifting with a clear conscious.

All of the gift ideas shared in this guide can be purchased online, they benefit great companies or artisan makers, are non-toxic, and good for the environment. ​​

As the demand for eco-friendly and sustainable items rises, more and more zero waste and bulk shops are opening to meet that need!

Our guest for this episode of the Positively Green Podcast is Jenna Meier, the owner of The Glass Pantry, a newly-opened zero waste and bulk store located in the Walkers Point neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI. Her goal is to make your sustainability journey a little bit easier by offering pantry staples, household cleaners, and personal care products in a package free way. The Glass Pantry offers organic, locally-made products in bulk; allowing you to stock up on everything you need, without producing all the trash. 

Do you ever feel like you’re on an island when it comes to caring about sustainability? Do you wish you could get involved with a local group that also shares that passion? You can! Please welcome our next Positively Green Podcast guest Laura Loucks, Volunteer Coordinator with the Waukesha County Green Team, as we learn about green teams and building a community effort around sustainable living.

Welcome back to Week 4 of our 30-Day Food Security Plan. Can you believe it's been a month since we started learning about gardening, chicken keeping, foraging, and homemaking?  I have been loving teaching you everything I know about food security and this week is no different. In this final post in our 30-Day Food Security Plan you will learn (click to jump!):

• How to fertilize and protect your garden from pests
• The top four medical supplies you need in your chicken vet bag
• How to locally source herbs, liquor, and baked goods
• How to make yogurt at home
• The absolute best organic gardening, chicken keeping, and homemaking books

If you just found this series, be sure to head back to Week 1 so you can learn how this 30-Day Food Security Plan works and get started on the right foot!

I want you to remember that you are completely capable of starting something new (like making your own yogurt). Sure, you're probably going to make some mistakes in the process as you learn but the payoff is worth it.  Doing these things with a loved one or your kids will bring you some fun and purpose during this uncertain time. Let’s dive into Week 4!

In this episode of the Positively Green Podcast, Becca and I have on Ratih Sutrisno, the Communications and Outreach Coordinator at Transition US. As the world is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, we thought it would be crucial to share a framework on how local communities have the power to come together using the principles of the Transition Network.

The Transition Network is a set of values and principles that empower individuals within a local communities to network with one another. In reaching out to understand the strengths each of us posses within a local community, we can create resiliency and envision a better future in the face of climate change, public health issues, and a failing economy.

Welcome back to Week 3 on how to build food security for your family in less than 30 days. In Week 3 of our Food Security Plan, I am going to teach you (click to jump!):

• What seeds you can plant right now in your first garden
• How to design and build your chicken coop
• How to brew your first batch of Kombucha
• How to identify five of the most common local edible weeds

If you just found this series, be sure to head back to Week 1 so you can learn how this Food Security series works and get started on the right foot!

I want you to remember that you are completely capable of starting something new (like chicken keeping). Sure, you're probably going to make some mistakes in the process as you learn but the payoff is worth it.  Doing these things with a loved one or your kids will bring you some fun and purpose during this uncertain time. Let’s dive into Week 3!

The Positively Green Podcast is pleased to bring back Roberta Donaldson of The Millennial Cat Mom to talk about all things holistic dog care and raw diet feeding for your pooch. In this episode, we learn about the scientific evidence behind feeding your dog a raw diet, the sustainability issues around the pet food industry, and what natural flea and tick remedies exist for your pup.