Living An Eco Lifestyle & Easy Vegan Recipes: Recent Episodes
Zero & Zen
Welcome to our podcast, If you are interested everything eco including, recycling, being eco friendly, greenwashing, climate change, going green or would like to find out more about living eco lifestyle or vegan recipes. Audio podcast can also be very helpful if you like following recipes guides but would like to do it without turning pages or keep picking up the recipe book.
Insulating your home will reduce your energy consumption, and keep you warm. This also helps to reduce your bills as well as being better for our climate. One of the best ways to reduce heat loss in your home is by insulating your loft. You can lose as much as 40% of the heat in your home by not having good insulation in your loft, this is throwing money out of the roof. Before you start, Most people asked themselves these few questions: How much money do you need to insulate your home? Is it worth spending the money? Should I hire a professional or can I do it myself? In today’s article, we will describe the average costs to insulate your loft, common insulation materials, and whether should you do it yourself or pay a professional to install it. So, let’s get started! Why Insulate Your Loft? An uninsulated home can lose up to 40% of its heat through the roof. A great approach to stop heat loss and save your heating costs is to insulate your loft. If installed properly, loft insulation should generate significant returns throughout its lifespan. Will Insulating My Loft Save Me Money? Because loft insulation increases your home’s thermal efficiency, installing it can significantly reduce your fuel costs. Depending on the type of home you reside in, you may be able to save anywhere from £50 to £225 per year on your energy costs. Can I Insulate The Loft Myself? Most people can install insulation in their own lofts, a lot of hardware shops sell insulation at affordable prices. We highly recommend you wear safety gloves, a mask, and protective glasses. You will also need to be very careful where you stand in the loft, if you stand on the plastered ceiling, you can cause damage to the ceiling or worse still injure yourself. We will cover health and safety later in this article. Types of loft Insulations Depending on your budget and preferences, you can opt for low cost insulation that sits on the joists, mid-range insulation that goes between or over the rafters, or the more expensive loft insulation that is injected all over the loft between the joists and rafters. As you’re probably guessing, insulation costs vary depending on what loft insulation you decide is best for you and your home, and how much you can afford vs the cost savings. Some of these options include: Choose the best options for your loft: Mineral Wool: Mineral wool is a non-metallic, inorganic product manufactured from a carefully controlled mix of raw materials, mainly comprising either stone or silica which are heated to a high temperature until molten. The molten glass or stone is then spun and formed into a flexible, fibrous mat for further processing into finished products. Roof Insulation Boards: Thanks to cutting-edge production techniques and materials like polystyrene, insulation boards are a highly adaptable type of insulation that provides exceptional thermal efficiency. These boards come in a variety of thicknesses starting at 25mm. SuperFOIL: Superfoil has a BBA certified R value of 2.27 in pitch or flat roofs & 2.73 in walls. Dupont ultra efficient nano coating technology. SF19 SuperFOIL also acts as a radiant barrier to reflect excessive heat gain during the summer months as well as insulating throughout the year. Spray Foam Insulation: Foam fills all holes and cavities as it expands, stopping air leakage and infiltration. This is the best type of insulation for your attic or loft area in both newly constructed homes and existing homes but can be much more expensive than other forms of loft insulation. Best Ways To Insulated Your Loft To Reduce Heat Loss There are many ways you can insulate your loft and reduce heat loss, below we have listed a number of them & how they should be installed. How to insulate your loft hatch Cut the blanket insulation to the same width and length as the loft hatch to insulate it. According to recent government recommendations, the insulation should have a 270mm depth. Simply use your preferred adhesive to stick on ...
Looking for the perfect place to live off the grid? By 2050, 7 of 10 people will live in cities. And while urban life might be the right choice for some people, others prefer to escape from the modern world. Moving off the grid is a wonderful way to disconnect yourself from the stress of city life and live harmoniously with the environment. Yet, finding the right place for off-grid living is one of the most difficult parts. But don’t worry, you can start your off-grid lifestyle wherever you are! We’ve put together a list of the best places to live off the grid, including locations in the US, Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world. So, keep reading! Best Places to Live Off the Grid around the World Densely populated cities can be costly and stressful. That’s why off-grid living sounds appealing to lots of people. Unlike many cities around the world, off-grid locations can help you get back to nature while keeping some aspects of modern life. Not sure where to start your off-grid lifestyle? Let’s explore some of the best places to live off the grid around the world, including some off-grid communities and locations for trips: Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, Missouri (USA) Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is one of the best places to live off the grid in the US. This eco-town started back in 1997 when a group of friends bought some land with a goal in mind: Creating an off-grid community of 500 to 1000 residents. Not only do they grow their food, but they also use solar panels and wind turbines to power their homes. If you live in Missouri and would like to see what sustainable, off-grid living looks like, you should visit this off-grid location. You could learn a few tricks to move off the grid or even join this community! The Konohana Family (Japan) The Konohana Family is an off-grid place located in Japan, where 100 non-blood-related people live as one big family. It all started over 20 years ago when 20 individuals wanted to build a sustainable, off-grid community. Today, this community works together to live as self-sufficiently as possible. This ecovillage is also very spiritual. The Konohana Family follows the law of the universe and uses each other’s talent to make the world a better place. Visit this location for a unique off-grid experience and discover if you could become part of the family! Lord Howe Island (Australia) Besides being one of the most beautiful places for off-grid living, Lord Howe Island is also one of the most peaceful locations in the world! You can even visit this island for a short period of time to disconnect from the stress and noise of busy cities. The breathtaking views of this paradise island make it the perfect place to live off the grid and recharge with new energies. This remote island is located in Australia and has a community of around 350 people, so you’ll be able to experience a truly off-grid lifestyle. Torri Superiore (Italy) If you’re interested in eco-friendly and medieval Italian ways of life, Torri Superiore is the perfect place for your off-grid experience in Europe. While this hamlet was built in the 13th century, the eco-friendly village was created in 1989. This off-grid community is guided by sustainable principles and it’s known for its medieval style. The eco-village is home to 20 residents who are permanent there. So, as you’re probably guessing, becoming a resident in this off-grid location is not easy. That said, it’s possible to visit Torri Superiore as a guest to learn about off-the-grid living. You can also become a volunteer in this place! Tristan da Cunha Island (United Kingdom) Would you like to live off the grid in the UK? Then, you should check this place. Tristan da Cunha, also known as “Tristan”, is a remote group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. Tristan is the best place for those looking for isolation. This off-grid location is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world! The main island has 250 permanent inhabitants and you can only get t...
This is one of my favourite dishes, not only is this vegan chow mein easy to make it’s also packed with flavour. Is Vegan Chow Mein Healthy? Most people would consider regular chow mein unhealthy, however this vegan chow mein recipe is packed full of vegetables & root vegetables, like ginger, shallots & garlic & if you use a light oil then it’s low in calories and high in nutrients. So yes we think this vegan chow mein recipes is much healthy than normal chow mein. Vegan Chow Mein You can not beat a freshly made bowl of chow mein & even better this recipe is suitable for vegans. Easy to prepare and quick to cook, you could be sitting down having a bowl of vegan chow mein in just 30 minutes. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Course Lunch, Main Course Cuisine Chinese Servings 2 Calories 255 kcal Equipment Wok or large frying pan Medium bowl Tongs or spatula to stir Ingredients 2-4 tbsp sesame oil 1 small aubergine chopped 1 shallot sliced 4 cloves garlic minced 1 inch ginger root peeled, minced 1 red hot chilli pepper seeds removed, chopped 1 red pepper seeds removed, chopped 2 cups bean sprouts 6 oz cooked chow mein noodles 4 stalks green onion chopped For the sauce: ¼ cup tamari soy sauce ¼ cup carrot juice Juice of 1 lime Zest of ½ lime Black sesame seeds Instructions Add aubergine pieces into a bowl and sprinkle with a generous amount of salt. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. This will draw out the moisture. Rinse the salt and aubergine liquid off, and pat the pieces dry with a paper towel. Heat the sesame oil in a wok or a large frying pan. Add aubergine pieces and cook on high heat for 7-10 minutes until browned. Add shallots, garlic, ginger, and chilli. Saute everything together for about 5 minutes. Finally, add red pepper, beansprouts and noodles. Mix them with the rest of the ingredients. Then, add soy sauce, carrot juice, lime juice, and lime zest. Keep cooking for another 5 minutes or so. Finally, stir in the green onions. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and enjoy. Notes If you’re allergic to sesame, use a different cooking oil and omit sesame seeds from this recipe. For a gluten-free version of this recipe, make sure to use tamari sauce as it does not contain gluten. For the noodles, use rice or pea noodles. Nutrition Calories: 255kcalProtein: 22gFat: 38g Keyword Chinese, Chow Mein, Vegan Tried this recipe?See More Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes – Totally Yummy!
This is one of my favourite dishes, not only is this vegan chow mein easy to make it’s also packed with flavour. Is Vegan Chow Mein Healthy? Most people would consider regular chow mein unhealthy, however this vegan chow mein recipe is packed full of vegetables & root vegetables, like ginger, shallots & garlic & if you use a light oil then it’s low in calories and high in nutrients. So yes we think this vegan chow mein recipes is much healthy than normal chow mein. Give this oriental recipe a try, you will not be disappointed. Vegan Chow Mein You can not beat a freshly made bowl of chow mein & even better this recipe is suitable for vegans. Easy to prepare and quick to cook, you could be sitting down having a bowl of vegan chow mein in just 30 minutes. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Course Lunch, Main Course Cuisine Chinese, Oriental Servings 2 Calories 255 kcal Equipment Wok or large frying pan Medium bowl Tongs or spatula to stir Ingredients 2-4 tbsp sesame oil 1 small aubergine chopped 1 shallot sliced 4 cloves garlic minced 1 inch ginger root peeled, minced 1 red hot chilli pepper seeds removed, chopped 1 red pepper seeds removed, chopped 2 cups bean sprouts 6 oz cooked chow mein noodles 4 stalks green onion chopped For the sauce: ¼ cup tamari soy sauce ¼ cup carrot juice Juice of 1 lime Zest of ½ lime Black sesame seeds Instructions Add aubergine pieces into a bowl and sprinkle with a generous amount of salt. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. This will draw out the moisture. Rinse the salt and aubergine liquid off, and pat the pieces dry with a paper towel. Heat the sesame oil in a wok or a large frying pan. Add aubergine pieces and cook on high heat for 7-10 minutes until browned. Add shallots, garlic, ginger, and chilli. Saute everything together for about 5 minutes. Finally, add red pepper, beansprouts and noodles. Mix them with the rest of the ingredients. Then, add soy sauce, carrot juice, lime juice, and lime zest. Keep cooking for another 5 minutes or so. Finally, stir in the green onions. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and enjoy. Notes If you’re allergic to sesame, use a different cooking oil and omit sesame seeds from this recipe. For a gluten-free version of this recipe, make sure to use tamari sauce as it does not contain gluten. For the noodles, use rice or pea noodles. Nutrition Calories: 255kcalProtein: 22gFat: 38g Keyword Chinese, Chow, Mein, Vegan Tried this recipe?See More Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes – Totally Yummy!
If you fancy a quick but tasty vegan breakfast, then give this vegan waffles recipe a try, simple to make with only 7 ingredients. You will need a waffle maker but once you have ones of these then you can make waffles in no time. Waffles originated from Belgium but quickly became very popular worldwide, none more so than in America. Are Vegan Waffles Healthy? Normally waffles would not be considered healthy, this is mainly because they are made with plain floor, milk & lots of sugar. However, vegan waffles are conciderably more healthy than non vegan waffles. The reason for this is vegan waffles are made with plain flour but also with wholemeal flour as a 50/50 mix, they also are not made with cow’s milk nor sugar, as a sweetener we use maple syrup in this recipe. Quick & Easy Vegan Waffles You are going to love these vegan waffles, you can make them in less than 15 minutes and they taste amazing. These waffles makes a tasty breakfast or a quick snack when peckish. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 10 mins Course Breakfast Cuisine Belgium Servings 2 Calories 262 kcal Equipment Mixing Bowl Whisk Waffle maker Ingredients ¼ cup plain flour ¼ cup wholemeal flour ½ tsp baking powder ⅛ tsp salt ¾ cup vegan yoghurt 1 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla extract Instructions Start by mixing the dry ingredients together: flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the vegan yoghurt, whisking it with the dry ingredients as you go. Add maple syrup and vanilla, and make sure they are incorporated into the batter. Preheat the waffle iron and spray it with cooking spray or brush it with oil. Fill and close the waffle maker. Cook for 5-10 minutes, until the waffles have risen and browned. Notes The amount of batter and cooking time will depend on your waffle maker. Be careful not to overfill the slots, as the batter will expand and fill the gaps. You can enjoy these waffles with your toppings of choice: jam, syrup, frozen berries, or fruit. It’s possible to make these vegan waffles gluten-free if you use all-purpose gluten-free flour and oat flour instead of the wheat flour. Nutrition Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 6gFat: 10g Keyword Breakfast, Vegan, Waffles Tried this recipe?See More Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes – Totally Yummy!
Planning to move off the grid to be self-sufficient? The first thing you need to know is how much it costs to live off the grid. While moving off the grid is a fantastic way to avoid the stress of city life, it has some challenges. And staying within your budget can be one of them. Before setting this goal, you should be able to answer these questions: How much money do you need to move from the city? Can you afford it? That said, estimating the costs of living off the grid can be overwhelming for beginners. The good news is that we’ll help you estimate these off-grid costs! In today’s article, we’ll describe the average costs to start living off the grid, common recurring expenses, and hidden costs that could bust your budget. So, let’s get started! How Much Does It Cost to Start Living Off the Grid? Although it’s true that off-grid living can cut down your monthly utility bills, you’ll have to deal with high upfront costs to make this possible. The main initial costs to live off the grid include buying the land, building a shelter, generating electricity, sourcing water, heating your off-grid home, installing a septic tank, and setting up a garden. Moving off the grid can cost about $10,000 to $600,000, depending on your location, needs, preferences, and other factors. On average, most people end up spending at least $100,000 to start living off the grid. Now, let’s explain these costs factors so you can estimate how much money you’ll need to start living off the grid: Where is the Cheapest Place to Live Off the Grid? As a general rule, the land is cheaper the farther away from town you get. If you live in the US, the states with the cheapest land (average of under $2,000 per acre for farmland) are New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, and Alabama. If you live in Europe, you could opt for Sweden or the west coast of Ireland. How Many Acres Do You Need to Live Off the Grid? Most homesteaders recommend buying 5-10 acres to move off the grid. Yet, some people prefer 1-5 acres to start their off grid lifestyle. So, it really depends on how much land you’ll need to set up your dream off-grid home and grow your own food. If you’re planning to raise livestock, you’ll need more space to support this activity. Costs of buying off grid land Finding the right place to live is the first step to moving off the grid, but it also accounts for a big portion of what you’ll spend to move from the city. When comparing your options, make sure to study the local laws to know what you can legally do on your own land. Housing Costs Depending on your budget and preferences, you can opt for a portable shelter, temporary structures, or a permanent structure to live off the grid. As you’re probably guessing, housing costs will be lower if you opt for portable shelters or temporary structures. Some of these options include: Yurts: Pre-built yurts usually cost about $4,000 to $10,000. RVs: These portable options can cost around $10,000 – $20,000, but you can get a used RV for as little as $5,000. Tents: These are the cheapest options for an off-grid home. A tent can cost you somewhere near $500 or less. If you’re interested in having a permanent structure, these are the average off-grid costs for some common options: Tiny homes and other prebuilt homes: The prices start at $25,000 and can go up to $50,000 for simple off-grid homes. Log cabins: Cabins are another affordable option to live off the grid. You can purchase one for less than $50,000. Having a home built: This is one of the most expensive options. Building your off-grid home in a remote location is much more expensive than having one built in town. On average, the cost to build an off-grid house can be somewhere between $120,000 and $250,000. Some lands already have a house that you can inhabit, but how much does it cost to get one of these off-grid houses? Well, you could find off-grid houses for tens of thousands of dollars, but the best options will most likely cost much more than that. Costs to...
With many homeowners looking for environmentally friendly and cheap cleaning solutions, there has been a resurgence of DIY natural & organic cleaning products for your home. These products are effective, versatile, super-cheap to make, and eco-friendly. They provide a better and safer alternative to standard shop-bought products. Besides being a safer alternative, you can easily make these products using natural and organic products at home. You can use locally available ingredients to create a wide range of natural cleaning products for your home. This article discusses the DIY process of making natural and organic cleaning products. Why Consider Natural or Organic Cleaners? Despite the existence of numerous brands and manufactured products on the market, organic or natural cleaners are quickly gaining popularity. With natural and organic ingredients, these products don’t have harmful effects on your environment . So, you can use these products safely around your pets or children due to their chemical or toxin-free nature. Besides the safe and environmental-friendly nature of these products, natural and organic cleaners will save you the cost of purchasing manufactured products. You’ll just need natural ingredients to manufacture them at home. these cleaners offer an easy, safe, and cost-effective way to clean your house or surroundings. What are the Common Natural Cleaner ingredients? You require the appropriate type and amount of ingredients for your DIY process. Due to the natural nature of these ingredients, they’re usually biodegradable with no harmful toxins or petrochemicals. Let’s look at the common ingredients and equipment: ● Castile soap ● White vinegar ● Salt ● Dish soap ● Spray bottle ● Lemon juice ● Baking soda ● Microfiber cloths ● Essential oils ● Tea tree oils These ingredients play different roles when creating natural or homemade cleaning products. For instance, vinegar is a disinfectant to kill germs, fungi, or odors. Other ingredients like essential oils or herbs have antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and other properties vital to creating a powerful and effective natural cleaner. Thus, choose the appropriate alternatives and amount that suits your cleaning needs. How to Make Natural & Organic Cleaning Products With the numerous benefits and advantages of natural homemade cleaning products, creating these products at your home will be cheap and effective. You can use the above ingredients to make a wide range of home cleaning products, such as glass cleaners, furniture polish, etc. Let’s look at the process of making different natural and organic cleaning products: Natural All-purpose Cleaner Spray Unlike commercial products, you can the all-purpose DIY cleaner spray for various cleaning tasks in your house. You can use it for cleaning countertops or stainless steel surfaces. Besides cleaning different surfaces, you can use this sprayer as a disinfectant to kill germs and other microorganism on the surfaces. Ingredients ● Two cups of water ● ¼ cup white vinegar ● 30 drops of essential oil (preferably mix lavender, lemon, peppermint, wild orange, or eucalyptus oils) ● Spray bottle Procedure ● Add the right proportions of the above ingredients to a spray bottle ● Mix by shaking the ingredients thoroughly ● After shaking to mix the ingredients, they’ll be ready for use ● Spray the content on your intended surface and allows them to stand for five minutes ● Wipe clean the surface with old cotton or microfiber cloth Experts advise you to follow the wiping process with a damp cloth if you’re concerned about the vinegar residue. Damp cleaning and drying the surface will get rid of the residues. Organic Glass Cleaners Natural glass cleaner provides the best alternative to cleaning glasses in your home The product will help remove dirt from your mirror, window glasses, and other glass products. Ingredients ● Distilled water ● 1 cup white distilled vinegar ● Eight drops of essential oils Consider choosi...
This simple vegan couscous salad recipe is easy to make. Couscous is low in fat & is a good source of fibre with other health benefits. Couscous is a moroccan cuisine but also a very popular dish with the surrounding countries. This vegan couscous salad doesn’t only taste amazing its also very healthy for you so great if you are on a diet. Vegan Couscous Salad An easy to make vegan couscous salad, this simple vegan salad is made with kale, but if kale is not your preferred taste then you can swap it over for rocket or spinach. This couscous salad is perfect for a light lunch. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 5 mins Course Salad Cuisine Mediterranean Servings 2 Calories 246 kcal Equipment Small bowl Salad bowl Small jar Whisk Ingredients ⅓ cup whole wheat couscous ¾ cup vegetable broth or water ½ red onion diced 2 to matoes roughly chopped ¼ cup sundried tomatoes chopped ¼ cup marinated artichoke hearts chopped 2 cups kale chopped ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped For the dressing 1 clove garlic minced ¼ cup balsamic vinegar ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tsp dijon mustard 1 tbsp maple syrup ½ tsp sea salt Cracked black pepper to taste Instructions Heat up the water or vegetable broth. Add the couscous and cover it with a lid. This should allow the couscous to soak up the liquid and cook. Set it aside to cool down. To make the dressing, simply whisk all the dressing ingredients in a jar. Once the couscous has cooled down, add it to the salad bowl, along with the veggies and greens. Drizzle the dressing over the contents, and mix everything together. Notes If you find fresh kale rough in texture, you can steam or microwave it for 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, try this vegan couscous salad with spinach or rocket. Nutrition Calories: 246kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 6gFat: 9g Keyword Couscous, Salad, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Natural mosquito repellant is used to fight off mosquitoes & can be made from plants or other natural sources. Some popular natural bug repellents include lemon eucalyptus, citronella, and lavender. Natural mosquito repellents are generally preferred over chemical ones because they may include dangerous components. Making Natural Mosquito Repellent on Your Own Making your mosquito repellent out of natural ingredients is easy. Almost every kitchen has the components needed to make mosquito repellant. The most popular and effective essential oils are, Citronella, lemon eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint. The oils can be used in a air diffused or applied directly to you skin. A natural pesticide called pyrethrin is extracted from chrysanthemum blooms. This is effective against mosquitoes and other flying insects. Ingredients for Natural Mosquito Repellent A mosquito repellent may be made from a variety of common substances. The oils all include natural ingredients that deter mosquitoes. The most prevalent ingredient in bug sprays is citronella oil, which is also used to ward against mosquitoes. The lemon grass plant is the source of this fragrant ingredient. Mosquitoes and other pest insects may be driven away with citronella oil. Like many other oils, lemongrass oil is extracted from the lemon grass plant. It works well to keep mosquitoes away because of its strong lemon aroma. The leaves and branches of the eucalyptus tree are used to produce the aromatic oil known as eucalyptus oil. Because of its camphoraceous solid aroma, it serves as an efficient insect repellent. Cloves are pressed to extract oil, which is known as clove oil. The powerful, spicy aroma has a practical purpose: keeping insects at bay. A mosquito repellent may also be made using lavender. It has a sweet flowery aroma and may be equally effective as other insect repellents. Oil extracted from the rosemary plant is known as rosemary oil. It has a powerful herbaceous aroma and serves as a good insect deterrent. It’s possible to make a homemade mosquito repellent by combining a number of these substances. Be careful to test the repellent on a tiny patch of skin before applying it to a wide area, no matter which formula you choose. This will help determine if any substances are causing an adverse reaction. Benefits of Natural Mosquito Repellent The use of insect repellents made from natural ingredients has several advantages. The following are some of the most important benefits: Natural mosquito repellents tend to be far more benign than their chemical equivalents. This is because they do not have any potentially dangerous chemicals or poisons. Also, unlike chemical repellents, natural mosquito repellents do not cause harm to humans or animals. This is because mosquitoes are drawn to synthetic odours more than natural ones. Chemical mosquito repellents aren’t the only option. However, natural insect repellents are often more comfortable to use. As a bonus, they seldom irritate the skin and usually have a more pleasing aroma. It is possible to apply natural mosquito repellents on both skin and clothes. As a result, you won’t have to worry about being bitten by mosquitoes no matter where you go. In most cases, natural mosquito repellents may save you much money compared to conventional options. This is because they are made using cheap materials and some you may already have at home. Compared to chemical repellents, natural insect repellents are safer for the environment. This is because they are free of potentially harmful & polluting chemicals. 10 Best Natural Mosquito Repellent On the market nowadays, one may choose from a wide variety of mosquito repellents that are made from natural ingredients. Here are some of the most impressive: Citronella oil: One of the most well-known natural mosquito repellents, Citronella grass oil is extracted from the leaves of the Citronella plant. The strong citrus aroma of this product is an effective insect deterrent. Peppe...
This dairy free zesty homemade lemon cheesecake recipe, will enliven your tastebuds, and is a great pallet cleanser after a meal. This is a quick and easy recipe to make but does require a little bit of preparation. You will need to soak the cashews overnight to soften them. Once the cashews have softened, you are ready to go, you will be able to make this very quickly, but you must remember to allow 1-2 hours for the cheesecake to set. This lemon cheesecake, is delcious, and will be a hit with friends and family. Why soak the cashews nuts? The raw cashews need softening so they can be made into a paste, we recommend doing this overnight so the cashews are soft when you’re ready to start making the recipe. Tasty Vegan Lemon Cheesecake Recipe Everyone loves desserts and you can not beat a cheesecake, try making this tasty lemon cheesecake at home & best of all it's vegan. 4.67 from 3 votes Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 15 mins Soak Time 6 hrs Course Dessert Cuisine Greek Servings 12 Calories 546 kcal Equipment Food processor Mixing Bowl Spring cake tin Baking Parchment Non-stick saucepan Ingredients For the crust 4 Oz plain crackers or biscuits broken up 4-6 dates pitted ½ cup walnuts 2 tbsp coconut oil melted For the cheesecake 1 ⅓ cup raw cashews soaked for 4-6 hours or overnight ¾ cup water 3 tbsp maple syrup or agave 2 tbsp coconut oil 1 tbsp agar agar powder 1 tsp vanilla extract Juice of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon Instructions Preheat the oven to 200 C (375 F). Line the bottom of the spring tin with parchment. In a food processor, blitz walnuts, dates, and biscuits or crackers until the mixture turns into fine crumbs. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and add melted coconut oil. Stir everything together with a spatula. The mixture should be sticking together. Transfer to the lined cake tin and spread evenly across the bottom. Bake in the preheated oven for 7-10 minutes until golden brown. Drain the liquid from soaked cashews and add them to the food processor. Blend with clean water, maple syrup or agave, coconut oil, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and agar agar until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the food processor as you go, to make sure everything gets evenly incorporated. Transfer the cashew mixture to a saucepan over low medium heat. As it heats, stir it continuously with a spatula as it begins to thicken. Carefully fold in half of the lemon zest. Once it has thickened a little bit, transfer the “cheesecake” mixture into the cake tin, spreading it evenly across the crust. Allow the cheesecake to fully cool down, then move it to the fridge to set for 1-2 hours. Before serving, sprinkle with remaining lemon zest and icing sugar (optional). Enjoy! Notes For a gluten-free version of this recipe, use gluten-free biscuits or crackers. To store, refrigerate the cheesecake for up to 5 days. This dessert can also be wrapped and frozen. Nutrition Calories: 546kcal Keyword Cheesecake, Lemon, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Many of us love sunny summer days, but as temperatures keep rising around the world, our weather is getting hotter and hotter. And UK heatwaves are an example of this. Heatwaves not only ruin our days, but extremely hot weather can even be fatal! That’s why we should learn how to keep cool and stay safe in extreme heat. Since heatwaves will become more frequent and intense, it’s important to know the risks of hot weather and ensure our safety. In today’s article, we’ll teach you the risks of heatwaves, signs of heat-related illness, how to stay cool indoors, tips to stay safe in the sun, and more! So, let’s dive right in! What’s a Heatwave? A heatwave is an uninterrupted period of exceptionally high temperatures. But what makes a heatwave different from any other hot day? The answer is simple: The temperature needs to be above the average conditions in a certain area at that time of the year. So, as you’re probably guessing, heatwave temperature thresholds can vary from one place to another. Additionally, this period of extreme daily temperatures should last at least three consecutive days to be considered a heatwave. Now that you know what a heatwave is, let’s check how climate change influences this weather-related extreme event and a few tips to stay safe. Are Heatwaves more Intense because of Climate Change? It’s time to hear the experts and prepare for extreme heat. Climate change will make weather-related extreme events more common, including heatwaves. Over the past few decades, climate scientists have warned that extremely hot weather will become more intense and frequent. For that reason, knowing how to stay cool and safe in a heatwave is more urgent today than ever before. Extreme temperatures have defied expectations and are occurring faster than climate models had suggested in the past! According to the scientific journal Nature, a climate-modelling study (published two years ago) suggested that the United Kingdom could pass 40 ºC in the coming decades. And yet, the UK reached this record-breaking temperature in 2022, way sooner than expected! To learn how to stay safe and cool during a heatwave, you need to understand how extreme temperatures can affect your health. So, keep reading to discover the signs of heat-related illness and who is at risk of complications. How Can Extreme Heat Affect Your Body? Extreme heat can dehydrate you and warm up your core temperature, so make sure to stay safe and keep cool during a heatwave. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can increase your heart rate and increase sweating. When this happens, your body is unable to regulate its temperature and can cause illness, including heat cramps, sunburn, and other serious health conditions, like the ones mentioned below. Heat-related Illnesses You Should Prevent to Stay Safe Heat Exhaustion: This happens when your body loses a lot of water and salt. Although heat exhaustion is usually not dangerous, it can lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition. That’s why it’s so important to stay cool during a heatwave. Heatstroke: This condition occurs when your body temperature goes above 40 ºC and you’re unable to cool down through sweating. In the worst-case scenario, a heatstroke can lead to long-term organ damage or death. Later in this article, we’ll mention the common symptoms of heat-related illnesses, how to stay safe and cool during hot days to prevent these medical conditions, and what you should do if someone you know has signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Who is at Risk during a Heatwave? Heatwaves can affect anyone, so everyone should learn how to stay cool and safe in extreme heat. That said, some people are more susceptible to extreme temperatures than others. The most vulnerable people to heat-related illnesses are: Older people, especially those over 75. Babies and young children. Pregnant people. People with serious chronic conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and kidney dise...
Shopping for secondhand clothes can be daunting. When you first step over the threshold into a charity shop or a vintage store you’re presented with a kaleidoscope of colours. There are racks of one-of-a-kind items from all sorts of different brands. For preloved fashion converts, this is heaven. It breaks the monotony of those shiny floored shopping centres. But for those new to second-hand fashion, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Shop with a purpose Go in with a mission. Think about what kind of garments you are missing from your wardrobe. You might focus on textures or colours. It can be super distracting to walk into any kind of shop because there is often so much choice. Some secondhand clothes shops sort their rails by colour since there may be only one of each item. So that might be really handy if you’re looking for a red top. But you might have to search through a sea of red to find it. Stay on track by reminding yourself why you came into the shop in the first place. If you already have far too many tops, then don’t get distracted and focus on the gaps in the wardrobe that you want to address. Keep an open mind Sounds counterintuitive right? As much as you need to come into a second-hand shop with a purpose, you still need to keep an open mind. Even if you know you absolutely need to find a new-to-you coat for winter, you still need to be open to trying styles, labels or cuts you might not usually go for. Part of the joy of rummaging through preloved clothing racks is that you have the chance to try lots of different styles from brands you may have never heard of. Take your time with this. Keeping an open mind also means having to think about your wardrobe at home. You have to imagine it hanging there in your wardrobe. How will this new-to-you item fit in? Can it work with your favourite outfit? Try clothes on, if you can – or use these trouser tricks One of the best ways to ‘get it right’ when it comes to clothes shopping is to be able to try it on in-store. Sometimes this is not always possible in smaller charity shops. And if you’re shopping online you can’t do this till you’ve bought the item (virtual try-on technology hasn’t expanded to preloved, yet!). So a huge tip when shopping online is to make sure that you can return the item. Can’t try it on in person? You could try a few tricks if there’s no changing room. One way to test if a pair of jeans fit is to use your forearm. You put your arm inside the waistband. Now, how does it fit? If there’s a big gap between your elbow, hand and the end of the jeans, they’re too big. Can’t fit your arm in at all? The jeans are likely too small. Another way is to wrap the waist of a pair of trousers around your neck. If it fits snugly around your neck then the trousers will likely fit. With things like tops or jackets it is much easier to actually try the item on. Otherwise for longer dresses or boiler suits you may need to hold them up to your body at key points like your hips, chest and bust to see if they would fit. Not all secondhand clothes are equal It is worth shopping around to see what different shops offer. There are different levels to preloved fashion. Usually, when you think of secondhand clothes you imagine clothes that have already been well-loved and lived in. But in reality, preloved clothes include things like returns, samples and items used for photography that can no longer be listed as ‘new’. They are still brand new, but may be missing tags or original packaging. In this case, you’re getting a bargain which no one has actually worn for any length of time. Sometimes you can find this kind of nearly new stock direct from brands at their outlets. But often you’ll stumble upon them being sold in charity shops. Be prepared to embrace small imperfections When clothes have multiple owners, they are bound to develop some minor imperfections. So don’t be alarmed if you find a garment with a few flaws in a secondhand clothes shop. For items like h...
There isn’t a magic formula to go zero waste, it’s all about being creative and shopping wisely. That said, there are some cool ideas you could try! As a consumer, you just have to pay attention to the things you buy and throw away. Although some people think that having a zero waste lifestyle is expensive, it can save you money in the long run! Additionally, it isn’t a difficult habit. If you don’t know how to start, below you will find 20 easy ideas to become a conscious consumer and achieve your zero waste goals! 20 Ideas to become a conscious consumers 1. Replace Disposable Items with Reusable Options Take a look at the disposable items you usually waste and start replacing them with reusable and durable alternatives. But more importantly, try to avoid single-use plastics like straws, bags, cups, and bottles at all costs. For example, instead of buying several plastic water bottles each week, invest in a reusable bottle that will last for years! You can also replace other disposable items, like plastic food bags for zero waste packed lunch boxes, batteries, cotton pads, and more. 2. Prefer Compostable Alternatives There are some disposable items you can’t avoid. For example, you will need to discard your toothbrush after a few months of use, whether it’s a plastic one or not. For those products, a better idea is to choose compostable materials. You can use bamboo toothbrushes, biodegradable sponges, bamboo plasters, and many other products to compost at home. 3. Give Second-hand Stores a Try Do you need to buy something? You probably don’t need it to be completely new. Buying second-hand products is a great idea to reuse useful items that otherwise would end up as waste. Besides, you can find unique things! 4. Prepare a Zero Waste Kit One of the most common mistakes of zero waste consumers is forgetting their reusable products at home when going out. A great idea to prevent this is to carry a zero waste kit with you every time you go out. You can include items that will help you avoid waste on the go, like a travel mug, reusable cutlery, a bamboo straw, and others! 5. Go Paperless Another good zero waste idea is to reduce the amount of paper you usually discard. You can refuse to accept promotional brochures, ask for no receipts when possible, replace tissues with handkerchieves, use cloth napkins, and so on! 6. Repair Damaged Items When something breaks or is in bad condition, most people would buy a new item to replace it. But a better zero waste option would be trying to repair it first. If you can’t repair something on your own, find someone who can help you. For example, tailors, cobblers, carpenters, and others! 7. Donate Things You Won’t Use Any More If you have items that you won’t use any more and they’re in good condition, donate them instead of sending them to landfills. Remember that other people might find them useful. With this idea, you will support a market where nothing is wasted! 8. Buy Local Products Keep in mind that goods transported over large distances require more energy and packaging than local products. As a zero waste consumer, you should give locally made goods a try to reduce waste and support local businesses! 9. Prefer Loose Veggies and Fruits Food packaging is the most problematic waste to avoid. An easy idea to start cutting down on food packaging is choosing loose veggies and fruits instead of buying them wrapped in plastic. 10. Give Ugly Fruits and Veggies a Chance If you want to fight food waste, you could start buying some “ugly” fruits and vegetables. Think about how many people avoid them just because they don’t look perfect. If nobody buys them, they will end up as waste! 11. Store Your Food Properly to Prevent Food Waste Once you get home from food shopping, make sure to store your food properly to avoid spoilage! Separate foods that promote ripening, like bananas and tomatoes, from sensitive foods like apples and leafy greens! 12 When Buying Online, Ask for Plastic-free Packagin...
For those coffee lovers that want to protect the Earth one drink at a time, having an eco-friendly travel mug is the way to go. Enjoying your morning coffee without throwing a disposable cup is a great way to live more sustainably. And that’s because throwaway coffee cups are problematic for the environment. Have you ever wondered what happens with the single-use coffee cup after you discard it? It doesn’t matter if it was a paper cup or a plastic cup, chances are it will end up in a landfill or polluting the ocean. Drink Your Coffee the Eco Way with a Reusable Travel Mug To give you an example, an estimated 2.5 billion disposable cups are used annually in the UK and only 1% of them get recycled! And you probably didn’t know this, but paper cups are lined with plastic polyethylene, so they can’t get easily recycled either. In fact, only one in 400 paper cups will get recycled! And that’s not to mention the greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production and all the trees that will be cut down to produce disposable cups! Fortunately, the solution is simple: reusable travel mugs. By using eco-friendly travel mugs, we could avoid all those environmental problems. Want to Know the Best Thing about Buying a Reusable Travel Mug? Unlike disposable cups, Reusable Coffee Cup won’t leach any harmful chemicals into your beverages. So, they’re a better option for your health and the environment. And when you’re on the go, you don’t need to worry about leaks and spills because reusable travel mugs are leak-proof! What’s more, you could even save money with them! Most coffee shops offer discounts for consumers who bring their own reusable coffee cups. Besides, they’re lightweight and durable. With proper care, they can last for a few years! Plastic Free Saves Money Eco-Friendly Reusable Sustainable Ready to Drink Your Coffee the Eco-friendly Way? Reusable travel mugs that are made from sustainable and durable materials, like recyclable glass and recycled silicone. With their splash-proof lid and anti-slip grip, you will transport your hot drinks smoothly! Eco-friendly coffee mugs made from recyclable stainless steel and some are fully compostable bioplastic. Here’s the best part about them: Whether you’re drinking a hot coffee or a frappé, these lightweight travel mugs will keep your drinks at the right temperature for hours! And if that’s not enough, these eco-friendly options fit under all coffee machines and they come in a variety of beautiful colours! Could you imagine using the same travel mug for years and avoiding tons of throwaway coffee cup? Then, go get yours and make it possible!
You’ve probably heard that reusable shopping bags are an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags. But what’s the reason behind this claim? What’s the problem with disposable bags and why are reusable bags better for the environment? Something as simple as choosing the right bag for your groceries can make a big difference in the world. Even paper bags can harm the environment. But there’s another alternative: reusable shopping bags! Keep reading to discover the problems with disposable bags and the benefits of reusable bags for the environment! Also, you will find a few tips to get the best out of your reusable shopping bags! The Problems with Single-use Plastic Bags You might be wondering why plastic grocery bags are so terrible. They’re as useful as reusable shopping bags after all. Well, these are some of the problems with them: Unlike reusable bags, plastic bags are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Additionally, their production generates greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change . More than one million plastic shopping bags are used every minute around the world. What’s worse, most people throw them away after just 15 minutes of use! As a result, they generate a lot of plastic waste that affects the environment. Most plastic grocery bags won’t get recycled because they can get stuck in machinery. In the best scenario, plastic bags will remain for hundreds of years in landfills. But in real life, most of them will find their way into the ocean thanks to the wind. While it’s easy for you to identify these bags as waste, many marine animals mistake them for food. So, they can cause the death of these animals! Like other plastics, plastic bags don’t biodegrade but rather break down into smaller pieces. These “micro-plastics” will also cause huge problems for the environment, wildlife, and food chain. The Problems with Paper Bags If you don’t use reusable shopping bags and you don’t want to contribute to plastic pollution either, you probably use paper bags. Maybe you think these bags are an eco-friendly option and there’s no need to replace them with reusable bags. Yet, they can also be problematic for the environment: When paper bags aren’t made from recycled materials, it means many trees were cut down so you could carry your things around. Their production requires the use of chemicals and fertilizers that harm the environment. Manufacturing a paper bag requires four times more energy than producing a plastic bag. You would have to use it more than three times to neutralise their impact on the planet! Unlike reusable shopping bags, you can only reuse paper bags a few times before they wear out. Paper can’t be recycled indefinitely, so it will become waste at some point. Even though paper bags are recyclable and biodegradable, their production still causes some problems for the environment. They might create less waste than plastic bags, but they aren’t as eco-friendly as you thought. Fortunately, you can avoid all these problems with a few reusable bags! How Do Reusable Shopping Bags Benefit the Environment? Think about how many plastic bags or paper bags you use when you go to the grocery store every week. That’s a lot of disposable bags you could avoid every year with a few reusable bags. And here’s how you could help the environment by bringing your own reusable shopping bags: 10 Reasons Why You Should Use Reusable Grocery Bags Less Litter on Land and in the Ocean If you take good care of your reusable grocery bags, they could last for years and replace hundreds of disposable bags. Remember that plastic bags can be easily blown away by the wind and cause troubles for the environment. So, using a few reusable bags would reduce the amount of litter on the streets, parks, rivers, and in the ocean. Protect Wildlife Using reusable shopping bags could save one animal’s life. Plastic bags cause the death of thousands of marine animals every year, particularly seabirds and sea turtl...
Earth is the only planet that can support life as we know it. Yet, we’re treating it like there’s another place to go, but there is No Planet B! That’s why many people are adopting the philosophy of sustainable living now. Even though this philosophy isn’t something new, nowadays it is gaining popularity thanks to the green movement. That’s because sustainable living is the best approach to live in harmony with the environment! But what are the benefits of sustainable living? In this article, you will find everything you need to know about living sustainably and some tips to start your sustainable lifestyle today! What’s Sustainable Living? Sustainable living means that you’re taking actions in your daily life to reduce your environmental impact. A sustainable lifestyle involves making better choices to fight climate change, plastic pollution, and many other environmental and social problems. Choices that are sustainable for you and the environment. For example, if you need to go somewhere, you could take the bus or walk instead of driving. This simple action will be better for the environment and it’s something you could do once in a while. n short, sustainable living is all about reducing one’s carbon footprint and decreasing the use of the Earth’s natural resources to benefit nature. Why is Sustainable Living Important? The current rate of resource extraction is unsustainable for the Earth. In fact, we would need 1.6 Earths to maintain current standards of living! In other words, we’re using more resources than nature can regenerate and producing more waste and emissions than the Earth can absorb. This has led to climate change, global warming, plastic pollution, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity, and many other problems! Below you can out the advantages of sustainable living & why now it’s more important than ever to start living an eco-friendly lifestyle: Reduce waste and the use of non-renewable natural resources. Reduce carbon emissions and climate change effects. Guarantee a healthy and liveable future for all. Prevent water scarcity and loss of biodiversity. Promote the circular economy. Preserve natural resources. Lead to less pollution. Benefits of Sustainable Living Although the main goal of sustainable living is conserving natural resources, you will also benefit from changing your lifestyle! Some green habits in your sustainable lifestyle will give you the following benefits: Save Money One of the keys to achieve sustainable living is using fewer resources. As a result, it’s an effective and easy way to cut down on costs and save money. You will spend less money on water consumption, heating, lighting, and more! Likewise, if you invest in durable items instead of buying several disposable options, you will save money in the long run. Just think about how many plastic bottles you could avoid each month with one reusable bottle! Improve Your Health Some sustainable living practices like walking and eating organic foods not only help the environment but also benefit your health! For instance, organic and locally-sourced foods are healthier and better for the environment because farmers don’t use pesticides to produce them. Similarly, if you replace conventional products with non-toxic options, you won’t expose to toxic chemicals that could affect your health. So, a sustainable lifestyle will give you many health benefits! Connect with Your Community Another benefit of sustainable living is that it will help you meet new people and connect with those around you. You could also get to know people with similar interests! This will happen when you start looking for local cultural activities, local stores, community projects, recycling points, and others. You could even inspire others to live more sustainably! Feel Better Besides providing health benefits, a sustainable lifestyle could make you feel better about your actions and decisions as well. Every time you take an action that will benefit the environment, you...
If you want to have a relaxing day or set the mood for a romantic dinner, chances are you will light a few candles. But did you know that regular candles are made from paraffin wax? The good news is that you can replace them with soy candles or use soy wax melts instead! These vegan candles have several benefits and everyone in your home will love them! Keep reading to find out why you should make the switch to soy candles and soy wax melts. And if you haven’t tried soy wax melts yet, below you will learn how to use them too! Why Choose Soy Candles and Soy Wax Melts? Nowadays, most candles are made from paraffin wax, but you can also find other alternatives made from natural options, such as soy wax. In fact, soy candles and wax melts are one of the best options for your health and the environment. Safe and Non-toxic A common concern of using paraffin wax is that it’s a by-product of gasoline. Simply put, burning candles made from paraffin wax could release chemicals that could affect your health in the long run! On the other hand, soy candles and soy wax melts are a healthier alternative because they’re made from natural ingredients. As a result, they release the lowest amount of particulate matter, so you don’t need to worry about indoor air pollution! Eco-friendly Besides being a healthy option, soy candles are one of the most eco-friendly candles too! While classic candles are made from petroleum-based paraffin, these vegan candles are made from soybeans. For that reason, soy candles are a fantastic alternative to replace candles made from a non-renewable source. Moreover, soy wax melts are biodegradable! Vegan If you want to remove animal products from your lifestyle, you should also think about the type of candle you’re using. Many types of candles tend to use animal byproducts, such as beeswax, tallow, or others! In contrast, soy wax melts and soy candles don’t contain any animal products, so they’re 100% vegan! Produce Less Soot As you’ve probably noticed, paraffin candles produce a dark soot that could blacken your walls and furniture. You can avoid this problem by using soy candles because they burn clean and produce less soot! Last Longer Another advantage of soy candles is that soy wax burns slower than paraffin wax. So, your vegan candles will burn for much longer than regular paraffin candles of the same size! 6 Benefits of Using Soy Candles and Wax Melts At Home Whether you decide to burn vegan candles or use soy wax melts in your home, they will give you some wonderful benefits: 1. Create a Comfortable Atmosphere Lighting a few vegan candles in your house will help you create a comfortable and relaxing ambience. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing better than feeling relaxed after a long day of work! 2. Add Style to Your Home If you’re looking for some useful and eco-friendly home décor items, soy candles and wax melts will add a great touch to any room in your home! You could place a few oil burners for your soy wax melts, style your bathroom with some vegan candles, and more! 3. Set the Mood for Romantic Dates Soy candles are a great option for special occasions, particularly romantic ones! You can turn the lights down low and light vegan candles of different sizes to enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner with your significant other! 4. Can Improve Your State of Mind Vegan candles are also helpful to improve your mood. If you’re feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed, you could light a soy candle and listen to relaxing music for a while. This simple action will help you lift your mood and feel a little better! 5. Enhance Meditative Thoughts While being productive is important, you should also take time for yourself. And melting a soy wax melt provides a peaceful ambience to enjoy your self-care activities and enhance your meditative thoughts! Give vegan candles a try while having a bath, doing yoga, practising meditation, doing your skincare routine, or any other self-care activity! 6. Add a Wonderful Frag...
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Greta Thunberg is frequently in the news and on social media highlighting the plight of our planet due to climate change, this is echoed by David Attenborough’s Blue Planet documentary, showing us the damage plastic and waste is doing to our coral reefs & sea life, in addition to the effects deforestation is having on our wildlife. Gradually, we are becoming much more aware of our choices, and slowly as consumers we are taking responsibility, moving away from fast fashion and making changes to how we live, by recycling, reducing and using everyday household items. Many companies are now also doing their bit by making some amazing eco friendly products that are sustainable, plastic free, organic and zero waste. So to celebrate these brands we have complied our top 50 list of UK brands that we love. So grab a cup (eco friendly of course) of tea and enjoy reading our recommended list of eco friendly brands that make amazing products to help the environment, reduce plastic waste and their carbon footprint, these companies are mostly UK based and strive for sustainable living. Table of contents Brands For Sustainable Living 2022 1. Jungle Culture 2. Kabloom 3. Brushd 4. Beauty Kubes 5. EcoEgg 6. Neon Kactus 7. Who Gives a Crap 8. Bamigo 9. Oxsy 10. Turtle Bags 11. &SISTERS 12. Shower Blocks 13. Moonie 14. Kutis 15. Planet Detox 16. Bam 17. Rugged Nature 18. Wild Thought 19. Foragers Cottage 20. Truthpaste 21.Georganics 22. Playing in Choc 23. Totsbots 24. Clothes Doctor 25. Earth Conscious 26. Panda London 27. Bain and Savon 28. Bambaw 29. Eco Living 30.Kitenest 31. Nature & My 32. Wild & Stone 33. Tabitha Eve 34. New Dawn 35. Chewsy 36. Envirotoy 37. Wild Sage 38. Mori 39. Sprout World 40. Stand4Socks 41. Fa vo 42. Totem Tea 43. Elephant Box 44. Project Blu 45. Allbirds 46. Elvis and Kresse 48. Patch 49. Northern Pantry 50. VIDA Natural Brands For Sustainable Living 2022 1. Jungle Culture This company was founded in 2020, they sell eco friendly and ethical products, like coconut bowls, reclaimed wooden cutlery, cool metal & bamboo straws, along with reusable razors. We love the design, usability and packaging of Jungle Culture. 2. Kabloom Kabloom was founded back in 2010, with the goal of making fun and friendly products that are also environmentally-friendly. Kabloom sells the innovative Seedbom, a fun gardening tool that creates a healthy garden patch for the animals that need it most. We absolutely love how unique Seedboms are. 3. Brushd The eco-friendly oral care business Brushd was opened in 2018, and have since released a high quality range of products that are great for the environment. These include their toothpaste and mouthwash tablets, dental vitamins and bamboo toothbrushes. What we love about it, is that it’s a great organic alternative to something we all do everyday. 4. Beauty Kubes In 2019 Beauty Kubes started up selling great, environmentally friendly hair and skincare products. Inspired by the BBC’s blue planet 2, they aimed to create a plastic free alternative to companies out there, flooding the market with products that lead to so much plastic waste. We love their products because of their great design and goal to do better for our planet. 5. EcoEgg Founded back in 2008, Ecoeggs is an innovative product that has seen success worldwide, and has won multiple awards since then. The Eco Egg is a replacement for laundry detergent and fabric conditioners, as well as being a kinder plastic free replacement. We love its quirky design and its usefullness. A great eco friendly product all around. 6. Neon Kactus Neon Kactus began in 2018, with 20 years of working in the food and drink industry showing them the impact of single-use plastics. From this, they decided to create their own reusable, functional and stylish range of cups. At Zero & Zen we love their entire range for both their trendy designs and benefit to our planet. 7. Who Gives a Crap Who Gives A Crap started in 2012 by Simon, Jehan and Danny, this funny y...
Getting rid of weeds is a common issue most gardeners face. If you decide to pull them out one by one, these undesirable plants can become a time-consuming problem and frankly, backbreaking work. That’s why most gardeners prefer to use synthetic or natural weed killer options instead. As you might know, herbicides are the most effective option to deal with weeds. But there’s one problem: They often contain toxic chemicals, like glyphosate, that are linked to an increased risk of cancer and contribute to the global decline in bees. The good news is that you can make your own natural weed killer with safe ingredients you already have at home, like salt and vinegar! Want to know how? In this article, we’ve put together the best homemade weed killer recipes to help you keep weeds at bay without affecting your health or harming wildlife. Plus, you’ll also find some safety considerations and tips to use your homemade weed killer like a pro! Weeds are basically the unwanted plants that grow beside other wanted plants. They are unwanted mainly because they compete with the other plants for sunlight, water, air and space and sometimes just because they are not as pretty as other plants. So, let’s jump right in. Best Homemade Natural Weed Killers to Use in Your Garden Commercial herbicides aren’t a safe option to use in your garden and unfortunately, eco-friendly weed killers are difficult to find. If you’re not a fan of pulling weeds by hand, making a homemade weed killer with naturally-derived ingredients might be the best option for you. Take a look at the best natural weed killer recipes you can try: Use Boiling Water to Kill Weeds Let’s start with the easiest eco-friendly weed killer option: Boiling water. With this simple and natural alternative to herbicides, you won’t need to mix anything. You just need to boil up some water and pour it on the weeds. Make sure to use enough water to kill the weeds at their roots. If you want to make boiling water even more effective, you can add salt to this simple homemade weed killer option. Keep in mind that salt can prevent future growth, so don’t use it in areas where you’re planning to grow things later. This natural weed killer is useful for areas like pavement cracks because it won’t affect the plants you want to keep. Pro-tip: Reuse water from boiling vegetables to kill the weeds in your garden and save energy at the same time. Additionally, use a kettle with a spout to target the unwanted weeds. Eco-Friendly Weed Killer Recipe with Salt Salt can be a strong homemade weed killer if applied in high enough doses. That said, you should choose carefully the areas where you’re going to apply this natural weed killer. And that’s because applying too much salt in your garden can kill all types of plants, not just weeds. This homemade weed killer can even make it difficult to grow new plants for a long time, so keep it out of your flower beds. The good news is that it’s a good option to kill weeds on paths and drives! To make this natural weed killer recipe, you’ll need: One part household table salt Two parts water Spray bottle Add the salt and water to the spray bottle, mix and wait until the salt has dissolved. Then, spray this DIY weed killer directly onto desired weeds. Pro-tip: If this natural alternative to herbicides doesn’t work as expected, you can increase the strength of the solution. Use Newspaper as an Eco-friendly Weed Killer You don’t need to use toxic chemicals to kill weeds in your garden, just block sunlight and you’ll get the same results. As you’re probably guessing, all plants need photosynthesis to grow. If you block sunlight, they will die sooner or later. It’s as simple as that. For this DIY homemade weed killer, you only need newspaper or cardboard. Here’s how to use this natural weed killer: Once you’ve removed tall weeds, you can lay down thick newspaper or cardboard over the areas you want to cover. This DIY eco-friendly weed killer option will help you prevent n...
You really can’t beat a good Chili Mac, this fusion recipe is the ultimate one-pot & it’s the perfect dish for a vegan family meal, This one pot chilli mac is suitable for vegetarians & vegans alike. Mac and Cheese has recently exploded worldwide, there is a real love for this comfort food, with some unique twists to add a little extra punch. One pot Chili Mac, makes life simple when you’re in a hurry but still want some good wholesome home cooking. One pot dishes do exactly what they say, all of the ingredients go into one dish, making life easier when you’re tight for time, with the added bonus of less washing up. Once you have prepared your ingredients cooking time is only 35 minutes. The carefully selected spices, such as; chilli powder, smoked paprika and cumin add some warmth to the dish. These are beautifully accompanied with oregano, thyme and rosemary. This dish can be frozen if you prefer to cook in batches and simply taken out of the freezer as and when you need it. The ultimate one pot of comfort food, that is quick and simple to make. Homemade Vegan One-Pot Chili Mac This homemade one-pot vegan chili mac is quick & easy and is made with simple ingredients. This recipe makes the perfect hearty, budget-friendly lunch or dinner for the up & coming winter months! 5 from 3 votes Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 35 mins Course Lunch, Main Course Cuisine American Servings 6 Calories 521 kcal Equipment Pot Spoon Spatula Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion chopped 6 cloves garlic chopped 200 g mushrooms sliced 1 tbsp chili powder 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp oregano 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp rosemary leaves 1 tsp cumin powder 1 ½ tsp salt 5 cups vegetable stock 1 tbsp brown sugar 1 15-ounce can kidney beans 1 15-ounce can sweet corn, drained and rinsed 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 15-ounce can tomato puree 10- ounce elbow pasta 1 cup shredded vegan cheese Chopped fresh cilantro Instructions Start this one pot chilli Mac recipe by heating 1 tablespoon of oil over a medium heat In a large nonstick pot. Once the oil is hot then add the onions then cook for around 2 minutes until softened. Then add the mushrooms & garlic and cook for another 5 minutes. Now you need to deglaze the pot, to do this just pour in the vegetable stock into the pan. Then add all of the spices, so the chili powder, paprika, oregano, thyme, rosemary leaves, cumin powder & salt. Stir the spices into the vegetables and cook for 1 minute. Add in the brown sugar, kidney beans, corn, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and elbow pasta. Stir well to combine all of the ingredients together. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat down to a simmer. Cook for around 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through. Sprinkle your favorite vegan cheese all over the top of your chili mac. Cover the lid and let warm through for a few minutes. Allow the vegan chili mac to rest for about 15-20 minutes before serving and top with some freshly chopped cilantro. Video Nutrition Calories: 521kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 22g Keyword Cheese, chili, Chilli, Mac, Mac & Cheese, Macaroni, One Pot, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Die Umstellung auf eine vegane Ernährung kann anfangs schwierig sein. In der Regel fällt es vielen Anfängern der veganen Ernährung schwer, einen Speiseplan zu erstellen, der alle ihre Ernährungsbedürfnisse abdeckt. Die gute Nachricht ist, dass es möglich ist, sich einfach und gesund vegan zu ernähren, man muss nur ein paar Dinge lernen. Deshalb haben wir einen vollständigen Leitfaden zur veganen Ernährung für Anfänger erstellt! In diesem Leitfaden finden Sie alles, was Sie über diese pflanzliche Ernährungsweise wissen müssen, von den Vorteilen der veganen Lebensweise bis hin zu den möglichen negativen Auswirkungen des Veganismus. Aber keine Sorge, wir zeigen Ihnen auch, wie Sie sich als gesunder Veganer verhalten und diese Risiken verringern können! Sie sind sich nicht sicher, was Sie in Ihre vegane Ernährung aufnehmen oder vermeiden sollten? Lesen Sie weiter, um eine vollständige Liste veganer Lebensmittel für Anfänger und einige Ideen für vegane Mahlzeiten zu finden. Was ist eine vegane Ernährung? Nach Angaben der Vegan Society ist eine vegane Ernährung ein pflanzlicher Speiseplan, bei dem alle Produkte, die ganz oder teilweise von Tieren stammen, ausgeschlossen werden. Während Vegetarier auf den Verzehr von Tieren verzichten, gehen Veganer noch einen Schritt weiter und vermeiden auch den Verzehr von Eiern, Milchprodukten und Honig. Aber das ist noch nicht alles: Sie vermeiden auch viele andere tierische Inhaltsstoffe wie Karmin, Gelatine und Kasein.Wer sich vegan ernährt, muss daher die Etiketten von Lebensmitteln sorgfältig prüfen, um tierische Inhaltsstoffe zu vermeiden. Deshalb kann diese pflanzliche Ernährung für Anfänger so schwer zu befolgen sein, obwohl sie nicht unmöglich ist. Sie denken wahrscheinlich, dass eine vegane Ernährung einschränkend sein kann. Dennoch können Veganer eine Vielzahl von Gemüsen, Früchten und vielen anderen unten genannten Lebensmitteln essen. Außerdem gibt es heutzutage viele pflanzliche Alternativen. Und Sie könnten auch einige leckere, gesunde vegane Rezepte ausprobieren, wie die, die Sie weiter unten in diesem Artikel finden werden! Veganismus für Einsteiger: Andere Aspekte, die Sie kennen sollten Neben einer pflanzenbasierten Ernährung entscheiden sich viele Vegan-Einsteiger auch dafür, alle Formen der Ausbeutung und Grausamkeit von Tieren in allen Bereichen ihres Lebens zu vermeiden, z. B. die Verwendung von Tieren für Unterhaltungszwecke, Kleidung, Produkttests oder andere Zwecke. Dies ist eine Philosophie und Lebensweise, die als „Veganismus“ bekannt ist. Manche Menschen ernähren sich vegan, um alle gesundheitlichen Vorteile des Veganismus zu nutzen, während viele andere sich aus ethischen, religiösen oder ökologischen Gründen vegan ernähren. Was ist der Unterschied zwischen veganer und vegetarischer Ernährung? Einige von ihnen bevorzugen eine pflanzliche oder vegetarische Ernährung, während andere sich für eine vegane Ernährung entscheiden, um diese Produkte vollständig aus ihrer Ernährung zu streichen. Doch was sind die Unterschiede zwischen diesen Begriffen? Obwohl sie ähnlich klingen mögen, gibt es in Wahrheit feine Unterschiede zwischen pflanzlicher, vegetarischer und veganer Ernährung. Was ist eine vegetarische Ernährung? Laut der Vegetarische Gesellschaft enthält eine vegetarische Ernährung keine Produkte oder Nebenprodukte der Tierschlachtung, wie Fleisch, Geflügel, Insekten, Lab, Gelatine, Fisch, Schalentiere, Tierbrühe oder -fett. Was essen Vegetarier also? Eine vegetarische Ernährung umfasst eine Reihe von Früchten, Gemüsesorten, Nüssen, Samen, Getreide und Hülsenfrüchten. Aber das ist noch nicht alles. Obwohl Vegetarier einige tierische Lebensmittel aus ihrer Ernährung streichen, können sie dennoch Eier, Honig und Milchprodukte wie Milch, Käse und Joghurt essen. Aus diesem Grund werden Menschen, die sich vegetarisch ernähren, auch als „Lakto-Ovo-Vegetarier“ bezeichnet. Allerdings gibt es verschiedene Arten der vegetarischen Ernährung: So gibt es beispielsweise Menschen ...
Living a zero waste & zen lifestyle blog – Zero & Zen We are a small eco family with a passion for the world that we live in. We have a passion to help our planet & love anything, eco friendly, natural, sustainable, zero waste & just being more green, Want To Start Living A Sustainable Lifestyle? All of our articles are about living a eco & ethical lifestyle, going plastic free, cruelty-free & sustainable issues and tips. Also we add free healthy, tasty vegetarian & vegan recipes weekly. We often hear about being eco-friendly, this is one of the fundamentals of Sustainable living. Sustainability, means we are not using up all of the earth’s resources, these are not infinite. By living a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle, we will play a small part in the health of our environment, by making changes in our lifestyle, we can use alternative solutions to improve sustainability. It can feel like a whole new world when you hear terms like fast fashion, zero-waste, minimalism, and being environmentally conscious when it comes to living sustainably. Ultimately, each of these terms will be striving for the same goal and the same purpose in life, to nourish and care for our surroundings, and to protect our earth from the effects of climate change. Like viral video’s and trends, your choice to live sustainably will no doubt effect others, and hopefully encourage others to do the same, even if it’s only in a small way. . Living sustainably, takes time, do this at your own pace and in a way that works for your own environment. Opinions matter We know what our visitors think matter most. So we’ll make sure that every comment on site is read, and more importantly worked on if any feedback is given or negative experience is had. Using what we can, we’ll make sure all our most popular articles & recipes are where they should be, at the front so you can get to them easier! Articles & Recipes All of the articles on Zero & Zen is written by a member of our team, Cristina is a full time professional writer with Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering. The recipes we provide are also created, cooked, photographed & written by a few long time vegans. All the content on our website is 100% factually correct and trustworthy, we fact check all of the information we post before it goes live. Welcome to Zero Zen.
A long time ago, clothes were made to last for years. Before fast fashion brands, people used to buy garments a few times a year to replace old clothes or wear something new on special occasions. Nowadays, clothes are cheaper and people can afford to buy trendy clothes at least once per month. And that’s how we started to hear the term: Fast Fashion. With this new trend, people tend to buy clothes they wear a handful of times or, what’s worse, they never use them! Do you think this is a sustainable practice? Let’s find out. If you’d like to learn why is fast fashion a s problem & what can we all do, then keep reading to discover how it impacts people, the planet, and animals. But more importantly, you’ll learn how to spot fast fashion brands! What Is Fast Fashion? Fast fashion is the term used to describe the mass production of cheap, trendy, and poor-quality clothes. This unsustainable business model focuses on reworking the latest styles from the catwalk and what some celebrities or social media influencers use. As a result, people can quickly wear the “newest trends”. Here’s how the fast fashion cycle works: Fast Changes in Fashion Trends: Fashion brands are constantly producing new lines of clothes to offer the “latest trends”, which they often create to keep people endlessly buying their clothes. Fast Production: They produce these clothes as quickly as possible. Fast Sale: Since consumers can wear the latest looks without spending a fortune, they don’t think twice before buying these clothes. Fast Use: These clothes wear out fast and go out of style in a few months. So, it should come as no surprise that people get rid of them as soon as they become “outdated looks”. What’s the Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion? Fast fashion focuses on reducing production costs as much as possible. And destroying nature is more profitable than protecting it. That’s why they’ve become one of the highest polluting industries in the world! And this practice is contributing to the climate change Let’s explore why fast fashion is bad for the environment: Water Pollution and Consumption This industry alone uses 93 billion cubic metres of water every year! Besides using large quantities of water and pesticides, they also dump untreated toxic wastewater into rivers. Industrial water pollution can exterminate aquatic life and affect communities that rely on these water sources. Global Warming Fast fashion has a huge carbon footprint. First of all, most of their clothes are made of synthetic fabrics, which are derived from fossil fuels. Likewise, most of their factories rely on non-renewable energy sources. And let’s not forget that these clothes are shipped around the world. Plastic Pollution As we mentioned before, fast fashion brands tend to use synthetic fibres, like nylon and polyester, to keep their prices low. When we wash these clothes, they release tiny plastic particles known as microfibres. To give you an idea, around 700,000 fibres can come off these clothes in a typical wash! But that’s not all. Since these fibres are so small, they can pass through the wastewater treatment systems and end up polluting our oceans. Not only will they harm marine animals, but they will also become part of our diet! Waste Another problem with fast fashion is the inconceivable amount of waste it creates: around 92 million tonnes of textiles waste each year! As clothes became cheaper, consumers now see them as disposable. So, people don’t keep them in their wardrobes for too long. And even if they wanted to, these poor-quality clothes are not made to last. For that reason, they’re rarely suitable for resale and end up sitting in landfills. But consumers are not the only ones generating textile waste. Some brands also discard clothes that are no longer “modern” instead of selling them! Why Is Fast Fashion Bad for Workers? Fast fashion brands also reduce their production costs by exploiting garment workers and farmers. Their garment workers work in dan...
Wondering how to stay warm and lower your energy bills during the winter months? It’s no secret that energy prices are soaring in the UK and we’re getting closer to the coldest months of the year, so that’s a common concern. The good news is that now is the perfect time to learn a few tricks to reduce energy costs at home. Despite what many people think, it’s possible to stay warm and still keep your energy bills low in winter. Want to know how? Continue reading to discover the best ways to keep your home warm while saving money on your energy bills! Best Tips to Stay Warm & Lower Your Energy Bills This Winter As the weather gets colder, people tend to use more electricity to warm up their homes. If you don’t learn how to use energy efficiently, you’ll spend a lot of money trying to stay warm during the winter months. But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can stay warm, maintain a comfortable temperature in your house, and keep your electricity bills in check. Here are some of the quickest and easiest ways to save money on energy bills: 20 Energy Saving Tips Turn the Thermostat Down Yes, you read that right. The easiest way to reduce your energy costs is to lower the temperature in your home. But how will you stay warm then? Don’t worry, you could turn the temperature down by just one degree and see if you feel comfortable with this change. You can repeat this process until you find the right temperature for you and your family. And more importantly, don’t forget to adjust the temperature when you’re going out to cut energy use and keep your energy bills under control. Lowering the thermostat by one degree can help you save roughly £90 a year! Stay Warm with Sweaters and Socks When you go outside in cold weather, you dress in layers to stay warm, right? Well, you could do something similar when you’re at home too. For example, opt for a comfy jumper, sweatpants, and wool socks to keep your body warm. Cuddle up in a blanket and set the mood for a relaxing winter night! This energy-saving tip will help you set your thermostat as low as comfortably possible in the winter and reduce your energy bills. Draught-proof Windows and Doors A clever way to stay warm and keep your energy bills low in winter is to draught-proof your house. With this simple action, you’ll need less energy to heat your home. So, this is one of the easiest ways to save energy and money! Make sure to block up unwanted gaps that let warm air out, such as the edges of windows, doors, and loft hatches. This also includes keyholes, spaces between floorboards, letterboxes, and open fireplaces. Switch to a Smart Thermostat to Lower Your Energy Bill A smart thermostat can help you make your home more energy-efficient and save money on your energy bills. This device learns your habits and preferences, like when you usually get home and what temperature you prefer. As a result, it will automatically adjust temperature settings to help you stay warm while you’re at home and turn off the heating when you leave the house. Although smart thermostats tend to be pricey, it’s worth the investment because they will lower your energy bills. Use Microwaveable Heating Pads Another economical way to stay warm is to use microwaveable heating pads on your hands or feet. This inexpensive option can help you cut energy use when you’re cold. You can also use it to relieve neck pain, back pain, muscle aches, and menstrual cramps. Sounds pretty good, right? If you don’t have a heating pad, make one yourself. Just fill a clean cotton sock with uncooked rice, sew it shut and heat it in the microwave for one minute. Enjoy Hot Meals and Warm Beverages Don’t know what to eat? A great idea to increase your body temperature and stay warm would be to prepare hot meals from scratch, like a cup of soup. With this, you will generate heat in the kitchen and warm yourself from the inside. You can also drink warm beverages, like coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. This will have the same effect as eating h...
Some people say that beards are to men what makeup is to women. Whether it’s true or not, having a beard can definitely change the way you look! Even though it’s natural, it still needs proper care and maintenance to make you look good and keep your beard healthy. Nowadays, there are several beard products to choose from. But if you want to grow a healthy beard and take care of the environment, you should have a 100% natural beard kit! You could include products like beard oil, beard balm, shaving soap, and others. In this article, you will learn how to take care of your beard naturally and some tips to make your routine more eco-friendly! Contents Growing a Healthy Beard Essential Items for Your 100% Natural Beard Kit Your 100% natural beard kit should include: Growing a Healthy Beard Some men grow facial hair easily, while others are predetermined for a scant beard. What’s the difference between them? Genetics and testosterone level. So, developing a full beard depends on these factors. That said, your lifestyle habits can also improve or affect your hair growth! A healthy lifestyle starts with a vitamin-rich diet. Some vitamins and minerals could help you grow a thicker, healthier, and more attractive beard! Try to include these foods in your diet to promote beard growth: Chicken, salmon and fish Fortified plant-based milk Fruits and vegetables Chickpeas Bread Eggs Nuts Likewise, exercising and sleeping well are keys to maintaining a good testosterone level. On the other hand, high-stress levels and smoking frequently can make your hair fall out, so try to avoid them! Essential Items for Your 100% Natural Beard Kit First of all, you should avoid products that contain toxic chemicals and prefer those made of natural ingredients instead. Additionally, look for plastic-free and locally-made options. Plastic-free options include reusable products and eco-friendly packaging, like glass, aluminium, stainless steel, and others. And if you want to reduce your carbon footprint and support local businesses, buy locally made products! Your 100% natural beard kit should include: Safety metal razor or electric razor Shampoo and conditioner bars Bamboo comb Shaving soap Facial scrub Beard balm Beard oil Below you will learn why these eco-friendly products are essential to growing a healthy, thick, soft, and well-looking beard! How To Look After Your Beard Exfoliate Your Face After shaving, the hair in your face can get itchy while growing again. A simple solution to avoid this annoying feeling is exfoliating the skin. Exfoliating your skin will soften your facial hair, remove dead skin cells, and prevent ingrown hairs. So, before choosing the right beard oil or shaving soap, find a good facial scrub! You should avoid facial scrubs that contain microbeads and prefer the ones that contain natural ingredients like jojoba beads. And after exfoliating your face, you can also apply beard balm to soften your skin and facial hair even more! Use Shampoo and Conditioner Bars If you have a short beard, you can keep it clean by using regular facial grooming products. In contrast, if you have a long beard a better option would be using special products to keep it clean and moisturised Although you could use the same shampoo and conditioner you use for your head hair, it’s not the best practice. You will get better results using products specially designed for your beard and skin. Remember that beard hair is different to head hair and it has different needs! the environment. Adding these plastic-free options to your 100% natural beard kit will help you avoid toxic chemicals that could affect your skin! Try a Shaving Soap A great alternative to make your shaving routine more eco-friendly is using a shaving soap instead of regular cream. Shaving soap contains natural ingredients that are better for your skin health and the environment! For that reason, it’s an essential item for your 100% natural beard kit. The only difference between a shaving soap ...
Want to get rid of slugs and stop insects from eating your plants? As a gardener, there’s nothing more frustrating than discovering that slugs, snails, bugs, and other insect pests are destroying your plants. And to make things worse, using toxic pesticides to get rid of slugs and bugs will give you more problems than benefits in the long run. So, it’s not surprising that many gardeners prefer organic alternatives instead, like natural bug repellents and slug killers. Unlike harsh chemicals, natural bug repellents won’t cause health risks, kill beneficial insects, or affect the environment! If you’d like to learn how to get rid of bugs and slugs in your garden without using pesticides, keep reading to find the best natural slug repellents and organic bug killers to protect your plants from being eaten! 15 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Slugs and Bugs Naturally While it might be tempting to use pesticides to kill bugs and slugs, you don’t need to rely on toxic chemicals for pest control. Fortunately, there are many effective ways to get rid of slugs and bugs naturally! Here are some of the best natural bug repellents and slug killers: Use Clean and Organic Soil The first thing you should do to keep bugs and slugs away is to use soil rich in organic matter. If your plants are healthy, they will be less likely to be affected by garden insect pests. You should also pull out weak plants because they’ll be more susceptible to pest attacks and pass the problem on to healthy plants. Attract Beneficial Insects Since you won’t use synthetic pesticides in your garden, you could get some help from beneficial insects to get rid of bugs on plants organically. You can create an attractive habitat for good bugs, like ladybirds, green lacewings, praying mantises, and others. Good bugs are safer than chemicals and as effective as the natural bug repellents we’ll mention in a moment. Some of them can be purchased, but you’ll still need to establish the right conditions in your garden for them. It’s important to select native species that would be there anyway, you don’t want to cause more problems in your garden! Allow Natural Predators to Thrive Want to keep the slug population down? Natural predators can help you. The most eco-friendly and natural way to get rid of slugs is to encourage native predators to inhabit your garden. Some natural slug killers include chickens, ducks, hedgehogs, beetles, birds, toads, frogs, and others. Make sure to remove potential slug shelters, like large logs and furniture. This way, it will be easier for natural slug killers to find them. Opt for Plants that Slugs and Bugs Hate A natural way to get rid of slugs and bugs is to select a few plants they hate and plant them near the ones they love. This is also known as “companion planting”. Additionally, you can plant these natural bug repellents in areas where slugs and insect pests are persistent in your garden. Usually, fragrant plants act as natural pesticides, so they can help you keep slugs and bugs at bay. For instance, garden slugs dislike chives, garlic, fennel, foxgloves, rosemary, and geranium. Many aromatic herbs, like mint, fennel, basil, lemongrass, and citronella are great natural bug repellents too. Employ Grapefruit Halves Grapefruit halves can be a natural solution to catch slugs and get rid of them. Once you’ve eaten your grapefruit halves, don’t throw the empty peels away. Place them open side down near affected plants to attract snails and slugs. The result: Slugs and other garden pests will take cover in the empty shells. Now that you know they will be there, what can you do next? Find the hiding slugs and feed them to the birds the next morning! Alternatively, you can lay down a damp newspaper on a hot day. This will also make it easier to collect and get rid of garden slugs at the end of the day. Make a Natural Bug Repellent with Vinegar Using vinegar to make a natural pesticide can help you get rid of bugs on plants organically. You just need to...
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Während Menstruation ein natürlicher und gesunder Vorgang ist, sind herkömmliche Damenhygieneprodukte nicht gut für Ihren Körper. Herkömmliche Menstruationsprodukte enthalten nicht nur schädliche Chemikalien, sondern sind auch nicht umweltfreundlich. Zum Glück gibt es einige Alternativen, um eine umweltfreundliche Periode zu haben! Sie müssen nicht mehr ständig Damenhygieneprodukte verwenden, die Ihre Haut reizen könnten und die Umwelt verschmutzen . Heutzutage gibt es viele Möglichkeiten, die aus natürlichen, sicheren und organischen Materialien hergestellt werden und die Ihren Bedürfnissen bei der Körperpflege entsprechen! Wollen Sie das Beste wissen? Wir haben 5 wunderbare, umweltfreundliche Damenhygieneprodukte ausgewählt, die Sie in Großbritannien ausprobieren können. Und wenn Sie noch Zweifel haben, Lesen Sie weiter, um die Vorteile dieser Periodenprodukte zu erfahren! Sind Binden und Tampons für die Periode umweltfreundlich? Leider sind die üblichen Binden und Tampons nicht umweltfreundlich. Da diese Damenhygieneprodukte aus einer Mischung aus Kunststoff und nicht biologisch angebauter Baumwolle hergestellt werden, verursachen ihre Herstellung und Entsorgung mehrere Umweltprobleme. Wussten Sie, dass die durchschnittliche Frau in ihrem Leben etwa 11.000 Einwegprodukte für die Menstruation verwendet? Diese Binden und Tampons werden für immer auf Mülldeponien landen, oder noch schlimmer, Verschmutzung der Ozeane und Strände! Ein Beispiel dafür, wie groß das Problem ist: 2010 wurden bei einer Strandreinigung im Vereinigten Königreich durchschnittlich 30 Damenhygieneprodukte aus Plastik pro Kilometer britischer Küste gefunden! Und das ist noch nicht alles! Sie sollten auch die Treibhausgasemissionen bei der Kunststoffherstellung berücksichtigen. Vorteile von umweltfreundlichen Damenhygieneprodukten Die Lösung für dieses Problem ist jedoch einfach. Sie können Ihre herkömmlichen Binden, Einlagen und Tampons durch andere umweltfreundliche Damenhygieneprodukte ersetzen. Überprüfen Sie die Vorteile dieser wunderbaren Menstruationsprodukte: Sie schützen dich während deiner Periode Wenn Sie sich Sorgen machen, wie wirksam diese umweltfreundlichen Optionen sind, werden Sie froh sein zu hören, dass sie unglaublich saugfähig sind! Umweltfreundliche Damenhygieneprodukte halten Ihr Menstruationsblut zurück und verhindern das Auslaufen der Periode. Sie tragen nicht zur Verunreinigung von Damenbinden bei Eines der Probleme mit herkömmlichen Menstruationsprodukten ist, dass sie zu viel Abfall erzeugen. Bedenken Sie, wie viele Tampons, Binden, Slipeinlagen und Applikatoren weltweit weggeworfen werden. Das sind etwa 200.000 Tonnen Plastikmüll pro Jahr! Andererseits sind umweltfreundliche Damenhygieneprodukte entweder biologisch abbaubar oder wiederverwendbar. Außerdem kommen sie in wiederverwendbar Verpackung. Daher sind sie eine gute Option für eine abfallfreie Zeit! Sie werden Ihre Haut nicht reizen Die meisten Frauen wissen nicht, dass ihre Menstruationsprodukte giftige Chemikalien enthalten können, die ihnen gesundheitliche Probleme wie Hautreizungen oder Krebs verursachen können. Das ist richtig. Konventionelle Menstruationsprodukte enthalten Spuren von Dioxinen, Chlor und Herbiziden wie Glyphosat. Sie wollen doch nicht den empfindlichsten Teil Ihres Körpers diesen giftigen Substanzen aussetzen, oder? dann, umweltfreundliche Produkte sind die beste Wahl. Diese Produkte sind frei von Giftstoffen, Chlor, Pestiziden, Farbstoffen, Kunstfasern und Duftstoffen. Sie sind also gut für deinen Körper! Sie sind kosteneffektiv Egal, ob Sie sich für Bio-Binden, Baumwolltampons, eine Menstruationstasse oder eine andere umweltfreundliche Option entscheiden, Sie werden auf lange Sicht Geld sparen! Und warum? Nun, Baumwolle ist sehr saugfähig, so dass Sie weniger Damenhygieneprodukte verwenden müssen. Ebenso können wiederverwendbare Produkte, wie z. B. eine Menstruationstasse, mehrere Einwegprodukte pro Monat ersetzen! 5 Öko-Hygieneprodukte für die D...
Wälder sind die Lunge der Erde. Sie absorbieren enorme Mengen an Kohlendioxid aus der Atmosphäre und versorgen uns im Gegenzug mit reinem, sauberem Sauerstoff. Doch die Unternehmen fällen sie, um etwas zu produzieren, das wir sowieso die Toilette hinunterspülen werden! Toilettenpapier ist für den sekundenschnellen Gebrauch gedacht. Warum also sollte man dafür Zellstoff aus Frischholz verwenden? Es gibt keinen Grund, unsere Wälder zu zerstören, wenn es nachhaltige Alternativen gibt, wie recyceltes Toilettenpapier und Bambustoilettenpapier. Wenn Sie das umweltfreundlichste Toilettenpapier verwenden möchten, Lesen Sie weiter, um unseren Vergleich zwischen Recycling-Toilettenpapier und Bambus-Toilettenpapier zu finden und entdecken Sie, was besser für die Umwelt ist! Bambus-Toilettenpapier im Vergleich zu normalem Bambus-Toilettenpapier ist eine viel bessere Option für die Umwelt als die übliche Toilettenpapierrolle aus Frischfaser. Wenn es aus verantwortungsvollen Quellen stammt, kann dieses umweltfreundliche Toilettenpapier dazu beitragen, die Abholzung von Wäldern zu verhindern. Das liegt daran, dass Bambus nach der Ernte wieder nachwächst, so dass er nicht neu gepflanzt werden muss. Aber ist es besser als recyceltes Toilettenpapier? Schauen wir uns die Vor- und Nachteile dieser baumfreien Option einmal genauer an: PROS Bambus ist die am schnellsten wachsende Pflanze der Welt, er kann bis zu 20 Mal schneller wachsen als manche Bäume. Während ein durchschnittlicher Baum ein Jahr braucht, um einen Meter zu wachsen, kann Bambus dieses Wachstum in einer Stunde schaffen. Das macht Bambus zu einer wunderbaren Alternative, um die Abholzungsrate zu reduzieren! Im Gegensatz zu Bäumen muss diese Pflanze nach der Ernte nicht nachgepflanzt werden. Klopapierrollen aus Bambus setzen 30 % weniger Treibhausgase frei als solche aus Frischholz! Bambus-Toilettenpapier ist zu 100 % biologisch abbaubar und wird schneller abgebaut als herkömmliches und recyceltes Toilettenpapier. Bambus verbraucht weniger Wasser als andere Pflanzen und benötigt keine Düngemittel oder Pestizide für sein Wachstum. Bambuspflanzen können unter verschiedenen klimatischen Bedingungen gedeihen und auf ausgelaugten Böden wachsen. Außerdem können diese Pflanzen degradierte Böden wiederherstellen! CONS Einige Marken verwenden Bleichmittel, um die Farbe des Endprodukts zu verbessern. Allerdings können chlorhaltige Toilettenpapierrollen Ihre Haut und die Umwelt schädigen. Achten Sie also darauf, dass Sie bleichmittelfreies Bambustoilettenpapier kaufen. Wir sollten nicht vergessen, dass die meisten Bambusprodukte aus Asien stammen. Sie müssen also Tausende von Meilen über den Ozean transportiert werden, damit wir hier im Vereinigten Königreich Bambustoilettenpapier verwenden können. Und wie Sie vielleicht wissen, trägt der Schiffsverkehr zum Klimawandel bei. Einige Laubwälder werden zerstört, um Platz für Bambusplantagen zu schaffen. Da Bambus-Toilettenpapier eine Alternative sein sollte, um die Abholzung von Wäldern zu verhindern, ist es wichtig, eine Option zu wählen, die aus nachhaltigen Quellen stammt. Sie können sich für Produkte entscheiden, die vom Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) zertifiziert wurden. Recycling-Toilettenpapier im Vergleich zu normalem Papier Wie der Name schon sagt, wird Recycling-Toilettenpapier aus Papierprodukten hergestellt, die ausrangiert und dann recycelt wurden. Und keine Sorge, schmutziges Toilettenpapier gehört nicht dazu. Tatsächlich stammt diese nachhaltige Option aus Schulbüchern, Büropapier, Zeitungen und Zeitschriften. Lassen Sie uns nun über die Vor- und Nachteile dieses umweltfreundlichen Toilettenpapiers sprechen: PROS Da dieses umweltfreundliche Toilettenpapier aus recycelten Abfällen hergestellt wird, müssen die Unternehmen keine lebenden Bäume fällen, um ein Wegwerfprodukt herzustellen. Dies ist also eine viel bessere Option für die Umwelt als die Verwendung von Frischfasern! Dieses umweltfreundliche Toilettenpapier verringert nich...
Los bosques son los pulmones de la Tierra. Absorben una enorme cantidad de dióxido de carbono de la atmósfera y nos proporcionan a cambio oxígeno puro y limpio. Sin embargo, las empresas las talan para producir algo que de todos modos vamos a tirar por el retrete. El papel higiénico está pensado para ser utilizado durante unos segundos. Entonces, ¿por qué utilizar pulpa de madera virgen para esto? No hay necesidad de destruir nuestros bosques cuando hay alternativas sostenibles, como el papel higiénico reciclado y el papel higiénico de bambú. Si quieres utilizar el papel higiénico más ecológico, siga leyendo para encontrar nuestra comparación entre el papel higiénico reciclado y el papel higiénico de bambú y descubra cuál es mejor para el medio ambiente. Papel higiénico de bambú frente al normal El papel higiénico de bambú es una opción mucho mejor para el medio ambiente que el típico rollo de papel virgen. Cuando se obtiene de forma responsable, este papel higiénico ecológico puede ayudarle a evitar la deforestación. Y es que el bambú vuelve a crecer después de ser cosechado, por lo que no es necesario volver a plantarlo. ¿Pero es mejor que el papel higiénico reciclado? Veamos los pros y los contras de esta opción sin árboles: PROS El bambú es la planta de más rápido crecimiento del planeta, puede crecer hasta 20 veces más rápido que algunos árboles. Mientras que el árbol medio tarda un año en crecer 30 centímetros, el bambú puede lograr ese crecimiento en una hora. Esto hace que el bambú sea una alternativa maravillosa para reducir las tasas de deforestación. A diferencia de los árboles, esta planta no necesita ser replantada una vez cosechada. Los rollos de papel higiénico de bambú emiten un 30% menos de gases de efecto invernadero que los fabricados con madera virgen. El papel higiénico de bambú es 100% biodegradable y se descompone más rápidamente que el papel higiénico tradicional y el reciclado. El bambú utiliza menos agua que otras plantas y no requiere el uso de fertilizantes o pesticidas para crecer. Los cultivos de bambú pueden prosperar en diferentes condiciones climáticas y crecer en suelos agotados. Además, ¡estos cultivos pueden restaurar las tierras degradadas! CONS Algunas marcas utilizan agentes blanqueadores para mejorar el color del producto final. Sin embargo, los rollos de papel higiénico con cloro pueden afectar a su piel y al medio ambiente. Por eso, asegúrate de buscar papel higiénico de bambú sin lejía. Recordemos que la mayoría de los productos de bambú proceden de Asia. Por ello, deben ser enviados a miles de kilómetros a través del océano para que podamos utilizar papel higiénico de bambú aquí en el Reino Unido. Y, como es sabido, el transporte marítimo contribuye al cambio climático. Se están destruyendo algunos bosques de frondosas para hacer sitio a las plantaciones de bambú. Dado que el papel higiénico de bambú debe ser una alternativa para evitar la deforestación, es importante elegir una opción que proceda de fuentes sostenibles. Puedes optar por productos que hayan sido certificados por el Consejo de Administración Forestal (FSC). Papel higiénico reciclado frente al normal Como su nombre indica, el papel higiénico reciclado se fabrica a partir de productos de papel que han sido desechados y luego reciclados. Y no te preocupes, esto no incluye el papel higiénico sucio. De hecho, esta opción sostenible proviene de libros de texto, papel de oficina, periódicos y revistas. Ahora, hablemos de los pros y los contras de este papel higiénico ecológico: PROS Como este papel higiénico ecológico se fabrica a partir de residuos reciclados, las empresas no necesitan talar árboles vivos para crear un producto desechable. Por lo tanto, es una opción mucho mejor para el medio ambiente que utilizar fibra virgen. Además de reducir las tasas de deforestación, este papel higiénico ecológico también puede disminuir la cantidad de papel que va a los vertederos. El reciclaje de papel requiere menos energía y ag...
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems worldwide. That’s why many people avoid conventional plastics and prefer other alternatives, such as bio-based plastics. But is bioplastic truly biodegradable or is it another form of greenwashing? Bioplastics seem like an eco-friendly option for both consumers and manufacturers. However, this term can cause confusion and some dishonest companies take advantage of it to deceive their customers! Not sure if you should use this material? Keep reading to learn the actual definition of bioplastics and find out if they’re biodegradable, sustainable, or bad for the environment! What Is Bioplastic? As you might already know, conventional plastics are made from petroleum. In the case of bioplastics, the prefix “bio” refers to the materials these plastics are made from. Unlike regular plastics, bioplastics are made (entirely or in part) from biological materials. You could think bio-based plastics wouldn’t be as good as regular plastics, but the truth is that they look, feel, and behave just like them. Some common examples of bio-based plastics are the ones made from corn starch, sugar cane, and even food waste! Plastics made from renewable sources sound like the perfect solution to plastic pollution, don’t you think? Unfortunately, it is not that simple. What Can Bioplastics Be Used For? Since regular plastics are losing popularity, companies are looking for other materials to use. For that reason, many of them are using bio-based plastics for different products, from grocery bags to sutures. PLA is the most popular bio-based plastic out there and it’s made from polylactic acids found in plants like corn. This type of bioplastic is a great material for food packaging, bottles, and utensils. They can also be made from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) engineered from microorganisms. These plastics are useful for medical applications such as sutures and cardiovascular patches. Although they’re both versatile and bio-based, they still have some disadvantages. Are All Bio-based Plastics Completely Biodegradable? Now that you know bioplastics are made from biological materials, you’re probably assuming that all of them are biodegradable as well. But here’s the shocking part about bioplastics: “bio-based” doesn’t necessarily mean “biodegradable”. Let’s remember that this term describes how these plastics are made, not how long they last in the environment. In other words, not all bio-based plastics are biodegradable. And when they’re, they might not break down in every environment! In short, only some bioplastics will biodegrade within a few months, but only under specific conditions. So, they could stay in the environment for years, sounds familiar? Are Bioplastics Good for the Environment? Many products use a prefix like “bio” or “eco” to attract and deceive conscious consumers. Bio-based plastics, for example, have some advantages over regular plastics. That said, it’s important to see the whole picture: Advantages If discarded properly, biodegradable plastics could reduce plastic waste. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production. Unlike regular plastics, they’re made from renewable sources. They reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. Disadvantages When biodegradable plastics end up in landfills, they generate methane. This is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change! Biodegradable plastics need intense heat to biodegrade. So, most of them will only biodegrade in industrial composting facilities. If bioplastics make their way into the environment, they won’t degrade on their own. As a result, they will affect wildlife and pollute nature just like regular plastics do! Some people worry about where and how bio-based plastics are produced. They think bioplastics could promote large-scale agriculture, lead to water shortages, desertification, and biodiversity loss. Is Bioplastic Sustainable? Are biodegradable plastics a good alternative to plasti...
Learning how to recycle properly is a great way to protect the environment. Whether you’re at home, in school, or at work, there’s always a chance to save some items from ending up as waste in landfills. Recycling aluminium, paper, glass, plastics, and other materials, is a powerful action to conserve energy, reduce greenhouse emissions, and conserve natural resources. That’s why it’s important to teach family members, co-workers, friends, students, teachers, and others how to recycle! Would you like to do your part in protecting our planet? In this article, you will find the best tips to recycle more at home, work, and school. So, let’s dive right in! Tips for Recycling At Home Is recycling at home worth it? Absolutely yes. Your home is the best place to start recycling and learn how to do it the right way. Once you start doing it at home, repeating these actions in your school or at work won’t be difficult. Check these Simple Tips to Recycle at Home like Pro: Before you even start recycling at home, check your local council’s website to know what you can and can’t recycle in your area. Remember that different centres will accept different materials. For example, some places don’t accept plastic bags since they could clog machinery. Designate an area of your home to keep your recyclables organised. You can use a box, bin, or bag. And try to keep this “recycling point” next to your rubbish bin. This way you won’t forget to recycle at home! Always put clean, empty, and dry materials in your recycling bin. This is an essential step to prevent recyclable items from being discarded at the recycling centre. What’s worse, dirty materials could contaminate other recyclables! The easiest things to recycle at home are metallic items. You can recycle most metallic items you use at home, like aluminium foil, tins, and cans. Don’t forget to recycle newspapers, envelopes, phone books, and paper towel tubes. You could also recycle wrapping paper and birthday cards if they don’t contain glitter. Remember to flatten cardboard boxes to fit more recyclables into your bin or box. Don’t try to recycle compostable plastics. Let’s not forget that these plastics won’t get recycled and they could contaminate recyclable plastics. Don’t forget to check if you can recycle broken glass in your area. It’s important to know this information because broken glass could be harmful to handlers. Tips for Recycling In Your School If you’re already recycling at home, the next step to protect the environment is recycling in your school too. Whether you’re a student, parent, or part of the school staff, you can make a great difference with your actions. What’s more, you could even get others involved in recycling. Want to know more? Keep reading! Here are a Few Tips to Start a Recycling Revolution in Your School: If you’re a student or parent, suggest these ideas and get everyone involved. The best actions are leading by example, encouraging others, and demanding change. Most of the materials you can find in the rubbish bins of your school are aluminium, paper, cardboard, and plastic. All of these materials are recyclable. So, the first step should be placing recycling bins around the school. Talk about the importance of recycling in your school and teach others how to do it. Use posters to explain what items can be recycled at your school and label recycling points. Promote the use of electronic documents, email, and other online resources instead of printing and using lots of paper. Since paper is one of the main sources of waste in schools, this is a great way to go green and reduce waste. Another wonderful tip to reduce plastic waste is bringing a zero waste packed lunch every day. If there are any school supplies left over at the end of the year, you could donate those supplies to students in need, instead of recycling them or throwing them away. Finally, keep track of recycling rates in your school to know what’s working well and make improvements where ne...
From disposable razors to plastic bottles, your bathroom is a small room full of plastics and waste. The good news is that having a zero waste bathroom is one of the easiest things to do when going plastic-free! Fortunately, there are some easy swaps that will help you reduce plastic waste in your bathroom. And the best part is that you can replace your personal care products with zero waste options as needed. With this, you will save the environment one item at a time! Are you ready to transform your bathroom and reduce your waste? Here are 10 easy swaps for a zero waste bathroom! Plastic Toothbrush Brushing your teeth is probably the first thing you do in the morning. If you use a plastic toothbrush, then you start your day by using plastics. This should give you a sign of how much plastic there’s in your life! Unfortunately, most plastic toothbrushes will end up sitting in landfills or what’s worse, somewhere in nature causing troubles. Replacing your toothbrush with a compostable bamboo toothbrush is the first thing you should do to have a zero waste bathroom. And the easiest one too! They’re made from a sustainable crop which makes them 100% biodegradable and zero waste. Facial Cleansing Sponge Looking for a plastic-free alternative to your facial cleansing sponge? Then, you should give konjac sponges a try! Thanks to their antibacterial properties and texture, they’re a gentle option to exfoliate and remove dirt from your skin. Konjac sponges are made from the konjac plant root, which makes them fully biodegradable. You can compost them once you’re done with them, so they’re a great addition to your zero waste bathroom! What’s more, konjac sponges not only replace plastic sponges but also sea sponges. Simply put, you’ve found a natural, vegan, and plastic-free cleansing sponge! Dental Floss Another easy swap for a zero waste bathroom is using eco-friendly dental floss. Although regular dental floss seems harmless, remember it’s made of nylon. And to make it worse, it comes in a small plastic container too! These plastics won’t get recycled and they will likely find their way into the oceans. Fortunately, you can include vegan and plastic-free dental floss in your zero waste bathroom essentials! Vegan dental floss is made from a bioplastic derived from corn starch. Once you’re done with it, you can send it to the nearest industrial composting facility. Besides, it comes in a recyclable dispenser! Soap Bar Getting the right soap bar at the supermarket is usually a quick choice. But have you read the ingredients of commercial soaps? These soap bars contain some toxic ingredients that could affect your skin and overall health in the long run. Moreover, most store-bought soap bars come in plastic packaging. Replacing commercial soap bars with handmade soap bars is a very easy swap! Handmade soap bars contain natural and safe ingredients to gently clean your skin. Additionally, they come in plastic-free packaging, so they’re a great alternative for your zero waste bathroom! Plastic Plasters Another easy swap for your zero waste bathroom is replacing plastic plasters with biodegradable ones. Biodegradable bamboo plasters are a fantastic zero waste alternative because you can compost them at home! Like regular plasters, they will protect your cuts and grazes. The only difference is that they don’t contain plastic, parabens, or latex. As a result, they’re zero waste and kind to sensitive skin! Makeup Wipes When you get home, there’s no better feeling than taking a shower and removing your makeup. But keep in mind that both makeup removing wipes and cotton rounds generate lots of waste you can avoid. They come in plastic packaging and you will discard them after using them just once. Swap these disposable options for reusable natural sponge wipes! Unlike regular makeup wipes, you don’t have to throw these reusable wipes away. You can use them over and over again, but don’t forget to wash them after use. They’re a fantastic opti...
When looking for green products, it’s easy to fall into the greenwashing trap. Although you can find lots of items labelled as “all-natural”, “sustainable” or “eco”, 95% of them are greenwashed. So, how can you find truly eco-friendly options? Nowadays, most people prefer products and brands that are kind to the environment. But that’s not all, they’re willing to pay more for these options. And companies are aware of it, that’s why they want to “go green”. That said, using greenwashing techniques is the easy way out. If you’re not familiar with this term, keep reading to discover what greenwashing is and how to avoid it! What is Greenwashing? Greenwashing is a marketing strategy that unethical companies use to give the impression of being eco-friendly. Instead of actually doing something good for the planet and people, they appear to be eco-friendly to increase their sales. Usually, these companies spend more resources on marketing strategies rather than actually implementing sustainable practices in their processes. They tend to use buzzwords that aren’t regulated like “all-natural” or “sustainable” to make misleading claims. Here’s an Easy Example of Greenwashing Would you consider a plastic bag earth-friendly just because it’s made with “20% less plastic”? Even if this claim is true, these bags could still cause some problems for the environment. So, they don’t make a real difference. The Seven Sins of Greenwashing When starting a sustainable lifestyle, chances are you will feel tempted to buy every product that claims to be eco-friendly. That’s why it might be difficult to spot greenwashing at the beginning. But don’t worry, you just need to learn the most common greenwashing tricks that companies use. Let’s check some red flags to watch out for: Hidden Trade-Off Companies use this tactic to highlight some sustainable practices and hide others that might be more harmful to nature. For example, mentioning that they use recycled materials while hiding the carbon footprint of their production process. No Proof Another common greenwashing technique is making green claims without providing evidence or having a reliable third-party certification. If a company says it uses sustainably sourced materials but doesn’t provide enough evidence about it, for example, it’s probably lying. Vagueness When companies use vague claims or broad terms to deceive consumers into thinking their products are better for the environment. Some of these green terms include “100% natural”, “all-natural”, “environmentally friendly”, and so on. Irrelevance Some companies use irrelevant claims, like advertising products that are free of toxic substances which are already illegal. Although the claims are true, there’s nothing new or innovative about it. They’re just following the law like other companies. Lesser of Two Evils The lesser of two evils is another common greenwashing tactic. This marketing strategy makes a harmful product look greener than other options within its category. When in reality they’re all bad for the environment or your health. Take organic cigarettes, for example. Fibbing Another unethical practice is making completely false claims. For instance, a company that claims to be Energy Star Certified while it is not. Worshiping False Labels If you’ve started buying green products recently, it might be easy to fall into this greenwashing trap. Some companies create fake certification labels to make you believe that their products are backed by a legitimate third party. Why is Greenwashing a Problem? Greenwashing is proof that most consumers prefer sustainably-made products over conventional ones. That’s why some companies use unethical strategies to look more eco-friendly than their competitors. But there’s one problem: When people buy greenwashed products, they think they’re getting the best option for the environment. Yet, they’re supporting exactly what they wanted to avoid: harmful practices. On top of that, they will keep buying ...
Everybody talks about the benefits of having a sustainable lifestyle. But when you finally decide to give it a try, you find yourself reading lots of different terms related to sustainability. So, it’s not surprising that many people get confused by all those green terms. And let’s be honest, researching and keeping track of each one of these sustainability terms can be an overwhelming task. That’s why we’ve decided to put all these sustainable words in one place and clear up the confusion. In this article, you will find the definition of popular sustainability terms like “zero waste” and even some confusing ones like “RSPO”. So, let’s get started! What Does “Eco-friendly” Mean? Even if you haven’t started a green lifestyle yet, you’ve probably heard the words “eco-friendly”, “environmentally-friendly”, or “earth-friendly” before. These terms are the most popular ones and they describe an action or item that isn’t harmful to the environment. If something is eco-friendly, then it should be kind to the Earth. That said, some companies use words related to “eco-friendly” to make misleading claims about their practices, this is known as greenwashing. Beware of unethical companies! What Does “Sustainability” Mean? While eco-friendly is an ambiguous term, sustainability has a more comprehensive definition. Sustainability is the ability to maintain an activity at a certain rate for a long time without affecting the environment, economy, or society. Take solar power, for example. Solar power takes energy from a renewable resource, not a limited and harmful energy source like fossil fuels. Besides, it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. What’s the Definition of Zero Waste? To understand this term it’s important to know how the economy works first. As you might know, most products are designed to be tossed within minutes, days, or weeks after purchase. This generates lots of waste that will end up sitting in landfills or polluting the environment for years. What’s worse, companies will use more natural resources to create more disposable products. That’s the opposite of sustainability! Zero waste is a popular term that describes the principles of eco-conscious consumers. They focus on taking actions to reduce waste as much as possible. The goal of these actions is that no waste ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the natural environment. Popular Sustainability Terms You Need to Know “Zero waste”, “sustainability”, and “eco-friendly” are the most common green terms. But wait, that’s just the beginning! There are many other popular terms you need to know to choose the right eco-friendly products. So, check this green lifestyle vocabulary: Biodegradable Something is biodegradable if living organisms like bacteria can decompose it within a short period of time. For example, your veggie scraps are biodegradable, but synthetic materials like plastics aren’t. BPA-free Many plastic products (especially food containers) contain a chemical called BPA (bisphenol A). This chemical is linked to several health problems and unfortunately, it has the potential to leach into your food and beverages! If a product includes the term “BPA-free” in its description, it doesn’t contain this toxic chemical. Compostable A compostable material requires human intervention so that it can biodegrade under specific conditions. This human-driven process can transform some biodegradable materials into nutrient-rich compost. Keep in mind that some materials use the term compostable although they’re only suitable for industrial composting. Cruelty-free When a product is described as “cruelty-free” it means that neither the final product nor the ingredients have been tested on animals. Some cruelty-free products may contain animal-derived ingredients like beeswax though. Ethically-made As mentioned before, sustainability goes beyond protecting the environment. And that’s where the term “ethic...
While menstruation is a natural and healthy process, conventional feminine hygiene products aren’t kind to your body. Besides containing harmful chemicals, standard menstrual products aren’t eco-friendly. Fortunately, there are some alternatives to have an eco-friendly period! You don’t need to keep using feminine hygiene products that could irritate your skin and pollute the environment. Nowadays, there are many options made from natural, safe, and organic materials that can fit your personal care needs! Want to know the best part? We’ve selected 5 wonderful eco-friendly feminine hygiene products you can try in the UK. And if you still have your doubts, keep reading to know the benefits of these period products! Are Period Pads and Tampons Eco-friendly? Unfortunately, typical pads and tampons aren’t eco-friendly. As these feminine hygiene products are made from a mix of plastic and non-organic cotton, their production and disposal cause several environmental problems. Did you know that the average woman uses roughly 11,000 disposable menstrual products in her lifetime? These sanitary pads and tampons will end up sitting in landfills forever, or what’s worse, polluting the oceans and beaches! To give you an example of how big this problem is: In 2010, a UK beach clean found an average of 30 plastic feminine hygiene products per kilometre of British coastline! And that’s not all! You should also take into consideration the greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production. Benefits of Eco-friendly Feminine Hygiene Products On the bright side, the solution to this problem is simple. You can replace your standard sanitary pads, liners, and tampons with other eco-friendly feminine hygiene products. Check the benefits of these wonderful menstrual products: They Will Protect You During Your Period If you’re worried about how effective these eco-friendly options are, you’ll be glad to hear that they’re incredibly absorbent! Eco-friendly feminine hygiene products will lock away your menstrual blood and prevent period leaks. They Don’t Contribute to Sanitary Pads Contamination One of the problems with regular menstrual products is that they generate too much waste. Think about how many tampons, pads, panty liners, and applicators are discarded worldwide. That’s about 200,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year! On the other hand, eco-friendly feminine hygiene products are either biodegradable or reusable. Plus, they come in recyclable packaging. As a result, they’re a great option to have a zero waste period! They Won’t Irritate Your Skin Most women don’t know that their period products might contain toxic chemicals that could cause them health problems, like skin irritation or cancer. That’s right. Conventional menstrual products contain traces of dioxins, chlorine, and herbicides like glyphosate. You don’t want to expose the most sensitive area of your body to those toxic substances, right? Then, eco-friendly products are the best choice. These products are free from toxins, chlorine, pesticides, dyes, synthetic fibres, and fragrances. So, they’re kind to your body! They’re Cost-effective Whether you decide to use organic pads, cotton tampons, a menstrual cup, or any other eco-friendly option, you will save money in the long run! Why? Well, cotton is super absorbent, so you would need to use fewer feminine hygiene products. Likewise, reusable options, like a menstrual cup, can replace several disposable period products each month! 5 Eco Feminine Hygiene Products Now that you know all the benefits of using eco-friendly period products, it’s time to choose the right one for you. It’s no secret that every woman has different needs and preferences, so here are 5 wonderful options you can choose from: Organic Cotton Pads Looking for a plastic-free alternative that looks just like your synthetic sanitary pads? Then, these organic pads come in handy! This eco-friendly feminine hygiene product is made from 100% organic cotton, so they’re supe...
You can find many natural skin care products made of beeswax, from lip balms to moisturisers and face creams. But what are the benefits of using beeswax on your skin? The truth is that using beeswax for skin care is nothing new. This has been a common ingredient in natural cosmetic formulations. But thanks to the increasing demand for natural products, it’s now more popular than ever before. And that’s because beeswax skin benefits make it a fantastic ingredient! In this article, you will find 5 wonderful benefits of using beeswax on your skin. So, keep reading to discover what makes it so good for your skin! Can Beeswax Harm Your Skin? Beeswax is completely natural, so it won’t harm your skin. This natural ingredient has wonderful properties that will benefit your skin. Let’s not forget that people have been using beeswax since ancient Egyptian times to keep their skin healthy and moisturised. And the best part is that beeswax is good for all skin types, even sensitive ones. So, it’s not surprising that it’s becoming a popular ingredient in the beauty industry. Want to know more about this? Below you will find the benefits of using beeswax on your skin! 10 Wonderful Skin Benefits of Beeswax You Need to Know Many skincare products contain toxic ingredients that you can’t even pronounce properly. And most of them could affect your health in the long run. For that reason, natural ingredients are a better option to keep your skin flawless. Beeswax, for example, is one of the best natural ingredients you could try. Here are some incredible benefits of beeswax for your skin: Beeswax is Kind to Your Skin One of the main skin benefits of beeswax is that it’s a natural option that works for all skin types. Unlike other skincare options, this natural ingredient is less likely to cause allergic reactions. In fact, it’s far superior for the management of sensitive skin than products with synthetic ingredients, according to a study. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology Beeswax Keeps Your Skin Moisturised Beeswax is a common ingredient in hand salves, face creams, and lotions. And that’s because it will form a watertight layer on your skin that protects it from drying up. In other words, it will help retain the already present water molecules in your skin thus keeping it moisturised! Beeswax May Help Soften Your Skin Another interesting benefit of beeswax is that it acts as an emollient and a humectant. Not only does it lock the already present water molecules in your skin but it can also increase its water content! Likewise, this natural ingredient contains vitamin A, which promotes cell reconstruction. So, it’s a fantastic ingredient that can soften and rehydrate dry, rough skin! Beeswax Forms a Protective Layer on the Skin’s Surface Did you know that pollution can also contribute to skin damage? That’s right, air pollution can increase the risk of wrinkles, acne, and eczema! The good news is that beeswax can protect your skin from environmental damage. How? It will act as a protective barrier that prevents airborne allergens from touching your skin, making it feel fresh and healthy! Beeswax Heals Your Skin Would you like to find a magic product to heal wounds or reduce fine lines and wrinkles? Then, look no further! Beeswax has anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in vitamin A, which is known for promoting the regeneration of cells. Vitamin A can provide many skin benefits. For example, it can stimulate collagen production, soften your skin, make scars less prominent, and reduce fine lines! Beeswax Helps to Fight Certain Skin Conditions Believe it or not, beeswax can do even more than just moisturising or healing wounds. Another skin benefit is that it can also reduce the symptoms of certain issues. Its hypoallergenic, moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal ingredient to treat burn injuries, dry skin, psoriasis, and eczema. If you have one of these conditions, you will get instant relief with this ingredient. M...
Having a plastic-free home doesn’t happen overnight. The truth is that it can be a long but rewarding journey. And most people would agree that the kitchen is one of the hardest rooms to get rid of plastics. Think about all the plastics you bring home from the supermarket or the kitchen sponge you discard every week, just to name a few. But don’t worry, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to have a plastic-free kitchen! In this article, you will find 4 easy steps to reduce your plastic waste in the kitchen and transform it into a plastic-free room! Why is Plastic a Problem? Plastic has become a common material in every house, school, café, and almost any place you could think of. So, it’s not surprising that many people struggle to go plastic-free. Even though plastics make people’s lives easier, they’re very problematic for the environment. When you throw plastics away, they have to go somewhere. Usually, they end up in landfills where they will take centuries to degrade. That’s a waste of land for too much time! Where do plastics go when they don’t get to landfills? Most of the time, they make their way into the oceans where they kill thousands of marine animals every year! That’s why it’s important to find plastic-free alternatives to reduce plastic waste as much as you can. 4 Simple Steps to Go Plastic-free in the Kitchen When you’re in your kitchen, you should only worry about preparing or eating delicious foods. But what could be better than enjoying your foods and knowing you’re not sending plastics to the oceans? You can make this possible with these easy steps to reduce plastic waste in your kitchen: Step #1: Make Plastic-free Choices at the Supermarket First of all, let’s talk about your choices at the supermarket. What you bring home can have a big impact on how much plastic waste you end up discarding. If you want to have a plastic-free kitchen, keep in mind these tips the next time you go grocery shopping: Say No to Plastic Bags: Before leaving your house, remember to bring your reusable shopping bags with you. This is one of the easiest ways to reduce plastic waste, so don’t forget your bags at home! Buy Loose Produce: It might be tempting to buy some pre-cut veggies, but you will end up with lots of unnecessary plastic waste in your kitchen. If you want to cut down on plastic packaging, buying loose veggies and fruits is the right choice! Avoid Plastic Packaging: When possible, choose products that come in plastic-free packaging or buy in bulk to reduce waste. Prepare Your Snacks and Convenience Foods: Instead of buying pre-prepared foods, you could try cooking some of them from scratch. You can find many recipes online to prepare muffins, hummus, pancakes, corn tortillas, salad dressings, and more! Step #2: Store Your Food without Using Plastic Keep in mind that having a plastic-free kitchen doesn’t mean that you need to throw away your old plastic containers. On the contrary, you should use them as much as you can to prevent waste and replace them only if they’re broken. Before buying new plastic containers and wraps, check these plastic-free kitchen storage options: Beeswax Food Wraps or Vegan Food Wraps If cling film is one of your best friends in the kitchen, then you should try these eco-friendly alternatives! Unlike plastic cling film, these options are natural, reusable, and versatile. But more importantly, these reusable food wraps won’t affect nature once you’re done with them because they’re biodegradable! Beeswax food wraps work as well as plastic cling film and there are many beautiful patterns you can choose from. So, they’re a fantastic option to replace your boring and harmful plastic wrap! Glass Jars Glass jars are a super versatile option for zero waste enthusiasts. You can always find ways to use them around the house. And when it comes to the kitchen, they’re a great plastic-free storage option to replace old plastic containers. You can use them to store your dry goods, homemade sauce, leftove...
With the increased consciousness for nature conservation and healthier life, people are now more inclined towards practicing sustainable ways of living. Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the world not only adopted a new routine to complete daily life chores but also revived the conventional practices that were long forgotten. A thorough cleaning of home has now become a new normal to avoid risks of getting infected from the contagious viral diseases that are out there. Likewise, people have observed that nature plays a therapeutic role so it needs to be conserved before we lose the resources that are vital for our survival. Why is eco friendly home cleaning important? As a responsible custodian of natural resources, the duty falls on us that we use the resources sustainably so our generations can also get the same privilege of benefitting from the natural resources that we had. Unfortunately, only a fraction of the world’s population is concerned about planetary health. If the right steps are not taken now, then our future could be at stake. So, it is important that we inculcate the sense of civic responsibility and that we create an environment where practicing sustainability is not considered a tedious task but rather it is presented in a way that makes it easier to be adopted. If you are an eco-conscious individual looking to clean your home in an eco-friendly way, we can help you by suggesting a few tips that will not only freshen up your home environment but will also pose less burden on the environment. Once you scroll through our recommendations, you might find a few that were once shared by your parents or grandparents. So, let’s see what do we have in the pack for you: 7 Tips To Eco Clean Your Home Natural Stain Remover – Lemon You might find lemon well-suited for cooking or that cheeky glass of gin, but besides savoring the dishes, lemon is also a stain remover. Its antiseptic and antibacterial properties make it one of the most effective cleaning agent. By using lemon, you can also get rid of plastic scrubbers that leave non-degradable microfilaments behind. In addition to removing tough stains, the citrus smell of lemons also freshens up the home environment. Truly an eco-friendly and economical way home cleaning. Wooden Brooms with Natural Bristles Using plastic brooms is a common practice. But, most of the people are unaware that the bristles of these brooms are made of synthetic materials such as nylon and polypropylene that are non-degradable. Though they serve the purpose of cleaning but they pose negative impacts for the environment. The bristles production itself is an energy intensive process that results in high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, you can make an eco-friendly cleaning choice by opting for wooden brooms, the bristles of which are made out of coarser fibers of coconut shells. Organic Floor Cleaners Did you know your household cleaners are one of the major causes of release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)? These compounds not only contribute to smog, resulting in poor air quality, but also pose serious risks for human health as they make way into the respiratory system. To get rid of the hazardous impacts of toxic additives present in the cleaners, it is important that you switch to natural and organic floor cleaners. With a blend of organic materials having antibacterial properties, they not only disinfect the floor but also leave lingering fragrance. Eco-friendly Dishwashing Sponge The commonly used dishwashing sponges are made up of synthetic fibers that do not degrade completely and make their way to either landfills or waterways. In addition, the sponges often have a musty smell that is caused by bacterial and fungal contamination. So, the use of the same dirty sponge is not only harmful for the environment but also for your health, because you try cleaning your utensils from the same sponge that is the main could be the potential source of contamination. Green al...
Another year comes to an end and it’s the perfect time to set some new year’s resolutions. While some people stick to common resolutions like exercising and losing weight, others prefer to go green and start a sustainable lifestyle. Reducing your plastic waste and going green are the best things you can do to protect the environment in 2022. According to the United Nations, 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every year! So, it’s time for a change. In this article, you will find 10 useful eco-friendly products that will help you go green and reduce your plastic waste in 2022! Why Should You Go Green in 2022? Unfortunately, the Earth is drowning in plastic waste and it could get worse if the throw-away culture continues. Although single-use plastics are practical, they’re destroying natural ecosystems! Because of that, it’s important to go green and replace these items with eco-friendly products. With this simple action, you won’t contribute to plastic pollution and you could even inspire others to take care of the environment too! What are Eco-friendly Products Most eco-friendly products are reusable alternatives to single-use items. They are usually made from safe and non-toxic ingredients, sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled or recyclable materials like stainless steel. Likewise, some eco-friendly products can be cruelty-free or biodegradable. Before buying all kinds of products labelled as “eco-friendly”, you should know what makes them good for the environment in the first place. In short, they shouldn’t harm the environment during their production, use or disposal. If you don’t know where to start, below you will find some useful eco-friendly products to go green and plastic-free in 2022! Eco Products List: Reusable Straws Reusable Bottles Reusable Cutlery Beeswax Food Wraps Bamboo Toothbrushes Solid Soap Bars Reusable Shopping Bags Reusable Lunch Box Reusable Travel Mug Plastic Free Biodegradable Sponge Reusable Straw A great and easy way to start your plastic-free journey is ditching plastic straws. Something as simple as a plastic straw can become a huge problem for the environment and wildlife. In fact, it’s estimated that around 8.3 billion plastic straws are polluting the world’s beaches! The good news is that you can easily replace them with reusable alternatives like reusable eco stainless steel straws. They don’t take too much space, so you can always bring one with you to enjoy your drinks! Reusable Bottles If you have access to clean water and yet you buy bottled water, it’s time to stop. You’re not paying for water, you’re actually paying for the plastic bottle. And what’s worse, you will probably throw it away sooner or later. So, you’re just wasting money, aren’t you? A better alternative would be investing in a good reusable bottle and fill it with clean water when possible. With this eco-friendly alternative, you will save money and protect the environment! Reusable Cutlery Most people use plastic cutlery for a few minutes and then discard it, without thinking about what will happen after this. Well, these items won’t get recycled because they’re too small, so they will probably end up in the ocean. According to the Ocean Conservancy, plastic cutlery is one of the most deadly items to marine life! If you want to go green in 2022, a great option would be using reusable wooden cutlery when eating takeaway. Beeswax Food Wraps Another great eco-friendly product you could use to go green and move away from plastics in your kitchen is beeswax food wrap. You won’t need more plastic wrap because beeswax wrap is a good plastic-free option to keep your food fresh and are reusable! It’s made from organic cotton, sustainably sourced beeswax, organic jojoba oil and natural tree resin. Additionally, you don’t need to worry about disposal because you can reuse it a few times and it’s biodegradable! Bamboo Toothbrush It’s recommended to change your toothbrush every three to four months to k...
Why would you buy a handmade natural soaps or organic soaps if you already use your favourite commercial soaps to keep your skin clean? Well, what you don’t know is that most commercial brands contain a high concentration of toxic ingredients! Your skin is your biggest organ and it will absorb everything you put on it. So, a natural soap sounds like a better option to clean your skin, don’t you think? Besides, they are also better for the environment and local businesses. If you still have your doubts, keep reading to learn why handmade soaps are better than conventional soaps. You will know what makes them so different and all the benefits of natural soaps! Natural Soaps vs Commercial Soaps Naturally, you will choose the best soap on the market to remove dirt and bacteria from your skin. That said, most store-bought soaps are not real soaps, but rather detergents! They not only remove the dirt but also the natural oils of your skin. In simple words, these soaps dry your skin! That’s not to mention all the toxic ingredients your body will absorb! Additionally, it’s difficult to find commercial vegan soaps and plastic-free soaps. Is Natural Soaps Real Soaps? Natural soap are real soaps made of safe ingredients that won’t affect your skin or remove its’ natural oils. Also, you will find vegan soaps and plastic-free soaps. So, handmade soaps are the best option to clean your skin and take care of the environment! Below, you can check the ingredients of commercial and handmade soaps to learn more about them! Commercial Soap Ingredients When buying your personal care products, you will find several soaps to choose from. Supermarkets offer different sizes, colours, scents and some “natural” options. Unlike handmade soaps, most of these options are far from being natural. And this is something you can tell by reading their ingredients list: Parabens: These substances can cause allergies and increase susceptibility to breast cancer! Phthalates: These toxic ingredients can affect your hormones and commercial soapshide them behind the word “fragrance”. Petrochemicals: These ingredients are made from petroleum. This should give you a sign of how toxic these chemicals can be for your health! Synthetic perfume and colouring agents: These artificial ingredients make your soap look and smell good. Unfortunately, they can irritate your skin or cause allergies! Instead of creating true natural soaps, commercial brands use these cheap and low-quality ingredients to make more profits. Handmade Soap Ingredients While commercial options contain toxic substances that can affect your skin and the environment, natural soaps contain biodegradable ingredients. In fact, more than 90% of the handmade soaps’ ingredients are naturally-derived, particularly plant-derived. For that reason, they’re vegan soaps too! Natural soaps contain the following eco-friendly and safe ingredients: Glycerine: Handmade soaps contain glycerine, a wonderful ingredient derived from plant-based oils. This natural ingredient hydrates your skin and prevents it from over-drying. And the best part is that any type of skin can benefit from it! You will only find this ingredient on handmade soaps because commercial brands remove it. The reason is that they want you to buy another product to moisturise your skin! Healthy oils: They use natural oils, such as palm, coconut, olive, hemp, castor, sunflower and many others. Natural soaps include some of these oils to moisturise, heal and protect your skin! Essential oils: Some natural soaps use essential oils like lavender, citronella, peppermint and others. They’re natural ingredients to create aroma. Furthermore, they provide moisturising and therapeutic properties! High-quality fragrance: Some handmade soaps use a small amount of high-quality fragrance oils and pigments. They’re also plastic-free soaps, which make them the perfect option for ethical consumers! Keep in mind that handmade natural soaps have to put Latin names on their ...
You and your family will spend most of your time at home. So, it’s important to make it a comfortable, relaxing, and eco-friendly space, especially if you want to have a sustainable lifestyle! Keep in mind that making your home greener doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Think about it as adopting a new habit: you need to be consistent! Besides, it’s easy to remember some green actions while doing other activities, like cleaning or cooking! Not sure how to do it? Below you will find 12 simple but powerful ways to make your home greener! Making Your Home Green Going green won’t drastically change your life, but it will have some great benefits for the Earth! You can start with small actions like: How To Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Reducing, reusing, and recycling are key actions to prevent waste in your home. But remember that the first thing you should do to go green is reducing the consumption of disposable items. You should also reuse your household items as long as you can. And once they’re no longer useful, you can consider recycling them. Recycling shouldn’t be your first choice. Only a few “recyclable” items will get recycled. So, get the best out of these items before considering this option! Take Shorter Showers If you want to have an eco-friendly home, you should save as much water as you can! An easy way to go green is taking shorter showers. If you take a 5-10 minutes shower, you will save more water than having a bath. Additionally, you could put a bucket in the shower to catch cold water while waiting for the water to warm up! Use LED Light Bulbs Once your old light bulbs stop working, make sure to replace them with some energy-efficient ones. Unlike regular bulbs, LED light bulbs are eco-friendly because they use less energy and last longer. In other words, you will save money while using energy consciously in your home! This simple action will help you reduce your waste and carbon footprint, so it’s a great way to make your home more eco-friendly! Prevent Food Waste Every year, one-third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted. That’s not to mention how much energy, water, and other resources are wasted too! For that reason, it’s important to prevent food waste in your home. You can create shopping lists and plan your meals to reduce your food waste. Also, don’t forget to store your food properly to prevent spoilage with beeswax or vegan food wraps! Turn off the Tap Another easy way to go green and save water is turning off the tap instead of letting the water run continuously when you’re not using it! You can do this every time you wash your face, brush your teeth, apply soap, or any other activity. Water is an essential resource for life and you shouldn’t waste it. Once you’re aware of this, turning off the tap will become a daily habit! Compost You can’t avoid fruits and veggie scraps when preparing your foods. If you send them to landfills, they will produce greenhouse gases, which are responsible for global warming and climate change! A greener alternative would be using food scraps and other organic waste, such as cardboard and paper, to make compost at home. These materials will biodegrade and create a nutrient-rich soil supplement for your plants! Grow Some Herbs Whether you have a garden or not, you could try to grow some of your favourites herbs in your home, like rosemary, basil, mint, and so on! Besides providing an attractive green colour to your house, they will absorb CO2 and you will save money on food shopping. Don’t worry if you don’t have a garden, you can place your herbs close to a sunny window! Be Careful When Washing Your Clothes If you want to do your laundry in a green way, you should take into consideration a few things. For example, you should run a full load of laundry instead of several small loads. With this, you will save water and energy. Also, you could save even more energy if you wash your clothes in cold or warm water instead of usi...
Looking for a savoury homemade vegan muffins recipe for easy entertaining this weekend? Try these amazing healthy & tasty cornflour muffins! When it comes to baking, cornflour gives structure to your baked goods as well as an earthy, robust flavour. On the other hand, wheat flour gives that elastic, hearty texture and unique flavour to the dough. Combine flours with carbonated water to help your muffins rise better, which results in a perfect, fluffy texture. Rustic Cornbread Muffins – Two Flavours Perfect as a starter or midweek snack, this rustic cornbread muffins recipe is easy to make and fun to eat. If you are cutting out bread to lose weight or eat healthier, try these tasty muffins. Cornflour can eliminate inflammation-causing compounds from your diet, resulting in a healthier gut. It also reduces constipation, improves bone health, and promotes healthy body weight. Use different add-ins and you will never get bored of these delicious baked goodies. Trust me, you’ll never make muffins another way again! Find out why! 5 from 4 votes Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 35 mins Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Snack Cuisine American Servings 6 Calories 327 kcal Equipment Muffin Tray Muffin Tray Liners 2 Large Bowls Spoon Toothpick Ingredients 1 cup cornflour 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon table salt A pinch of granulated sugar 1/2 cup canola oil 1 ½ cups carbonated water 2 ounces canned olives pitted and sliced 2 tablespoons roasted red pepper paste Sesame seed, cumin seeds, dried oregano for garnish (optional) Instructions Start by preheating your oven to 200 degrees C. Line a muffin tray with paper muffin liners. (If you do not have muffin liners, you can also brush them with cooking oil). In a large bowl, thoroughly combine cornflour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Gradually, add canola oil and water, stirring continuously to combine well. Divide the batter into two bowls; add the olives to the first bowl; add roasted red pepper paste to the other bowl. Stir to combine. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with seeds and spices, if using. Bake your muffins in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre of your muffin comes out dry and clean. Notes To store, wrap your muffins well or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They will last in your refrigerator for up to a week. Nutrition Serving: 143gCalories: 327kcalCarbohydrates: 32.6gProtein: 3.9gFat: 20.5g Keyword Cornbread, Cornflour, Healthy, Homemade, Muffins, Rustic, Tasty Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Over a few years, the awareness about global environmental issues such as climate change has increased among people, therefore, green products have become popular. Such is the case with boilers as through the realisation that how much harm traditional boilers cause to the environment, green options are being explored in this aspect. Gas boilers have been used for decades as the heating system in our homes. These boilers are usually driven by fossil fuels, which is a primary cause of air pollution. Moreover, the UK Government’s Target to reduce emissions by about 78% by 2035 has pushed local consumers and companies to opt for eco-friendly technology. One way to cut down the emissions and minimise energy consumption is switching to greener boilers like air source heat pumps. To replace traditional boilers, first, you need to know what green boilers are and how they can benefit the environment. So, let’s take a look at some examples of green boilers and their primary advantages. What are Green Boilers? Green boilers are the ones that can power fuel into heating energy with maximum efficiency. It means that if your boiler has 98 percent efficiency, it will generate 98 percent energy to heat your home whereas 2 percent energy will get lost in the process. This points to the fact that inefficient boilers require excessive fuel to provide heating, which in turn results in high carbon emissions. Different types of boilers can run efficiently and provide you with the best heating results with a minimum amount of energy wastage. Below mentioned are some types; How Does An Electric Boiler Work? Electric boilers don’t require fossil fuel to get energy for heating. Instead, these are completely powered by electricity. Though, there is an argument that electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels but here we are referring to clean renewable energy. The electric boiler itself doesn’t contribute to emissions but the electricity used for its function might not be clean or renewable. Mostly, electric boilers can provide heating with 100 percent efficiency which means that no energy gets wasted. How Do Biomass Boilers Work? Biomass boilers are powered by fuel sourced from wood or plant-based resources. Typically, wood is used to generate energy for this type of boiler system. Therefore, this system is referred to as a carbon neutral heating system. The carbon generated in this heating process is the carbon that was absorbed by the plant in its entire lifetime. But, to keep this process clean, it is required to plant more trees so that new trees can absorb carbon dioxide along with restoring the forests If enough trees are not planted in exchange for use in biomass boilers, then it will not be considered a green heating system. How Does A Geothermal Heat Pump Work? Another type of green boiler is the geothermal heat pump which is also referred to as a ground source heat pump. Rather than using fossil fuels to generate heat, this pump powers natural heat for space and water heating. As the temperature underneath the ground stays constant all around the year, which means hotter relative to the room temperature in winters and opposite in summers. Ground source heating pump uses this phenomenon as it takes heat energy from the ground and supplies it into the house. In this way, without combusting any non-renewable energy, it serves the purpose of heating. It is an efficient heating system as it can produce relatively more heat than traditional boilers. Moreover, these boilers could be used both in winters and summers as they can turn into a space heater as well as a space cooler. Though geothermal heat pumps are expensive they are an excellent investment in the long run as it saves a significant amount of money on energy bills. How Does Air Source Heat Pumps Work? Air Source Heat Pumps trap heat from open-air and use it to heat the building. These types of boilers are an excellent source of heating as they provide 3 times extra heat as compared...
With the world becoming a global village, talks about climate change have become quite frequent. Now and then we see people advocating for driving positive climate action and pushing businesses and policymakers to set ambitious targets required to mitigate the impacts of climate change. With the improved access to information, the people are now aware of the impacts of climate change if the emission trend of greenhouse emissions continues at a business-as-usual approach. Because of the rapid warming of the planet, the recently published report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was declared as ‘code red for humanity’. You certainly have read a lot about the impacts of climate change like sea-level rise, extreme events of droughts and precipitation, food and water scarcity, loss of habitat, and extinction of species. Despite all the challenges, you might want to learn about meaningful ways to help mitigate climate change. In this article, you will learn 7 easy measures that can help prevent climate change through individual actions. We are all familiar with the term global warming, and we mostly link it to climate change. But, there are associated areas that need a special mention. Climate change affects all of us differently. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2021, the failure to mitigate and adapt to climate change is declared as the ‘most impactful risk’ that communities are likely to face. To cater to the challenge, we need the implementation of immediate actions and collective efforts. Due to the rise in the earth’s temperature, the weather has worsened and every succeeding year is being declared as the hottest year of the century. Why is Climate Change an Issue? The prolonged wildfires have resulted in the loss of major habitats and species that regulate the functioning of our ecosystems. Besides impacting the natural resources, the impacts of climate change can not be overlooked on human health. Rapid seasonal variations have weakened the human immune system to cope up with the changing climate. Moreover, vector-borne diseases are now widespread, resulting in more cases of infections and allergies among humans. How can you help prevent climate change? You must be wondering that climate change is a global crisis so how can you help make a difference? Well, you need not worry. We have got the easy steps covered for you. Individual actions coupled with collective action can help make an impact count! Below are a few of the actions that do not require tedious effort, but they can help you drive positive climate action. Say no to plastics Plastic products are extremely harmful to the environment as they take hundreds of years to degrade, polluting soil and streams, and killing large numbers of marine animals. By 2050, plastic production could account for up to 13% of our planet’s carbon budget. By ditching single-use plastics from your life, you can help reduce the emissions resulting from plastic production. Reduce resource consumption Before utilising what could have gone to waste, reduce the consumption of the resource at the source. For example, food waste accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of practicing upcycling or composting, do not waste the food in the first place. Cook or take what you can consume completely. Recycle to recover Recycling is a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial waste-reduction method that produces no greenhouse gas emissions. Make sure to take your old paper, glass, plastic, and electronics to a recycling facility near you. These products can be transported to a processing facility where they will be converted into other recyclable materials that can later become raw materials for the production of another product. Adopt sustainable mode of transportation The transport sector is one of the major causes of the rapid warming of the planet. According to the estimates, the sector contributed 7.3 billion metric tons of carbon ...
Would you like to live off the grid and stop city life from stressing you out? Urban living has some advantages, we all know them. But have you noticed that global warming is turning cities into ovens? And if that’s not enough, we also have to deal with traffic noise, air pollution, lack of privacy, and more. It’s not surprising that many people prefer to live off the grid. Imagine you could move to the woods, build a cabin, use the power of nature to light your home, and grow your food. You could sit on your porch, relax with the sounds of nature, and stare at the natural wilderness around you. That said, living off-grid is easier said than done. Leaving modern life behind takes a lot of planning and requires more than just installing a few solar panels. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you! In this guide for beginners, you’ll learn how to live off the grid and build a self-sufficient homestead. So, let’s start with some general information to learn the basics of off-grid living! What Does It Mean to Live Off the Grid? Living off the grid means living in a property without connection to public utilities, like the main electrical grid. In other words, off-grid homes are completely autonomous. For example, they rely on alternative power sources and natural sources of water. Simply put, off-grid living is all about being self-sufficient. This sustainable way of life is also known as homesteading, permanent camping, or living off the land. That said, going off the grid completely can be difficult or unrealistic for some people. If that’s your case, you could go partially off the grid. Is It Possible to Live Partially Off the Grid? Some people go fully off the grid by generating their electricity, digging wells, using septic tanks, composting, and growing their own food. They usually stop using phones and the internet as well. On the other hand, some homeowners prefer to live partially off the grid. Keep in mind that this can be different from person to person: Those who live partially off the grid usually generate their own power from the Earth’s natural resources, like the sun. But some of them might still rely on other utilities, like city water or sewage. Likewise, some homeowners still buy food at grocery stores, while others might even have internet access. As you can see, it depends on what works best for you. Whether you decide to go completely or partially off the grid, it’s important to know the basic requirements of off-grid living, which we’ll describe in a moment! Top 5 Reasons to Live Off the Grid and Be Self-Sufficient Let’s be honest, living off the grid is not for everyone. But this sustainable way of life could give you some wonderful health benefits. Moreover, off-grid living can also reduce your environmental impact. Want to know more? Let’s explore some reasons to live off the grid: Small Environmental Footprint: You’ll use less water, produce less waste, and rely on renewable energy sources to generate electricity. Deeper Connection with Nature: Off-grid living will help you reconnect with nature. And that’s because you’ll be able to explore beautiful natural areas and enjoy new experiences. Better Health: When moving to the wilderness, people usually become more active, which might help prevent many health problems. Greater Personal Satisfaction: Learning new skills to survive without public utilities and solving problems on your own will boost your confidence. Lower Stress and Anxiety: While modern life makes people feel stressed and anxious, living surrounded by nature can help you feel relaxed. Off-grid Living for Beginners: Essential Things to Survive Before learning how to live off the grid, you should understand the basic requirements of homesteading. Let’s remember that the practical concept of survival involves three things: food, water, and shelter. If you’re planning to go forward with this lifestyle, make sure you have access to these essential things: Water As you might know, hydration is e...
22 Million people in the UK are facing a spike in energy costs will find out shortly how much more they will have to pay. Ofgem’s new price cap is likely to add hundreds of pounds onto the annual bill this will be another key factor in the rising cost of living. Over the past 12 month we have seen the cost of food, mortgages & petrol increase adding more financial burden to most people within the UK. The concept of sustainability is increasing day by day. Energy conservation starts at your home and you need to take baby steps to save money and help the environment at the same time. 19 tips to help reduce your energy bills Turn Off Lights Well, let’s start with the simplest tip, turn off all the lights when you are leaving a room. Make this your habit, it will decrease power consumption and in turn, you will save money. Maximum Use of Sunlight In the morning, open your curtains to let in the light, it will warm your house and you can avoid leaving on lights. Lighting accounts for about 12% of an energy utility bill. Switch to LED lights Replace halogen bulbs with smart LED lights, they are affordable and look stylish. Switching to LED lights is good for the environment and saves a good chunk of money Rearrange Furniture and Seal Cracks The home heating system is costly but you can control your bills by rearranging your furniture. Don’t put any bulky furniture in front of the radiator as the furniture will absorb the heat and it will take more time to warm the room. S imilarly, sealing cracks and gaps can increase the insulation of a home by 10%. Better Appliances Washing machines and refrigerators are the most power-consuming appliances, you can switch them with energy-efficient appliances. They can cut down energy consumption. Defrosting your refrigerators and freezers increases their life span. In addition, replacing the appliances if they are old is another technique to put a low burden on energy usage. Unplug Electronics There is no need to leave the devices on all day long. Only turn on the computer, fax machine, and printer when you are using it and then unplug to lower the energy consumption, Also switching to an electrical vehicle is a great idea, but if you are charging one at home remember to unplug it once fully charged. Usage of Microwave You can easily cook your food in the microwave in place of the Oven. Microwaves consume less energy, save about 80% energy as compared to the Oven and cook efficiently small portions of food. There is no need to use automatic timers to switch off the microwave as this also uses power, in other words, manually unplug the microwave when you are not using it. Cook Faster Whenever you are cooking on a stove, you should cover your pan with its lid. This technique will keep the heat inside the pan and food will take less time to cook. Eventually, it will help lower your gas and electricity bills. Lowering Your Carbon Footprint If your windows and doors are single panes, then replace them with double glazing windows and doors. They are the perfect solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will reduce your carbon footprint and save money as well. in addition, set your air conditioning temperature to a lower setting to avoid excessive cooling and wasting energy. Keep Track of Energy Consumption It is a simple technique to keep track of energy consumption by using a smart meter. You can easily check the peak hour and reduce the consumption in these hours. Use Colder Water It is important to wash your clothes in colder water, it will reduce your electricity bill and save water. In other words, heating the water will take time and energy, washing clothes at lower temperatures will save this cost. Charge Your Devices Charge the devices during the daytime and use their batteries in the nighttime. Smartphones take 2 hours to complete the charging but if you put on your charger for a whole night, extra power consumption and it will also affect the battery of the smartphone and reduce its...
Single-use items are popular because they’re an easy and fast solution for daily activities. Do you want a coffee? You can get one in a plastic cup. Are you thirsty? You can buy a plastic water bottle. These disposable options are useful if you’re on the go, but what about the environment? One plastic cup can seem harmless, but do you throw away just one throughout the year? If the answer is no, then you probably discard lots of them. Let’s discuss why using a reusable travel mug and a water bottle is better than discarding several single-use plastics! The Problems with Plastic Bottles Even though buying plastic water bottles can be a practical option to stay hydrated, they’re problematic for the environment, your health and your wallet! If you think you’re being eco-friendly by putting them in the recycling bin, there’s bad news for you. Most of these bottles won’t get recycled! They will probably end up polluting the environment, one way or another. What’s worse, they could affect innocent animals! Also, they’re not the healthiest option for you. Bottled water usually has the same quality as tap water, but it comes with a few unwanted extras. In particular, microplastics and toxins! On the other hand, they’re not as cheap as you think. You can’t refill plastic water bottles. So, you will need to buy a new one the next time and spend money in a plastic bottle you won’t use again! The Problems with Disposable Cups Having a good coffee in the morning is one of the best ways to start your day! That said, throwing away several plastic cups throughout the week is not an eco-friendly practice. Just like plastic bottles, plastic cups won’t get recycled. You’re probably thinking a paper cup would be a good alternative to hold your drink and ditch plastic cups. Paper is biodegradable and recyclable after all, right? Well, it’s not that simple. Paper cups are lined with plastic to make them leakproof, so they can’t be easily recycled. As a result, only one in 400 paper cups will get recycled. And it goes without saying that many trees will be cut down each year to create cups that will end up as waste! Why are Reusable Travel Mugs and Water Bottles Better? Replacing plastic cups, paper cups and plastic bottles with a reusable travel mug and a water bottle has several benefits, such as: You will significantly reduce your plastic waste and you won’t be part of the plastic pollution problem! You can find reusable travel mugs and water bottles made of sustainable and recyclable materials! Some coffee shops will give you a discount for bringing your own reusable travel mug. Moreover, you will be an eco-conscious coffee lover! Unlike paper and plastic cups, a reusable travel mug will keep your drinks hot for a long time! You don’t need to worry about leaks and spills because reusable travel mugs and water bottles are leakproof! One reusable water bottle will save you money in the long run and it’s a safer option to drink from! A Water Bottle Is How Many Cups? A standard water bottle holds around 16oz of water, that would be about 2 full cups of water per bottle or 473.2ml. The number of cups of water a person should drink each day varies depending on their lifestyle and diet. But In general, people should drink around 2 litres of water per day, so that’s 4 water bottles or 8 full cups of water to stay properly hydrated & healthy.
Even though plastics have been useful and popular over the past decades, now people try to avoid them. Instead, they prefer to choose eco-friendly alternatives. And there’s one material that stands out from the rest: bamboo! You probably have seen all kinds of bamboo products, from toothbrushes to biodegradable plasters and bamboo bedding. But is bamboo really eco-friendly? What makes it better than plastic and other materials? Keep reading to know what makes bamboo so popular, what products can be made from it and why you should use them! What is Bamboo? When somebody refers to a plant as a kind of grass, you might think it looks like your lawn, bamboo is a type of grass but looks nothing like grass. Bamboo is a super-fast growing grass although some of them look like a tree! There are more than 1,000 species of bamboo and they can thrive in different climate conditions, from hot tropical regions to cold places! In recent years, bamboo has become a popular material because it’s more sustainable than plastic. Bamboo is not only one of the most eco-friendly materials, but also one of the most versatile! Why is Bamboo Good for the Environment? There are many “eco-friendly products” made of bamboo, but what makes this material good for the environment? Well, its production has several environmental benefits: It requires less water than other plants and it doesn’t need toxic pesticides or fertilisers to grow! Bamboo plantations remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Moreover, they produce 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of hardwood trees! Depending on the species, bamboo takes 3 to 5 years to reach maturity. In contrast, hardwoods like oak need at least 40 years to mature! So, bamboo is a great alternative to reduce deforestation rates worldwide. After harvesting, bamboo doesn’t need to be planted again because it will regrow. Additionally, as the roots remain untouched, it doesn’t affect the soil. Finally, let’s clarify that you don’t need to worry about pandas. You’re not taking their food away! The variety of bamboo that pandas eat is different from the variety used to create your bamboo toothbrush and other products! 5 Reasons Why Bamboo is More Sustainable than Plastic Plastic is a durable, cheap, and versatile material, but it isn’t sustainable. For that reason, it’s important to replace it with eco-friendly materials like bamboo. Check why bamboo is more sustainable than plastic: Bamboo is a renewable resource: It grows quickly in different areas, so there’s a constant production of raw material. On the other hand, plastics are made from fossil fuels. Bamboo absorbs greenhouse gasses: It can absorb as much as 12 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year, while plastic production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions! Bamboo is a biodegradable material: People can compost it when they no longer need it. On the contrary, plastics aren’t biodegradable and sometimes they aren’t recyclable either. Bamboo can restore degraded ecosystems: Its roots can restore degraded lands and prevent soil erosion. Unlike bamboo, plastics are well-known for affecting natural ecosystems! Promotes economic development: Bamboo production and the manufacturing of products create new job opportunities around the world. Although bamboo is more sustainable, it can’t replace all the plastic products out there. You could use biodegradable plasters instead of plastic ones, but other products are more complicated to replace. The good news is that several products can be made from bamboo! What Products Can Be Made from Bamboo? Besides the environmental benefits, bamboo is one of the most versatile materials! Even though it has a tensile strength stronger than steel, it’s soft and durable when converted into a fabric form. So, it can be used to create all kinds of products, from furniture to bamboo bedding! Some common products are: Bamboo Bedding: sheets, duvet cover, pillowcases, and more. Jewellery: necklaces, bracelets, and others. Furniture: ...
As you hopefully Eco-Friendly Christmas has just finished the countdown to New Year’s Day has already started, which means there are only a few days left to write your resolutions list! You probably selected a few habits you’d like to start, but don’t forget to include some green habits too! If you’re planning to start a sustainable lifestyle, what could be better than having some eco-friendly New Year’s resolutions? Start the year off on the right foot and take care of the environment too! In this article, you will find 10 eco-friendly New Year’s resolutions for 2022! These easy ideas will help you go green and zero waste next year! Avoid Single-Use Plastics Although plastic products are useful, most of the time they aren’t recycled. Because of that, around 8 million tonnes of plastics enter the oceans every year! But what’s worse, that’s a small number when compared to the total amount of plastics already there! The most common plastics in the ocean are the disposable ones, such as straws, cups, bottles, cutlery, and bags. So, you should avoid these products! You can replace single-use plastics with reusable options, like stainless steel straw, reusable bag, bamboo cutlery, and so on. You can set a goal of replacing one item per month! Try Plant-based Dishes Believe it or not, what you decide to eat can make a big difference in the environment. In particular, reducing your meat consumption could be a green habit. This is because meat production contributes to deforestation and requires large amounts of water. Moreover, it’s responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions! If you want to try an interesting New Year’s resolution, why don’t you try some plant-based recipes next year? It will help you reduce your meat consumption and you will enjoy delicious dishes. You can even start Meatless Mondays! Drive Less If you’re already planning to exercise more next year, what about walking and biking instead of driving? These activities are great for your health and the environment! If you’re going somewhere near your house, don’t drive! On the contrary, if you need to travel a long distance, try to take public transportation or carpool when possible. Remember that more cars on the road mean more greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere! For that reason, driving less is a great New Year’s resolution to reduce your carbon footprint! Start Composting You might be thinking that there’s nothing wrong with discarding some veggie scraps because they’re biodegradable. Well, if you send them to landfills they will rot and produce methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide! Besides, veggie scraps and lawn trimmings are a great source of nutrients that will be wasted in landfills. Instead, you can give composting a try and make nutrient-rich soil for your plants! You could also find out if there’s food waste collection in your area or compost bins at your local farmers’ market! Plan Your Grocery Shopping When you go food shopping, it’s easy to end up buying lots of things that you will forget to use. There are lots of options and you can get inspired to prepare delicious dishes with them. Then, you put them in your fridge and when you decide to use them: they have spoiled! If you waste food, you’re also wasting all the resources used to create it. That’s why it’s important to prevent food waste. A simple resolution is planning your dishes before going food shopping. With this, you will know what ingredients you need to prepare your foods and you will prevent waste! Use Natural and Non-toxic Products Most household products and cosmetics contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Likewise, some ingredients are linked to health diseases and risks, such as poisoning, skin irritation, breast cancer, and more. Therefore, you could replace toxic products with eco-friendly options! The good news is that you can find a wide variety of natural and non-toxic products. These options will work as good as convention...
You’ve probably seen a photo of plastic pollution in the ocean, heard about it in the news, or discussed it with a friend. Yet, this problem is much more complicated than you think. So, let’s learn more about it! In this article, we’ve put together a few facts that most people don’t know about plastic pollution. Keep reading and find out how many of them you didn’t know either! Also, you will find some tricks to fight plastic pollution! Plastic pollution has become one of the biggest problems for the environment. To solve this problem, it’s important to understand how it affects the environment, wildlife, municipal solid waste management, and your health: Shocking Facts About Plastic Pollution Plastic pollution is everywhere When somebody talks about plastic pollution, the ocean is probably the first place that comes to your mind. But it turns out that plastic pollution is not limited to the oceans. You can find plastics in the streets, rivers, beaches, mountains, and even in the Arctic ice. Moreover, microplastics are literally raining down from the sky! What’s worse, some researchers found microplastics in the placentas of unborn babies! About 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year The oceans are home to many marine species. That said, plastic pollution is affecting these beautiful ecosystems. Nowadays, there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastics already in the oceans! And to make it even worse, more than 8 million tonnes of plastic find their way into the oceans every year. Around 80% of ocean plastics come from land-based sources For most people, it’s hard to imagine that their plastic waste could end up in the ocean. But the truth is that around 80% of the ocean litter comes from land-based sources. How is this possible? In places with poor waste management, plastic waste could be blown away by the wind or carried to rivers via storm drains. There will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050 Even though plastic pollution is already a big problem, it’s expected to get worse in the years to come! If we don’t reduce plastic waste and solve this problem now, there will be more plastics than fish in the oceans by 2050. Instead of catching fish, we will end up removing plastics from the oceans. Could you imagine a future like that? Plastics never disappear but rather break down into smaller pieces When plastics end up in natural environments, they don’t decompose in the same way as organic materials do. While fruits will biodegrade in a matter of weeks, some plastics could take more than 400 years to decompose! And in the worst scenario, plastics will only break down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which means they will never fully disappear! Plastic pollution kills around one million marine animals each year Plastics kill more than 1 million marine animals, such as mammals, fish, turtles, and seabirds each year! Many of them mistake plastics for their prey and eat them. This will reduce their urge to eat and they will eventually die of starvation! Other animals could get tangled up in plastics, like abandoned fishing gears or six-pack rings. As a result, they will have a very painful death. You’re probably eating around 70,000 microplastics each year Plastics are not only affecting the environment but also making their way into your dinner plate. That’s right, you’re eating tiny pieces of plastics every day as well. Some studies suggest that the average person eats around 70,000 microplastics each year! There isn’t enough information about how these plastics could affect your health, but as you’re probably guessing, sounds like bad news. Only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled If you think that recycling is the solution to plastic pollution, think twice. Unfortunately, recycling is far from being a solution to plastic waste. So far, only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled! What about the rest? Well, 12% of it has been incinerated and the other...
If you have a full-time job, starting a sustainable lifestyle can be challenging. But making a zero waste packed lunch doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Whether you’d like to pack a zero waste lunch for your kids or yourself, we’re here to help you! Although purchasing plastic-wrapped sandwiches and snacks can be convenient, you’ve probably realised how wasteful lunchtime can be. Fortunately, there are some easy tips to prepare a plastic-free packed lunch. In this article, you will discover how to make a zero waste packed lunch, the best tools to use, and some fantastic waste-free lunch ideas! What Can You Do to Create a Zero Waste Packed Lunch? Individually wrapped foods might be convenient for those busy mornings, but they’re also super wasteful. The good news is that making a plastic-free packed lunch is totally doable as well, you just need to learn a few tricks. So, how do you pack a lunch without plastic and reduce your waste? Here are some things you can do to create a zero waste packed lunch: Create a Weekly Menu Before going grocery shopping, plan a weekly menu and don’t forget to choose meals that would be easy and quick to prepare! Go Grocery Shopping Now that you know what meals you will prepare for your zero waste packed lunch, write a shopping list. Then, stick to your list when going grocery shopping. This is a fantastic way to avoid buying unhealthy pre-packaged stuff and save you money so you’ll eat well for less! Prepare Your Food on a Sunday Night If you don’t want to be in a rush every morning, the best thing you can do is preparing your food in advance. You can prepare your food on a Sunday night or even the night before, choose what works best for you! Label You Kids’ Reusable Lunch Supplies When preparing your kids’ plastic-free packed lunch, make sure to label their reusable tools. Until your kids get used to the new reusable lunch tools, don’t forget to label them. Bring Home Food Scraps for Compost If you want to go the extra mile with your zero waste packed lunch, bring home your food scraps for compost. You could also teach your kids to keep food scraps in their lunch boxes. 4 Essential Zero Waste Packed Lunch Tools Choosing the right lunch tools is one of the most important parts of preparing your zero waste packed lunch. You should prefer durable, reusable, and plastic-free lunch supplies to avoid disposable ones. Here’s a list of essential reusable supplies for your zero waste packed lunch: Reusable Cutlery If you use plastic utensils every day at work, it’s time to stop. As these disposable plastics are too small and lightweight, they won’t get recycled. Fortunately, there are plastic-free alternatives for your zero waste packed lunch. You can use bamboo utensils or wooden cutlery for school lunches or bring them with you to work. And the best part is that they won’t impart any flavour to your food! Reusable Lunch Box A reusable lunch box is another wonderful tool for your plastic-free packed lunch. Unlike plastic containers, a stainless steel lunch box won’t leak harmful chemicals into your food. If you care about your health and the environment, this reusable lunch tool is a must-have. Plus, a stainless steel lunch box will keep your food fresh all day long! So, you won’t need to rely on a microwave to heat your food. Reusable Water Bottle Another wonderful option for your zero waste packed lunch is a reusable water bottle. If you don’t have one yet, what are you waiting for? One reusable water bottle could replace tons of plastic water bottles throughout its lifetime. Not only are reusable water bottles eco-friendly but also cost-effective and durable. Unlike plastic water bottles, they’re a healthy option because you won’t expose to harmful toxins. Reusable Food Wraps Wondering how to wrap a sandwich without plastic cling film or aluminium foil? You could use vegan food wraps or beeswax reusable wraps. These plastic-free alternatives are a fantastic option to wrap your sandwiches, burrit...
Most of your waste comes from your kitchen; think about how frequently you discard cling film, veggie scraps, and spoiled foods. Even if you compost, you still need something to store your food. Fortunately, reusable beeswax wraps and vegan food wraps are handy for this! Reusable beeswax wraps and vegan food wraps are eco-friendly alternatives to cling film. Although plastic wrap is useful to store your food, you don’t want it to become an animal’s food! Keep reading to learn the benefits of using reusable beeswax wraps or vegan food wraps and how to wrap your food in them. Besides, you will find some creative ways to use them! What are Reusable Beeswax Wraps? Reusable beeswax wraps and vegan food wraps are natural and sustainable options to keep your food fresh and replace plastic film. These plastic-free alternatives are washable and safe to use with food, so you can reuse them for a long time! Is Beeswax Vegan? Reusable beeswax wraps are made of natural and sustainably sourced ingredients, such as beeswax, tree resin, and jojoba oil. On the other hand, vegan food wraps replace beeswax with ingredients like candelilla wax. These ingredients form a sticky material that can cover bowls or wrap food products 5 Benefits of Using Food Wraps If you haven’t tried reusable beeswax wraps, what are you waiting for? Using these eco-friendly wraps has some wonderful benefits: Cut Down on Single-use Plastics Even though plastic cling film does a great job keeping food fresh, it’s rarely recycled because it can clog machinery. So, you will end up sending this material to the environment! A better option would be replacing cling wrap and zip bags with a few vegan food wraps or reusable beeswax wraps! Prevent Food Waste If you use plastic food wrap, you’ve probably had the unpleasant experience of finding mould on your foods. Unlike plastic bags and wraps, vegan food wraps are breathable, so they prevent mould growth. Moreover, beeswax wraps have anti-microbial properties that prevent food spoilage! All these reasons make wax wraps a fantastic alternative to keep your food fresher for longer and prevent food waste! Sounds great to keep avocados from turning brown, doesn’t it? Food wraps saves you money Plastic wrap isn’t reusable, so you will have to buy at least one roll of cling film every month. In contrast, you can use vegan food wraps several times because they last for up to a year! In other words, you will save money with them! Vegan Food Wraps are Compostable After a long time using your reusable food wraps, they will eventually wear out. The good news is that you can compost them at the end of their life because they’re made of natural ingredients! Reusable Beeswax Wraps are Versatile These food wraps are incredibly versatile. As they’re mouldable and come in different sizes, you can shape them to wrap different foods and bowls. That’s not to mention you can use them in many other creative ways, such as the ones mentioned below! Step-by-Step: How to Use Reusable Wraps? Besides having lovely designs that will give a nice touch to your fridge, they’re also easy to use! There’s no need to worry if you haven’t tried them yet. You will get used to them quickly: Step #1: Warm The Wraps with Your Hands First of all, warm the wrap with your hands for a few seconds. Afterwards, you can mould the wrap around your foods or cover your containers! Keep in mind that you shouldn’t wrap raw meat or fish if you’re planning to reuse the beeswax wrap. You could put these foods in a container and cover it with your wrap instead. With this, the wrap won’t be in direct contact with the food. Step #2: Wash Your Vegan Food Wraps Once you’ve used your food wraps, remember to clean them so you can reuse them later. The most recommended way of doing this is washing them by hand instead of putting them in the dishwater. Always try to wash them with cold soapy water. After rinsing them, you should let them air dry and save them for later! Step #3: Repeat! I...
Automakers such as General Motors, Tesla, and Toyota have ground-breaking plans under their umbrellas, the enthusiasm around electric cars (EVs) is getting bigger and more real with increasing awareness on climate change and the related impacts on the environment. These cars have been found to be almost completely emission-free, oil-saving, and waste minimizing. This is expected to “rescript” the entire auto industry. However, is this hype real? Are these battery-powered cars ACTUALLY this environmentally-friendly and green as they are considered to be? While most of the researchers and experts agree to this notion, there are others who believe that there are certain behind the curtain factors that might be a little different from how they are popular known. Here we are shedding a low wattage light on how the electric cars are energy intensive during their manufacturing stage, while energy is being produced for them, and after they have completed their lifecycle. Let’s dig into each: Dig deeper into manufacturing process The process of manufacturing electric cars begins with the preparation of their lithium-ion batteries. These materials are extracted from the earth in conventional ways that require huge pollution sources. The rare earth elements such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, etc. are mined from the earth surface. The negative environmental impacts of extracting these minerals from the earth along with the process used for manufacturing the batteries from fossil-fuel based energy sources paints an ironic picture. Additionally, the energy needed for smelting aluminium, and preparing and assembling the parts and components of electric cars releases the same or even more amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The number of emissions released at this point is way more than a gasoline-run counterpart even when electric ones have no tailpipe emissions. After an electric car has run for about 200,000 miles which is equivalent to an average normal car’s lifespan, it is likely to have released about 36 tons of GHG emissions. In the beginning of the driving lifecycle of an electric car and a gasoline-run car, the emissions get to become almost the same. This can be termed as the “indirect pollution” caused by the electric cars. Intensive energy demand Even if these cars are environmentally-safe, the energy used for charging their batteries clearly doesn’t come from low carbon sources, thus the environmental impacts can be said to be exactly zero. This energy in most of the cases comes from conventional oil, gas, or coal sources rather than the cleaner sources of energy such as solar and wind. Rather than shifting to newer kinds of transportation ways, a better choice would be to switch to greener sources of energy. Similarly, opting for public commute, more walk, alternative sources of transport, and lesser usage of powered vehicles is more likely to lead to better results for the environment. In addition, the time needed for charging an electric car would not be the same as the time it takes for you to recharge a mobile or a laptop. The charging hours for these cars can be an extensive as 12 hours and can result in elaborate electricity bills and more energy usage. The disposal phase By 2030 there will be around 30 million electric cars on European roads. Imagine the e-waste that the batteries, and dismantled parts of these cars will make in the years to come. At present only about 5% of the lithium-ion batteries are being recycled. The policy makers and automakers must not believe that their duty comes to an end after the cars have reached the consumers, the way these are dumped after their death is also very crucial. The old batteries must be recycled for recovering the useful materials out of these. However, if these are simply dumped into landfills or incinerators these cars can become potential environmental hazard in the future. Thinking from another perspective it can be said that due to the better longevity and imp...
“Why conserve water?” you might ask. After all, two-thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. And that should be enough for all of us, right? Besides, it seems to be everywhere: rivers, lakes, oceans, rain, and of course, it’s always there when we turn on the tap in our houses. That said, if we don’t conserve water today, we could face water scarcity tomorrow. Believe it or not, only a small percentage of the Earth’s water is available for human use. Keep reading to learn why it’s important to save water and find the best tips on ways to conserve water at home! Why is Important to Save Water? Most people don’t know that only 0.007% of the planet’s water is available to fuel and feed around 7.9 billion people. On top of that, we use roughly 70% of freshwater withdrawals for agriculture. So, there’s actually a limited amount of fresh water available for other purposes! Having clean and pure water is essential for survival, that’s why it’s important to conserve water. Otherwise, we could get sick or, in the worst-case scenario, die. We rely on clean water for drinking, showering, washing our hands, keeping our house clean, and so on. But that’s not all, we need this resource to produce everything from clothing to vehicles! Best Tips On Ways to Conserve Water at Home You probably think that you don’t use too much water. But did you know that the average person in the UK uses around 142 litres of water each day? The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to reduce your water consumption without altering your lifestyle! Here are the best tips on ways to conserve water at home: Install a water meter: This is a wonderful water-saving tip to know exactly how much water you’re using. With this information, you can set measurable goals to reduce your water consumption. Take a shorter shower: Depending on your showerhead, you could waste anything between 6 and 45 litres of water per minute. So, try to keep your showers to no longer than five minutes. This is a great way to conserve water! Use your washing machine and dishwasher wisely: Before using your washing machine or dishwasher, wait until you have a full load instead of making 2 half-loads. Not only will you conserve water, but you will also save energy and money! Fix a dripping tap: A dripping tap wastes water 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Those tiny drops could end up becoming more than 60 litres of water going down the drain every week. That’s why it’s important to be careful with water leaks. Turn off the tap: Although it might sound repetitive, this is a great tip to conserve water at home. Whether you’re brushing your teeth or washing your hands, don’t forget to turn off the tap when possible. This simple action could save around 6 litres of water per minute! Don’t let the water run when washing fruits and veggies: A better idea would be to use a bowl full of clean water to rinse your vegetables or place a bowl in the sink to collect water when washing your fruits. Then, you could use the waste water to water your plants! Use a dishwasher: Instead of doing the dishes by hand, you could use a dishwasher to conserve water at home. That’s right, washing dishes by hand uses significantly more water than running the dishwasher. Don’t forget to make sure your dishwasher is fully loaded to reduce your water consumption. Catch rainwater: Installing a water butt to collect rainwater off your roof is a fantastic way to conserve water. You can use rainwater to water your plants or clean your car. Plus, rainwater is better for your plants than treated tap water! Get an aerated showerhead: An easy way to conserve water is to get a water-efficient showerhead, which combines water and air. With this water-saving tip, you will be able to lather up in less water! Use a watering can in your garden: Instead of using a hosepipe or automatic sprinklers to water your garden, try to use a watering can. If you use a watering can, you can control how much water y...
Forests are the lungs of the Earth. They absorb an enormous amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide us with pure, clean oxygen in exchange. Yet, companies are cutting them down to produce something we’re going to flush down the toilet anyway! Toilet paper is meant to be used for a matter of seconds. So, why use virgin wood pulp for this? There’s no need to destroy our forests when there are sustainable alternatives, like recycled toilet paper and bamboo toilet paper. If you’d like to use the most eco-friendly toilet paper, keep reading to find our comparison of recycled toilet paper vs bamboo toilet paper and discover which is better for the environment! Bamboo Toilet Paper vs Regular Bamboo toilet paper is a much better option for the environment than your typical virgin paper toilet roll. When responsibly sourced, this eco-friendly toilet paper can help you prevent deforestation. And that’s because bamboo re-grows after it’s harvested, so it doesn’t need to be re-planted. But is it better than recycled toilet paper? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of this tree-free option: PROS Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet, it can grow up to 20 times faster than some trees. While the average tree takes a year to grow one foot, bamboo can manage that growth in one hour. This makes bamboo a wonderful alternative to reduce deforestation rates! Unlike trees, this plant doesn’t need to be replanted once harvested. Bamboo toilet rolls release 30% fewer greenhouse gases than those made from virgin wood! Bamboo toilet paper is 100% biodegradable and will break down faster than traditional and recycled toilet paper. Bamboo uses less water than other plants and it doesn’t require the use of fertilisers or pesticides to grow. Bamboo crops can thrive in different climatic conditions and grow in depleted soils. Moreover, these crops can restore degraded lands! CONS Some brands use bleaching agents to improve the colour of the end product. However, chlorinated toilet rolls can affect your skin and the environment. So, make sure to look for bleach-free bamboo toilet paper. Let’s remember that most bamboo products come from Asia. So, they must be shipped thousands of miles across the ocean so that we can use bamboo toilet paper here in the UK. And as you might know, shipping contributes to climate change. Some hardwood forests are being destroyed to make room for bamboo plantations. Since bamboo toilet paper should be an alternative to prevent deforestation, it’s important to choose an option that comes from sustainable sources. You can opt for products that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Recycled Toilet Paper vs Regular As the name suggests, recycled toilet paper is made from paper products that have been discarded and then recycled. And don’t worry, this doesn’t include dirty toilet paper. In fact, this sustainable option comes from textbooks, office paper, newspapers, and magazines. Now, let’s talk about the pros and cons of this eco-friendly toilet paper: PROS Since this eco-friendly toilet paper is made from recycled waste, companies don’t need to cut down living trees to create a disposable product. So, this is a much better option for the environment than using virgin fibre! Besides reducing deforestation rates, this eco-friendly toilet paper can also decrease the amount of paper going to landfills. Recycling paper requires less energy and water than making virgin paper. Likewise, making recycled bathroom tissue creates less air and water pollution than producing traditional toilet paper. Commonly, recycled toilet paper requires less bleach because it’s made from white paper. You can even find chlorine-free options! CONS Traditional and bamboo toilet rolls are often softer than recycled toilet paper. Although recycling paper requires fewer harsh chemicals than manufacturing virgin pulp, companies still need to use some chemicals to remove any impurities from the raw ...
Cow’s milk is essential in many people’s diet because it contains carbohydrates, fats, minerals mainly calcium and phosphorous, proteins and vitamins. It is a common belief that Cow’s milk makes your bones stronger. However, 1 cup of whole milk contains 146 calories, 8g proteins, 8g fats, 12g sugar and 13g carbohydrates. Many people try to avoid cow’s milk as they have allergies, lactose intolerance, diet consciousness or for ethical reasons. Lactose intolerance is a problem faced by 75% of the World’s population. When someone has lower amount of lactase enzyme, their body cannot break the lactose sugar present in milk which in turns causes vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and digestive problems. What Is The Alternative to Cow’s Milk for Vegans or Lactose Intolerance People There are many non dairy milk options available in the market, so we have listed the most popular alternatives to cows milk. Almond Milk Almond milk is made from almond, butter and water. Mostly brands contain only 2% pure almond, it is better to choose brand that contains 7-8% pure almond. It has a sweet and buttery taste. It contains low calories than any other milk available in the market. Almond milk contains antioxidants which can help to fight some diseases. 1 cup of almond milk contains 50 calories, 2g proteins, 3g fats, 1g carbohydrates and has no sugar. It is a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin D and calcium but has very low content of proteins. It’s completely vegan and lactose free. People having allergies to almonds or nuts should not use almond milk. Soy Milk Soy milk is made from soybeans and filtered water. It is a plant based milk alternative that’s why it has no lactose and cholesterol. 1 cup of soy milk contains 80 calories, 7g proteins, 4g fats, 4g carbohydrates and 1g sugar. It has a creamy texture and more similar to Cow’s milk at nutritional level because it has same amount of proteins and half number of carbohydrates, fats and calories. Soy milk is derived from plants that’s why it contains all the essential amino acids required by the body. It is fortified with Vitamin A, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D and calcium. It also contains Omega 3-fatty acids which can help decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Soy milk contains added sugar which may lead to heart diseases and type 2-diabetes. Some children and adults are allergic to soy. Rice Milk Rice milk is made from rice and water. It is plant based milk alternative and naturally sweeter than other milk alternatives. 1 cup of rice milk contains 120 calories, 2g fats, 22g carbohydrates, 10g sugar and has no proteins. It contains very low amount of calcium. Rice milk is the least likely to cause any allergies. You can easily add rice milk in your coffee and it’s more refreshing. It can be fortified with calcium and Vitamin A. It contains carbohydrates in high amount which is not good for diabetic people. According to Food and Drug Administration, people should not only dependent on rice products aa it contains no proteins which is not good for infants, children and elderly people. Oat Milk Oat milk is made from mixture of oats and water. It is plant based and naturally contains Vitamin D. 1 cup of oat milk contains 170 calories, 5g proteins, 5g fats and 29g carbohydrates. Oat milk has more carbohydrates than Cow’s milk. Oat milk contains beta-glucan which lowers the blood sugar level and it contains more fibre providing the feeling of fullness. You can easily make oat milk at your home. Oats takes less amount of water than almonds and rice hence it is more environmental friendly. Oats production emits a very small amount of carbon makes them more sustainable source than any other milk alternative. Commercially produced oat milk contains additional sugar which is not good for diabetic people. While homemade oat milk does not contain any fortified vitamins. Coconut Milk Coconut milk is made from the white flesh inside brown coconuts and mixed with water. People with nut a...
Following a vegan diet can be difficult at first. Usually, many beginner vegans struggle to create a meal plan that meets all their nutritional needs. The good news is that it’s possible to go vegan easily and healthfully, you just need to learn a few things first. That’s why we’ve created a complete vegan diet guide for beginners! In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about this plant-based diet, from the benefits of being vegan to the potential negative side effects of veganism. But don’t worry, we’ll also teach you how to be a healthy vegan and reduce these risks! Not sure what you should include or avoid in your vegan diet? Keep reading to find a full vegan food list for beginners and a few vegan meal ideas. What is a Vegan Diet? According to the Vegan Society, a vegan diet is a plant-based plan that excludes all products derived wholly or partly from animals. While vegetarians choose not to eat animals, vegans go one step further and avoid eating eggs, dairy, and honey as well. But that’s not all, they even avoid many other animal-based ingredients, like carmine, gelatine, and casein. For that reason, those who follow a vegan diet must carefully check food labels to avoid animal-derived ingredients. That’s why this plant-based diet can be so difficult to follow for beginners, although it’s not impossible. You’re probably thinking that eating a vegan diet may be limiting. Yet, vegans can eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, and many other foods mentioned below. Plus, there are many plant-based alternatives nowadays. And you could also try some tasty, healthy vegan recipes, like the ones you’ll find later in this article! Veganism for Beginners: Other Aspects You Should Know Besides following a plant-based diet, many beginner vegans decide to avoid all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty in all aspects of their lives as well, such as the use of animals for entertainment, clothing, product testing, or any other purpose. This is a philosophy and way of living known as “veganism”. Some people follow a vegan diet to get all the health benefits of veganism, while many others go vegan for ethical, religious, or environmental reasons. Health Benefits You Could Get with a Vegan Diet People have been studying the health benefits of veganism for a long time. When done right, a vegan diet can lower the risk of developing certain diseases and keep you healthy. And that’s because this diet is usually rich in nutrients, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre while being low in saturated fats. Let’s check some health benefits of being vegan: Keep Blood Sugar in Check Eating a vegan diet can help manage blood sugar levels and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. And for those with this chronic condition, a vegan diet may be more effective than other diet plans. Lose Weight Animal products contain more fat and calories than plant-based alternatives. So, beginner vegans might lose some weight when they start to remove meat and other animal-based foods from their diet. Vegans also have a higher dietary fibre intake, which makes them feel fuller for longer. Reduce Heart Disease Risk Another benefit of a vegan diet is that it may help keep your heart healthy. Since this diet can reduce blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and bad cholesterol, it can also decrease heart disease risk! Reduce the Risk of Developing Certain Cancers Several studies suggest that plant-based diets are a powerful option for cancer prevention. According to Mayo Clinic, the less red and processed meat you eat, the better your health. So, it’s not surprising that vegans have the lowest rates of cancer of any diet! Why is that? Studies suggest a link between cancer and meat, especially red meat and processed varieties (like hot dogs and deli meats). Additionally, plants produce many “phytochemicals”, and these compounds may prevent cancer-causing agents from forming. Moreover, let’s not forget that vegan diets are high in fibre, which ...
As you might have noticed, a growing number of people have decided to reduce their consumption of animal products. Some of them prefer to have a plant-based diet or vegetarian diet, while others opt for a vegan diet to completely remove these products from their diet. But what are the differences between these terms? Although they might sound similar, the truth is that there are subtle differences between plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan diets. In this article, we’ll discuss what a plant-based diet is and what makes it different from vegan and vegetarian diets. Plus, you’ll discover why including more plant foods in your diet can benefit your health and the environment! What Does It Mean to Be Vegan? According to The Vegan Society, veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. In other words, people who describe themselves as “vegans” try to avoid animal harm through their lifestyle and dietary choices. Vegans avoid purchasing items that directly or indirectly involve animal use. That’s why they carefully select goods that weren’t made from animal by-products or hadn’t been tested on animals, from clothing and accessories to personal care products and household goods. What is a Vegan Diet? A vegan diet strictly excludes all animal foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, and honey. Likewise, this diet excludes any other food additives, ingredients, or beverages made from animals products, like gelatine, stock, or fats. Instead, a vegan diet consists of fruits, veggies, grains, nuts, and other plant foods. Even though a vegan diet sounds restrictive, it doesn’t mean vegans will only eat salads. While some vegans rely on whole foods and avoid processed options, others add both options to their vegan diet. Remember that there’s a wide variety of junk foods, like cookies and burgers, made from plant-based ingredients. Also, keep in mind that some people decide to eat a vegan diet, but don’t call themselves “vegans” because they’re not strict about other lifestyle choices. What is a Vegetarian Diet? According to the Vegetarian Society, a vegetarian diet doesn’t include products or by-products of animal slaughter, like meat, poultry, insects, rennet, gelatine, fish, shellfish, and stock or fat from animals. So, what do vegetarians eat? A vegetarian diet includes a range of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, grains, and pulses. But that’s not all. Although vegetarians remove some animal foods from their diet, they can still eat eggs, honey, and dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. For that reason, people who eat a vegetarian diet are also known as “lacto-ovo-vegetarians”. That said, there are different types of vegetarian diets: For example, some people (lacto-vegetarians) include dairy products but not eggs in their vegetarian diet. On the other hand, “ovo-vegetarians” eat eggs but remove dairy products from their diet. What is a Plant-based Diet? As the name suggests, a plant-based diet is a type of diet plan that either entirely or mostly consists of plant foods, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, plant-based oils, nuts, and seeds.The interesting part about this way of eating is that it’s not restrictive. Usually, people who stick to a plant-based diet can still choose to eat meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy foods, and other animal products in small portions and less often. They’re also known as “flexitarians” or “semi-vegetarians”. In short, meat is more of a side dish, while plant foods become the main dish. If you start a plant-based diet, you can decide whether or not you’d like to eat certain animal-derived products. As a result, you can personalise your plant-based diet and choose what works best for you. Just remember that you should have a colourful plate in front of you! Whole Foods, Plant-based Diet Some people focus on eating whole foods when following a plant-based diet. ...
The ocean is so vast and deep that we keep discovering new things about this mysterious ecosystem every day. And even though it’s one of the most diverse and unexplored places on our planet, this ecosystem is also being threatened by human activities. Believe it or not, people thought that dumping rubbish and chemicals in the oceans wouldn’t cause any harm. But, guess what? Now, we’re facing the consequences of ocean pollution. Despite what many people think, this problem is not limited to plastic pollution in the ocean. Yes, it’s one of the most common causes of ocean pollution. But there are other types of marine pollution affecting our seas as well! Want to understand the magnitude of this problem? Keep reading to discover some shocking plastic pollution statistics and ocean pollution facts. Below, you’ll also learn what marine pollution is and what’s causing it in 2022. So, let’s jump right in! What is Marine Pollution? Marine pollution is the introduction of toxic chemicals and harmful materials into the ocean. These pollutants end up in the oceans as a result of different human activities and surprisingly, most of them come from land sources! Keep in mind that ocean pollution refers to a broad range of problems that can disrupt the marine ecosystem. So, there are many types of marine pollution, which we’ll describe later in this article. Why is Marine Pollution a Problem? Ocean pollution can change the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the oceans. Even a slight change in these conditions can destroy vulnerable ecosystems, harm marine wildlife, and affect human health. Moreover, marine pollution can also affect coastal communities, tourism, and more!If you’d like to understand the severity of this problem, check the ocean pollution facts and statics we’ve mentioned below. But first, let’s talk about the main causes of marine pollution. Main Causes of Ocean Pollution in 2022 According to NOAA, ocean pollution is a combination of pollutants, most of which come from human activities along the coastlines and far inland. That’s right, most of the waste we produce on land will eventually end up in our oceans, from toxic chemicals and sewage to plastic items. And to make things worse, even our CO2 emissions can pollute the seas and oceans! Here are some of the major causes of marine pollution: Non-point Source Pollution (Runoff) One of the main causes of marine pollution is non-point source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff. As the water runs along a surface, it picks up toxic substances, like oil left by cars and trucks on the streets. And as you’re probably guessing, these pollutants will end up in lakes, rivers, or the ocean. The problem is that non-point source pollution can come from many land-based sources, like septic tanks, farms, gardens, livestock ranches, and vehicles. Oil Spills Oil spills aren’t as common as you might think, but they’re difficult to clean up and can cause devastating effects on marine ecosystems. They’re often caused by accidents involving tankers, barges, pipelines, refineries, and drilling rigs. Intentional Discharge Wastewater discharges from industrial sources are another common cause of ocean pollution. But that’s not all, untreated sewage can also pollute our seas and contribute to this problem. Ocean Mining Deep-sea ocean mining is a detrimental practice that affects many marine species, like whales and sharks. And that’s because these activities cause chemical pollution, light pollution, sediment plumes, and noise pollution. Air Pollutants When we burn fossil fuels, we’re not only polluting the air but also affecting our oceans. Besides exacerbating climate change, excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can also make the oceans more acidic. We’ll talk more about this type of marine pollution in a moment. Littering Littering is one of the biggest problems for our rivers, seas, and oceans. When we discard lightweight plastics, they can be carried by wind and rain...
You are going to love this French toast for vegans recipe, it’s very simple to prepare & makes a wonderful tasty breakfast. In the UK it is know as eggy bread, but we call this one veggy bread, it is also known as Gypsy toast. This French toast recipe is sweet but you can make yours savoury, its also amazing with some fresh fruit on top. When French toast is served as a sweet dish, sugar, vanilla or cinnamon are commonly added before frying, then it is normally topped with sugar ( butter, fruit, or maple syrup. As a savoury dish, it is generally fried with a pinch of salt or pepper, and it can then be served with a sauce such as ketchup or vegan mayonnaise. French toast n old recipes, the earliest known French Toast recipe dates back to the 1st century. Vegan French Toast Try out this amazing vegan French toast recipe, it quick & easy to make, plus it tastes divine. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 15 mins Course Breakfast Cuisine French Servings 2 Calories 165 kcal Equipment 1 Small bowl 1 Non-stick frying pan Spatula Whisk Ingredients 1 cup Non-dairy milk or almond milk ½ tsp. Vanilla bean paste 4-5 slices Bread ½ tsp. Cinnamon powder Maple syrup optional A pinch of salt Icing sugar or powdered sugar Olive oil Instructions Add the non dairy milk, vanilla bean paste, cinnamon powder, and salt into a small bowl and thoroughly whisk. The olive oil should then be added to a non-stick frying pan before heating it up. Place the bread in the pan after dipping it in the mixture, make sure the batter mixture covers both side. Once one side has been fried for 2-3 minutes, flip over and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until light brown and crispy. Add powdered sugar and maple syrup as a garnish. Notes If you have never used a non-dairy milk, take a peek at Best Alternative to Cow’s Milk For Vegans to see what kind of vegan milks are available Nutrition Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 6gFat: 2.5g Keyword French, Maple Syrup, Non-Dairy Milk, Toast, Vanilla, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Does anyone else miss ice cream since going vegan, or is it just us? And sure, dairy-free alternatives are slowly making their way into the stores, but for now, they are far from affordable. This homemade tropical vegan ice cream is simple to make but yummy to eat. Vegan Tropical Ice Cream Recipe If you are craving a refreshing, creamy treat on a hot day – we’ve got you! This homemade vegan ice cream (or nice cream) combines the tropical flavours of mango, bananas and lime, while staying perfectly healthy!What are you waiting for? 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 10 mins Course Dessert Cuisine Italian Servings 2 Calories 195 kcal Equipment Knife Food processor or powerful blender Bowl or Jar Ingredients 2 Bananas peeled, broken into chunks 1 Mango peeled, stone removed, cubed 1 Lime Juiced 1 tbsp Maple syrup optional 1 tsp Vanilla essence Instructions Prepare your bananas and mango and freeze for 8-12 hours (overnight works best). Once frozen, add the fruit to the blender, along with lime juice, vanilla, and maple syrup if using. Blend until smooth. It may take a little blending but it’s worth it! Notes To keep the fruit fresh try covering them before freezing with vegan food wraps. Nutrition Calories: 195kcal Keyword Ice Cream, Tropical Ice Cream, Vegan, Vegan Ice Cream Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Do You Love Pancakes But Hate Eggs? Try these delicious vegan pancakes instead. These vegan pancakes are so good they’ll make you forget about those eggy ones! Perfect for lazy Sunday mornings or busy week nights, these homemade, old-fashioned classic vegan pancakes filled with the fresh taste of walnuts & strawberry’s or bananas then drizzled with melted chocolate just taste scrumptious. Use any other fresh fruits or nuts that you prefer & this will become one of your favourite’s vegan pancake recipes. You won’t need any special tools for this vegan pancake recipe – if you have a good non-stick pan and a few pantry staples, your classic vegan pancake recipe will turn out great every time, I guarantee it! A sticky pancake batter is your nightmare, right?! Letting the batter rest before cooking your vegan pancakes is as essential as using fresh ingredients and preheating a pan. Begin by whisking all dry ingredients and then, gradually add the wet ingredients. In this recipe, I’ll share my grandma’s secret ingredient – it’s freshly squeezed lemon juice! If you use organic lemon, feel free to add 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest. It will add a real zing and sunshine to your favourite vegan pancake! Vegan Pancake Recipe With Chocolate, Walnut & Strawberry’s The majority of pancake recipes call for milk as the liquid base; it is not necessary, since you only need something to dissolve the dry ingredients. Moreover, if you prefer a light and fluffy texture pancake, use only carbonated water. Avoid adding flavoured or sweetened milk to this vegan pancake recipe because the neutral taste is suitable for both savoury and sweet versions. 5 from 2 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 30 mins Course Breakfast, Dessert Cuisine American Servings 6 Pancakes Calories 136 kcal Equipment 1 Mixing Bowl 1 Non-Stick Pan 1 Whisk 1 Pastry Brush Or non-stick cooking spray, or a folded paper towel 1 Ladle Or Measuring Cup Ingredients 100 grams All-purpose flour 50 grams Oat flour 1/2 teaspoon Brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric powder A pinch of sea salt A few drizzles of fresh lemon juice 200 ml Carbonated water 100 ml Almond milk unsweetened 2 teaspoons Coconut oil for frying Optional toppings like melted chocolate walnuts, sliced strawberries, plant-based whipped cream Instructions Sift the flour into a mixing bowl; now, create a well in the middle. Stir the remaining dry ingredients into the well. Add in fresh lemon juice and whisk again to combine well. Gradually add in water and milk until everything is smooth and uniform. Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes. (Alternatively, mix all ingredients in your high-speed blender). Preheat a nonstick pan over a moderately high flame; brush your pan with melted coconut oil. (You can use a pastry brush, non-stick cooking spray, or a folded paper towel). Once hot, gently pour about 1/2 cup of the batter into the pan, spreading the batter evenly across your pan. (Use a ladle or a measuring cup). Cook your pancake until the bubbles appear on the surface. Turn your pancake over and cook on the other side for a further 1 to 2 minutes. When you see nice golden-brown streaks around the edges, your pancake is done. Repeat until your batter is gone. (Do not forget to wipe out the pan between batches, it makes a difference!) Serve garnished with your favorite toppings, it’s up to you. Devour! Notes I’ve always avoid fancy and expensive ingredients and use what I have on hand. Some recipes call for vegan egg substitutes such as chia eggs, silken tofu, or store-bought egg replaces, but I think it is not necessary. Moreover, if you do not have oat flour on hand, a basic all-purpose flour will work fantastic! Enjoy! Nutrition Serving: 109gCalories: 136kcalCarbohydrates: 21.1gProtein: 4.4gFat: 3.7g Keyword Almond Milk, Chocolate, Oat Flour, Pancake, Strawberry, Vegan, Walnuts, Whipped Cream Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Just because you’re vegan, doesn’t mean you should miss out on traditional elements of the Christmas meal. This braised red cabbage requires minimal effort, while bringing maximum flavour. Vegan Braised Red Cabbage Recipe This recipe is a beginner-friendly side dish, meaning you can make this even if you’ve never held a spatula in your hands before. Not only is it vegan, it’s also nut-free, soya-free and gluten-free and perfect side for your Christmas dinner.Try our vegan braised red cabbage today, you nor your friends will be disappointed. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 45 mins Course Side Dish Cuisine European Servings 2 Calories 235 kcal Equipment Knife Knife Large frying pan or cast iron Spatula Ingredients 1 tbsp Olive oil optional 1 Red onion peeled, diced 4 tbsp Apple cider vinegar 2 tbsp Maple syrup or brown sugar ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg ½ Red cabbage approx. 400g, core removed, thinly sliced 1 Green apple core removed, thinly sliced 1 tsp Salt ½ tsp Pepper 2 Whole cloves 2 Bay leaves Instructions Heat the oil in the pan over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 3-4 minutes until it starts getting soft. Add maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and nutmeg. Keep cooking for another 2-3 minutes. Next, add cabbage, apple, cloves, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover the pan with a lid, and cook on low heat for about 35 minutes. Simply stir it from time to time. If the cabbage starts looking dry, add a splash of water. Notes For an oil-free dish, sauté the onion in a little bit of water. Nutrition Calories: 235kcal Keyword Red Cabbage, Vegan, Vegan Braised Cabbage Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This heathy chickpea omelette recipe has no egg so perfect for vegans, the omelette makes a wonderful breakfast and only takes a short time to make. Add your favourite vegetables to the chickpea omelette & also vegan cheese if you like the taste. Vegan Chickpea Omelette Try making this tasty chickpea omelette, it's quick & easy and make a healthy vegan breakfast 5 from 2 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 15 mins Course Breakfast, Lunch Cuisine French Servings 4 Calories 297 kcal Ingredients 1 1/2 tsp Baking powder 1/4 tsp Black pepper 1 1/2 cups Chickpea flour 3 tbsp Nutritional yeast 1 tsp Salt 1/2 tsp Turmeric 1 tsp Cumin ground 3 tbsp Flax seed ground Vegan Cheese grated Vegetable oil 1 1/4 Water room temperature 1/4 tsp Salt black Instructions Add the baking powder, pepper, salt, black salt, nutritional yeast, turmeric, cumin, flax seeds and chickpea flour into a bowl and mix all be ingredients together until completely lump-free and smooth. Add any vegetables you wish to your omelette, dice them up. (about 1/4 cup of vegetables per omelette). The vegetables should be sautéed in oil in a well-seasoned in a non-stick frying pan on medium-low for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are soft. After taking out the vegetables, add them to the batter and give it another swirl. Pour the batter into the frying pan like you would a large pancake and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the omelette for about 5 minutes, or until the top is no longer wet-looking. With a spatula, gently release the chickpea omelette, flip it to the other side, and cook it for a further 3 to 5 minutes, or until the middle is no longer soft. (Check that there is no remaining moist batter in the centre.) Add cheese on top, then fold the sandwich over so the cheese is in the centre. Nutrition Calories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 11gFat: 16g Keyword Breakfast, Chickpea, Lunch, Omelette, Snack, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
You going to love this gluten-free walnut & banana vegan pancake recipe, its quick and easy to make, tastes amazing and best of all it’s vegan. If you do not like one or more of the walnut & banana pancake recipe, just swap it out for the one you desire, theses pancakes makes a healthy breakfast, dessert or even a quick snack. Vegan Banana Walnut Pancakes Try out these healthy vegan walnut & banana pancakes, quick & easy to make and they taste amazing. 5 from 2 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 30 mins Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack Cuisine American Servings 6 Calories 243 kcal Equipment 2 Mixing Bowl 1 Whisker 1 Wooden Spoon 1 Frying Pan Ingredients 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup almond flour 1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder 1 tsp sea salt 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground ginger optional 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg optional 2 medium ripe bananas 3 Tbsp melted coconut oil 1 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract 2 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup 2 1/4 cups non-dairy milk 3/4 cups chopped raw walnuts 1/4 cups gluten-free rolled oats Instructions Put the oat flour, gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger (optional), and nutmeg in to a sizeable bowl Combine by whisking, then put aside. Add the bananas to a different mixing bowl and mash them. Then incorporate the non-dairy milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and melted coconut oil. It doesn't matter if the coconut oil solidifies or clumps. To remelt, microwave for 45 to 60 seconds; otherwise, continue. Gently fold everything together after adding the wet ingredients to the dry ones. When the batter is thoroughly incorporated, add the chopped walnuts and oats and gently fold or mix again. Although thick, it should be pourable or scoopable. Over medium heat, preheat a sizable cast-iron pan, griddle, or nonstick skillet. Use vegan butter or coconut oil to gently massage the skillet. When the skillet is heated, pour 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the batter over it. Cook for about two minutes, or until the edges of the pancakes seem dry and the surface has some bubbles. Pancakes should be carefully flipped over and cooked a further two minutes or more to brown the underside. Place warm pancakes on a plate or baking sheet in an oven preheated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (94 degrees Celsius). Continue to cook the remaining 14–16 pancakes from the remaining batter. Nutrition Calories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 6gFat: 9.5g Keyword Banana, Gluten-Free, Pancake, Walnuts Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This recipe flaunts the sweet taste of roasted butternut squash, along with its creamy texture. The rest of the ingredients work together to create a refreshing salad, bursting with flavour. Butternut Squash Salad with Oranges Butternut squash is often underestimated. This winter squash is actually extremely versatile – it can be used in soups, stews, curries, pasta dishes, sandwiches, pies, and salads. Spiralized butternut squash can even serve as a healthy replacement for noodles! If you are looking for an excellent source of fibre, vitamins and minerals, you should consider adding more butternut squash into your diet. 5 from 2 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 35 mins Course Salad, Side Dish, Snack Cuisine American Servings 2 Calories 265 kcal Equipment Chopping Board KnifeBaking tray Baking Parchment Mixing Bowl Small bowl or cup Whisk or fork Ingredients ½ butternut squash peeled, seeds removed, cubed 1 orange peeled, separated into segments, membrane removed ½ red pepper seeds removed, chopped 10 cherry tomatoes halved or quartered A handful of curly leaf lettuce chopped or torn For the dressing 2 tbsp red wine vinegar 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil see notes 1 tbsp tahini paste 1 tbsp maple syrup A handful of fresh parsley chopped ¼ tsp salt add more to taste ¼ tsp black pepper ¼ tsp garlic powder Instructions Start by preparing the butternut squash. Once it’s been cut into cubes, spread it on a lined baking tray. Roast at 220 C for 30 minutes. You should be able to easily pierce the butternut squash pieces with a fork when it’s done. In the meantime, prepare the rest of the ingredients. When you remove the membrane from orange segments, the segments are likely to break. That’s perfectly fine! Place lettuce, tomatoes and pepper into a mixing bowl and toss everything together. To make the dressing, combine all of the ingredients except parsley in a small bowl or cup and whisk until you get a uniform consistency. Now, mix in the pasley. Once butternut squash is ready, add it to the mixing bowl. Alternatively, you can let it cool down first. Mix everything together, then transfer onto plates or bowls. Drizzle the dressing on top and voila! Notes If you prefer a lighter salad dressing, use water instead of olive oil. If you keep the dressing separately, the salad can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge in a covered container. Nutrition Calories: 265kcal Keyword Butternut, Oranges, Salad, Squash, Vegan, Vegetarian Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This quick and easy kimchi noodle soup can be made with just a few ingredients, It’s spicy, tasty, and delicious from Korean cuisine. Kimchi Noodle Soup Recipe Vegan Kimchi Noodle Soup are healthy and tasty, very quick to make and one of my favourite foods to eat. Kimchi is a Korean cuisine that is spicy and full of flavour and made with fresh vegetables. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 25 mins Course Lunch, Main Course Cuisine Korean Servings 3 Calories 425 kcal Equipment Knife Knife Spatula or stirring spoon Spatula or stirring spoon Medium stock pot Ingredients 1 tbsp Coconut or sesame oil 1 Red onion peeled, sliced 4 Cloves garlic peeled, thinly sliced 1 inch Ginger root peeled, thinly sliced 4 Mushrooms thinly sliced 1 Carrot grated or sliced 200 grams Bean sprouts 200 grams Vegan kimchi see notes 2 tbsp Miso paste 750 ml Vegetable broth see notes 50 grams Pad thai rice noodles dry 4-5 Ppring onions roughly chopped Instructions Prep your veggies and get the equipment ready. Heat the oil in a frying pan or wok. Add onion, garlic, ginger, carrot and mushrooms. Cook everything together on high heat for about 5-7 minutes and transfer into the stock pot. Add bean sprouts, kimchi, miso paste and veggie broth. Bring to simmer and let everything cook together for about 15 minutes Next, add the rice noodles and keep cooking until the noodles are soft. Finally, add spring onions and serve your soup! Notes Traditional kimchi is made with fish sauce, so when you do the grocery shopping for this recipe, double check you are getting the vegan kimchi. Alternatively, you can make vegan kimchi at home. Nutrition Calories: 425kcal Keyword Healthy, Kimchi, Noodle, Noodles, Soup, Tasty, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Did you know that our vegan baked herb falafel recipe is actually quite easy to make at home? All you need is a food processor and a bit of patience. Zero & Zen Baked Herb Falafels Falafel is a traditional Middle-Eastern food with a long history. Falafel is typically made with chickpeas or broad beans, as well as garlic, onion, fresh and dried herbs, and warming spices. As it happens, traditional falafel is also vegan-friendly, which made it a popular food among vegans and vegetarians worldwide. 5 from 2 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 18 mins Soaking Time 10 mins Course Lunch, Side Dish, Snack Cuisine Middle-Eastern Servings 16 Falafels Calories 93 kcal Equipment Food processor Food processor Mixing Bowl Baking sheet Baking parchment or reusable silicone sheet Ingredients 150 grams dry chickpeas 1 small red onion peeled, quartered 2 cloves garlic peeled 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp cumin 1 tbsp dried parsley 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried rosemary 1 tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper 3 tbsp olive oil juice of ½ lemon 3 tbsp white wheat flour or chickpea flour ½ tsp baking powder Instructions Add the chickpeas into a bowl and add at least double the volume of water. Soak for 8-12 hours. Leaving it overnight could be a good idea to not keep yourself waiting. Drain the water from rehydrated chickpeas. Add them into a food processor, along with onion and garlic. Pulse until you get a finely processed and consistent mixture. Transfer the chickpeas into a mixing bowl. Add oil, lemon juice, spices and herbs. Mix well until everything is evenly combined. Finally, add some flour and baking powder. Start with a smaller amount of flour and keep adding some until the mixture sticks together. Wet your hands and roll small amounts of the mixture (approx. 1 heaped tbsp) into balls. Arrange these falafel balls on the lined baking tray. Preheat the oven to 200 C and bake for 15-20 minutes until your falafels are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Notes Use the chickpea flour for a gluten-free version of these falafels. Nutrition Calories: 93kcal Keyword Baked, Falafel, Herb, Vegan, Vegetarian Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Nothing is better or healthier than this homemade roasted seasonal vegetable salad, this is easy to prepare and cook. The roasted vegetables can be changed. Roasted Vegetable Salad This vegan roasted vegetable salad is quick and easy to prepare, cook and it tastes amazing . You can add your favourite seasonal vegetables and why not add some rustic breads & olives as a side dish. Below you will find a step by step guide how to make this tasty vegetable salad along with all of the ingredients and equipment you will need. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Course Lunch, Main Course Cuisine Mediterranean Servings 2 Calories 210 kcal Equipment Knife Knife Cup Whisk or fork Baking Tray Baking Parchment Non-stick frying pan Bowl & folk to eat Ingredients ½ courgette cut into medium cubes 1 bell pepper seeds removed, cut into 1-inch pieces 60 grams pistachios 150 grams baby plum tomatoes cut into quarters 75 grams wild rocket or mixed greens For the dressing: 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp maple syrup or agave ½ lemon juiced 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dijon mustard 1 tsp balsamic vinegar ¼ tsp black pepper ¼ tsp salt or more to taste Instructions Place courgette and pepper pieces on a lined baking paper and roast at 230 C for 20 minutes. To toast the pistachios, add them to a dry non-stick frying pan and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes. For the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a cup and whisk until evenly distributed. Once the roasted veggies are ready, it’s time to assemble your salad. Create a bed of wild rocket, top it with fresh tomatoes, roasted veggies and toasted pistachios. Pour the dressing over the top and enjoy! Notes Looking for more tasty recipes, have a look at this vegan recipes book by Fearne Cotton. If you have a mustard allergy, omit it from the dressing. If you have a nut allergy, you can top your salad with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, crispy fried onions or croutons. Nutrition Calories: 210kcal Keyword Roasted, Salad, Seasonal, Vegan, Vegetable, Vegetarian Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This spicy cucumber salad is not only delicious, it’s super-simple and quick! The cucumbers are tossed with a tangy, fragrant, spicy dressing, creating a perfect hot weather dish. Quick & Easy Spicy Cucumber Salad Recipe Why not try this tasty and quick spicy cucumber salad recipe. This is a perfect example of a refreshing dish that packs a punch!Cucumbers are well-known for their beautiful, refreshing flavour. In the summer, you might find yourself drinking chilled cucumber water, or snacking on cucumber sticks with some hummus. If you’re searching for a new way to use this wonderful vegetable, look no further! 5 from 3 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 30 mins Course Salad, Side Dish, Snack Cuisine Asian Servings 2 Calories 230 kcal Equipment Knife Small bowl or cup Mixing Bowl Ingredients 2 cucumbers halved and sliced ½ tsp salt 2 cloves garlic peeled, minced or finely chopped 4 tbsp tamari soy sauce 4 tbsp lime juice approx. 1 lime 2 tbsp maple syrup or agave 1 tbsp sesame oil 1 tsp chilli flakes or more to taste ¼ tsp ground ginger Sesame seeds for garnish Instructions Add sliced cucumbers into a mixing bowl and sprinkle with salt. Mix well, then set aside in the fridge for about 30 minutes. In the meantime, make the dressing. Combine tamari, lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, chopped garlic, chilli flakes and ground ginger. After half an hour, drain any liquid produced by your cucumbers. Stir in the dressing. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and enjoy. Notes This is quite a light meal, so if you want to bulk it up, serve it over steamed rice or noodles. Alternatively, it can be a great side salad. You can use regular soy sauce instead of tamari provided you don’t have a gluten allergy. If you are allergic to sesame, replace sesame oil with peanut oil, pumpkin seeds oil, or hemp seed oil. Garnish with crushed peanuts or fresh coriander instead. Nutrition Calories: 230kcal Keyword Cucumber, Easy, Quick, Salad, Spicy, Vegan, Vegetarian Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Try out our tasty vegetarian roasted tomato & chilli soup recipe, it’s easy to make, full of goodness & tastes amazing. Add spices to your desired liking. The types of tomatoes to use I recommend using Roma tomatoes, as they are the perfect size for roasting. You can also use beefsteak tomatoes if you want larger roasted tomatoes. There are many ways people use roasted tomatoes, including toppings for pizza, appetizers, sauces, and pasta. The process is pretty simple. You need to pick the tomatoes that are ripe enough to cook easily. Roasted Tomato and Chilli Soup This roasted tomato soup is a great recipe for anyone who doesn’t like to cook. It doesn’t require any special skill or expensive equipment. For the most part, you just have to wait for the vegetables to roast, and then enjoy the result. Unlike store-bought alternatives, this homemade soup is made exclusively with whole-food ingredients, and it packs a punch! 5 from 3 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 50 mins Course Appetizer, Lunch, Soup Cuisine Mediterranean Servings 4 Calories 280 kcal Equipment Knife Deep baking tray or oven-safe pan Blender Sieve (optional) Ingredients 1 kg ripe tomatoes quartered 1 carrot chopped 2 red chilli peppers seeds removed 4 cloves garlic peeled 1 red onion peeled, quartered 1-2 tbsp olive oil 350 ml vegetable broth Spices: 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp ground sumac ½ tsp ground bayleaf 2 tbsp nutritional yeast Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Arrange the veggies on a lined baking tray or in a pan. Add spices and oil. Toss everything together until evenly coated. Bake at 230 C for 40 minutes. Keep an eye on the vegetables and cover with aluminium foil or another tray if the top starts burning. Once the vegetables are done, transfer them into a blender. Add vegetable broth and blend until you get an even consistency. Taste and season with more salt or pepper as desired. Serve warm with a slice of bread Notes Although blended, the texture of this soup will have tomato seeds. If you prefer a smooth soup, strain it through a sieve. Nutrition Calories: 280kcal Keyword Chilli, Roasted, Soup, Tomato, Vegan, Vegetarian Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was! Conclusion I hope this recipe has given everything you need to make your own perfect roasted tomatoes soup. You can use any or all of these ingredients to make the most heavenly roasted tomatoes you’ve ever tasted! Just be patient, and treat the dish with love.
Stir-fry dishes, bento boxes, Buddha bowls. Everyone loves an explosion of flavour, but sadly such dishes can be difficult to eat on-the-go. This tasty vegan teriyaki tofu sub recipe is a great option for busy professionals, students, and stay-at-home parents who still want to enjoy the flavours without having to slow down. Teriyaki Tofu Sub Tofu is seared and coated in a sticky, aromatic teriyaki glaze, which is surprisingly easy to make at home. It’s a accompanied by spicy, savoury and tangy Asian slaw that will take your sandwich game to the next level. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 10 mins Marinating Time 6 hrs Course Lunch, Snack Cuisine Asian Servings 2 Calories 458 kcal Equipment Chopping Board Knife Jar Small bowl or cup Frying Pan Ingredients 2 long bread rolls or baguettes 2-3 tbsp vegan mayonnaise Gem lettuce For teriyaki tofu: 180 grams firm tofu sliced into triangles 2 tbsp brown sugar 4 tbsp tamari or soy sauce 1 tbsp rice vinegar ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tbsp cornflour For the slaw: ½ carrot julienned 2 inches cucumber julienned 2 inches daikon radish julienned 2 green onions chopped 1 clove garlic minced 1 tbsp pickled ginger chopped 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp rice vinegar 1 tsp maple syrup 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp chilli flakes Instructions First, make your slaw. In a jar, combine chopped veggies with the rest of the ingredients. Shake the jar to mix everything together and place it the fridge for 2-6 hours to marinate. To make teriyaki sauce, whisk all of the ingredients in a small bowl or cup. Heat a frying pan over high medium heat. Once it’s hot, sear tofu on both sides for about 2-3 minutes. Add teriyaki and make sure every piece of tofu is coated in the sauce. Ook for 3-5 minutes as the sauce thickens and turns into sticky teriyaki glaze. To serve, slice your bread and spread some vegan mayo on both sides. Add lettuce, teriyaki tofu, and the slaw. Enjoy! Notes This teriyaki sauce will also work with seitan if you are not a big fan of tofu. For a gluten-free option, use tamari soy sauce and gluten-free bread. Nutrition Calories: 458kcal Keyword Sandwich, Sub, Tasty, Teriyaki, Tofu, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Natural & Plastic-free Soap Bars that Clean and Moisturise Your Skin Does your skin feel tight and dry after your morning shower? Have you read the ingredients list of your regular soap? Unlike natural and plastic-free soap bars, regular soaps contain lots of toxic ingredients, such as fragrances, preservatives, and other harsh chemicals. Not only do these ingredients affect your skin but they can also have a negative impact on your health. Remember that your skin is the largest organ in your body! Once you make the transition to a chemical free, vegan, zero waste, organic, cruelty-free, natural, plastic-free soap bar, your skin will notice the difference! These eco-friendly and plastic-free soap bars are made from natural ingredients that are kind to your skin and our planet! And if that’s not enough, plastic-free soap bars will help you reduce plastic waste in your bathroom, which makes them perfect for your vegan, eco-friendly, sustainable, and zero waste lifestyle. Ultimate Reasons to Buy Natural & Plastic-free Soap Bars There’s no need to keep using harsh chemicals to clean your skin! With these plastic-free soap bars, your skin will feel healthy, fresh, and moisturised. No more toxic ingredients. Their natural, vegan, organic, and eco-friendly ingredients will naturally improve your skin! But there’s more! These eco, natural, and plastic-free soap bars will help you get rid of annoying plastics. They’re wonderful for your skin and nature! If you would like to know more about the ingredients of natural soap bars and their benefits, you can read our blog post: Handmade Natural Soaps vs Commercial Soaps. You will also learn more about how plastic-free soap bars are made and why they’re better than regular soaps! Ready to Use Plastic-free Natural Soap Bars? If you have sensitive skin, you can try vegan, organic, natural, unscented, and plastic-free soap bar, its healing properties will work wonders on your skin! All our natural soap bars are non-toxic and 100% plastic-free. What’s more, these plastic-free soap bars are great for your body, hands, and face! To complement your zero waste bathroom, you can also try plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars to take care of your hair the eco way too! And finally, select your favourites wooden soap dishes to hold your natural and plastic-free bars! Conclusion Now that you know all the wonderful benefits and properties of natural, plastic-free soap bars, what are you waiting for? Your skin will love them!
Nowadays, plastic bags aren’t as popular as they used to be. And that’s because they cause more problems than benefits or solutions. The good news is that you can use reusable shopping bags and ditch plastic bags once and for all. Did you know that more than one million plastic shopping bags are used every minute around the world? That’s a lot of plastic bags that will end up as waste in landfills, or what’s worse, polluting our oceans. And that’s not the only reason to make the switch to sustainable, plastic-free, eco-friendly, reusable grocery bags. Let’s remember that plastic bags don’t biodegrade but rather break down into smaller pieces. As you might know, marine animals usually mistake plastic bags and “microplastics” for food. So, unlike reusable shopping bags, they’re harmful to wildlife! Eco-friendly tote bags are made of biodegradable, compostable, vegan, natural, and ethical materials like organic cotton. That’s why using eco-friendly, plastic-free, sustainable, reusable shopping bags could save animals and protect our planet! But that’s not all! Reusable shopping bags are also a better option than other disposable bags, like paper bags and biodegradable plastic bags. As you can use reusable shopping bags over and over again, you won’t generate waste. If you want to live a sustainable and zero waste lifestyle, then you need to start using reusable bags! Why Should You Buy Reusable Shopping Bags? Reusable shopping bags are made from natural, vegan, organic, compostable, and biodegradable materials. As reusable bags are strong, durable, and washable, you can use them for a long time! As a result, using sustainable, plastic-free, eco-friendly, reusable grocery bags is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint, avoid disposable plastics and protect the environment! If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of using eco-friendly tote bags and why they’re better than disposable bags, read our blog post: 10 Facts About Plastic Pollution Ditch Disposable Bags and Protect the Environment Reusable shopping bags are sustainable, plastic-free, eco-friendly, zero waste, organic, reusable shopping bags, produce bags, and tote bags are stylish, durable, and strong. You can choose the best option to carry your fruits, veggies, and other items! And the best part is that our reusable grocery bags are made of organic cotton, which is a sustainable, natural, and biodegradable material! Ready to be an eco-conscious consumer? Buy your favourite Reusable Shopping Bags today!
Crumpets are a classic British breakfast food, perfectly designed to be paired with butter, jam or Marmite! If you ever wondered how to make your own plant-based vegan crumpets, this recipe is a good place to start. Not only is it made with whole-food ingredients and non dairy milk , it features wholemeal flour – a great source of fibre in the morning. Tasty Vegan Wholemeal Crumpets These tasty homemade wholemeal vegan crumpets only needs one “special” piece of equipment, you will need a crumpet rings. They are circular molds, usually made from metal or silicone. You can also use a round cookie cutter or egg rings. 5 from 2 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 6 mins Proving Time 30 mins Course Breakfast Cuisine Welsh Servings 8 Calories 121.4 kcal Equipment Mixing Bowl Whisk Tea towel or cling film Non-stick frying pan Crumpet rings Ingredients 1 sachet 7g dry active yeast 500 ml plant-based milk warm 1 tbsp brown sugar 150 g white flour 100 g wholemeal flour 1 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt Instructions In a mixing bowl, bring together warm plant-based milk, yeast, and sugar. Stir everything together and leave it in a warm place for the yeast to activate. In about 5 minutes, you should see the mixture starting to foam. In a separate bowl, combine both types of flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift the dry mixture into the wet mixture while continuously whisking it in. Keep whisking until there are no flour streaks. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel or some clingfilm. Leave it in a warm place for 30 minutes to prove. Heat your frying pan over medium heat. Spray the pan and the crumpet rings with cooking spray. Spoon the batter into the crumpet rings. Do not overfill them – the batter will rise quite significantly! Cook on medium low heat for about 5 minutes, until you see the bubbles forming at the top. Using a knife, carefully separate the crumpets from the rings. Flip them over and cook on the other side for about a minute. Notes You can use any non-dairy milk alternative, including nut-based milk, oat milk, soy milk, and rice milk. These crumpets can be stored in the bread bin for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them to extend their shelf life. Nutrition Calories: 121.4kcal Keyword Crumpet, Crumpets, Homemade, Plant-Base Milk, Tasty, Vegan, Wholemeal Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
For this easy vegetarian minestrone soup recipe, we included pearl barley – a hearty grain that’s often overlooked in grocery shops. However, it happens to be an excellent source of carbs and fibre, as well as aiding blood sugar control and improving circulation. Pearl Barley Minestrone Soup Minestrone is a chunky vegetable soup that originated in Italy many centuries ago. It usually features a wide variety of seasonal vegetables, as well as beans, pasta, or rice. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 30 mins Course Soup Cuisine Italian Servings 6 Calories 254 kcal Equipment Large pot Spatula Chopping Board Knife Can opener Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1 brown onion peeled, diced 4 cloves garlic peeled, minced 1 carrot sliced or chopped 1 stalk celery 1 red pepper seeds removed, chopped 1 courgette chopped 2 medium potatoes peeled or washed, chopped 1 can chopped tomatoes ½ can red kidney beans drained and rinsed 100 g pearl barley 2 l vegetable stock 150 ml pickle juice optional 3-4 bay leaves Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Prep all of your veggies and canned products. Heat the oil in the pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic to the pot. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly. Wait for the onion to start turning translucent. Add carrots, pepper, celery and potatoes. Keep cooking for another 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans, pearl barley, vegetable stock, pickle juice (if using), and bay leaves. Bring your soup to boil and simmer for about 25 minutes. Check that potatoes and pearl barley are cooked. Taste your soup and add salt and pepper as needed. Remove bay leaves before serving. Notes You can use store-bought vegetable stock or make your own at home. Depending on its salt content, you might not even need to add any extra salt at the end. Pearl barley contains gluten, so for a gluten-free minestrone, feel free to use brown rice or a small variety of gluten-free pasta. Nutrition Calories: 254kcal Keyword Healthy, Minestrone, Pearl Barley, Soup, Vegan, Vegetable, Vegetable Soup, Vegetarian Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This traditional Italian style vegan spaghetti bolognese recipe is known for its versatility. This vegan bolognese recipe calls for red lentils and mushrooms but you can use your favourite protein sources such as chickpeas, soy mince, or tofu. Plus, this is an ingenious way to use up leftovers such as tomato sauce, canned lentils, or cooked pasta. Besides being incredibly versatile and economic, this is a practical dish, perfect for meal prep and batch cooking. Red lentils are high in high-quality protein and low in fat, which makes them a perfect substitute for animal protein sources. Red lentils contain fibre, vitamins, and minerals such as iron, phosphorus, and potassium. Whether you’re cooking for your guests or your beloved one, this plant-based spaghetti bolognese will fit the bill! Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese Made with iconic Italian pasta, vegan protein, tomato sauce, and authentic Italian seasonings, this outstanding vegan spaghetti bolognese dinner recipe can never go out of date! 5 from 2 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 30 mins Course Main Course Cuisine Italian Servings 4 Calories 511 kcal Equipment Strainer Frying Pan Pot Knife Wooden Spoon Ingredients 300 g spaghetti 150 g red lentils soaked overnight 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion chopped 1 medium carrot chopped 200 g brown mushrooms chopped 2 cloves garlic minced 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano 500 ml tomato sauce 200 ml pasta cooking water reserved when draining 2 tablespoons roasted red pepper sauce optional 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (preferably Italian parsley) Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper Instructions Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and reserve. Meanwhile, cook soaked lentils for about 15 minutes, until cooked through. Preheat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once hot, sauté the onion for about 4 minutes, until tender and translucent. Then, sauté the carrot and mushrooms for about 3 minutes, until fragrant. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for 1 minute more. Add the remaining ingredients and continue cooking, partially covered, for 10 to 12 minutes more, until cooked through. Finally, add warm lentils to the sauce and gently stir to combine. Spoon the sauce over warm spaghetti and serve immediately. Bon appétit! Notes If you’re in a hurry, you can use canned lentils; for the best results, I prefer home-cooked legumes because they are healthier and cost-effective. Red lentils are perfect legumes for meal prep, so you can save your time and stay on track with your budget. Nutrition Serving: 356gCalories: 511kcalCarbohydrates: 94.5gProtein: 22.4356g Keyword Bolognese, Healthy, Red Lentils, Spaghetti, Tasty, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Ever fancied making your own vegan hot dogs? Well you can with this easy to make vegan hot dogs with roasted vegetables recipes using seitan. Seitan, also known as vegan meat, wheat meat, or gluten meat, is a perfect vegan meat-alternative. With vital wheat gluten and a few pantry staples, it’s incredibly easy to make! Once you make a dough, it should be poached to get a chewy meat texture that can be used for so many dishes. It can be flavoured in a variety of ways. For instance, you can simmer the dough with fresh or dried herbs, soy sauce, ginger, or seaweed. Due to its neutral flavour and great texture, you can experiment with the flavours and shapes of your seitan. You can use vegan poultry seasoning to make a “chicken” flavoured seitan, or vegan BBQ sauce, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper for a “sausage” flavour. Boom, vegan sausage! Seitan Hot Dogs with Roasted Veggies If you want to make your vegan seitan sausages from scratch, fancy-schmancy items aren’t required – you will need just a few staple ingredients. With this in mind, let’s get into it! 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 50 mins Course Lunch Cuisine American Servings 6 Calories 375 kcal Equipment steamer basket grill pan air fryer Food processor Knife Large pot Ingredients Seitan Sausage 3/4 cup canned white beans drained and rinsed 3/4 cup vegetable broth 2 tablespoons roasted pepper paste 1 teaspoon olive oil 3 tablespoons vegan BBQ sauce 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon mustard powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 250 grams vital wheat gluten A few drizzles of liquid smoke optional Hot Dogs 6 hot dog buns 2 large carrots sliced into sticks 1 large leek halved and sliced lettuce optional Instructions In a bowl of your food processor, place white beans, broth, pepper paste, olive oil, BBQ sauce, and spices. Pulse until well combined. Then, add the vital wheat gluten and liquid smoke, (if using) then pulse until it comes together in a ball. Divide the mixture into 6 equal balls. Roll and press them into a sausage shape. Wrap each sausage in parchment paper and aluminium foil, twisting the ends, so they are completely closed off. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Place the steamer basket on the pot and lower the seitan sausages into the steaming basket; let them steam for about 20 minutes; turn them over and cook for a further 20 minutes. Meanwhile, roast your veggies in the Air Fryer at 180 degrees C for about 10 minutes (You can grill them in a grill pan, too). Let the sausages cool before removing the parchment paper and foil. Grill the sausages in a grill pan and add them to the hot dog buns, top with roasted veggies, and enjoy! Notes You can use carbonated water instead of broth. Other optional ingredients for the seitan meat include nutritional yeast (about 1/4 cup), apple cider vinegar (about 2 teaspoons), Dijon mustard, and so forth Nutrition Serving: 195gCalories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 45.3gProtein: 40.1g Keyword Hot Dogs, Roasted, Seitan, Vegan, Vegetables Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Lately we’ve all been looking for happiness, but with the covid outbreak, living with lockdowns & working from home, some of us don’t even know how to find it. Well, today we’ll give you a short introduction on ways to be happy by following a buddhist lifestyle & being more zen and less stressed! What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a religion that started as an oral tradition around the fifth century BC. It followed no single leader and was widely varied in its teachings and philosophies depending on where it went. With time, Buddhism died out for many centuries until it began spreading again western civilization after the 8th century AD. Today, Buddha himself is considered a living Buddha and there are 300 million followers of Buddhism worldwide with about 80% of those belonging to the Mahayana branch. How to Be Zen In Buddhist tradition, there are a variety of practices that lead to the attainment of zen. These include sitting meditation, the practice of mindful breathing, and chanting mantras. Because Zen Buddhism stresses the importance of a teacher-student relationship, it is suggested that the reader should find someone he or she respects, sit next to that person, and listen very carefully. It is also a good idea to consider doing Zen as a group. Buddhism Quotes Buddha had a lot of wise quotes on happiness and being mindful. One of the more popular ones says “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” What we focus on in life and what we perceive will either make us happy or be the cause for our problems and unhappiness. Though he didn’t write them, Buddhism still thrives on these types of positive thoughts and philosophies. There are a lot of health benefits to a zen lifestyle as well including a lowered chance of depression, less stress, improved immune system, improved memory and more. Happiness in Nature vs Perpetual Connectedness Our survival instincts and natural human agitation drive us to feed our various after-work and after-life cravings. That sense of not having enough is the root cause behind our consumption, consumption that needs no limits or consideration for those who live around us now or those who will live tomorrow. The digital age has only propagated the consumption as we offer ourselves an environment where all we can do is consume. The question is: at what point are we leaving in our wake too much of the physical and mental aspects that have sustained us human beings? At what point do we determine if we should consume more and better stuff? Maybe we should learn to turn off our devices now & again and slow down just a little, read this to learn more about dependency with technology. Breathing for Daily Health There are so many benefits to add! Exercise has been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression, cardiovascular disease mortality, and osteoporosis. Additionally when you exercise, your body releases serotonin and dopamine: These neurotransmitters produce feelings that happiness and craving which prioritize wellbeing. A study in 1978 found that test subjects in a management camp increased their level of energy, mood, and social skills after engaging in regular exercise. Pilates also helps control blood sugar states. The process helps stabilize the insulin level along with the blood sugar levels. This helps break down the fat cells which can make the insulin more efficient, therefore as a result one facing energy challenges will see improvements. Exercise also helps decrease blood cell levels There are a lot of good ways to improve your spiritual and physical life that transcend the concept of the number two. One is by working on your breath. Though it sounds minor, the ancient art of pranayama has a huge impact on your everyday experiences. Proper breathing techniques can lessen negative effects on your physical and mental health, as well as help you keep a clear mind for going about your day. Buddhist & Healthy Eating The Buddha had a very strong teaching on eating. H...
Audio podcasting is the process of recording an audio production and distributing it in digital format. Podcasts can be live or pre-recorded and accessed through a wide network of websites and apps. . We are a podcast friendly website for the visually impaired. We provide an audio descriptions via podcast at the beginning of every page & post on our website. The Benefits of an Audio Podcast The benefits of an audio podcast are numerous. podcasts have become a popular form of entertainment for everyone, but more so for those who are blind or visually impaired.. But you can also listen to podcasts at any location – even if you are travelling or driving. Plus, many people find that audio podcasts are more enjoyable to listen when some articles are long reads. Audio podcast can also be very helpful if you like following recipes guides but would like to do it without turning pages or keep picking up the recipe book. Conclusion Audio podcasting is a form of podcast that is recorded and distributed as an audio file. People that are blind or visually impaired find them very useful however, people without visually impairments also find them enjoyable to listen to. These files are often shared through blogs, apps, or social media sites. Audio podcasts can be played on various devices such as smartphones, tablets, PCs, and more. So click on the links if you want to hear our eco lifestyle blogs or would like to make some tasty vegetarian recipes.
Homemade vegan inspired Ferrero Rocher chocolates is crunchy on the outside from the crushed cornflakes and hazelnut coating, while the inside is filled with a cocoa-nut butter mixture! To make this dessert as healthy as possible, I used cornflakes to mimic a wafer layer and add even more crunchiness to the outside. I also opted for my homemade almond butter (made with 100% almonds, no sugar added). However, you can use any creamy nut butter that you have on hand. As for the chocolate, use the best dark chocolate you can find. Making your own Ferrero Rocher couldn’t be easier! Every time I serve these truffles, they are an absolute hit! So, let’s make some homemade Ferrero Rocher together! Homemade Ferrero Rocher Don’t feel like cooking? Make these ferrero rocher inspired famous chocolatey, nutty truffles that are ready in a flash! No-bake, no-mess, no-stress! 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 35 mins Course Dessert Cuisine French Servings 16 Calories 310 kcal Ingredients 90 g almond butter 20 g tahini 3 tablespoons cocoa powder 60 ml almond milk 6 dates pitted 1/4 teapsoon ground cinnamon A pinch of coarse sea salt A pinch of ground cloves optional 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional 16 hazelnut kernels Coating 50 g cornflakes crushed 50 g hazelnuts chopped Glaze 100 g dark chocolate 70% cacao solids, chopped 2 tablespoons coconut oil Instructions In a high-speed blender or food processor, mix the almond butter, tahini, cocoa, milk, dates, and spices. Place the mixture in your refrigerator for about 30 minutes. After that, shape the mixture into 16 bite-sized balls and press a hazelnut kernel into the center of each ball. Then, roll the balls over the crushed cornflakes and chopped hazelnuts. Transfer the balls to your freezer until solid. For the glaze, melt chopped chocolate and coconut oil until the mixture becomes smooth and velvety. Dip each ball in the melted chocolate mixture; they will harden as they cool. Store homemade Ferrero Rocher in the refrigerator. Devour! Nutrition Serving: 57gCalories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 11.5gProtein: 5.7gFat: 28.8g Keyword Chocolate, Ferrero Rocher, Hazelnuts, Nuts, Truffles, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Are you looking for a hearty green pea stew recipe that everyone will love? Look no further! Serve your tasty green peas with roasted cauliflower florets that are super-nutritious, look wonderful on a serving plate, and are healthy and delicious when cooked in the Air Fryer. This is a low-calorie and low-fat meal with 9.5grams of protein per serving. It also contains a significant amount of fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A, and minerals such as manganese, magnesium, and copper. For an oil-free version, simply avoid olive oil and use water to sauté veggies; for a more satisfying meal, just serve it with a couple of olives. This punched-up vegetable dish calls for simple aromatics like garlic, dill, and bay leaf, but feel free to add your favourite spice blends. Quick Peas with Cauliflower Recipe This green peas with roasted cauliflower recipe is perfect for batch cooking; just heat and enjoy later in the week. This ultimate combination of green peas and cauliflower is pure perfection. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 30 mins Course Lunch, Main Course Cuisine European Servings 4 Calories 219 kcal Equipment Knife Soup Pot air fryer Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion chopped 1 large carrot chopped 1 small celery stalk chopped 2 garlic cloves minced 400 g green peas frozen and thawed Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste 1/2 tsp dried dill weed 1 tsp dried basil 1/2 tsp sweet paprika 2 bay leaves 500 ml tomato sauce 100 ml water 400 g cauliflower florets frozen and thawed Instructions Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, sauté the onion for about 4 minutes, until tender and translucent. Sauté the carrot and celery for about 4 minutes, until they’ve softened. Then, sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds or so. Add green peas, spices, tomato sauce, and water and stir to combine. Tun the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 30 minutes, until cooked through. Meanwhile, brush the cauliflower florets with cooking oil and transfer them to the Air Fryer cooking basket. Roast the cauliflower florets at 180 degrees C for about 10 minutes. (Alternatively, you can roast the cauliflower in the preheated oven at 200 degrees F for about 20 minutes). Discard bay leaves, ladle green peas into serving bowls, and top them with roasted cauliflower florets. Garnish with herbs, if desired, and enjoy! Notes I used frozen cauliflower for this recipe since it is softer than raw cauliflower, once it’s thawed. If you are planning to use raw cauliflower, I recommend blanching it before roasting. Do not forget to discard bay leaves. Otherwise, they will continue to infuse their characteristic pungent flavour into the dish and can make it bitter. Nutrition Serving: 420gCalories: 219kcalCarbohydrates: 31.5gProtein: 9.5gFat: 7.8g Keyword Green peas, Healthy, Roasted Cauliflower, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
To make life easier than search hundreds of pages on our website we have included the most frequently asked questions we get asked & we have included a link for to the article if you would like to read the whole post. What is Fast Fashion? Fast fashion is the term used to describe the mass production of cheap, trendy, and poor-quality clothes. Why Is Fast Fashion Bad? Fast fashion focuses on reducing production costs as much as possible. And destroying nature is more profitable than protecting it. What’s the Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion? Besides using large quantities of water and pesticides, they also dump untreated toxic wastewater into rivers. Industrial water pollution can exterminate aquatic life and affect communities that rely on these water sources. Why Is Fast Fashion Bad for Workers? Their garment workers work in dangerous conditions for low wages. They are often forced to meet daily targets that are almost impossible to reach. How Does Fast Fashion Affect Animals? The production of wood-based fibres causes mass deforestation, which destroys the habitat of hundreds of species. And when fast fashion factories release untreated wastewater into rivers, they also kill aquatic animals. How to Spot a Fast Fashion Brand? Do they always have something new to offer? If that’s the case, they’re a fast fashion brand. Difference Between Vegan and Vegetarian Diets? A vegan diets excludes all animal foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, and honey. Likewise, this diet excludes any other food additives, ingredients, or beverages made from animals products but a vegetarian will not eat meat or fish but will use by products made from animals. Alternative to Cow’s Milk? There are many non dairy milk options available in the market, Almond, soy & rice milk to name just a few.. So we have listed the most popular alternatives to cows milk. Are electric cars environmentally-friendly? Electric cars have been found to be almost completely emission-free, oil-saving, and waste minimising. This is expected to “rescript” the entire auto industry. However, is this hype real? What Are Lab Diamonds? A man made lad diamond is “grown” under controlled conditions in a laboratory, using advanced technology that replicates the natural growing process of a mined diamond. Why Is Climate change An Issue? Climate change affects all of us differently. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2021, the failure to mitigate and adapt to climate change is declared as the ‘most impactful risk’ that communities are likely to face. What Are Green Boilers? Green boilers are the ones that can power fuel into heating energy with maximum efficiency. It means that if your boiler has 98 percent efficiency, it will generate 98 percent energy to heat your home whereas 2 percent energy will get lost in the process. What Is Greenwashing? Greenwashing is a marketing strategy that unethical companies use to give the impression of being eco-friendly. Instead of actually doing something good for the planet and people, they appear to be eco-friendly to increase their sales. Why is Greenwashing a Problem? Greenwashing is proof that most consumers prefer sustainably-made products over conventional ones. That’s why some companies use unethical strategies to look more eco-friendly than their competitors. What Can You Do to Avoid Greenwashing? The best way to avoid being greenwashed is by looking for official certifications. Recognized third-party certification programs guarantee that certified companies meet certain sustainability standards. What Is Bioplastic? As you might already know, conventional plastics are made from petroleum. In the case of bioplastics, the prefix “bio” refers to the materials these plastics are made from. Unlike regular plastics, bioplastics are made (entirely or in part) from biological materials. Are Bioplastics Good for the Environment? Many products use a prefix like “bio” or “eco” to attract and deceive ...
There are many reasons this particular vegetarian pizza recipe stands out from the crowd. Firstly, it’s because the dough is pretty easy to make. There is no extensive kneading session required. A few punches, and the dough is ready. Furthermore, because we are using active dry yeast, the dough rises in no more than 20 minutes. Plus, the dough itself is full of savoury flavours from the garlic powder and dried herbs. Every bite is full of flavour and deliciousness. Secondly, the veggie pizza sauce is also homemade. It is a simple recipe that gives are super delicious sauce. Furthermore, you can store this veggie pizza sauce in an airtight container for as long as 15 days. The tomato sauce is, rich and has a depth of flavour that shines through in the pizza. Lastly, because it is a vegetarian pizza, you get to use your favourite vegetables. From artichokes to olives, you can mix and match any vegetable you want. It brings a healthy option to the table. Healthy Vegetarian Pizza What is vegetarian pizza?A vegetarian pizza is like any other pizza delicious, flavoursome and full of vegetables. Unlike several pizzas that use meat, poultry or seafood in their toppings, a vegetarian pizza uses colourful and delicious vegetables. The best thing about this veggie pizza is that it is versatile. There are so many different vegetable toppings you can try. the sky is the limit! 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 30 mins Course Main Course, Snack Cuisine Italian Servings 4 Calories 1583 kcal Equipment 1 Large Bowl 1 Pizza board 1 Sharp knife or Pizza knife Ingredients For the dough 2 ½ cups Flour (white or whole wheat, or both) 1 tbsp Sugar 1 tbsp Active Yeast 1 cup Warm Water 1 tbsp Olive Oil ½ tbsp Dried Thyme ½ tsp Dried Oregano ½ tsp Garlic Powder ½ tsp Salt For the sauce 1 cup Tomato Sauce ¾ tsp Dried Oregano ¾ tsp Dried Basil ½ tsp Onion Powder ½ tsp Garlic Powder ¼ tsp Dried Thyme ½ tbsp Maple Syrup ¼ tsp Black Pepper ¼ tsp Sea Salt ¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes For the toppings ½ cup Canned or Jar Artichokes Chopped ½ cup Bell Peppers Sliced ½ Red Onions Sliced ½ cup Fresh Basil ½ cup Fresh Mushrooms Sliced Mozzarella cheese (fresh or vegan) Sliced or Shredded Instructions Tips for perfect vegetarian pizza Make sure the sauce you are using is not watery or thin. It so, it will make your pizza soggy. Slicing the vegetables thinly will make them cook fast in the oven. However, if you don't like them crunchy or like them well done, you can sauté them in advance, cool them and then use them on the pizza. You can use either mozzarella or a combination of two cheese. If you are using parmesan cheese, add it halfway into the cook. This way, it won't get burned or charred. Poking small holes in the pizza crust helps in cooking it evenly. This technique is used by professionals all over the world. You can also use your hands to spread the dough. Make sure you grease your hands with olive oil when handling the dough. When activating the yeast, use sugar as it is the activating agents. However, you can also use plain flour for this purpose For the dough In a small bowl, add warm water,1 tbsp of sugar and yeast. Let it sit for a few minutes so that the yeast is activated. You will see bubbles starting to form.In the meanwhile, in a large bowl, add flour, garlic powder, dried herbs and salt. Mix well and pour activated yeast mixture. Knead using your hands until it turns into a sticky dough. You can use more water if the dough isn't coming together. Cover the bowl with a muslin cloth and place it in a dry place for about 20 to 30 minutes. For the sauce In a saucepan, add tomato sauce, dried herbs, maple syrup, salt, black pepper and red chilli flakes. Mix well and place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes until it gets thick, and the water is evaporate Remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool down. For the assembly Once the dough has risen, take it out from the bowl and place it on a flo...
This healthy vegan aubergine fried rice recipe is one of those dishes that can be made in less than 30 minutes, yet fulfils your every need. This eggplant & fried rice recipe is packed full of flavour, while delivering a wide array of nutrients. Aubergine Fried Rice – Eggplant Recipe This recipe is packed with flavour, while delivering a wide array of nutrients.Aubergines are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. Rice is a versatile source of carbohydrates and fibre that makes sure you never leave the table hungry. Both aubergine and rice promote cardiovascular health, by reducing cholesterol and keeping blood sugar in check. The addition of kimchi stimulates digestion thanks to the probiotics developed in the lacto-fermentation process.The heat treatment brings out the rich aroma of the onion, ginger, and garlic, and soy sauce adds the umami flavour, completing this well-rounded dish. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 25 mins Course Lunch Cuisine Korean Servings 2 Calories 235 kcal Equipment Knife Large frying pan or wok Tongs Small saucepan or rice cooker Bowl Knife Ingredients 1 Aubergine – Eggplant cut into strips 2-3 tsp Salt 150 grams Long-grain rice white or brown 1 Brown onion peeled, diced 2-3 Cloves garlic peeled, sliced 1 inch Ginger root peeled, sliced 200 grams Vegan kimchi see foot note 4-6 Spring onions roughly chopped 2 tbsp Soy sauce 2 tbsp Sesame oil Extra chilli flakes optional 2 tbsp Rice vinegar Instructions Cook the rice in a pot or rice cooker with 250-300ml of water. Set aside to fully cool down. Chop the aubergine and place it into a bowl. Add the salt (don’t worry, that’s the right amount). Stir and leave it to rest for 10-15 minutes. The aubergine will release some moisture, which will also get rid of the bitter flavour. Rinse the aubergine in cold water. Heat sesame oil in a frying pan or wok. Add aubergine/eggplant pieces, let them fry on high heat, and use the tongs to turn each piece until they are browned on each side. Transfer the aubergine from the pan back to the bowl (rise the bowl beforehand) Add onion, garlic and ginger to the wok with remaining sesame oil. Saute for 5-7 minutes, stirring regularly. Add kimchi and keep cooking for another 2-3 minutes. Add onion, garlic and ginger to the wok with remaining sesame oil. Saute for 5-7 minutes, stirring regularly. Add kimchi and keep cooking for another 2-3 minutes. Finally, add the fried aubergine and spring onions. Mix everything together, sprinkle with chilli flakes (if using) and serve! Notes Traditional kimchi is made with fish sauce, so when you do the grocery shopping for this recipe, double check you are getting the vegan kimchi. Alternatively, you can make vegan kimchi at home. Nutrition Calories: 235kcal Keyword Aubergine, Aubergine Rice, Fried Rice Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This vegan one-pot carrot & butternut squash soup recipe is easy to make, yet hearty & delicious. Butternut squash & carrots are both rich in vitamin A, which helps support our immune system. This soup is easy to make, yet hearty and delicious. Both butternut squash and carrots are rich in beta-carotene. It is then converted into vitamin A, which helps support our immune system and improve eye health. Cumin and ginger add a warming quality to the dish and promote healthy digestion. Vegan Carrot & Butternut Squash Soup Best of all, this one pot carrot & butternut squash soup can be eaten as a light starter, or embellished to be a satisfying main meal. If you like to prepare food for the week ahead, this recipe can also be upscaled to make a larger batch. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 25 mins Course Soup Cuisine American Servings 3 Calories 67 kcal Equipment Knife Knife Vegetable peeler Vegetable peeler Spoon or spatula for stirring Blender Ingredients ½ butternut squash peeled, seeds removed, cut into 1-inch chunks 3 carrots peeled or washed, cut into ½-inch chunks 1 brown onion peeled, quartered 2 cloves garlic peeled 1 tbsp sesame oil 3 dried bay leaves 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme 750 ml vegetable broth see notes ½ tsp ground cumin ¼ tsp ground ginger salt and pepper to taste Instructions Prepare carrots, onion, garlic and butternut squash. Add them into the pot, along with sesame oil. On medium heat, cook everything for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Next, add vegetable broth, thyme, bay leaves and spices. Bring the contents to boil and cook for about 20-25 minutes. When you’re done, the carrots and butternut squash should be soft and pliable. Take out thyme sprigs and bay leaves and transfer the contents into a blender. Blend until smooth, then add back into the pot. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired. Serve with a slice of bread, a handful of croutons, a sprinkle of chilli flakes, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Recipe Note You can use store-bought vegetable broth (usually sold in 1L cartons), make your own, or alternatively, dissolve a stock cube, stock pod or stock powder in 750ml of water. Notes Store for up to 3 days in the fridge, or split into portions and freeze for up to a month. Nutrition Calories: 67kcal Keyword Butternut, Carrot, Soup, Squash, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This mushroom stroganoff sweet potato recipe dish is a perfect comfort food, especially when it’s cold or rainy outside. It has the comforting carb component, as well as the creamy, deep-flavoured mushroom stroganoff filling. Vegan Sweet Potato & Mushroom Stroganoff This sweet potato & mushroom stroganoff dish is easy to make and healthy, It has the comforting carb component, as well as the creamy, deep-flavoured mushroom stroganoff filling. Imagine a steamy, aromatic stuffed sweet potato waiting for you to indulge yourself with after a long day! This dish can be made in four simple steps in an hour or less!Furthermore, this vegan stroganoff uses whole food ingredients and is actually good for you! Sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of dietary fibre, which is very important for the maintenance of our digestive system. Sweet potatoes also contain many antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 45 mins Course Main Course Cuisine Russain Servings 2 Calories 336 kcal Equipment Microwave Optional Baking Tray Frying Pan Frying Pan Knife Microwave Stirring Spoon or Spatula Ingredients 2 Sweet Potatoes Whole 1 tbsp Olive Oil ½ Brown Onion Peeled & Finely Diced 2 Cloves Garlic Peeled, Minced or Diced 250 grams Mushrooms 1 tsp Dried Dill 1 tsp Dijon Mustard 1 tbsp White Flour 1 tbsp Soy Sauce 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar 125 ml Non-Dairy Milk Fresh Dill Optional, for Garnish Salt and Pepper To taste Instructions Make a few incisions in the sweet potatoes with a fork or a knife, place them on a lined baking tray and bake at 220-230 C for an hour. If you want to shorten the cooking time, pierce them with a fork or a knife, microwave them for 5-6 minutes, then bake for about half an hour. When ready, the sweet potatoes should be soft under the skin. In the meantime, let’s make the mushroom stroganoff filling. Heat the oil in the frying pan. Add onion and garlic, and saute for 4-5 minutes. Add mushrooms, and keep cooking for another 5-7 minutes, until the mushrooms are brown and start releasing moisture. Next, add flour and saute for about a minute. Begin to drizzle in the plant-based milk, adding more everything it thickens. WIth the last bit of milk, add mustard, apple cider vinegar and dried dill. Mix it all together, taste and add salt and pepper. Once potatoes are cooked, slice them down the middle and add the stuffing. Garnish with fresh dill and enjoy! Notes For a gluten-free option, instead of flour you can add cornstarch slurry (½-1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with a splash of cold water). The filling can be made in advance, refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen. The filling also goes nicely with a regular jacket potato, if you prefer. Nutrition Calories: 336kcal Keyword Mushroom Stroganoff, Mushrooms, Stroganoff, Sweet Potato, Vegan Stroganoff Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This fresh vegan tofu sushi bowl recipe makes a healthy lunch, dinner or a light snack and can whipped up quickly. Fresh Vegan Sushi Bowl With Tofu Recipe We just love this vegan sushi bowl with tofu, You can prepare the ingredients in advance (e.g. cook rice, chop veggies, prepare the yoghurt dressing) and assemble when you’re ready to enjoy the sushi bowl. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Course Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack Cuisine Japanese Servings 2 Calories 350 kcal Equipment Baking Tray Baking Parchment Knife Knife Small bowl Grater Small pot with a lid Cup Ingredients 120 g Sushi rice 2 tbsp Rice vinegar 1 tbsp Maple syrup 1 ½ tbsp Tamari 2 tbsp Toasted sesame seeds 180 grams Firm tofu cut into cubes ½ Large avocado peeled, stone removed, sliced 1 Nori sheet chopped into thin strips 1 Carrot grated 2 tbsp Pickled sushi ginger 4 tbsp Pickled red onions ½ Cucumber finely chopped 2 tbsp Vegan yoghurt or vegan mayo 1 tsp Sriracha ¼ tsp Salt ¼ tsp Pepper Instructions To make the rice marinade, combine rice vinegar, tamari and maple syrup in a cup. Set aside. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Combine the rice with 250ml of water in a small pot. Bring the contents to boil, then turn the heat down to simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Once all the liquid has been absorbed (approx. 10 mins), add the marinade and 1 tbsp sesame seeds and stir until well-combined. Turn off the heat but keep the lid on for about 10 minutes. Allow the rice to fully cool down. Spread tofu cubes on a lined baking tray and bake at 220c for about 20 minutes. They should be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. For the cucumber salad, mix yoghurt, sriracha, salt and pepper in a cup. Add cucumbers into a small bowl and mix with the yoghurt dressing. Once the rice is cool, assemble your buddha bowl. Add rice, carrots, tofu, avocado, ginger, pickled onions, nori seaweed and cucumber salad. Top with remaining sesame seeds and enjoy! Notes Looking for more tasty recipes, have a look at this vegan recipes book by Fearne Cotton. Nutrition Calories: 350kcal Keyword Fresh, Sushi, Tofu, Vegan, Vegan Sushi Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Try out our tasty & healthy vegetarian butternut squash risotto recipe. this recipe is comforting, delicious & full of goodness but best of all quick & easy to make. What is Risotto? Risotto is a type of high-starch rice dish that is usually served as a first course. The word risotto, meaning “to scrape,” refers to the process of stirring the rice while it simmers in stock—the movement creates grains of rice that are shaped more or less like long grains of sand. In order for this process to take place, the cooking must be done slowly and lovingly! How to Make Risotto There are a number of different risotto recipes. The first thing to remember is that it’s cooked in batches, so you can make as much or as little as you need at a time. It also helps to have all of your ingredients prepped and measured out before starting. Butternut Squash Risotto Risotto is one of the most common ways of cooking rice in northern Italy. The dish dates back to the start of the 19th century, but thanks to its creamy texture, it’s still a popular dish in many countries across the globe. This vegan butternut squash risotto combines traditional elements with healthy plant-based ingredients. 5 from 2 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 35 mins Course Main Course Cuisine Italian Servings 2 Calories 610 kcal Equipment Vegetable peeler Knife Non-stick pot or cast iron with a lid Spatula Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1 brown onion peeled, diced ½ butternut squash peeled, seeds removed, chopped 80 mls dry white wine 150 grams arborio rice or a similar variety of short-grained rice Juice of ½ lemon ½ can coconut milk 350 mls vegetable broth Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Heat the oil in the pot over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 3-4 minutes until it starts getting soft. Add butternut squash and white wine. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring continuously with a spatula. Add rice, coconut milk, lemon juice, and vegetable broth. Mix everything together. Bring to a simmer and close the pot with a lid. Allow the risotto to cook for about 20-25 minutes. The rice should be soft and creamy, the squash fully cooked, and there should be a crust forming at the bottom of the dish. Mix everything together and serve. Notes Vegetable broth can be homemade or store-bought. Alternatively, you can use a flavour pot or a stock cube dissolved in hot water. For an oil-free dish, saute the onion with a small splash of water. If you are concerned about alcohol – don’t worry. The alcohol from the wine will have completely cooked off by the time the dish is done. Nutrition Calories: 610kcal Keyword Butternut, Healthy, Plant Based, Risotto, Squash, Vegan, Vegetarian Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was! Conclusion In conclusion, there are many steps to make a perfect risotto. A good rice to liquid ratio is the most important factor. Cooking time and temperature is also important for getting the right consistency. It is important to keep stirring the risotto as it cooks, adding liquid as needed.
As far as desserts go, brownies are almost universally loved by cake connoisseurs. This yummy vegan chocolate brownie recipe takes on an adult twist, adding some energising coffee into the mix. But fear not – these vegan chocolate coffee brownies are still sweet, delicious and gooey! Chocolate Coffee Brownies Additionally, with only seven ingredients, this baked vegan chocolate brownie dessert is incredibly easy to make. Be ready to enjoy your brownies in less than half an hour! 5 from 2 votes Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Course Dessert Cuisine American Servings 12 Calories 262 kcal Equipment Small saucepan Whisk Mixing Bowl Baking Tray (approx. 10×10 inch) Baking parchment or silicone sheet Ingredients 65 grams Dark chocolate 125 ml Strong coffee 125 ml Plant-based milk 100 ml Maple syrup or agave 1 tsp Vanilla extract 225 grams Flour 1 tsp Baking powder Instructions Add chocolate, coffee, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a small saucepan. Warm it up over medium heat, whisking everything together as the chocolate begins to melt. Continue heating it until all ingredients are equally combined. Let the wet mixture cool down for 5-10 minutes, and in the meatime, combine flour with baking powder in a mixing bowl. Slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the mixing bowl with flour. Whisk everything together as you pour. Line a baking tray with parchment and pour the mixture into the tray. Try to spread it evenly so that your brownies are level. Bake at 200 C for 15-20 minutes. The brownies should rise, firm up, and crack slightly at the top. Notes You can use any non-dairy milk alternative, including nut-based milk, oat milk, soy milk, and rice milk. Some dark chocolate may contain dairy – check the ingredients to make sure the chocolate you’re using is vegan. For a gluten-free option, use 225g all-purpose gluten-free flour and ½ tsp xanthan gum. Nutrition Calories: 262kcal Keyword Brownie, Chocolate, Coffee, Plant Based, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Try our tasty and fresh vegan tofu tacos recipe is quick & easy to make, you will love them, Mexico classic tacos but with a vegan twist. Easy Vegan Tofu Tacos Recipe Tacos are such a great comfort food! Whether you like them soft or crunchy, spicy or mild, our vegan tofu tacos are pretty much guaranteed to improve anyone’s day. Thanks to a variety of garnishes, this versatile dish can be served to a large group of people with different tastes. This vegan tofu taco recipe includes delicious tofu filling, similar to ground beef used in traditional tacos. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 1 min Course Lunch Cuisine Mexican Servings 4 Calories 117 kcal Equipment Knife Knife Frying Pan Stirring Spoon or Spatula Ingredients 1 tbsp Olive oil 1 Brown onion peeled, quartered and sliced 2 Cloves garlic peeled, sliced 200 grams Firm tofu crumbled ½ Can Chopped tomatoes ½ tsp Paprika ½ tsp Liquid smoke 2 tbsp Tamari soy sauce ½ tsp Black pepper 8 mini Tortillas or Taco shells For the garnish (to taste) Mixed lettuce Salsa or guacamole Fresh cherry tomatoes quartered Pickled jalapenos Sriracha Lime wedges Instructions Heat the oil in the frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Saute for 3-5 minutes, until the onions start turning translucent. Add crumbled tofu and keep cooking everything together for about 5 minutes. Next, add canned tomatoes, soy sauce, paprika, liquid smoke and black pepper. Cook until the liquid is absorbed, and the mixture is a reddish-brown colour. Prepare your garnish and tortillas (or taco shells). If desired, warm up the tortillas or shells in the oven. Serve the tacos family style: add your favourite garnish and as much filling as you like. Drizzle with some hot sauce or lime juice and enjoy! Notes You can use regular soy sauce instead of tamari provided you don’t have a gluten allergy. If you have a soy allergy, you can use cooked lentils (drained and rinsed) instead of tofu and liquid aminos instead of soy sauce. If you don’t have access to liquid smoke, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika. This filling is also great for a burrito, along with some beans and rice! Nutrition Calories: 117kcal Keyword Tacos, Tofu, Tofu Tacos, Vegan, Vegan Tacos, Vegan Tofu, Vegan Tofu Tacos Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
If you have been craving eggs since switching to a plant-based diet, we have some great news for you. This vegan egg and mayo sandwich looks, tastes, and even smells like the real thing! Quick & Tasty Vegan Egg and Mayo Sandwich Recipe This quick vegan egg and mayo sandwich recipe & tastes even better than the real thing. The secret ingredient is cauliflower. Despite being low in calories, this vegetable is packed full of fibre and other useful nutrients. Tofu adds the necessary protein content, while bread is a great source of carbs. This vegan egg & mayo sandwich is a tasty yet balanced meal, perfect for easting on-the-go! 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Course Lunch, Snack Cuisine Mediterranean Servings 4 Calories 424 kcal Equipment Knife Knife Pot Grater Frying Pan Mixing Bowl Ingredients ½ Head cauliflower approximately 400g, broken into florets 180 grams Firm tofu grated ¼-½ tsp Black Himalayan salt ¼ tsp Turmeric 4 Stalks of spring onion chopped 2-3 tbsp Vegan mayo 1 tsp Dijon mustard 8 Slices of sandwich bread or 4 baguettes Greens as desired Instructions Bring water to boil in a medium pot. Add cauliflower florets and cook them for about 10-15 minutes. The texture should be soft enough to easily pierce with a fork but firm enough to maintain its integrity. Drain the water and allow the cauliflower to cool. Heat the frying pan over medium heat. Add tofu, black salt and turmeric. Cook it for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Allow it to cool down. Once cauliflower is cool enough to handle, chop it into small pieces. In a mixing bowl, combine cauliflower, tofu, spring onions, vegan mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. Give it a good mix. To assemble a sandwich, simply add your “egg” filling and your favourite greens. Notes If you don’t have access to store-bought vegan mayo, you can replace it with a mixture of 2-3 tbsp of coconut yoghurt and 1 tbsp of nutritional yeast. Store the filling separately from the bread. Sandwich tastes best when it’s assembled just before serving. Nutrition Calories: 424kcal Keyword Sandwich, Vegan, Vegan Egg and Mayo, Vegan Egg and Mayo Sandwich, Vegan Sandwich Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Try our tasty chickpea & artichoke sandwich, this sandwich recipe is quick to make, vegan and taste amazing. Smashed Chickpea and Artichoke Sandwich Recipe When you try to eat a healthy diet, the options for packed lunches are limited. Add the plant-based factor to that equation, and you have even fewer options! Salads and soups can be tricky to transport, and without a fridge or a microwave they’re not very enjoyable.Sandwiches, on the other hand, are portable, easy to eat, and they don’t take up much space. This smashed chickpea and artichoke sandwich takes very little time, and yet it has all the nutrients you need to get you through the day. Whether you take it to work, to a picnic, or to a hike – it’s a winning combination or flavour and sustenance! 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 5 mins Course Salad Cuisine Mediterranean Servings 2 Calories 215 kcal Equipment Knife Knife Bowl Toaster or Oven Toaster or Oven Ingredients ½ can Chickpeas drained and rinsed 1 tbsp Lemon juice approx. ¼ lemon ½ Sweet white onion or red onion 1 tbsp Sesame oil ¼ tsp Garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste 4 Slices of bread 100 grams Artichoke hearts in oil or brine quartered 1 Tomato sliced Mixed lettuce Instructions Add chickpeas into a bowl, along with onions, garlic powder, lemon juice and oil. Gently mash everything together with a fork until chunky. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Lightly toast your bread slices in a toaster or oven. Once the bread is done, spread some smashed chickpea mixture on one slice. Add sliced tomato, artichokes, and lettuce. Close the sandwich, cut it in half and enjoy! Notes It’s a great option for a packed lunch that doesn’t get soggy after a few hours. If you have a sesame allergy, use olive oil Nutrition Calories: 215kcal Keyword Artichoke, Chickpea, Sandwich, Smashed, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This vegan thai summer rolls recipe is incredible easy to make & is fresh and tasty and if you do not like peanuts peanuts or have an allergy to them try cashew or almonds. Thai Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce Try out our tasty quick to make Thai summer rolls with peanut sauce. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 1 min Course Side Dish, Snack Cuisine Chinese Servings 2 Calories 176 kcal Equipment Knife Clean tea towel Whisk or fork Ingredients 8 rice paper sheets 6-8 radishes sliced 2-3 spring onions green parts only, thinly sliced lengthways ½ cucumber sliced lengthways ½ bell pepper (seeds removed cut into matchsticks A handful of greens e.g. wild rocket, baby spinach or mixed lettuce Ingredient For the peanut sauce 3 tbsp peanut butter 1 lime juiced ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp red chilli flakes 1-2 tbsp water Instructions First, prep your veggies and get rid of the scraps. Get your working station ready by placing a clean tea towel on a flat kitchen surface Run a rice paper sheet under warm water for about 10 seconds. Lay it on the kitchen towel. It doesn’t have to be pliable yet. Arrange a selection of veggies and greens in a wide strip in the middle of the paper, and once the rice sheet is soft, fold the edges and wrap the rice paper into a roll. Repeat with the rest of the rice sheets. Try and divide the filling evenly to make sure you have enough To make the dressing, add all ingredients except water into a cup or a small bowl. Whisk until the texture is consistent. You may prefer the dip as it is, or you can add a little bit of water to get a thinner consistency Enjoy as a snack, or serve it to your guests at a barbeque! Notes If you have a peanut allergy, you could still make the dressing with another type of nut butter (e.g. cashew or almond). If nuts are not an option, try sunflower seed butter. Alternatively, serve with teriyaki dipping sauce, or sweet chilli sauce. Nutrition Calories: 176kcal Keyword Peanut, Rolls, Sauce, Summer, Thai, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Try making our vegan satay noodles recipe, this noodle recipe is quick, fresh, easy to make & packed full of flavour. Give our vegan satay noodles a go today! Satay Noodles Recipe Do you like peanuts? Cause if you do, we have a great vegan satay noodle recipe for you. It takes less than half an hour, which makes it a perfect lazy dish. Don’t worry – despite the fact that they are quick to make, these satay noodles are absolutely packed with flavour.Better yet, you might already have the ingredients you need in your pantry! Well, what are you waiting for? 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Course Lunch Cuisine Oriental Servings 2 Calories 740 kcal Equipment Large frying pan or wok Medium bowl Knife Knife Ingredients 1 tbsp Coconut oil or peanut oil 1 Brown onion peeled, finely diced 4 Cloves garlic peeled, finely diced 1 inch Ginger root peeled, finely diced 1 Chilli pepper red or green, finely diced 1 Red pepper seeds removed, sliced 2 tbsp Bown sugar or coconut sugar ½ Can Coconut milk 4 tbsp Peanut butter 4 tbsp Tamari soy sauce 2 tbsp Lime juice approx. ½ lime 100 g Rice vermicelli noodles dry 2 tbsp Roasted salted peanuts crushed, for garnish Chili flakes for garnish Instructions Soak the noodles in boiling water for about 5-6 minutes. Make sure they are fully covered. After five minutes, drain the water and set aside. Heat the oil in the frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger, chilli and red pepper. Saute for about 10 minutes, allowing the peppers to soften. Make sure to stir or toss the pan to stop your veggies from sticking to it. Add sugar and keep cooking for another 1-2 minutes. Next, add coconut milk, peanut butter, soy sauce, and lime juice. Reduce the heat to low. Stir everything together as it heats up. Make sure peanut butter is fully mixed in with the rest of the ingredients. Once the sauce starts bubbling, add the noodles. Stir everything together, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Serve topped with crushed peanuts, fresh coriander and extra chilli flakes. Notes This dish can be made with any type of noodles – ramen, pad thai, udon, soba. Bear in mind, the preparation method may be different if you are using a different kind of noodle. You can use regular soy sauce instead of tamari provided you don’t have a gluten allergy. If you have some sad-looking veggies in the fridge, add them to your satay noodles! Nutrition Calories: 740kcal Keyword Healthy, Noodles, Quick, Satay, Vegan, Vegetarian Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Wondering how to make your home more eco-friendly? Check our selection of eco-friendly household products that are made with natural, plastic-free, zero waste, organic, biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainable materials. Eco-friendly Household Products for Sustainable Living Find eco-friendly alternatives to your household essentials, such as kitchen goods, bathroom products, bedding, and more. Shop eco-friendly household products from all eco brands. Give Your Home a Sustainable Revamp Ready to make the transition to a zero waste, sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle? If so, it’s time to replace your household essentials with some sustainable alternatives that are kind to our planet and your body! You’ll be surprised to know that there’s a wide variety of eco-friendly household products to make your home greener. But, what do you need for an eco-friendly house? You can start by replacing everyday home goods with plastic-free, reusable, sustainable, and eco-friendly household products. First of all, ditch nasty single-use plastics that are polluting our oceans and use reusable, sustainable, zero waste home goods instead. For example, avoid plastic bags, cling film, kitchen sponges, plastic bottles, plastic toothbrushes, and so on. The good news is that you can replace them with eco-friendly household products, like reusable bags, beeswax food wraps, dish brushes, biodegradable sponges, bamboo toothbrushes, and more! Next, you should avoid toxic chemicals that could affect your health and our valuable ecosystems. Unlike eco-friendly household products, conventional options, like your regular shampoo, toothpaste, and body soap are usually made of harsh ingredients that aren’t kind to your body. Fortunately, you can swap these options for zero waste, natural, sustainable, and eco-friendly home goods like shampoo bars, natural soap bars, and much more! Why are Eco-friendly Household Products Better? To have a sustainable lifestyle, it’s important to avoid home goods that could affect the environment and your health, such as disposable plastics and toxic chemicals. That’s why you should make the switch to safe, non-toxic, organic, natural, eco-friendly household products. Start Your Sustainable Lifestyle Today & Make Your Home Greener Check the products you use around your house every day and browse our huge range of cruelty-free, organic, natural, sustainable, zero waste, plastic-free, and eco-friendly household products to find a greener option. You can shop sustainable home products for your kitchen like biodegradable sponges, cleaning cloths, rubber gloves, washing-up soap bars, and more! Also, we stock eco-friendly home items for your bathroom such as bamboo toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo bars, natural soap bars, dental floss, face wipes, and others. What’s more, you can even buy some wonderful eco-friendly products for your house like natural bamboo bedding and garden waste bags! All these eco-friendly alternatives will make your transition to a sustainable lifestyle easier. So, let’s make your home greener one eco-friendly household product at a time!
Pamper Your Body, Skin, and Hair with Eco-friendly Products Using personal care products is a daily activity for most people. But the ingredients of these products not only affect your body but also harm our planet. Remember that your body will absorb everything you put onto your skin. That’s why it’s important to make the switch to natural and eco-friendly body, skin and haircare products. Using eco-friendly products for your body, skin, and hair should be an essential step in your beauty and personal care routine. As these eco products are made with natural, biodegradable, organic, cruelty-free, chemical-free, vegan, and ethical ingredients they will do wonders for your hair and skin. As they’re made of non-toxic, vegan, natural ingredients, they won’t damage or irritate your skin. Besides, these chemical-free ingredients won’t affect the environment either. So, using eco-friendly products is a fantastic alternative to take care of your body and the environment. You can use eco-friendly skincare products to nourish and cleanse your skin with the environment and your health in mind. Also, you can replace commercial options with eco-friendly haircare products that will cleanse, condition, and hydrate your hair the eco way. Your body and our planet will benefit from them! And the best part is that eco-friendly personal care products come in plastic-free, zero waste, reusable or recyclable packaging. So, you won’t need to worry about polluting our oceans with harmful plastics! Why Should You Buy Eco-friendly Products for Your Body, Skin and Hair? As eco-friendly products for your body, skin, and hair are made of sustainable, vegan, organic, natural, non-toxic, chemical-free, and ethical ingredients, they’re kind to your body and the environment. Plus, they will naturally make your skin, body, and hair feel clean, fresh, healthy, and moisturised! Shop Our Body Skin & Hair Collection
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Eco-friendly cleaning products, such as plastic-free sponges, eco rubber gloves, compostable cleaning cloths is better for the planet and becoming more affordable. Cleaning Products to Clean Your House the Eco Way Cleaning around your house can result in lots of waste from paper towels, plastic sponges, plastic bottles, and more. So, if you want to go green and zero waste at home, you should have a sustainable and plastic-free cleaning routine. And that’s where eco-friendly cleaning products come in! Eco-friendly cleaning products are reusable, non-toxic, natural, plastic-free, organic, vegan, and sustainable. Making the switch to eco-friendly household products is the best way to keep your house clean and the environment safe. Let’s remember that commercial cleaning products, like kitchen sponges, are usually made of plastic, while others come in plastic bottles. The scary part about these plastics is that once you throw them away, they will contribute to plastic pollution. That’s why plastic-free, natural, reusable, zero waste, sustainable and eco-friendly cleaning products are a great alternative to tackle plastic pollution! Unlike commercial products, eco household products are made of natural, vegan, organic, ethical, and sustainable ingredients. You won’t need to worry about toxic chemicals anymore. So, chemical-free and eco-friendly cleaning products are safe for our planet and your health! Including environmentally friendly cleaning products in your cleaning routine is a great way to clean your house with your health and nature in mind! There’s no need to use plastics or toxic chemicals to keep your home clean! Ultimate Reasons to Buy Eco-friendly Cleaning Products The best part about using plastic-free, zero waste, sustainable, and eco-friendly cleaning products is that they’re durable. Besides cutting down on plastic waste, using reusable household cleaning products will help you save money in the long run! Also, many eco-friendly cleaning products are biodegradable, so you can compost them at home! And let’s not forget that their chemical free, ethical, vegan, natural, organic, and sustainable ingredients make eco-friendly cleaning products safe to use and better for the environment! Ready to Clean Your House The Eco Way? We love products that are plastic-free, reusable, zero waste, natural, biodegradable, sustainable, and eco-friendly cleaning products for your house. And the best part is that all of our eco household products are supplied in zero waste and plastic-free packaging! You can find many plastic-free, vegan, recyclable, and biodegradable products to wash your dishes the eco way, such as coconut dish brushes, washing-up soap bars, natural latex rubber gloves, and more. Likewise, you will find some eco-friendly cleaning products to clean other areas around your house, like dustpans and brushes, reusable cloths, and others! Would you like to green your cleaning routine? Shop eco-friendly cleaning products to keep your house clean the eco and sustainable way! Shop Our Cleaning Collection
Keep Food Fresh for Longer with Beeswax Wraps & Vegan Food Wraps If you’re trying to reduce your kitchen waste, then you should start to use reusable beeswax wraps and vegan food wraps! These food wraps are the natural and eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap and tinfoil for food storage. And that’s not to mention all their other benefits! As you might already know, cling film is the worst form of plastic waste because it’s rarely recycled. Instead, it will end up in landfills or what’s worse, threatening wildlife. And using tinfoil is not a zero-waste solution to store your food because you can’t use them more than once. So, what’s the best alternative? Reusable options like beeswax wraps and vegan food wraps! Buying beeswax wraps and vegan food wraps is the best way to keep your food fresher for longer. They’re reusable, zero-waste, plastic-free, natural, eco-friendly, sustainable, and organic. These reusable food wraps are washable and safe to use with food, so you can reuse them over and over again! Here’s the Best Part about Using Beeswax Wraps and Vegan Food Wraps: Not only do reusable beeswax wraps and vegan food wraps reduce plastic waste but they also reduce food waste! Unlike plastic film, these reusable wraps are breathable, which makes them a perfect option to prevent mould growth! But there’s more! With proper care, these vegan wax wraps and beeswax food wraps can last up to a year. So, they’re the best zero waste and cost-effective option to keep your food fresh. And once you’re done with them, you can throw them in the composting bin. Since they’re made from natural ingredients, they’re 100% compostable and biodegradable. How awesome is that? Not Sure How to Use Reusable Beeswax Wraps and Vegan Food Wraps? To know more about this, you can read our blog post: Why You Should Buy Reusable Beeswax & Vegan Food Wraps? Plus, you will find some creative ways to use vegan wax wraps and beeswax food wraps! Store Your Food the Eco-friendly and Sustainable Way You will find reusable beeswax wraps and vegan food wraps made of organic cotton and sustainably sourced ingredients like tree resin, jojoba oil, and beeswax or plant-based wax. Our reusable beeswax wraps and vegan food wraps come in different sizes to help you cover bowls or wrap fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, snacks, sandwiches, bread, and other food products. Also, their beautiful patterns will give a nice touch to your kitchen! Would you like to ditch plastic wraps once and for all? Ready to store your food with a natural alternative? Go give reusable beeswax wraps and vegan food wraps a try! Shop Our Beeswax Vegan Collection
The best pasta dishes tend to be brilliant in their simplicity. All you need is a quality pasta & a delicious sauce. Fresh pesto pasta recipe that is nut free. Our pesto recipe comes with a twist – not only is it vegan-friendly, it’s also nut free! If you’ve never made homemade pesto, you’ll be amazed how easy it is. The whole pasta dish only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish! Nut Free Pesto Pasta Traditionally, pesto is made with crushed garlic, pine nuts, basil leaves, olive oil, and hard cheese such as Parmesan. 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 20 mins Course Lunch, Main Course Cuisine Italian Servings 2 Calories 496 kcal Equipment Medium pot Blender or food processor Silicone or rubber spatula Ingredients 150 grams rigatoni pasta 30 grams sunflower seeds 2 tbsp nutritional yeast 40 grams fresh basil leaves 2 tbsp lemon juice approx. ½ lemon 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 cloves garlic peeled ½ tsp salt Instructions Fill the pot halfway with water, and a pinch of salt, and bring it to boil. Add pasta and once the water is boiling again, cook for 9-11 minutes (see notes). In the meantime, let’s make fresh homemade pesto! Add sunflowers, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, nutritional yeast, garlic and salt into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. If necessary, add a splash or water. Scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula to make sure ingredients get fully incorporated. Once the pasta is ready, drain the liquid, reserving about 50ml of the pasta water. Add pesto, and place the pot on medium heat. Stir everything while it heats up. Warning: it smells amazing! Taste the dish and add salt and pepper as desired. Finally, serve your pesto pasta topped with fresh basil leaves and enjoy! Notes This pesto recipe is nut-free, unlike traditional pesto recipes. If you haven’t got enough basil, you can add some spinach or parsley to your dish. Depending on the type of pasta you are using, the cooking times may vary. If you are using gluten-free pasta, for example, it may take longer to cook. The best thing to do is to consult the packaging. Nutrition Calories: 496kcal Keyword Delicious, Healthy, Nut Free, Pasta, Pesto, Vegan Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Find sustainable bedding items like organic bamboo sheets, bamboo pillowcases, mattress protectors, and others. Shop bamboo bedding sets for a great night’s sleep! Pamper Your Body with Organic & Eco-friendly Bamboo Bedding Sets If you’re all about buying ethical, natural, sustainable, eco-friendly, and organic products, then you will love eco-friendly Bamboo Bedding sets. When compared to cotton and linen, bamboo is more comfortable and breathable. What’s more, it’s the best option for earth-conscious people! Why is that? The answer is simple: Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials out there. You can relax whilst knowing that your bedding set is made of highly renewable materials. In fact, bamboo is considered one of the world’s most renewable raw materials! Unlike cotton sheets, organic Bamboo Fitted Sheet are made from a fast-growing plant that uses less water to grow. But more importantly, it doesn’t require the use of toxic pesticides. So, these eco-friendly bamboo bedding sets are a must-have for the eco bedroom! If you would like to learn more about the benefits of using bamboo products, read our blog post: Why are Bamboo Products so Popular? Ultimate Reasons to Buy Organic & Eco-friendly Bamboo Bedding Sets With an eco-friendly bamboo bedding set, you won’t need to worry about uncomfortable nights anymore. Organic bamboo sheets prevent sleepers from overheating throughout the night. That’s because sustainable bamboo bedding sets are soft, lightweight, and breathable. Simply put, sustainable bamboo bedding sets are the best option to keep you cool and comfortable every night! But that’s not all! Eco-friendly, organic bamboo bedding is suitable for everyone in your house. As these ethical, sustainable, natural, organic, eco-friendly bedding sets have anti-bacterial properties and they’re hypoallergenic, they’re also great for those with allergies and sensitive skin! Besides, organic bamboo fabric is more durable than others. So, they’re cost-effective too. And the best part is that they will become softer after each wash! Take Care of the Environment and Sleep Better At Night. Ready to make your bedroom more eco-friendly and extra cosy? Shop ethical Bamboo Bedding Set and give them a try! Shop Our Bamboo Bedding Range