In this article, we’ll explore ten effective and accessible natural remedies for relieving muscle soreness. From time-tested remedies like Epsom salt baths to emerging favorites like tart cherry juice, each remedy offers its unique blend of benefits to soothe sore muscles and support overall recovery. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a weekend warrior, or simply someone looking to ease the discomfort of daily activities, these remedies provide valuable options for enhancing your post-workout or post-activity recovery routine.

Join us as we delve into the science behind these natural remedies, discover how they work to alleviate muscle soreness, and learn practical tips for incorporating them into your daily routine. With these remedies at your disposal, you can bid farewell to muscle soreness and embrace the joy of movement with renewed vitality and comfort. Let’s embark on the journey to a happier, healthier, and pain-free you!

Epsom Salt Bath

Soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salts can help relax muscles and alleviate soreness. Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate, which can be absorbed through the skin and aid in muscle relaxation and recovery.

Along with magnesium absorption, epsom salt baths have the ability to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and reduce stress. Better circulation promotes the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle tissues, while also aiding in the removal of waste products and toxins that accumulate during exercise. Enhanced circulation can facilitate the healing process and alleviate muscle soreness more quickly.

The warm water combined with the magnesium in Epsom salt can help promote feelings of relaxation and reduce stress levels. Lowering stress and tension can indirectly alleviate muscle soreness by promoting overall relaxation and well-being.

Herbal Supplements

Turmeric

The active ingredient in turmeric, called curcumin, has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce muscle inflammation and soreness by inhibiting inflammatory enzymes and molecules. 

By decreasing inflammation, turmeric can help alleviate muscle soreness caused by exercise-induced inflammation and promote faster recovery. Additionally, turmeric has antioxidant properties that can neutralize harmful free radicals generated during exercise, further supporting muscle health and recovery.

Ginger

Ginger contains bioactive compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which also possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Like turmeric, ginger can help reduce inflammation in the body, which contributes to muscle soreness after exercise. 

It has been shown to inhibit inflammatory pathways and decrease levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, helping to alleviate muscle pain and discomfort. Ginger may improve blood circulation and muscle recovery by increasing blood flow to the muscles., which in turn, facilitates in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients needed for repair and recovery. 

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in muscle function and relaxation. Low levels of magnesium may contribute to muscle cramps and soreness. Taking a magnesium supplement or incorporating magnesium-rich foods like nuts, seeds, and leafy greens into your diet can help alleviate muscle soreness.

It is involved in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy currency of cells. Normal magnesium levels are the backbone for efficient energy metabolism in muscle cells, ensuring enough energy needed for contraction, relaxation, and repair processes. 

Arnica

Arnica is a plant-based remedy commonly used for treating bruises, sprains, and muscle soreness. It contains compounds, such as helenalin and flavonoids, which aid in anti-inflammatory properties. Applying arnica gel or cream topically to the affected area may help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. 

It can reduce bruising by promoting circulation and reducing inflammation by supporting the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Arnica can provide relief from muscle aches and discomfort by inhibiting pain receptors.

Tart Cherry Juice

Tart cherry juice is rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C and polyphenols. This helps in combating oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress may contribute to muscle damage and soreness during and after exercise.Cherry juice helps protect muscles from oxidative stress. 

Tart cherry juice, also, contains melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Good sleep quality and duration is essential for muscle recovery and overall well-being. Cherry juice is also beneficial for joint health. It can reduce stiffness and joint pain, making it a valuable commodity for those with arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil contains menthol, which can produce a cooling sensation. This aids in providing immediate relief through numbing the area. Menthol acts as a muscle relaxant, which helps alleviate tension and tightness in sore muscles. 

It can improve blood flow through the facilitation of oxygen and nutrients deliverance needed for repair and recovery. Peppermint oil can decrease inflammation which allows for a faster recovery. 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that can be absorbed quickly by the body and used as a source of energy. Massaging coconut oil into sore muscles may help improve circulation and reduce inflammation. 

It can aid in moisture retention because it contains fatty acids, such as lauric acid. This helps prevent dryness of the skin and provides a soothing and lubricating effect. 

Heat Therapy

Applying heat to sore muscles can help increase blood flow, relax tense muscles, and alleviate soreness. When heat is applied to sore muscles, it can cause blood vessels to dilate, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the affected area. That increase of blood flow, in turn, helps flush out metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid. 

Heat essentially “thaws” a “frozen” muscle and allows it to relax, therefore reducing muscle soreness and improving flexibility. Using a heating pad, warm compress, or taking a warm bath can provide relief from muscle discomfort. Various heating methods at home will help reduce pain and provide immediate relief. 

Foam Rolling

Foam rolling, also known as self-myofascial release, involves using a foam roller to apply pressure to tight or sore muscles. This versatile tool can enhance overall performance, allowing a more pain-free day. Foam rolling can help release tension, improve flexibility, and reduce muscle soreness after exercise.

It can help break up adhesions and scar tissue that results from muscle overuse, injury, or poor posture. By targeting areas of muscle tensions and trigger points, a foam roller can alleviate muscle stiffness and soreness. 

Protein-Rich Foods

Consuming protein-rich foods post-workout can aid in muscle recovery and reduce soreness. Protein provides the building blocks necessary for muscle repair and growth.These foods that are low in carbohydrates and high in quality protein can help regulate blood sugar levels. Stable blood sugar levels support optimal muscle repair and can reduce soreness after an exercise. 

It is important to consume protein after an exercise as it will help maximize muscle protein synthesis, which aids in a faster recovery and, therefore, reducing muscle soreness. Include sources of lean protein such as chicken, salmon, eggs, tofu, greek yogurt, quinoa, cottage cheese, and lentils in your post-workout meals. Protein bars and protein shakes are also a great source of protein and work great as a snack and/or meal replacer. 

These remedies offer holistic approaches to muscle soreness relief, addressing both the physical discomfort and underlying factors contributing to muscle fatigue and tension. Whether you prefer topical treatments like arnica gel and peppermint oil or dietary supplements such as magnesium and turmeric, finding the right combination of remedies for your body can support overall muscle health and enhance your fitness journey.

It’s essential to listen to your body, stay hydrated, and prioritize rest and recovery to optimize the benefits of these natural remedies. While these remedies can provide relief for mild to moderate muscle soreness, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional if you experience severe or persistent pain, especially if it interferes with your daily activities or exercise routine.

These natural remedies can be effective for relieving muscle soreness and promoting recovery after exercise or physical activity. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before trying any new remedies, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns.

In this article, we delve into the ten harmful effects of microplastics on human health, examining how these particles enter our daily lives and offering practical tips to minimize exposure. We will explore how microplastics can disrupt our endocrine system, cause inflammation, and even contribute to chronic diseases. Additionally, we will discuss the pathways through which microplastics infiltrate our food chain and everyday products, from bottled water to household dust.

By understanding the dangers posed by microplastics and taking steps to reduce our exposure, we can better protect our health and the environment. Join us as we uncover the hidden threats of microplastics and learn how to safeguard ourselves against this invisible menace.

Reproductive Health Issues

Research published by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute indicates that microplastics can disrupt reproductive health. Studies have shown that exposure to these particles may lead to decreased fertility rates and adverse effects on fetal development. Microplastics can carry toxic substances like endocrine disruptors, which interfere with hormone regulation, potentially affecting reproductive functions in both men and women. These endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, are known to mimic or block natural hormones, leading to hormonal imbalances. Furthermore, microplastics can trigger oxidative stress and inflammation in reproductive tissues, exacerbating reproductive health issues.

Hormonal Imbalance

Microplastics can mimic natural hormones, leading to imbalances that affect various bodily functions. These hormonal disruptions may result in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, and other metabolic issues. The presence of these synthetic compounds in the body can alter hormone signaling, contributing to a myriad of health problems. Additionally, microplastics often carry other harmful chemicals, such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which are known endocrine disruptors. Long-term exposure to these substances has been linked to reproductive challenges, developmental delays, and an increased risk of hormone-related cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer. These widespread impacts highlight the urgency of addressing microplastic contamination in our environment and daily lives.

Respiratory Issues

Inhalation of microplastics is a growing concern, particularly for individuals living in urban environments with high air pollution. Studies suggest that inhaled microplastics can cause inflammation and respiratory issues, exacerbating conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The lungs may struggle to clear these particles, leading to long-term respiratory damage. Over time, this accumulation of microplastics can impair lung function, increasing susceptibility to infections and other respiratory complications. Additionally, emerging research indicates that these particles may penetrate deeper into the respiratory tract, potentially entering the bloodstream and contributing to systemic inflammation and cardiovascular issues. This underscores the need for more comprehensive studies and measures to reduce airborne microplastics exposure in densely populated areas.

Gastrointestinal Disturbances

Microplastics are often found in seafood, salt, and even drinking water. Ingesting these particles can lead to gastrointestinal issues, including inflammation, ulcers, and changes in gut microbiota. A disrupted gut microbiome is linked to various health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Furthermore, microplastics can act as carriers for harmful pathogens and toxins, introducing additional risks to the digestive system. Once ingested, these particles may also cross the intestinal barrier, potentially entering the bloodstream and causing systemic inflammation. Over time, this can contribute to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and neuroinflammatory disorders. The pervasive presence of microplastics in our food and water supply highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and innovative solutions to reduce exposure.

Increased Risk of Cancer

While research is still in its early stages, there are concerns that microplastics may carry carcinogenic substances, increasing the risk of cancer. Chronic exposure to these harmful particles may contribute to the development of tumors and other malignancies, particularly in organs that come into contact with them. Microplastics can absorb and transport toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are known to have carcinogenic properties. When these particles enter the body, they may create oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are key factors in cancer development. Additionally, their ability to bioaccumulate in tissues raises concerns about long-term exposure, potentially heightening the risk for cancers of the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems. These emerging risks emphasize the need for further investigation and preventative strategies to minimize microplastic exposure.

Immune System Suppression

Microplastics can impact the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and diseases. Inflammation caused by these particles can weaken immune responses, leading to an increased risk of autoimmune diseases and other health complications. Research suggests that microplastics may disrupt the function of immune cells by triggering persistent inflammatory responses, which over time can lead to immune fatigue or dysfunction. Additionally, these particles can serve as carriers for harmful bacteria and viruses, further compromising the body’s ability to fend off infections. Chronic exposure to microplastics may also interfere with the body’s natural ability to heal and regenerate, increasing vulnerability to both acute and chronic illnesses. These findings highlight the profound effects microplastics can have on immune health and the need for ongoing research to fully understand their impact.

Neurological Effects

Emerging research indicates that microplastics may have neurotoxic effects. Studies have linked plastic exposure to cognitive decline, memory issues, and other neurological disorders. The potential for microplastics to cross the blood-brain barrier raises concerns about their long-term impact on mental health. Once in the brain, these particles may induce oxidative stress and inflammation, which are associated with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, microplastics can act as vectors for harmful substances like heavy metals and organic pollutants, which are known to exacerbate neurological damage. The interplay between microplastics and the nervous system underscores the need for further research into their effects on brain function, as well as preventative strategies to limit exposure and mitigate risks to mental health.

Endocrine Disruption

Microplastics can act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormone signaling and potentially leading to a variety of health issues, including developmental disorders, metabolic syndrome, and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. These disruptions can have far-reaching effects on overall health and well-being. By mimicking natural hormones, microplastics can disrupt the delicate balance of the endocrine system, leading to abnormal hormone levels that affect growth, reproduction, and metabolism. Studies have shown that exposure to microplastics during critical developmental periods can impair fetal and child development, resulting in long-term consequences such as reduced fertility, abnormal organ development, and cognitive impairments. Furthermore, these hormonal imbalances can contribute to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as increase the risk of hormone-related cancers. The pervasive presence of microplastics in the environment calls for urgent research and policy actions to protect public health and prevent further harm.

Skin Irritation and Allergies

Direct contact with products containing microplastics, such as cosmetics and personal care items, can lead to skin irritation and allergic reactions. The tiny particles can penetrate the skin, exacerbating conditions like eczema and dermatitis. When these particles enter the skin, they can cause inflammation, leading to redness, swelling, and discomfort. Additionally, microplastics may disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function, making it more susceptible to environmental pollutants and pathogens. The persistent presence of these particles on the skin’s surface can lead to chronic irritation, allergic reactions, and even accelerate the aging process by promoting oxidative stress. Over time, continued exposure to microplastics through topical products may increase the risk of more severe dermatological conditions and long-term skin health issues. The widespread use of microplastics in cosmetics and personal care products emphasizes the need for safer alternatives and better regulation in this industry.

Impact on Overall Well-being

The presence of microplastics in everyday life can contribute to a general feeling of unease and anxiety about health and the environment. The pervasive nature of these pollutants can lead to mental health challenges, affecting overall well-being. As individuals become increasingly aware of the widespread contamination of food, water, air, and consumer products, the constant concern over long-term exposure can result in chronic stress and a sense of powerlessness. This anxiety may manifest in worries about the potential for developing health issues, as well as concerns about the future of the planet. Studies have shown that environmental stressors, such as pollution, can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. The ongoing presence of microplastics in daily life, coupled with limited knowledge about their long-term impact, can undermine mental health, emphasizing the importance of addressing environmental pollution to promote both physical and psychological well-being.

How Microplastics Enter Our Environment

Microplastics are introduced into our environment through various channels:

• Plastic Waste: Improper disposal of plastic products results in them breaking down into smaller particles, entering soil and waterways.
• Synthetic Fabrics: Washing synthetic clothing releases microfibers into wastewater, which eventually ends up in oceans and rivers.
• Personal Care Products: Many cosmetics and personal care items contain microbeads and other plastic additives that are washed down the drain.
• Food Packaging: Microplastics can leach from food packaging materials into the food itself, contaminating what we eat.

Ways to Avoid Microplastics

Minimizing exposure to microplastics is crucial for maintaining health. Here are some practical tips to help you reduce your risk:

1. Choose Natural Fabrics: Opt for clothing made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, or hemp. This reduces the number of microfibers released during washing.
2. Use a Microfiber Filter: Install a filter in your washing machine to capture microfibers before they enter wastewater systems.
3. Limit Plastic Use: Avoid single-use plastics and opt for reusable alternatives. Bring your own bags, bottles, and containers.
4. Be Mindful of Food Packaging: Choose fresh, unpackaged foods when possible. If you must use packaged items, select brands that prioritize sustainable packaging.
5. Avoid Personal Care Products with Microbeads: Check labels and avoid products containing microbeads or plastic ingredients. Choose eco-friendly alternatives instead.
6. Drink Filtered Water: Use a high-quality water filter to remove potential contaminants, including microplastics, from your drinking water.
7. Support Legislation: Advocate for policies and regulations aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices.
8. Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about the sources and effects of microplastics, and share this knowledge within your community.

Conclusion

Microplastics are a pervasive environmental threat with serious implications for human health. Understanding the harmful effects they pose, along with proactive measures to minimize exposure, can empower individuals to protect their health and well-being. By making conscious choices in our daily lives, we can work towards a healthier, cleaner future free from the dangers of microplastics.

Many cultures have adopted hair oiling into their own practice, such as the Egyptians and the Black community.  Since black hair usually tends to have kinky or thick curls, the hair dries out quicker, hence the practice of hair oil into their routines.

To apply hair oil, it is suggested that you do not put the oil directly onto the shaft of your hair. Instead, you should section your hair into 4 sections, and massage the oil directly into your scalp and roots. After finishing that, then rub the leftover oil into the shaft of your hair. It is also suggested to leave the oil in for at least 30 minutes, but leaving it overnight is the best option, then washing it out the following morning.

Besides learning the history of hair oiling, what benefits does hair oiling have on your hair? Read below to find out:

1. Hydrates Scalp

As humans go through day-to-day life, such as going outside regularly and getting exposed to the outdoors, our hair and scalp lose hydration, which over time leads to dry hair and excess hair fall.  

Oiling at least twice a week will lead to your scalp becoming healthier and your hair less likely to excessively fall out.

2. Improves Hair Growth

Hair growth is important to a lot of people. In this case, using the massaging method we mentioned in the intro, the massaging of the oil helps to increase the circulation of your blood to the scalp and helps bring more nutrients to the roots, resulting in the hair growing faster. 

3. Prevents Frizz

When you oil your hair, the type of oil matters. Using an oil that is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E is known to create a barrier on the hair’s shaft. That barrier prevents the hair from losing moisture, which prevents humidity from entering the hair shaft, thus preventing frizz. 

4. Prevents Dandruff

There’s nothing more annoying than finding those cute little dandruff flakes on your clothes. Luckily, there are plenty of simple home remedies that anyone can use. As you’ve read this article, you can guess that hair oiling is one of those hair dandruff remedies. 

   With dandruff being caused by an imbalance of sebum in the scalp, hair oiling can help make dandruff less severe. By massaging the scalp and adding the oil, the sebum levels will get better and cause less dandruff.

5. Protects hair from Hygral Fatigue

Hygral Fatigue is damage done to your hair strands caused by the repeated swelling and unswelling of the hair. With excessive swelling and unswelling, excessive moisture may penetrate the inner cortex of the strand, leading to frizziness, dullness, and brittleness. 

With oiling, the oil has two preventative measures. The first one, oil is hydrophobic, meaning it doesn’t like oil to be near it and therefore will not let water sit near it. This prevents too much oil to be absorbed into the hair, thus preventing that damage. Second, the oil “fills in” the hair where there are abnormalities, thus not allowing there to be direct entryways into the inner cortex.  

6. Protects hair from UV rays

With prolonged exposure to the sun, which gives off Ultraviolet Rays, the outside layer, called the cuticle, can get damaged. This damage can lead to dry hair, brittle strands, broken/split ends, and thinning of the hair. 

Hair oiling helps with this by adding a protective layer on the outside of the hair, thus not letting those UV rays penetrate the hair.

• Health Benefits: Car dependent cities such as Houston are designed around vehicles with sprawling neighborhoods and very limited pedestrian access. These cities usually have a higher rate of obesity and related diseases because of the reduced opportunities for active transportation and/or limited access to a workout facility. Because they require a vehicle, people living in these cities are linked to increased sedentary behavior and related mental issues such as isolation and depression. On the other hand, walkable cities are characterized by pedestrian-friendly city design with large sidewalks, bridges, public areas, and mixed-use developments. Residents of these cities tend to be affiliated with lower obesity rates and higher physical activity, which leads to reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases.

• Environmental Impact: High vehicle use is affiliated with car-dependent cities, which means more air and noise pollution, specially high-traffic areas and exacerbated use of fossil fuels to gas the vehicles. Urban sprawls and the city infrastructure contributes to loss of habitat and harms the environment in a negative fashion. These cities require more space for parking lots and parking garages, which means most buildings have to consider that and use up a bigger land to accommodate with the needs, and the high number of vehicles require larger roads, extra lanes, and a high-speed freeway system, which all require extra space that is taken from the environment around. Meanwhile , walkable cities are more environmentally sustainable due to lower vehicle emissions and an increase in the use of functioning and reliable public transportation and personal environmentally friendlier options such as bicycles or electric scooters. The reduced need for parking spaces and garages, frees up land for green spaces and public areas, which overall increase the air quality of the region.

• Economic Factors: Building the necessary infrastructure, maintaining the roads, and extra traffic patrol units all lead to extra funds that are diverted from the public domain and services to mend the roads. Car-dependent cities also tend to bring extra financial burden for the residents including car ownerships or rental, fuel,  maintenance fees such as frequent oil changes or accident damages, cost of ride-share and taxi services for residents without a car, and the possibility of parking fees. Walkable cities are usually more economically vibrant, with usually higher property values and increased tax revenue. The reduced need for parking and transportation infrastructure allows these cities to have more freedom into investing funds into public services, public transport, education or healthcare.

• Social Status: car-dependent cities usually leave very little room for social interactions by limiting the social setting. Living in a car-dependent city, most of the time is spent alone in a vehicle behind traffic and looking for parking spaces. The traffic and rush hours also reduce the socializing time and mental capacity of residents after work hours which results in an increased sense of isolation. Due to the lower amount of space, residents’ lives are generally separated and are less engaged in community activity. Accessible public spaces in walkable cities allow for growing social interactions and community engagement. These cities are more lively and vibrant due to more people bustling in the streets and this encourages spontaneous encounters, which increases the cohesion of the community and reduces the sense of isolation.

Urban Design: Functionality is the main focus of car-dependent cities, with designs to increase the smooth flow of traffic and lower the chance of distractions and accidents which result in wider roads and large parking lots. This however, leads to drifting focus from city design and cultural elements, and makes for a more brutalistic and soulless design containing a lot of concrete and stone that usually is not appealing to the general population. Walkable cities prioritize aesthetics and city culture, usually exemplified by tree-lined sidewalks, pedestrian plazas, and accessible parks along with a more detailed architecture on city buildings and monuments. The streets in these cities are designed for safety and visual appeal to encourage pedestrian use over depending on vehicle.

Recycle wrapping paper and gift boxes

One of the 3 R’s to reduce waste, recycling wrapping paper, and gift boxes! Recycling wrapping paper and gift boxes can save trees, money, and energy. For one, you can reuse new ones you get and old ones already stored in your home or you can throw them in the recycling bin. Recycling wrapping paper and gift boxes in the bin will reduce the amount of landfills we have and carbon emissions released into the atmosphere. One ton of paper is equivalent to 17 trees (which take in up to 250 pounds of CO2 emitted).

LED holiday lights

Or solar-powered lights with a timer that turns off automatically, so you don’t forget! These lights last longer and are more energy-efficient than your traditional holiday lights. LED lights are proven to save up to 75% of energy (saving money) and they last 25 times longer. Not only that, but they are safer to use as they don’t overheat as much as traditional holiday lights and the same lights could still be used for the next 40 holidays!

Gift an experience

Due to the COVID pandemic, our experiences are limited. But it doesn’t have to stop us from doing things, as long as we stay safe, social distance, and plan ahead. There are so many ideas that can be gifted that don’t need to be thrown in the trash like gift cards, gift certificates, future concerts, or maybe even a gym membership to a place that requires social distancing! 

Reusable bags

Going Christmas shopping? Instead of the store giving you plastic to carry your items in, opt in for buying a reusable bag or bringing your own! Plastic is harmful to the environment as well as to us and animals. They contain chemicals that are absorbed by our bodies and especially the environment, where they can be sink into our groundwater! Not only that, but plastic can be ingested, injure and poison marine life.

Gift used or thrifted items

Also, part of the 3 Rs, reusing! There are many like-new or brand-new items you can find thrifting! And if anything, a lot of people love vintage items, especially if you score on a rare one. Stores like Goodwill or Texas Thrift offer a variety of them, but there are also online stores that sell secondhand items like Poshmark, Craigslist or eBay. In this way, waste is decreased and the demand for manufactured items decreases, which means less money and less energy for companies to emit!

DIY 

“Do it yourself”- it’s more heartfelt, you know what’s going in, and you can buy it in bulk, making it less expensive! There are so many creative ideas, especially ones to promote health and safety. One DIY idea is a COVID safety kit, like medicine, thermometers, vitamins, and masks! Another one to promote health can be a workout kit, where resistance bands, jump ropes, sweat towels, mats, and more are included!

Invest in an actual tree

Investing in an actual tree saves you from buying an artificial one that’s traveled thousands of miles, emitting carbon emissions, and made with harmful chemicals since they are made from plastic and dyes. Cutting down a real tree may sound bad, but they are grown specifically for holiday festivities. Buying a real tree keeps local tree growers’ businesses going and they are also recyclable and compostable, meaning they can go back into the earth to make new life!

Organic and locally grown food

An eco-friendly way to have a holiday dinner, this is a way you can reduce you and your family’s carbon foot-prints. Buying produce close to home, instead of one that travels thousands of miles away uses less energy and releases fewer carbon emissions. Not only that, but most local farmers grow produce and meat that are sustainable, and by buying from them you are supporting small/ local businesses, especially if they have been hit hard by the pandemic.

Reusable dishes and utensils

Reduce your carbon footprint and landfill waste by using your regular, at-home glass, ceramic, or reusable dishes and utensils. You will be saving yourself the trouble of filling up your trash with plastic that will later be thrown in the landfill and make its way to harming marine life and the environment.

Going for a walk

Instead of going for a drive, which also contributes to pollution, try going for a walk. You can enjoy a breath of fresh air and get some exercise after that hearty, holiday meal. The best part is, you do not have to do it alone and the Christmas lights are out, so you can spend time with your family, admire the lights, and support sustainability!

Toothbrush

Switch out your manual plastic toothbrush, that will probably end up in a landfill and doesn’t properly clean your teeth for a soft bristled bamboo toothbrush or a rechargeable electric toothbrush for improved cleaning and sustainability. It’s important to switch out your plastic toothbrush every few months, as it wears down quickly and can accumulate germs. Electric toothbrushes offer numerous advantages over manual brushing. They can remove more plaque, contributing to better gum health, and also preventing you from diseases like gingivitis. They also often include bluetooth features or built-in timers to ensure you brush for the recommended two minutes. They’re also easier to use, especially for people with limited hand movement or even kids. It is important to instill good oral hygiene from a young age so upgrading to an electric toothbrush may be the “cool” change to get your child more excited about dental hygiene.

Unlike plastic toothbrushes, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable and can break down naturally in the environment. Not only are the soft bristles, better for your teeth and gums, its better for the environment. Bamboo has natural antibacterial qualities, which can help reduce bacteria on the brush and promote better oral hygiene. This makes it a simple yet impactful step toward a more sustainable lifestyle while maintaining good oral hygiene.

Toothpaste

If you’re searching for a better brand of toothpaste, here is a list of dentist-recommended options tailored to different benefits. If you want a whitening toothpaste recommended by dentists nationally that removes over 90% surface stains vs. regular toothpaste, enhancing your daily brushing routine and preventing future stains than Crest 3D White Advanced Luminous Mint Teeth Whitening Toothpaste is a great option for you. It has fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities. But if you want to opt for a more natural and fluoride free option this Toms toothpaste is a great alternative. Made with natural ingredients and free from artificial flavors and colors, it provides a more gentle and eco-friendly alternative to traditional toothpaste, and still provides anti-plaque and whitening. Most toothpaste options have mint, which can be a refreshing scent to have when you wake up and before you sleep, with several health benefits as well.

Deodorant

Aluminum-free deodorant offers many benefits for people seeking a more natural approach to personal care. As people discover the harmful chemicals often found in body and skin products, they start to choose chemical-free alternatives. This shift in preference has boosted the popularity of these safer options. Unlike traditional antiperspirants that use aluminum compounds to block sweat glands, aluminum-free options focus on neutralizing odor without interfering with the body’s natural sweating process. Many people express concerns about aluminum because it can cause skin irritation and disrupt hormonal balance, impacting normal bodily functions. If you’re worried about these health risks, try using aluminum-free deodorant for effective odor protection without the potential drawbacks of aluminum. By opting for aluminum-free deodorant, you can choose a more safe, eco-friendly lifestyle while effectively managing body odor.

Floss

Flossing as we know has multiple benefits such as effectively removing plaque and food particles from between teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach, reducing the risk of cavities and helping to keep gums healthy. Regular flossing can prevent gum disease, by eliminating debris that can irritate the gums, and it also contributes to fresher breath by clearing out bacteria. Whether you floss or not is usually one of the first two questions you are asked on a dentist visit.

Manual flossing can be a tedious and sometimes even painful process for may which is why water flossing is a great alternative. Many people find water flossers easier to use than regular dental floss, making them a great option for those with braces or sensitive gums. The water can reach places that regular floss might miss, and you can adjust the pressure to what feels comfortable for you.Water flossing started out as a dentist recommended tool for people with braces to get in all the hard to reach areas but people were quick to realize there are added benefits for everyone.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a bare necessity in your daily routine, and if you don’t already use one it is detrimental that you start using any sunscreen, especially if you spend time outdoors. If you are new to sunscreen being in your daily regimen, here are the top ten sunscreens in the market. But it is important to know that there are different kinds with various added benefits and price ranges. If you opted in the past for a drugstore chemical sunscreen like Nuetrogena or Coppertone it may be in your best interest to upgrade to a mineral sunscreen. Luckily there are some great options with different benefits or even a slight tint if preferred.

Mineral sunscreens, containing ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, provide instant protection upon application by reflecting UV rays, these ingredients are crucial to look for when finding the ideal mineral sunscreen. They are often less irritating and suitable for sensitive skin, making them a great choice for those with conditions like rosacea or eczema. This Elta MD UV Clear sunscreen below is an excellent and well rated option but is quite pricey. If you are looking for a more affordable option, the Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen has similar ingredients and benefits and also made for sensitive skin for a much cheaper price.

Upgrading personal hygiene practices with products like electric toothbrushes, natural toothpaste, aluminum-free deodorants, water flossers, and mineral sunscreen can significantly enhance both health and well-being. These changes not only support better oral and skin care but also align with eco-friendly values, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle. By carefully considering the pros and cons of each upgrade, individuals can make informed choices that best suit their needs and promote long-term health benefits.

Honey → Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar

Honey, often considered a natural sweetener, is produced by bees, making it a non-vegan product. A simple switch to maple syrup or agave nectar provides a sweet, vegan-friendly alternative. Maple syrup is perfect for pancakes, oatmeal, and baking, while agave nectar works well in teas, smoothies, and desserts.

Gelatin → Agar-Agar

Gelatin is commonly used in jellies, gummy candies, and desserts but is made from animal collagen. An excellent vegan substitute is agar-agar, a jelly-like substance derived from seaweed. Agar-agar works similarly to gelatin, providing a plant-based option for your favorite recipes that call for a gel or thickener.

Eggs in Baking → Applesauce

When baking, eggs are often used as a binding agent, but there’s an easy, vegan-friendly alternative: applesauce. For each egg a recipe calls for, substitute with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce. Not only does it bind ingredients, but it also adds natural sweetness and moisture to your baked goods, making cakes and muffins deliciously moist.

Feather Pillows and Duvets → Down Alternatives

Feather-filled pillows and duvets can be cozy but are made from the plumage of birds. Opt for down alternatives like pillows and duvets filled with synthetic fibers or plant-based materials like bamboo or cotton. These alternatives are just as fluffy and warm while being cruelty-free and often hypoallergenic.

Beeswax Candles → Soy or Coconut Wax Candles

Traditional candles are often made from beeswax, but soy or coconut wax candles offer a vegan alternative. Soy and coconut wax burn longer and cleaner, making them not only better for the environment but also safer for indoor air quality. They come in various scents and styles, allowing you to create a cozy ambiance without harming bees.

Animal Hair Makeup Brushes → Synthetic Brushes

Many makeup brushes are made from animal hair, such as sable, badger, or horsehair. Synthetic makeup brushes are a cruelty-free alternative that performs just as well, if not better. Modern synthetic fibers are designed to mimic the softness and performance of natural hair while being easier to clean and less prone to shedding.

Conventional Cleaning Products → Cruelty-Free and Plant-Based Cleaners

Many household cleaning products contain animal-derived ingredients or are tested on animals. Swap them for cruelty-free and plant-based cleaners. Brands like Method, Seventh Generation, and Mrs. Meyer’s offer a wide range of vegan cleaning supplies that are effective at keeping your home spotless without the cruelty.

Wool Sweaters → Cotton, Hemp, or Bamboo Fabrics

Wool, commonly used in sweaters and winter clothing, is derived from sheep. Opt for cozy alternatives like cotton, hemp, or bamboo fabrics, which are not only vegan but also more breathable and sustainable. These plant-based materials offer warmth without the itchiness or environmental impact of wool production.

Conventional Skincare and Haircare → Vegan Skincare and Haircare

Personal care products often contain animal-derived ingredients like lanolin (from sheep’s wool) or beeswax. Transition to vegan skincare and haircare, which uses plant-based ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera. Many vegan brands are also cruelty-free, meaning they don’t test on animals, offering a more ethical choice for your beauty routine.

Milk → Plant Milk

One of the easiest and most impactful swaps is replacing dairy milk with plant-based milk like almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk. These options are widely available, nutritious, and versatile. Use them in coffee, cereals, smoothies, or cooking and baking. Most plant-based milks are fortified with calcium and vitamins, making them a healthy and delicious dairy alternative.

Switching to a vegan lifestyle doesn’t have to be difficult or restrictive. With so many alternatives available, it’s easy to replace everyday products with vegan versions that are just as effective and often better for your health, the environment, and animals. Start by making these simple swaps, and you’ll be well on your way to living a more compassionate, sustainable lifestyle.

For more tips on vegan living, check out additional articles on Health Fitness Revolution. Together, we can make small changes that have a big impact!

WALL-E (2008)

Although Disney’s and Pixar’s masterpiece is generally known as a love story between two robots, the underlying theme of the movie that most kinds might not notice are much darker. In this animated classic, the story follows a garbage cleaning robot named WALL-E as he is left alone to clean up an uninhabited and deserted earth, in the year 2805. Through his daily activities, we see the remains of the human world and the digital advertisements that suggest all humans have left earth in large luxury starships called the Axiome due to earth being a garbage-filled wasteland about 700 years ago. The story quickly shifts however as an investigating robot named EVE arrives on earth to look for any signs of life on earth.

Even though most part of the story doesn’t even happen on earth, the concept is enough to scare people; the megacorporation Buy N’ Large had caused massive environmental damage to the planet through over-consumption and corporate greed and have forced people to leave earth and wonder the galaxy for generations as they all become morbidly obese as a result of not doing anything. This movie is a major criticism on the world population and majorly on American consumerism behavior and the growing environmental issues through allegories and even biblical references but majorly by just showcasing the true demise of humanity in the most subtle and effective possible way.

IMDB: 8.4/10

Dark Waters (2019)

This legal thriller, Based on the real life events of Robert Bilott’s case against the DuPont chemical manufacturing corporation over the course of a few years. The general story of the movie is based on a 2016 New York Times’ article “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare”. Bilott, who was a criminal defense lawyer in Cincinnati, was asked by an acquaintance of his grandmother to investigate the mysterious numerous deaths of his cattle in a farm in Parkersburg, West Virginia. This investigation leads to the discovery of unregulated chemicals in the drinking water of the entire town, dumped by DuPont corporation, deliberately poisoning the entire town over the course of decades.

Chilling, captivating, and ultimately silently terrifying, Dark Waters is a true depiction of the recurring American nightmare. This case was just one of the many that was discovered and taken to court. But the lack of affective policies, regulation, powerful monopolies, and lack of education and information  about dangerous material to the public, Americans are more and more in danger of chronic illnesses such as all kinds of cancer as a direct result of lethal chemicals in the environment and even the food supply and everyday plastic materials.

IMDB: 7.6/10

Erin Brockovich (2000)

A very interesting legal thriller that showcases another true court case. Erin Brockovich is the true story of a woman by the same name who started a legal case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company on the accounts of groundwater contamination of the town of Hinkley, California. The story follows the single mother Erin, played by Julia Roberts, as she struggles to find a job and support her children, eventually managing to find a paid position in a legal office as a secretary. After studying a file in which PG&E is offering to buy a house for a resident of the town in addition to covering the numerous medical  bills of the resident, she starts to suspect things are not right and decides to start investigating and eventually start a lawsuit against the company.

The unbelievable performance of Julia Roberts as Erin only adds to the thrill of the story. Having no official legal authority in the office, starting and proceeding and completing the paperwork and investigation for the case was a job that Erin did tirelessly after seeing the true state of how bad things are. The Hinkley groundwater contamination is now a famous case and a true symbol of fighting against corporate America poisoning entire populations.

IMDB: 7.4/10

Soylent Green (1973)

This dystopian thriller is loosely based on the 1966 book Make Room! Make Room! By Harry Harrison. The movie takes place in an imaginary future in 2022, where global warming, overpopulation and pollution have caused ecocide and a worldwide shortage of food. New York City has now a population of 40 million people, majority very poor, with only the elite having access to spacious apartments, clean water and natural food and protection while most people are given rations of the processed “new food”, called Soylent Yellow and Soylent Red, and the new more nutritious and flavorful product, Soylent Green. The murder of a chairman of the Soylent corporation and the investigation by an NYPD officer leads to more mysteries, questions, and most importantly, the source of this new Soylent Green.

Unrecognized many, Soylent Green is a masterpiece of dystopian art as it doesn’t focus on the scenery, but rather the people. The long scenes showing the long lines of people waiting for their rations of food in an overcrowded, constantly humid state scares the audience and creates a possible alternate reality in which the audience can see the worst of the outcomes that could happen if climate change and food issues aren’t addressed.

IMDB: 7/10

Mother! (2017)

This Cult classic by Aranofsky would probably not even show up on many environmental movie lists. The plot that is heavily inspired by the Bible, revolves around a husband and wife, played by Javier Bardem & Jennifer Lawrence, as they spend most of their time in a large Victorian home in the middle of a beautiful plain. He spends most of his time writing and she works on the house until one day a mysterious couple arrives, which starts a chain reaction of chaos and destruction in the house.

On first watch, this movie is pure nonsense. Long shots of party people and abstract conversations, followed by unreal events and mysterious behaviors that makes the audience wonder if the director was sober while making this. But in a rewatch, these biblical events start to fall into place and the inspirations begin to reveal themselves. Although it contains strong religious messaging and religion-based plot, it is anything but a religious movie but actually a criticism of religion itself and God personally, marking him responsible for the current situation of the earth and environment and the state of our world. Although it’s not for everyone, it is strongly suggested to watch the movie and read and study about it to understand it and understand why it’s one of the most powerful environmental movies I have seen.
IMDB: 6.6/10

Many of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors linked to health issues like reproductive issues, developmental delays, hormone imbalances and certain cancers. Exposure starts early in life and builds up over time, meaning the health effects can be most pronounced in children. Minimizing plastic where possible and choosing alternatives like glass is one of the easiest yet most impactful changes we can make for our families’ health. Every step we take to reduce plastic contamination contributes to a safer food system for all.

This article examines 8 serious dangers of plastic food storage containers and wraps in order to empower you to make more informed choices and assess areas in your kitchen where plastic use could be reduced. By gaining a broader understanding of the risks, you’ll be better equipped to take steps today to safeguard your loved one’s health tomorrow.

Bisphenol A (BPA)
Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen-mimicking chemical used in many food storage containers and water bottles, poses health risks that are especially serious for children. First introduced as a plastic additive in the 1960s, BPA can leach into food and drink when these products are heated or subjected to acidic conditions.

Studies show that even minute BPA levels are enough to disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking estrogen. And BPA can easily cross the placenta during pregnancy, exposing fetuses and leading to developmental effects like immune system issues and respiratory problems in children.

Insufficient BPA-Free Label
The dangers of BPA replacements in “BPA-free” plastics. While products labeled “BPA-free” may seem safer, research shows that BPA replacements are not necessarily food-safe either. In some cases, the alternative chemicals used in so-called BPA-free plastics – like bisphenol S (BPS) – have been found to pose similar health risks as BPA.

For example, a 2018 study found that mice exposed to the BPA replacements BPS and bisphenol F (BPF):

• Had altered gene expression in reproductive tissues
• Exhibited decreased sperm counts and viability
• Produced eggs with reduced viability

These effects were able to pass to the next generation through epigenetic changes, demonstrating that BPA replacements can still have transgenerational reproductive effects.

While BPA-free labeling may imply safer products, research suggests that BPA replacements have not been adequately evaluated and may pose comparable health risks – especially for reproduction and development. This indicates a need for safer alternatives to all plastic food containers.

Asthma
BPA exposure and increased asthma risk in children, especially girls. Research increasingly suggests that exposure to BPA during fetal development may increase the risk of asthma in children, especially among girls. A 2022 study found that higher levels of BPA in pregnant women’s urine were associated with a 3-fold increased risk of asthma in their school-age daughters compared to mothers with lower BPA exposure. No significant association was found between maternal BPA levels and asthma in sons.

The researchers believe these findings may be due in part to BPA acting as an estrogen mimic, explaining the stronger effect observed on female children. BPA’s estrogen-like properties during early development could elicit long-term respiratory effects that contribute to asthma later in life, especially in females.

This study adds to the body of evidence linking BPA exposure to adverse health outcomes in children, such as allergies, wheezing and respiratory disease. More research is needed to confirm these associations and understand the underlying mechanisms involved. But the findings suggest that reducing BPA exposure during pregnancy may help lower asthma risk – particularly for daughters exposed in utero. Simple changes like choosing alternatives to plastic food storage could make a difference.

Plastic-Contaminated Food
Plastic food containers and wraps are a hidden source of health risks because chemicals in plastics can leach into the foods and drinks that come in contact with them.

When plastic products are used to store or heat food and beverages, certain chemicals they contain – like bisphenols, phthalates and adipates – can seep out of the plastic matrix and contaminate the contents inside. This process is known as leaching. Fatty foods are especially susceptible to chemical leaching from plastics. That’s because many of the chemicals found in plastic materials are lipophilic, meaning they easily dissolve into fats and oils. As a result, fatty foods like meats, cheeses and oils absorb more plastic chemicals compared to low-fat options.

The chemicals that leach out of plastic containers unnoticed into our food represent an invisible form of exposure. Once consumed, these chemicals enter our bodies where they can disrupt hormone function and contribute to health issues over time. Young children and babies who consume more plastic-packaged processed foods and juices relative to their body size face disproportionately high risks. To minimize chemical leaching from plastics, experts recommend using alternatives like glass for storing and reheating fatty or acidic foods. Storing fruits and vegetables in plastic produces less leaching but glass is still a safer choice whenever possible.

Water stored in plastic
Plastic water bottles left exposed to heat and UV rays are prone to releasing toxic chemicals like BPA into the water they contain. When plastic water bottles are left in direct sunlight or hot areas, the combination of heat and UV radiation can damage the outer layer of the plastic, allowing chemicals to leach out at higher rates.

A 2016 study found that plastic water bottles stored in the sun for 8 weeks released significantly higher levels of BPA and other hormone-disrupting chemicals compared to bottles stored in the dark at room temperature. The health risks of compounds leaching from plastic water bottles are considerable, especially for regular or long-term users:

• Exposure to BPA has been linked to disruption of the endocrine and reproductive systems, among other health effects.
• Phthalates, which can also leach from plastic, have been associated with decreased sperm quality and altered hormones in studies. Maintaining plastic water bottles in a cool place away from heat and light and replacing them regularly can help reduce chemical leaching. However, glass or stainless steel are ultimately safer alternatives for storing drinking water.

Unregulated Black Plastic
Black plastic food storage containers may contain higher levels of toxic chemicals due to lack of regulation and recycled material used in their production. A 2018 study found that 40% of tested black plastic products – including food containers – contained chemical levels that exceeded safety limits by 30 times.

Black plastic makes up 15% of plastic recyclables but finds few black plastic end products, meaning contaminated black plastic gets diverted into new products like food storage containers. To darken recycled plastic, manufacturers often add heavy metal pigments like chrome, nickel and lead. Research finds these black plastics can then leach metals into food and drinks at levels exceeding regulatory limits.

Other chemicals used to manufacture and darken black plastics – like phthalates and flame retardants – have also been found to leach out over time from food storage containers. While regulation of chemicals in food contact materials is limited, these findings underscore the potential health risks of plastic chemical exposure through black plastics use – particularly in cases of long-term and repeated use. Avoiding black plastic food storage and opting for glass or stainless steel alternatives when possible may help minimize exposure to harmful chemicals often found in recycled black plastics.

Obesity
Research suggests that exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like BPA and phthalates – commonly found in plastics – may increase the risk of obesity through interference with the body’s metabolic processes.

A 2021 review study found that EDCs like BPA and phthalates have been associated with:

• Altered adipocyte function and fat accumulation
• Disrupted leptin and insulin resistance, key hormones related to satiety and metabolism
• An imbalance in the gut microbiome which can impact metabolic health

These metabolic effects appear to occur at environmentally relevant EDC levels comparable to those found in the general population. The review study concluded that “exposure to EDCs, even at low doses, could be a risk factor for obesity.”

While more research is needed, the current evidence suggests that reducing exposure to EDCs through limiting plastic food storage and other sources could help lower obesity risk by safeguarding a healthy metabolic environment. Simple switches like choosing glass over plastic could make a difference over time.

Environmental Damage
Plastics are made from chemicals that make them resistant to natural decomposition – many plastics take hundreds or even thousands of years to degrade naturally. Thin plastics like food packaging and bags are too lightweight for traditional recycling, meaning most end up in landfills or as litter.

Even the production of new plastic products releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The plastic industry is projected to account for 20% of global fossil fuel consumption by 2050 if left unchecked.

Microplastics from plastic waste also pollute the environment and enter the food chain, harming wildlife and accumulating up the food chain. Taken together, the environmental threats of plastic pollution indicate an unsustainable system that puts undue stress on the planet for future generations to solve. Reducing single-use plastics through reuse, refusal and responsible recycling remains critical to lessen plastic waste’s environmental impact.

The knee is a complex joint susceptible to numerous injuries and conditions over time. Acute problems like strains or chronic issues like arthritis both contribute to the swelling, stiffness and inflammation characteristic of a frozen knee. Without treatment, impaired knee function remains problematic.

However, several self-care strategies can provide effective frozen knee relief at home. Applying heat, following RICE principles (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), maintaining a healthy weight, preserving flexibility and gentle exercise are natural first-line therapies. When properly implemented, this integrated approach supports joint recovery and eases strained muscles and tendons.

Of course, long-term or worsening symptoms still warrant medical evaluation. A healthcare professional can thoroughly assess the underlying cause, rule out serious issues, and recommend customized care if self-treatment proves insufficient. With proper care and management, many can experience improved knee mobility once more.

Apply Heat 

A key driver of frozen knee pain is stiffness caused by muscle tightness and joint inflammation. By applying heat, circulation can be increased to reduce swelling while relaxing tight muscles around the knee. This dual action helps alleviate discomfort.

Some gentle and effective heat therapy methods include:

• Warmed wet towel: Place a wet towel in the microwave for 30 seconds, check temperature does not exceed body heat, then wrap gently around knee.
• Knee-high heat pack: If available, medical-grade heat packs provide targeted, continuous warmth when wrapped around the knee area.
• Warm bath soak: Submerging the knee in warm (not hot) bathwater for 15-20 minutes allows the joint to benefit from constant, dispersed heat therapy. Check water temperature is comfortable before soaking.
• Heating pad: On low setting, use an electric heating pad and wrap towel around knee for controlled heat. Check skin frequently and don’t exceed 20 minutes per session.

Consistent heat therapy 1-2 times daily can help “thaw” a frozen knee naturally by relaxing muscles for improved mobility and reducing underlying inflammation over time. Always test temperature first for safety and comfort.

R.I.C.E. 

Rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) remain core principles for treating a frozen knee. Rest is important to allow healing – avoid prolonged sitting or activities that increase discomfort. Take 5-10 minute standing breaks every 30 minutes to redistribute weight off the joint.

Ice therapy reduces inflammation and numbs the area to relieve pain and stiffness. Ideal icing methods involve applying a wrapped ice pack or frozen damp towel to the knee for 15-20 minutes, several times per day. The cold temperature constricts blood vessels to decrease swelling.

Applying light compression also supports recovery. Use an elastic wrap like an ACE bandage to gently restrict blood flow in the knee without cutting circulation. This supports reduction of built-up fluid that contributes to swelling and tension in the joint.

Proper elevation above heart level whenever sitting also enhances the effects of RICE. Keeping the knee elevated on a pillow takes pressure off the joint, allowing gravity to work in removing excess fluid from swollen tissues surrounding the knee cap. Patience and consistency with RICE techniques can aid natural recovery of a frozen knee at home.

Weight Management

Weight management is an important part of treating and preventing knee issues. Extra pounds place undue stress on weight-bearing joints like the knees, which can lead to pain and accelerate natural degeneration over time. Losing excess weight through lifestyle changes reduces this stress and improves knee function.

For those who are overweight, even modest weight loss provides benefits. Extra weight forces knees to endure pressure with each step that promotes inflammation. Chronic inflammation is itself a risk factor for long-term joint damage rather than just a symptom.

Gradually achieving a healthier weight can be done through careful diet and regular exercise. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods and moderate physical activity you enjoy. Meet with a medical professional or registered dietitian to safely develop an individualized plan through balanced calorie reduction and lifestyle habits. Reducing body weight when overweight is one of the best things you can do to support your knees.

Maintaining flexibility has long-term benefits. Static stretching is a low-intensity stretch that can help alleviate soreness and, overtime, greatly improve flexibility. 

The use of a rolled up towel is a great exchange for a foam roller used in physical therapy clinics. 

A stretching strap is an inexpensive band that can assist in low-intensity stretching in the comfort of your own home.

Low Intensity Exercises

In addition to rest and self-care, guided low-impact exercises are useful for improving knee range of motion and flexibility once inflammation subsides. Gentle movement helps stimulate blood flow and lubrication in the joint. Low-intensity options to consider include:

• Morning/evening yoga or stretching routines tailored for knees. Focus on safe poses like cat/cow and knee-to-chest stretches.
• Shallow water aquatic exercise like water walking/jogging. The buoyancy takes pressure off joints while improving circulation.
• Outdoor walking or stationary cycling. Start slowly, monitoring for irritation.

Simple at-home range-of-motion exercises that can be done daily with heat include: controlled straight leg lifts, partial deep knee bends holding onto stability for balance, and calf/hamstring stretches. See a physical therapist for guidance on form to avoid future injury.

Consistency is key, but listen to pain levels and don’t push through discomfort. Over time, gentle movement with proper technique can help “thaw” a frozen knee and maintain long-term joint health and mobility.

Healing stiff, swollen joints cannot be rushed and requires persistence. Continue monitoring your mobility gains through gentle movements and range-of-motion exercises. Note any setbacks and adjust the plan accordingly under medical guidance if symptoms worsen. With dedication to an integrated approach, your knee function and morning discomfort should steadily improve. Most importantly, be kind to yourself throughout the recovery process. With consistency, your knee will eventually thaw.

#EarthDay2024, @houmayor Whitmire joined @APA_Corp CEO, @HPARD and volunteers to plant 2,500 trees at Watonga Park. Today’s event is possible thanks to Apache’s support of Tour de Houston.
Everyday should be #EarthDay . We have a responsibility to our children and… pic.twitter.com/9I4zZhbYOh

— City of Houston (@HoustonTX) April 22, 2024

Houston Mayor John Whitmire, a passionate advocate for Houston’s natural beauty, gave an enthusiastic speech about his love for Houston and its natural habitat. His powerful speech resonated with the crowd, emphasizing the critical role of green spaces in our city’s well-being. His leadership was more than symbolic; it was hands-on. Mayor Whitmire personally planted trees alongside volunteers, demonstrating his commitment to reforesting Houston’s parks and bayous.

Councilwoman Abbie Kamin also took the opportunity to address the crowd, emphasizing the significance of green spaces within her district. She expressed heartfelt appreciation to all the participants involved in enhancing the beauty of Watonga Park. Under the guidance of HPARD Director Kenneth Allen and the coordination of Oneika Peters, the event ran seamlessly, with enthusiastic volunteers and city employees working collaboratively to bring their vision to life. Kenneth Allen thanked Mayor Whitmire for his support in attracting Houstonians to the event, and attributed the large volunteer turnout to Whitmire’s personal call to action.

.@houmayor John Whitmire and Director Kenneth Allen were among those to celebrate Earth Day at Watonga Park, where volunteers from @APA_Corp and other organizations helped us plant 2,500 trees. pic.twitter.com/AesdCPXKf7

— HPARD (@HPARD) April 23, 2024

The energy in the air was palpable as volunteers and city employees joined forces, their collective efforts breathing new life into the park. Together, they wielded shovels and worked tirelessly to create a greener and more vibrant environment. The event was a testament to the power of unity and the shared commitment to nurturing Houston’s natural spaces.

Volunteers spent the afternoon planting trees donated by Apache Oil. Earth Day is meant for reflecting on environmental stewardship, and volunteering with projects like this one honors that spirit. The new trees will absorb carbon dioxide and provide shade and wildlife habitat for years.

Happy Earth Day! To celebrate and conserve the natural resources of the world we live in, we partnered with @houmayor and @HPARD to plant 2,500 trees at Watonga Park. Thank you to our CEO, John Christmann, and all Apache employees who came out to volunteer for Earth Day HTX! pic.twitter.com/D0WHwmRLyx

— APA Corporation (@APA_Corp) April 22, 2024

Houston’s Official Fitness Czar Samir said it was rewarding to work with Mayor Whitmire, neighbors, Apache Oil, and local leaders like Vice Mayor Pro Tem Amy Peck and Councilwoman Abbie Kamin. Their collaborative efforts will leave the park in a better state while supporting sustainability.

Bringing together corporations, elected officials, and community volunteers exemplifies how partnerships can affect meaningful change. 

Earth Day is a special day meant for reflecting on how we can better care for our planet. Volunteering with tree planting initiatives is one tangible way to honor the day’s message of environmental stewardship. The new trees will help absorb carbon dioxide from the air and provide shade and habitat for local wildlife for many years to come. The 2024 Earth Day HTX event was part of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s Riparian Restoration Initiative intended to enhance and restore forested areas within 70 parks along Houston’s waterways. To date, 25 restoration projects have been completed.

The Earth Day celebration at Watonga Park in Houston was a resounding success, thanks to the collaboration between the City of Houston and Apache Corporation!

1. Kernza

You may have never heard of kernza because it is a fairly new crop related to wheat. It is slowly being introduced as a new grain that is highly sustainable. What makes kernza more sustainable than other grains is its perennial nature as opposed to being an annual crop. Perennial crops are known to be much more sustainable because of their longer growing season, reduced nutrient loss, continuous groundcover, and decreased carbon emissions. On the other hand, annual crops require tilling and herbicides to remove vegetation since they are replanted every year. Currently, kernza is only being sold as a niche crop from small farms, but there are plans in the near future to expand production and sale to grocery stores and restaurants. 

2. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are the ultimate recycler, giving back to the environment just as much as they provide for us. Mushrooms are not only a versatile food, great for their low fat-high protein content, nutraceutical properties, and high fiber, but they are also great fertilizers for soil. The carbon footprint that mushroom farming has is so small, that is it is almost irrelevant in comparison to other crops. Growing 1 pound of mushrooms only emits 0.7 lbs of carbon dioxide which is very little compared to the 20 lbs of carbon emissions released from burning 1 gallon of gasoline. Also, it only takes 2 gallons of water to grow 1 pound of mushrooms while fresh fruits and vegetables require almost 50 gallons of water to produce the same amount. 

3. Legumes 

Legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils are a highly accessible and widely used sustainable food. Legume crops lower carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions as well as improve soil fertility all the while, providing feed and food to humans and animals. These crops work in harmony with a bacteria called rhizobia to help store nitrogen in the soil and provide nutrients to the plant. Because of the rhizobia-legume relationship, synthetic fertilizers are often not required to grow legumes. Additionally, legumes are very hardy crops that can grow in a high yield with very little water, omitting the need for harmful irrigation. 

4. Mussels

Mussels, unlike many other types of seafood, can be sustainably farmed. Although mussels can be caught in the wild, they are more often farmed on long strings of rope hung in the water. Because of the way mussels can be farmed, they have a much smaller ecological footprint than other protein sources. Mussels require no land or feed to grow, harvesting them results in little damage to surrounding ecosystems, and they remove carbon dioxide from the ocean to help grow their shells. 

5. Seaweed 

Seaweed should not only be considered a superfood for its high nutritional density but also because it is the least harmful aquaculture food to grow. All seaweed needs to grow is the water around it. No fertilizer, no soil, and no extra nutrients are required. Additionally, seaweed provides food and shelter for animals in the ecosystem and it acts as a filter for agricultural run-off from fish farms and sewage plants. Seaweed by-products also contain biostimulant properties that could replace synthetic fertilizers and pesticides by stimulating plant growth and contributing to antibiotic and pest resistance. 

6. Local, Seasonal Fish

Overfishing has become a major global issue in our environment with estimations of a food crisis coming in the near future if fishing practices are not changed. Buying local fish that are in season helps support healthy, sustainable ecosystems without promoting the commercial fishing that is bringing in massive amounts of fish and unwanted animals that are wasted. One tiny island the size of Philadelphia called Palau is revolutionizing the way fishing should be performed to protect our oceans. Sustainable fishing can be and must be achieved for the safety of our environment and future food system. 

7. Local, Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Much like buying local fish, local fruits and vegetables are a much more sustainable choice than the commercialized, GMO produce found in the grocery store. Farming organic foods on a smaller scale excludes the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers, as well as protects the soil from erosion and the surrounding ecosystems from destruction. However, to support the natural ecosystem, fresh fruits and vegetables should only be bought when in season. For more information on sustainable produce, read about 10 foods to buy organic. 

8. Venison 

Of all the animal proteins available, which one is the most sustainable? The answer is venison. The overpopulation of deers has become a severe problem for the health of forest ecosystems. Native plant species are being destroyed, vegetation is decreasing, and bare soil is accumulating all due to the grazing of too many deer. Not to mention, deer-vehicle collisions are harming humans and it costs money for car repair. While it would be the most sustainable option to hunt and process the deer yourself, not everyone is willing to get that personal with their food. Opting to buy venison from a local butcher is a great way to reduce the deer population and return the ecosystem to its original state. 

9. Peanuts

Peanuts are considered the most sustainable nut since they require little water to grow. Because peanuts have such long root systems, they are able to gain a large amount of water from the ground and not much irrigation is necessary. Historically, peanuts were introduced to North America by Africans and they were used to replenish the nitrogen in the soil between cotton harvests. The self-sufficient nature of peanuts allows them to grow well without additional fertilizers. 

10. Oats

Oats, a heart-healthy and sustainable food. Oats are fast and easy to grow and they are often used in between harvests to replenish the soil with nutrients. Of course, many oats are still grown with artificial chemicals so caution must be taken when sourcing where the oats came from. More recently, oats have taken their place in plant-based milks along with nut and soy milks. Plant-based milks have been shown to have fewer carbon emissions and take less land to produce than cow’s milk. Of all the plant-based milks, oat milk takes the least amount of water to make and it is more nutritionally dense than almond milk. To learn more about plant milks, click here.

• Use Recyclable Reusable Grocery Bags: Single-use plastic bags are huge contributors to pollution and littering in oceans. A study done by Clemson University shows cotton tote bags may actually be worse for the environment than plastic bags since it is requires more resources to manufacture. One must use a cotton tote bag 7100 times in order to make up for the carbon footprint of making a tote bag. Therefore, it’s important to use reusable and recyclable bags to carry your produce. The more times you use your bag, the better for our environment.

• Skip Using Plastic Bags for Produce: Too often, many shoppers excessively use plastic bags to cover their produce in addition to using a plastic bag to carry produce. For produces such as bananas or apples, it’s not completely necessary to wrap such produces with an extra plastic bag.

• Buy Fair Trade Products: Fair trade certified products indicate a company is recognized and certified to follow fair trade standards, which ensures equitable farming practices and limits the use of pesticides/fertilizers. The certification encourages sustainable practices, so buying fair trade certified products supports companies with environmentally-friendly initiatives.

• Shop Dry Goods in Bulk: Buying dry goods in bulk is cost effective, and it helps cut down on the amount of plastic packaging required. According to National Geographic, 91 percent of plastic is not recycled. Therefore, buying in bulk reduces the amount of plastic on individually wrapped products. 

• Food Packaging: If possible, try to buy your food contained in recyclable packaging or glass containers. This eliminates a considerable amount of waste through food packaging. One way you can do this is avoiding buying water from plastic bottles and look to other alternatives such as water filters.

• Consume Seasonal Foods: In-season food not only does it cost less, but food also tastes best during peak season. Foods not in-season often have to be imported from other countries, so it requires less energy to grow. This upcoming fall, shoppers should plan on buying pumpkins and apples.

• Purchase Locally-grown Meats: Supporting local businesses will not only help the local economy, but also a way to get more sustainable meat. Typically, local businesses will have grass-fed and ethically raised meat. This is environmentally-responsible because the meat is not shipped from far away.  

• Shop Only What You Need: Food waste has increasingly become a problem. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, between 30-40 percent of food is wasted each year in America. To eliminate food waste, try planning out meals, so you buy just enough food. Not only is planning your groceries financially viable, but it also saves time. On the occasion there are leftovers, consider composting for your garden or replanting to grow plants such as scallions, potatoes, or avocados.

• Buy In-season Fish: Fish are also seasonal foods, spawning, migrating, and growing during different points of the year. When fish are caught during spawning season, they are not able to mature and reproduce. With the additional effect of overfishing, the availability of fish continues to decrease, detrimentally changing the ecosystem. By buying fish that are in-season, you can help keep fish population at healthy levels.

• Buy Sustainable Foods: Lastly, you can aim to buy more foods with a lower carbon footprint. Some examples of sustainable foods include leafy greens, assortment of nuts, and different varieties of beans. Check out Health Revolution Fitness’s article 10 Healthy and Sustainable Foods to gain a better understanding of the health and environmental benefits of buying sustainable foods.

Collecting your own rainwater can decrease the demand for water from your local reservoir, allow for storage in times of need, reduce erosion, flooding, and save energy. In fact, 600 gallons of water can be gathered from only 1 inch of rain. The City of Houston Public Works is offering a limited-time offer of reduced pricing (45% off!) on a rain barrel.

A great way to conserve is by using a rain barrel. The #HouPublicWorks Fall Rain Barrel Sale is underway! Get your discounted rain barrel for $77 (retail price $139). You can also order a compost bin for $62.
Order online:https://t.co/n7XN8SoJMw #WaterWednesday #HouWater pic.twitter.com/UHiBsS9UQP

— City of Houston (@HoustonTX) August 22, 2022

So how can you collect your own rainwater? Check out these 10 ways:

• Rain barrel: Rain barrels are a great way to collect rainwater and store it for later use. A rain barrel is like a big bucket that’s just collecting rainfall. Whatever size you prefer, some choose to get a lid to prevent other specimens from entering. You can find affordable ones online and connect it directly to your gutter so the water can drain right in! Some people choose to get ones with spouts for easy access to the collected water. With a rain barrel, you can find yourself collecting up to 55 gallons of water depending on the size you get!
• Garbage can: If you don’t want to go online or in-store to spend money and time looking for the right rain barrel for you, you can make your own rain barrel with just a trash can! Just the right size for adequate collection size, you can have a rain catching system that isn’t so eye-catching and blends right in. Check out this easy 5-step instruction set on how to turn your garbage can into the perfect rain harvester!
• PVC pipe attachment: Great for watering a garden, this is a sturdy, easy rain catcher that you can do yourself. In 11 easy steps, you can find yourself with a rain barrel for less than $100. What is great about these instructions is that the author also details mistakes she made when creating her rain barrels, so you don’t make the same mistakes.

• Water tank: If you have a large, flat area and are looking for a way to harvest water, consider building a water tank. These can be built so large, you can hold up to thousands of liters. Both underground and outside options, they can be built with plastic or concrete. A water tank is an efficient way to store water that will last you through the dry season and beyond!
• Rain garden: If you have enough land space outside, consider making a rain garden. A small, sunken piece of land with local soil and plants can help clean contaminated water that then trickles into the ground. With water from your gutters and rainfall falling into the garden pool, you are keeping the groundwater system healthy. Check out this great step by step on how to make your own rain garden.
• Bladder tank: If you are looking for a rain-catching system that isn’t so obvious outside of your house, consider a bladder tank. While this option isn’t one you can do yourself, it can be found online for a price that fits your budget. These can be stored in a hidden place below your house and act as a big Ziploc to hold rainwater. The bladder tank is basically a giant bag made of strong material that will hold water on top of your roof or near the gutters. This way, when it rains, all of that water doesn’t go straight into the ground and instead fills up the bladder tank.

• Rain saucer: This is a quick and easy do-it-yourself method to harvest rainwater. As the fastest way to store rainwater, you’re going to wish you did this sooner. Imagine the saucers like giant funnels that are just letting the rain slip into a reservoir to gather! If you’re interested in making your own rain saucer set up, this is a great set of instructions to follow.
• Rain chain: Originating from Japan, a rain chain is a common way to collect and store rainwater. Hanging outdoors with a barrel, pot, or virtually whatever you want to store the collected rainwater in, the water runs from the chain into the storage unit. Not only are they awesome ways to store water, but they’re also beautiful to look at. Here is how to make your own rain chain.
• Green roof: Green roofs are, like in the name, ways to store rainwater on either flat or slightly angled roofs. As a waterproofing system, a vegetative layer is placed on top to not only look aesthetically pleasing, but also use 70-90% of the rainwater that falls on them. By reducing runoff, these can help prevent flooding as well.
• Ponds: Creating a little pond is also another aesthetically pleasing method of water harvesting. By creating a hole in the ground around 3 meters deep, you can easily collect any runoff rainwater. Popular in national parks and farms, this is a great way to harvest water. Learn how to make your own pond to hold rainwater here.

Conserve water and control runoff

Water is one of the most important resources on Earth, and conserving it is one of the best ways to create a sustainable garden. When it comes to conserving water, you can’t just rely on your best friend: the rain. As we all know, sometimes it just doesn’t rain enough. Sometimes you need to get a little more creative. Overusing water can lead to water shortages and its impacts are exacerbated during droughts. Water can be conserved in a multitude of ways.

• Water plants only when its needed
• Use a low-angle spray instead of oscillating sprinklers as they result in less water loss due to evaporation.
• Use a drip irrigation or soaker hoses instead of oscillating sprinklers
• Put up a rain barrel collects rainwater to water the plants
• Develop a swale to help retain water in the soil and prevent runoff

Compost and use garden waste

It’s hot. It’s trendy. It’s a great way to recycle your organic waste, and it’s also a really good way to help out your garden! Composting is sustainable because it is a process that reuses and enriches the environment. Composting lessens the amount of waste going to landfills, enriches soil the, helps retain moisture, and suppresses plant diseases and pests.

Composting can be done on any scale—in your backyard or in a community garden—and it doesn’t take much effort at all. All you need is some time and space for a pile of decomposing matter (aka garbage). You can make compost from food scraps or yard waste like leaves or grass clippings; alternatively, you could use manure from livestock if you have access to such resources.

• Rake leaves over your garden when putting the garden into winter bed
• Indoor food composting
• Plant green manures (crops like rye, oats, and hairy vetch) to add nitrogen and other nutrients
• Add leaves into your compost pile
• Support, volunteer, or develop a yard waste recycling program for the neighborhood
• Send garden waste to the local yard waste recycling program for materials that can’t be composted rather than sending plant-based waste to the landfill.
• Reuse plastic, clay and other pots in your garden and do not send them to a landfill. After using a pot, you can send them to specific locations to be recycled

Seed Saving

What’s in your seeds?

If you’re like most people, the answer is “not much.” That’s because in America, we’ve lost 90% of our fruit and vegetable varieties. That means that the only fruits and veggies you can buy are the ones that are most popular—and that leaves little room for diversity.

But what if we told you there’s a way to change that? What if we told you that seeds can help us preserve diversity? And what if we told you it was super easy to do? All it takes is a little planning and some seed-saving know-how.

The good news is, all it takes is taking some time to sit down with your plants and get to know them better. You’ll learn more about their growing habits, which will help you make better decisions when it comes time to harvest them—and that means more food security for everyone!

• Begin saving the easiest seeds which include plans like peas, beans, peppers, tomatoes 
• Take seeds from dried flowers
• Find fields and woodlands for native plants and grasses to harvest
• Identify weeds and invasive plants to prevent accidental growth in your garden

Use Native Plants

You know what’s an easy way to make your garden sustainable? Letting the plants in it do all the work!

Because native plants are perfectly adapted to the climate of where you live, they’ll thrive naturally in your micro-climate. This means that you can use less soil additives, less water, and in general less work for them to thrive in the garden.

• Consult with local garden experts to find the appropriate native plants for your garden
• Ideally, find plants that will match your given climate: tolerate drought or high rainfall
• Like gardening, choose plants that mature during the appropriate growing season
• Consider plants that tolerate high winds for conditions that are more exposed/barren

Reduce amount of fossil-fuel energy

When it comes to the environment, we all want to do our part. And if you’re anything like us, you love a good challenge. So why not try something new?

We’re talking about using tools that release less pollutants in the air. This not only makes the environment healthier, but it is also better for people’s health as well. Taking measures to use less fossil-fuel energy and more clean energy is an easy way to help your body and the planet.

• Reduce the size of the lawn, which would require less mowing/use of a mower
• Use a more energy-efficient lawn mower that pollutes less
• Garden and dig by hand rather than using an electric tool
• Only mow your lawn when needed

Mulch

Mulching is sustainable for a few reasons.

First, it keeps weeds from growing in your garden, which means you won’t have to use as many chemicals to control them. This means less waste, more money saved, and healthier plants!

Second, mulch helps hold moisture in the soil, which reduces the need for watering your plants (and conserves water). This can be especially important in regions where water is scarce or restricted.

• Add a 2 to 3-inch layer of the mulch around garden beds and plants. 
• Sustainable options for mulch are the following: shredded bark, cocoa bean hulls, pine needles, and grass clippings.

Plant Perennials 

Looking to save money and practice sustainable habits? Look no further than planting perennials!

Perennials are plants that come back year after year, providing a long-lasting, low-maintenance alternative to annuals. You can find them in all shapes, sizes, and colors—and they will grow larger each year.

The best thing about perennials is that you don’t have to buy new ones every year. And since they’re more permanent than annuals, you won’t have to water them as much either! One should find perennials adapted to their USDA Zone.

• Select more drought tolerant grasses that require less mowing.
• Plant different species and varieties of plants, which can provide habitats for beneficial insects and reduce damage from periodic diseases. You are also helping to preserve genetic diversity.

• Reduce Beef Consumption: The production of beef is massively unsustainable and leaves a major negative environmental impact. It requires 160 times more land to produce beef than other plant-based foods, directly leading to uncontrolled deforestation, especially in the Amazon rainforest. In addition, 36 kilograms of CO2 are released for every kilogram of beef produced. By cutting down on your beef consumption, you can lower your carbon footprint and contribute to environmental conservation. 

• Eat More Legumes: Beans and other legumes provide a sustainable source of protein that can replace many meats. The production of legumes is much more environmentally friendly, as it doesn’t come with the massive land requirements and carbon emissions associated with red meats. In addition, the nitrogen-fixation process seen in legumes improves soil fertility, reducing the need for fertilizers harmful to the environment. Eating more beans is a healthy, sustainable habit that contributes to environmental conservation.

• Buy Local: Locally grown foods are becoming increasingly popular as the movement towards sustainability grows. Choosing products grown locally comes with numerous environmental benefits, including the protection of small farm land that otherwise may be taken for industrial and commercial purposes and the reduction of food miles. In addition, local foods are usually pesticide and preservative free and have lowered risk of food contamination. Buying locally grown products is an easy and healthy sustainable habit to adopt. 

• Choose Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables: The seasonal fruits and vegetables you find at your local farmers market are a better choice when it comes to sustainability than those that may have to travel hundreds of miles to get to you. This long distance shipping eats up gas and releases unnecessary carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Buy fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables in bulk and freeze them to store for longer periods of time in order to reduce your carbon footprint and live more sustainably. 

• Grow Your Own Fruits and Vegetables: Contributing to a community or private garden is an amazing sustainable habit to adopt. Not only will it provide you fresh and delicious produce, but it significantly reduces your carbon footprint as well. Gardening is also associated with numerous health benefits! Try growing your own food and pick up a fantastic sustainable habit for conservation of resources. 

• Cook More Servings: An easy way to conserve energy and live more sustainably is to cook more servings than necessary and freeze the leftovers. This will not only save your time, but microwaving leftovers rather than cooking a new meal is an easy way to cut down on energy consumption and reduce your carbon footprint. 

• Reusable Water Bottles: With Americans throwing away 60 million plastic water bottles every day, plastic consumption is a serious issue and threat to sustainability. We too often use plastic water bottles or even canned water unnecessarily. Invest in a water filter that allows you to drink tap water and take your reusable water bottle with you wherever you go. This simple habit can make a huge difference in environmental conservation and will also save you money. 

• Take Public Transport: Public transport is widely available and mostly underused. Reducing the number of cars on the road reduces carbon emission as well as traffic congestion. In addition, it’s probably more affordable for you to take the bus or train to work. Use the extra time to read a book or just to catch your breath in the middle of a busy day!

• Invest in Reusable Straws: An extremely simple and easy habit to adopt, using reusable straws is an important step to take towards living a more sustainable lifestyle. Single-use plastic straws used widely around the world are incredibly wasteful. With bans on plastic straws beginning to gain popularity, it’s a good idea to buy a couple metal or silicone straws to use around your home. Using reusable straws is a great sustainable habit with even better implications towards conservation.

• Choose Better Cooking Utensils: Plastic cooking spatulas and spoons are a much cheaper option, leading many to choose them over their metal and wooden counterparts. These cheaper, hard-plastic utensils, however, take hundreds of years to degrade and contribute to our unhealthy plastic consumption. Buying a metal or wooden spatula may be more expensive, but they last much longer and are cleaner options for the environment. 

After all, we’re based here! But we also love our city because it’s got a ton of things going for it—one of which is Samir Becic. It’s been almost 4 years since HFR founder Samir Becic was named “Fitness Czar” for the City of Houston! What better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a series of healthy living recommendations for Houstonians?

Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed Samir with the official title on November 1st, 2018 following 16 years of Samir’s dedicated service (starting with Mayor Lee Brown in 2002) to make the city a healthier and fitter place to live. In continuation of our founder and his tireless work to make the city a healthier place to live for the past 20 years (as a volunteer and 4 years as “Fitness Czar”), we are sharing some of our favorite healthy Houston recommendations- to see all of our top picks, click here.

Houston’s Healthiest Restaurants

Eating healthy can be a challenge in today’s fast-paced world. The abundance of fast food restaurants in Houston can make it hard to resist the temptation of unhealthy foods.

But there is hope! Health-based and plant-based restaurants are popping up all over our city, offering delicious meals that will keep you on track with your diet goals and better your quality of life.

Not only are these restaurants delicious and healthy, but they also care about their customers’ health—and the environment. They provide an environmentally friendly alternative to other fast food restaurants, by taking extra care during the farming process and avoiding harmful preservatives and chemicals used to treat fruits and vegetables.

Here are our Top 10 picks for healthiest Houston restaurants:

Pat Greer’s Kitchen

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pat Greer’s Kitchen (@patgreerskitchen)

• Pat Greer’s Kitchen
• 412 W Clay St, Houston, TX 77019
• Open from 10am-2pm Tuesday – Friday
• Pat Greer’s Kitchen is a local business that is plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free!
• This restaurant offers juices and meals that will satisfy your hunger. Pat Greer has been creating plant-based/vegan food in the Houston area for 20+ years now. Specialties of the house include Pesto Party Geez, Mocha Sutra, Go Phish Tacos, Tamales, Geez-its, and Strawberry Geezcake.  

True Foods Kitchen

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by True Food Kitchen (@livetruefood)

• True Food Kitchen
• 1700 Post Oak Blvd #180, Houston, TX 77056
• Opens 11am – 9pm Mon-Fri, 10am – 10pm Sat, and 10am – 9pm Sun
• True food love to promote healthy eating. Their motto is to bring people together to eat better, feel better, & celebrate a passion for better living. 
• They have a variety of healthy meals to enjoy, some of holiday favorites are Lasagna Bolognese, Grilled Chicken, Sweet Potato Hash, & Tuscan Kale Salad.

Ruggles Black

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ruggles Black (@rugglesblackfoodbar)

•  Ruggles Black
• 2245 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098
• Opens 11am-10pm Mon-Thurs, 11am-11pm Fri-Sat
• They have many type of keto and paleo diet food such as crab tower and even a keto margarita to enjoy after a long day after work!
• If you want to keep it simple a great choice is the keto salad which arugula, pistachio, cashews, fontina cheese, aged parmesan, key lime juice, basil oil, zucchini , broccoli, green onion, red onion, mushrooms

Leaf & Grain

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Leaf & Grain (@theleafandgrain)

• Leaf & Grain
• 1200 McKinney St Suite 479, Houston, TX 77010
• Opens 11am-3pm Mon-Thurs and 11am-2pm Fridays
• Bustling, quick-serve outpost for health-conscious fare with build-your-own & vegetarian options.
• With delicious option to chose from they include grain bowls, salads, warm bowls, and soups
• One of their popular dishes is the Alamo Grain Bowl which includes brown rice, kale, roasted cage-free chicken, avocado, house TX Cheese blend, cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, black beans, tortilla chips.

Brasa’s Brazilian Steakhouse

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brasa’s Brazilian Steakhouse (@brasashouston)

• Brasa’s Brazilian Steakhouse

• 705 Main st, houston tx, 77002
• Open for lunch 11:30 am-3:00 pm Mon-Sat
• Open for dinner 5:00 pm-10:00 pm Mon-Fri and 3:00 pm- 10:00 pm Sat
• When you’re looking for a great meal, you want something that will leave you feeling satisfied and full of life. You want to indulge in a delicious and healthy meal that makes you want to come back for more. One of our top picks for a great and healthy place to dine with friends or family is Brasa’s Brazilian Steakhouse, a must-try in Downtown Houston. All of their meat is cooked on an open-fire grill and carved tableside, so you can enjoy the true spirit of the gauchos while you eat. They also offer an exclusive salad bar with organic greens, fruits, and veggies that are picked at their peak ripeness to ensure maximum flavor.
• At Brasa’s Brazilian Steakhouse, they work with top suppliers to guarantee that they only serve their guests the highest quality meat and produce. They use only organic ingredients for their salads and cheeses, which makes for an incredibly fresh dining experience! They offer unlimited “all-you-can-eat” style dining with an exclusive salad bar and the best selection of over 15 cuts of meat, including chicken, beef, pork, lamb, and seafood. The cuts are then continuously presented to guests tableside in authentic rodizio fashion.
• If you’ve never tried churrasco before, this is the perfect place to give it a try! Brasa’s Brazilian Steakhouse introduces the churrascaria style of traditional Brazilian barbecue, originated in Rio Grande do Sul of Southern Brazil, to Downtown Houston. You’ll find yourself amazed by how delicious everything tastes—it’s hard to believe your taste buds are being treated with such tender meat from an open-fire grill! You’ll soon see why people rave about this incredible experience.
• Don’t wait any longer—make your way over to Brasa’s Brazilian Steakhouse today!

Green Seed Vegan

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by #takeaveggiebreak (@greenseedvegan)

• Green Seed Vegan
• 4320 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77004
• Opens 11am-8pm Mon-Sun
• It is in a casual spot for raw & vegan gourmet sandwiches, juices, and smoothies in an airy, open space.
• The best part their menu items are 100% vegan, soy free, with gluten-free options. Which includes options such as Bombay (curry garbanzo tempeh chicken salad topped with micro greens & tomatoes).

Original Chopshop

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Original ChopShop (@originalchopshop)

• Original Chopshop
• 3027 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
• 7am-9pm Mon-Sun
• Like all the other restaurants on this list Original Chopshop cares for their customers wellbeing.
• Some of their holiday favorites are the green juice, avocado toast, and fruity desserts that include blueberries, bananas, yogurt, and oats.

Sweetgreen

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by sweetgreen (@sweetgreen)

• Sweetgreen
• 2551 Amherst St, Houston, TX 77005
• Opens 10:30am-9pm Mon-Sun
• Their motto is to building healthier communities by connecting people to real food.
• Sweet Green is a huge supporter for local farmers and local businesses. They enjoy to show their customers their recommended fruits and vegtables that are in season. Some of their best foods include curry cauliflower bowl with blackened chicken, curry roasted cauliflower, shredded cabbage, cilantro, raisins, warm quinoa, arugula, and topped off with a mix of sweet green hot sauce and peppercorn tahina dressing.

Dish Society

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dish Society (@dishsociety)

• Dish Society
• 4191 Bellaire Blvd Suite #180, Houston, TX 77025
• Opens 8am-9pm Sun-Thur and 8am-10pm Fri-Sat
• Dish Society is dedicated to using the highest quality and freshest ingredients possible, Dish Society sources a majority of its items locally from suppliers and ranchers. The all-day diner turns out a seasonally changing menu with healthful modern twists on traditional favorites.
• They support the local agriculture community by using locally grown produce and other products made in, or around, Houston as much as possible.

CAVA

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CAVA (@cava)

• CAVA
• 250 W 20th St Unit 400, Houston, TX 77008
• Opens 10:45am-10pm Mon-Sun
• They love to get their fruits and vegetables from organic farms such as Desert Valley Date, an organic farm in the Coachella Valley.
• One of the most popular dishes is the sweet and spicy chicken pita. But the customization for their variety of bowls, salands, and grains will leave you satisfied to come back for more.

First off, Reduce: The first step in reducing waste is by using less plastic bags or any other type of plastic containers which are used for storage or transportation purposes. If you are buying groceries then look at the store’s packaging before buying anything that has excessive amounts of plastic wrapped around it (this could be anything from your favorite soda bottle or even your favorite cereal box). By doing this you will reduce the amount of trash that goes into landfills which helps reduce greenhouse gases as well (which leads us into the next section).

Reuse and recycle.

Or, as we like to call it, “waste not.”

Because the world is so full of stuff, it’s easy to forget that much of what we use is only useful for a short while. Everything has a lifespan—from milk jugs and coffee cups to plastic bags and even paper towels. When those things are no longer useful, they become garbage that we throw away. But there are better ways!

Reuse means finding new ways to use things that otherwise would have been thrown out. Recycling means turning something old and useless (like plastic milk jugs) into something new and useful (like picnic benches, playground equipment, and recycling bins).

It’s time for us all to start thinking about how we can make our lives greener by reducing our waste—and there are so many health benefits that can be gained from recycling, keep reading to learn more:

Helps reduce the need for raw resources: We’re all taught to practice recycling in school, but it’s easy to forget what it’s actually doing for the environment. Recycling is a key part of the process of conservation, which reduces the need for raw materials that are taken from the environment and reduces pollution.

In very basic terms, conservation is when we use less of something while still getting the same result.

Recycling is key to the future of our planet. When we recycle, the amount of raw materials needed to be taken from the environment is greatly reduced. This helps preserve our environment and allows all the life in it to thrive and grow.

We all make trash, but not all of it can be recycled. It’s important to know which things are okay to throw away in your trash and which ones can be recycled.

All food items can be composted and turned into new soil for plants, but plastic containers cannot be recycled with paper products or energy (due to the fact that they are made from oil). However, many cities have a program called curbside recycling. This means that instead of throwing items away, you can put them out by your trash cans on certain days and they will pick them up and take them away where they will eventually be recycled.

Helps Protect the Wildlife: You’ve probably seen the heart-wrenching photos of sea turtles tangled in plastic bags, which is why it’s alarming that over 1 million plastic bags are used every minute worldwide. Because of their durability, light weight and high resistance to decay, these bags often end up in our oceans, where they pose a serious threat to marine life. The bags resemble jellyfish when floating underwater and can easily be confused with a food source by hungry sea turtles. If ingested, the bags can block their digestive tract from closing and cause a slow and painful death. Although there are other factors contributing to the endangerment of sea turtles, such as poaching for their shell and meat or habitat loss, reducing our dependence on single-use plastics will help ensure the longevity of this species.

This is a serious problem and can be avoided with proper recycling efforts. In order to ensure that we are contributing to the health of the earth, we must recycle everything possible. It’s time that we embrace the idea of reusable bags—not only will they help protect our oceans and wildlife, but can also help save money- some stores offer small discounts if you bring a reusable bag!

Reduce Pollution: In order to process new materials an abundant amount of energy, chemicals, and pollution is released into the environment. These pollutants and chemicals have been known to cause deadly diseases, so being able to limit this can reduce any diseases caused by pollution.

The way we produce and consume plastics is detrimental to the environment. It’s estimated that in 2012, around 300 million tons of plastic were produced globally. In addition, about 5% of it was recycled, 12% was incinerated, and a whopping 79% ended up in landfills or the natural environment. These numbers are staggering, but what’s even more striking is that the amount of plastic produced has increased by 400% over the last 50 years.

Research has shown that most of these plastics don’t biodegrade, but break down into smaller and smaller pieces of toxic material called microplastics. These microplastics have been found in marine organisms as large as whales and as small as plankton. Due to their small size, these microplastics are easily ingested by marine life and can cause internal damage. This damage can lead to decreased reproduction rates, cancerous lesions, and death. In addition to health issues for marine life due to microplastics, humans are also at risk for exposure to these harmful chemicals. Humans are exposed to microplastics when they eat seafood with high concentrations of microplastics or when they breathe in air polluted with these tiny particles. The chemicals released from burning plastics also contribute to environmental degradation.

Saves Energy:

The US uses about 97 million tons of plastic per year, and only 7% of that is recycled (US EPA). Out of all the plastics that are produced every year, only 10% get recycled, with the other 90% ending up in landfills. This may not seem like a bad thing, but when you consider the fact that much of this plastic is single-use and non-biodegradable, it becomes very problematic.

The process of recycling can be resource-intensive. It requires both energy and material to recycle something. But recycling can actually reduce energy consumption by 30%. Instead of making new material from scratch and then transporting it across the country or around the world to wherever it is needed, recycled materials can be used with little extra effort.

Reduces Incineration: When products are recycled instead of thrown away, they can be reused and the number of things that are sent to incinerators can be reduced.

Using an incinerator to dispose of waste can be very damaging to the environment. Plastics, metals, and other materials that are burned in the incinerators release chemicals into the air that have been known to cause birth defects. While recycling is much more expensive than throwing away items or using an incinerator, it reduces the amount of harmful chemicals released into the environment.

Reduces environmental diseases: Trash and landfill sites that are not properly maintained can attract flies, rodents, and germs. The number one reason for this is the amount of waste that is being produced at the site. This waste can be in the form of trash cans, human waste, or any other type of waste that needs to be disposed of properly. If the site is unable to maintain control of these types of wastes, then it will be almost impossible to keep flies, rodents and germs away from the site.

Flies have been known to be linked to at least 65 diseases. The thought of flies being attracted to a landfill is disturbing. Waste management facilities have been known to have issues with flies. The smell alone poses a problem, but the waste can cause more severe issues if the facility is not operated properly.

Can help prevent cancer: This goes hand in hand with reducing incineration. Many of the things that don’t get reused or recycled will be burned. The burning of some materials can release chemicals into our environment that could cause tumors or extremely harmful diseases.

Have you ever wondered about the chemicals in the smoke from your chimney? The truth is that burning things releases toxic chemicals. Those toxins make their way into the atmosphere, and then they can be inhaled by anyone in the area. Many of those exposed to these toxins may get cancer within their lifetimes.

Helps create potential jobs: Recycling is economically beneficial because it requires human labor to sort through and organize all of the materials that get brought in. Sorting through garbage is not an appealing job, but at least with recycling, the workers are doing something that could potentially better their lives.

After all, we’re based here! But we also love our city because it’s got a ton of things going for it—one of which is Samir Becic. It’s been almost 4 years since HFR founder Samir Becic was named “Fitness Czar” for the City of Houston! What better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a series of healthy living recommendations for Houstonians?

Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed Samir with the official title on November 1st, 2018 following 16 years of Samir’s dedicated service (starting with Mayor Lee Brown in 2002) to make the city a healthier and fitter place to live. In honor of our founder and his tireless work to make the city a healthier place to live for the past 20 years (as a volunteer and 4 years as “Fitness Czar”), we’ve decided to share some of our favorite healthy Houston recommendations- to see all of our top picks, click here.

Houston’s Best Farmers Markets

In today’s fast-paced world, most Americans don’t know where their food comes from—let alone who grew it or how it was grown. Our connection to food has diminished to nothing more than a quick transaction at the check-out line, with no thought to who is behind the spinach in our salads or the steak on our grills (read our article about the dangers of food disconnect).

Which is why we love farmer’s markets! The nutrient-rich, locally grown food that you find at farmers markets is not just good for you. It’s also good for your social life. 

Farmers markets are not just places where people buy healthy food; they’re places where people meet, socialize, and have fun together. Research shows that people are happier when they’re socially connected—and farmers markets help to make that happen.

What’s more, the fresh fruits and vegetables that you’ll find at farmers markets have been shown to have positive effects on physical health: a 2012 study in Austin, Texas found that farm stands operating in low-income neighborhoods just one day a week increased the consumption of fruits and vegetables for families within walking distance. Another study conducted in North Carolina concluded that proximity to farmers markets was associated with lower body mass index (BMI) for local youth.

By their presence alone, farmers markets are proven to positively impact the health and diet of their community—especially in areas that otherwise lack sufficient access to fresh, healthy food.

East end farmers market

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Esplanade at Navigation (@esplanadeatnavigation)

• East end farmers market
  • 2800 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
  • Open Sundays 10AM-2PM
  • Unique among Houston’s farmers markets, the East End Farmers Market blends sights and sounds, cuisine and culture to create an experience that is rooted in one of Houston’s most historic communities.
  • Visit the East End Farmers Market to sample fresh garden fruits and vegetables, locally produced farm and dairy products, prepared foods, and unique handcrafted wares.

Houston Heights Market

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Houston Heights Market Group (@washingtonheightsmarket)

• Houston Heights Market
  • Studewood St @, White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
  • Open Sundays 10AM-3PM
  • The Houston Heights Market is one of the newest farmers market in Houston, Texas. If you haven’t been here yet, head on to The Heights, right where White Oak Drive and Studewood meets. As of October 2020, it has over 60 vendors that showcase everything from farm-grown crops to artisan food products and crafts every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00. p.m. On top of that, they also have live music, adult drinks, and of course, ready-to-eat food specialties. You can also bring your furbabies and walk with them as you shop. It’s a “great new market” where you can support local and meet everyone in the neighborhood at the same time.

The Houston farmers market

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Houston Farmers Market (@houstonfarmersmarket)

• The Houston farmers market
  • 2520 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009
  • Open Monday-Sunday 5:30AM-7:30PM
  • The Houston Farmers Market celebrates Houston with the two characteristics our city is most popular for: diversity and food.
  • As the City’s oldest and largest farmer’s market, the 18-acre market on Airline Drive is a can’t-miss Houston destination. Get ready to shop, cook, and dine like a local at the Houston Farmers Market, now open. Expect more exciting food and retail openings, coming later this year!

Urban harvest farmers market

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Urban Harvest (@urbanharvesthouston)

• Urban harvest farmers market
  • 2752 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77027
  • Open Saturday 8AM-12PM
  • When Urban Harvest was founded in 1994, it was thought that food could not be grown organically in Houston. Since then, Urban Harvest has introduced an alternate vision for the city, revealing that sustainable fruits and vegetables can flourish in Houston’s unique climate, and locally grown, healthy food can revitalize and empower our region. 
  • Today, their programs echo this philosophy. Urban Harvest Farmers Markets bring together farmers, vendors, and thousands of Houstonians in a vibrant community that celebrates fresh food and local growers. Each year, their Youth Education program teaches hands-on gardening to over 5,000 Houston-area students, and through their Edible Academy workshop, that number – and impact – doubles. Their Community Gardens program provides resources and education to almost 200 gardens – supporting communities in growing their own food and creating sustainable greenspaces. 
  • Together with the community, they can enrich the lives, soils, and plates of all Houstonians. Join the good food movement.

Memorial villages farmers market

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Memorial Villages FM (@memorialvillagesfm)

• Memorial villages farmers market
  • 10840 Beinhorn Rd, Houston, TX 77024
  • Open Saturdays 9AM-1PM
  • The goal of the Memorial Villages Farmers Market is to build a quality relationship between farmers, artisans and the community at large. Hosted by First Congregational Church in cooperation with the City of Hunters Creek Village, MVFM has quickly done just that, establishing itself as one of Houston’s premier farmers markets.
  • Market Highlights
    • High quality vendors
    • Live music
    • Playground and Children’s activities
    • Pet friendly
    • Guest lectures
    • Food demonstrations
    • Ample Parking
  • Memorial Villages Farmers Market welcomes the entire family, with a playground and children’s activities and a petfriendly environment. Make Memorial Villages Farmers Market your Saturday morning tradition!

Rice Village Farmers Market

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rice Village Farmers Market (@ricevillagefarmersmarket)

• Rice Village Farmers Market
  • Kelvin Dr. & Amherst St. Houston, TX 77005
  • First and third Sundays 9am–1pm
  • This open air market invites neighbors, families, and friends to stroll through the Village and discover everything from sustainably sourced produce and chef-made plates to fresh morning coffee.

Westchase district farmers market 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Westchase District Houston (@westchasedistrict)

• Westchase district farmers market 
  • Located in the St Cyril Of Alexandria Catholic Church
  • Open Monday-Friday 6:30AM-6:30PM and Saturday 7AM-5PM
  • Westchase District Farmers Market features high quality, locally-grown seasonal fresh foods and provides a vibrant community gathering place for the Westchase community.
  • More than two dozen vendors sell agricultural products, including pork, beef, eggs, produce, and cheeses. The market also features value-added products such as locally-made jams and jellies, honey, specialty soaps, artisan breads and olive oils.
  • During it’s first year in 2013, the Westchase District Farmers Market was made possible in part by a $65,000 grant through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). The FMPP supports efforts to improve and expand domestic farmers markets and other community-supported agriculture programs.

Braeswood farmers market 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Braeswood Farmers Market (@braeswoodfarmersmarket)

• Braeswood farmers market 
  • 10425 Hillcroft Ave, Houston, TX 77096
  • Open Saturdays 9AM-1PM
  • Occupies over 50 vendors selling the most fresh locally farmed produce, organic pasture raised eggs, organically fed poultry, grass-fed and wagyu beef, locally farmed unfiltered raw honey, fresh prepared gourmet foods, and delicious food trucks.

Azteca farmers market

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AZTECA FARMERS MARKET HOUSTON (@aztecafarmersmarket)

• Azteca farmers market
  • 7710 Lyons Ave, Houston, TX 77020
  • Open Monday-Sunday 8AM-7PM
  • Open since 2019, its main commitment is to offer a unique local food experience along with affordable prices for both vendors and customers. Azteca is an example of community, support, solidarity, where entrepreneurs and their dreams are motivated, where customers and sellers support each other and create a unique experience.

Eleanora’s Farmer’s Market

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eleanora’s Market (@eleanoras_market)

• Eleanora’s Farmer’s Market
  • 2120 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
  • Open Saturday 9AM-1PM
  • Established in 2017, the popular Artisan Market named Eleanora’s Market pops up every Saturday at Cavatore Italian Restaurant, 2120 Ella Blvd. in the Heights. Held rain or shine, the market showcases over 30 vendors selling the most high quality produce, cheeses, meats, baked goods, art, textiles, flowers and more selling their wares in the parking lot of our restaurant.

Honorable Mention:

Railways Heights Market

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Railway Heights Market (@railwayheightsmarket)

• Railways Heights Market
  • 8200 Washington Avenue Houston, TX 77007
  • Monday: Closed, Tuesday: 11am-9pm, Wednesday: 11am-9pm, Thursday: 11am-9pm, Friday: 11am-10pm, Saturday: 11am-10pm, Sunday: 11am-9pm

• Although not technically a famer’s market, it’s a great place to support local vendors!
• Railway Heights is Houston’s most unique market; telling the story of Houston through local small business owners and the community that supports them. It is a place where ideas become a reality and concepts come to life. It is an intersection between lifestyle, food, and beverage with a beer garden, dog park, wine bar, and 40+ food and retail vendors; all working harmoniously in contribution to the overall vision that is Railway Heights Market.

What is food disconnect?

Food disconnect describes the disconnect between the production of food, including farming and processing, to the end of the food chain which are consumers, people like us who buy and eat food from the grocery store. Food disconnect also includes the consumer’s blindness to what comprises their food, such as what nutrients build an apple versus a cupcake. Many people today have no idea what types of animals and where different cuts of meat come from, while others do not know that cherries grow on trees while blueberries grow on a bush. Even with food processing, many people do not understand how corn becomes corn syrup or how sugarcane turns into molasses or brown or white sugar. 

What caused the food disconnect? 

You may ask, what caused the food disconnect as it certainly did not happen overnight. On the one hand, consumers have become disengaged from their food. Way back in history, before settled agriculture, people interacted with their food on an intimate level by hunting and gathering it themselves. As civilizations became settled and grew in population, agriculture became part of the society. However, this type of farming was on a smaller scale, and a wide variety of crops and animals were raised to sustain each individual family. Today, only 1.4% of people are directly employed on farms in the U.S., meaning less than 2% of the population truly understands where our food comes from. Although we do not all live on farms, that does not mean we do not need to stay clueless about our food. Over the years, food disconnect has become a learned ignorance in our society and it is time to reverse that. 

On the other hand, the agricultural revolution is also responsible for the food disconnect. Ever since the Great Depression and World War II, the United States has never had to experience a nationwide food shortage thanks to the evolution of our agricultural system. Today, there is factory farming or concentrated feeding animal operations in which thousands of animals are reared at a high pace to keep up with the demands of animal consumption. Crops are also grown on a massive scale with corn and soy predominantly in the United States. While modern agriculture is great for ensuring food security, it has also masked the transparency that used to exist in agriculture. Behind locked doors, animals are being raised unethically, chemicals and pesticides are being sprayed onto crops and infused into the soil, and more chemicals are being used for processing after the food leaves the farm. The food disconnect is not only a learned ignorance for consumers, but it has also become a safety net, insulating us against the hidden dangers of the food system. 

What are the dangers of food disconnect on health?

One major concern of food disconnect is its effect on health. It is no secret that obesity and diabetes have become epidemics in the United States with nearly half of the population being overweight. Food disconnect plays into obesity by concealing the true composition of food so that many consumers are unaware of what makes food healthy or unhealthy. Let’s take a pack of granola bars for example. Many people will believe the marketing on a box of granola bars reading “heart healthy” instead of understanding where each ingredient of the granola bar comes from. This pack of granola bars may include high fructose corn syrup but since many people do not understand the processing operations of turning the corn crop seen out in the farm field into syrup, there is a likely chance that the consumer will overlook this ingredient and continue to think the granola bars are healthy. In this manner, a disconnect grows between food, the consumer, and health. In reality, the ingredients that create a granola bar are not truly hidden from the consumer, but rather it is the learned ignorance of the food system that contributes to this concealment. At the simplest level, soil contains minerals that help plants grow and photosynthesis works to supply the plants with macro and micronutrients which is how vegetables and fruits obtain their “healthy” status. This simple process of plant growth and cultivation is unknown to many and if more people understand how and why their food is healthy, then perhaps more people would consume those foods. 

While the consumer’s contribution to food disconnect does impact health, so does the agricultural system’s contribution. The agricultural world has become controlled by the demands of the economy and is skewed towards the overproduction of energy-dense foods that promote obesity. Surplus foods such as milk are being turned into ice cream while excess corn is being used for corn syrup and to sweeten cereals and beverages. Similar to consumers, farmers have also become disconnected from their food to pursue profit. Food disconnect has created a tragedy in which farmers have lost their intimate relationship with nature and all the harmony and abundance it provides. 

What are the dangers of food disconnect on the environment?

Not only do we not know where our food comes from, but we also do not know what growing our food is doing to the environment. Food disconnect has conveniently shunned consumers away from the detrimental environmental effects that modern agriculture has created. The chemicals used in fertilizers and pesticides have contaminated the soil while the waste from factory farms have added to the greenhouse gas emissions. The use of pesticides has induced evolution within bacteria and some insects to have higher antibiotic resistance which promotes the use of even more pesticides, leading to a downward spiral of contamination. Not to mention, the lack of crop rotation and the mass-scale farming of singular types of crops such as corn and soy, are eroding the soil to the point where no nutrients are left. Farmers and consumers have lost the purpose of growing their own food and the satisfaction it brings due to the enticement of money and convenience. Because of this food disconnect, the health of our environment and the physical health of our nation is being harmed. 

How do we get rid of food disconnect? You may be asking, how do we get rid of food disconnect when it is on such a massive scale? Well, it starts with you, the consumer. The consumer has the power to control the economy, and if the consumer demands a shift to favor locally grown produce and meats rather than processed, energy-dense foods, then the government and agriculture will begin to accommodate this shift in consumer and economic attitude. The next question is, how do we get consumers to wake up from their food disconnect in order to create this shift in the food system? It all begins with education, such as this article, as well as in schools. Recently, the farm to school program instituted in public schools all over the nation has created a step in the right direction to educate young kids about agricultural practices and buying locally grown foods. Most importantly, we must realize that food is more than just a product of farming, it’s part of our family’s heritage, it’s a worship for our nature’s riches, and it’s a vision of our future.

What is Native American cuisine? 

Native American cuisine is unique because it mirrors the natural life of their region. Because there are more than 570 Native American tribes across North America, the staple food items vary from community to community, based on the climate and landscape. However, there are certain foods that are considered inherently American and did not exist outside of the country prior to trade and colonization. These foods include corn known as maize, squash, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, chile peppers, cacao, and vanilla. This means that prior to colonization, Italians did not have tomatoes for their pasta, the French did not have chocolate for their pastries, the Irish did not have potatoes, and Thai food did not have its characteristic spice from chile peppers. Without these indigenous crops, more than half of the famous cultural dishes we know today would not be here. Keep reading to take a closer look at the evolution of Native American cuisine. 

What is the history of Native American cuisine? 

There are several stages of history to Native American cuisine, starting with the pre-contact phase prior to colonization and any outside influences. The foods that existed in the pre-contact stage were all hunted, gathered, and grown by the Native tribes. These foods varied by region with primarily bison as the staple in the Great Plains, wild game in the East, and fish in the Pacific Northwest. 

After colonization, new animals were introduced to the Americas such as sheep, cows, horses, and pigs as well as a plethora of diseases that destroyed the health of thousands of Native Americans. The new animals of the post-colonial period not only introduced a new meat source, but also a new milk source. However, most Native Americans are lactose-intolerant because it is simply not feasible to get close enough to a buffalo or an elk to milk it so dairy was rarely consumed. 

More recently, the government involvement phase has occurred in which thousands of Native Americans were displaced from their homes with the Indian Relocation Act of 1956. Commodity foods were issued to the Native population which included many processed foods and canned goods. The introduction of the government issued foods caused a rapid increase in diabetes and heart disease in the Native American population. One popular food item that came about from this period was fry bread, a perfect representation of survival and colonization. 

Today, there is a reclaiming period in which Native Americans are tapping back into their heritage and trying to restore original recipes from their ancestors. We can learn a lot from Native American cuisine including the environmental benefits of reestablishing the natural ecosystems of America, the medicinal benefits of indigenous food, and the health benefits of the traditional Native American diet.  

What are the health benefits of the traditional Native American diet?

When discussing the various health, environmental, and medicinal benefits of the Native American diet, we are referring to the traditional diet prior to the colonization of the Americas. 

• Traditional Native American cuisine is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, primarily being complex carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables. High protein and low carb diets have been effective for weight loss and diabetes control. 
• Traditional Alaskan Indian cuisine is high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and vitamin A from the consumption of salmon, shellfish, and caribou. In fact, oils from wild fish and mammals were shown to have a higher percentage of unsaturated fat than saturated fat. The consumption of omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to better mental health and reduced depression and anxiety. 
• The wild plant foods of the Northern plains such as plums, cherries, turnips, prickly pear, hazelnuts, and rose hips were shown to have a higher fiber content than cultivated crops. Dietary fiber has been shown to help reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
• Wild plant foods have exhibited a higher micronutrient content than domesticated plants and vegetables. This means there are greater amounts of vitamins and minerals in traditional Native American plant foods than the foods found in the grocery store. 

What are the environmental benefits of the traditional Native American diet? 

• The principles of traditional Native American cuisine respect the natural environment and help to maintain the native ecosystems while mass farming and production have ruined the nutrient content of the soil and destroyed thousands of ecosystems. 
• The Native American diet is founded on sustainable hunting and gathering principles as well as local, small-scale farming. Additionally, the entirety of the food product is utilized which eliminates food waste. The organs, fat, and muscle of the animal are used for food, the hide for clothing and shoes, and the tendons for thread to sew items together. 
• The farming of the three sisters (corn, squash, and beans) of Native American cuisine work together in harmony to provide each other nutrients without the addition of fertilizer, pesticides, and other chemical products that erode the earth. The corn stalks provide a pole for the beans to climb and the shade from the corn helps the squash grow. The beans provide nitrogen for the corn and squash and the shade from the squash helps keep moisture in the ground for all 3 crops. 

What are the medicinal benefits of Native American foods? 

• Native American tribes would have their designated medicine man who had knowledge of the healing properties of certain plant foods or spiritual practices. One example is using tea made from the bark and needles of the eastern white cedar to treat scurvy, as this drink provided the necessary vitamin C to overcome the nutrition-related disease. 
• Many Native American herbs are still used today for alternative medicine treatments such as stinging nettle for reducing inflammation and reducing arthritis pain. 
• Native Americans have an understanding that food provides spiritual health and that the consumption of traditional foods contributes to mental health. 

There is no doubt about the benefits of the traditional Native American diet. The tricky part is restoring this cultural cuisine to its former glory prior to colonization. Bringing awareness to the ecological footprint and health implications this diet promotes is one step forward in the right direction of bringing back the traditional Native American diet.

Filter water

In a study done in 2018, it was found that 93% of bottled water contained microplastics. Knowing that, it would be best to get your water source from filtering tap water. For convenience of transportation, try getting steel, glass, or silicone bottles.

Microwaving

A study was conducted in 2019 that showed on average a person digests about a credit card amount worth of microplastics. If you find yourself heating up food in plastic containers- you may want to stop. Containers often contain bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that is used to coat plastic containers. Once heated, it can leach into your food where you then consume it. Try using stovetops in pots and pans as an alternative, we’ve written about the healthiest cookware here!

Containers

It’s been found that plastic takes a very long time to break down. Some scientists even believe that plastics never truly fully decompose. Therefore, it is pertinent for us to do our part and not use it as much so they don’t end up in landfills where the microplastics will be dispersed around the world. Try opting for re-usable glass containers instead!

To-go Cups

Like plastic containers, to-go cups from restaurants can also have HDPE plastic. While that is considered ‘safe’, they have been found to leak estrogenic chemicals and even heavy metals that can disrupt your endocrine system.

Microbeads

If your beauty and skincare products contain microbeads, you may want to consider tossing them out. The National Ocean and Atmospheric Association have suggested decreasing your use so that manufacturers will discontinue the creation of these microplastics that can either be accidentally ingested through things like toothpaste or discarded down your drain (ending up in our waterways and environment).

Laundry

Changing the way you do laundry can significantly decrease the number of microplastics in the environment. A study found that washing your laundry through washing machines and dryers released over 700,000 microplastics.

1. Do laundry less often.
2. Wash full loads.
3. Avoid delicates settings on your machine.
4. Line-dry your clothes when possible.
5. Consider installing a filter on your washing machine or using a laundry bag or laundry ball.
6. Synthetic fibres like polyester are made from petroleum, and the fibers they shed are plastic. Choosing natural fibers like cotton, linen and hemp when you are buying new clothes can help to reduce the amount of microplastics shed with each wash.

Seafood & Chicken

Researchers have found that marine life eats the plastics around them in the ocean, and microplastics have even been found in chickens. Since they are being ingested, the plastics can remain in their bodies until they hit your plate. To reduce the chance of you ingesting those plastics as well, it’s been suggested to reduce your intake of seafood and chicken.

Clothes fibers

Going hand-in-hand with your laundry routine, the synthetic fibers that are being used in fast fashion are contributing to the spread of microplastics. Clothes made naturally from sources such as cotton or silk are the best options. When released, they can even be found floating in the air.

Tea bags

A study found that when tea bags were brewed, they released 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics. Instead of using plastic tea bags, you may want to try reusable steepers or just loose leaves for your next cup of tea!

Cleanliness

Since microplastics are- like their name suggests- micro, you can ingest them through the particles that are floating around in the air. Since they are so small, they can mix with the dust hiding in different places around us. Knowing this, it is important to dust and vacuum (if your vacuum has a HEPA filter, even better!) your surroundings to prevent the ingestion of microplastics.

Honest Disinfecting Spray

This disinfectant spray by Honest is powerful and kills 99.9% of germs, colds, and many viruses. It is also gentle on surfaces because the ingredients are made without fragrance, chlorine bleach, harsh abrasives, phosphates, fumes, and harsh chemicals. Honest has a “NO List” that has over 2,500 chemicals/ materials they do not use because of the risks involved with health. Along with their NO List, their packaging does not contain PVC, they aim for minimal breakage to reduce waste and air freight replacements, “Honestly Free” of toxins, renewable and sustainable materials.

Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes

Seventh Generation uses recycled material for their products and designs their products to be recycled. Their cleaning products, including their multi-purpose wipes, are made with renewable plant-based ingredients and are made with essential oils. Their CleanWell® INSIDE wipes can be used against SARS-CoV-2 and are EPA registered. They are convenient to use for cleaning and disinfecting, even on tough spots, and no rinse is required.

ECOS Dishwash Detergent

Since 1967, ECOS has been creating safe cleaning products and later on being the first company in the world to achieve the “trifecta” of sustainable manufacturing, which is 100% renewable energy in carbon neutral, water neutral, and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certified. They aim for green science, innovation, and to be affordable. ECOS offers dish soaps that use… coconuts! So, they are plant-based, hypoallergenic, not tested on animals, and not made with dyes, parabens, phosphates, or phthalates.

Clean Cult Laundry Detergent

Clean Cult uses CocoClean Technology that’s powered. It is a non-toxic and plant-based formula that uses other biodegradable components, on top of the coconuts, which get into all the grime but is gentle towards your health and the planet. They have a refill system, recyclable packaging, their shipping is carbon-neutral (yes, they ship to you!), natural, and they use biodegradable methods. Clean Cult also offers a free recycle-back program and they have liquid detergent that’s gentle on clothes, with a variety of fragrances like sweet honeysuckle, sea spray, aloe, no fragrance at all, and more.

Dr. Bonners All-Purpose Soap

Dr. Bonner’s biodegradable cleaner is all-purpose, fair trade, pure, and most of their products are vegan and up to the same standards of organic quality as food. Their products have no synthetic preservatives or foaming agents and they are certified in meeting the highest standards for ecological and social sustainability. This makes the product powerful and gentle on the skin, while being a powerful cleaner and able to cut through grease. Not only that, but with your purchase, they’ll donate 10% to advanced psychedelic therapies and plant medicines.

Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Concentrate

The Multi-Surface Concentrate Cleaner by Mrs. Meyers is animal cruelty-free, the ingredients are derived from plants, and made with essential oils for all non-porous surfaces, like most tiles, floors, and counters. The packaging is even made from recycled materials that use fewer pumps and caps! The scents from Mrs. Meyers products are non-toxic, garden-inspired, and work well to fight dirt and grime. Bonus, they smell fantastic and have great seasonal options!

Better Life Toilet Cleaner

Better Life’s toilet bowl cleaner removes harsh stains with its thick formula that makes cleaning frustration-free and helps to freshen your toilet, leaving it smelling crisp 2-3 times faster than the leading and natural usual cleaners. The ingredients are natural and plant-based, no harsh chemicals, and there’s more- they’re solar-packed, and made from recyclable materials that are biodegradable. Any unnecessary ingredients that may pose health risks for people, animals, and the planet, they take care to make sure their products are free of those.

Method Floor Cleaner

This hard floor mop cleaner is from Method, which is safer to use because of its non-toxic formula. This cleaner can be used on multiple floors including laminate, wood, stone, and tile. It’s plant-based, triclosan-free, and not tested on animals! Method does not use any ingredients that are unsafe, period! They do health and eco screenings, third-party assessments, and have a dirty ingredient list, which also includes fragrances. On top of that, the preservatives in their products are necessary, but effective, safe, and biodegradable.

Jaws Glass Cleaner

This JAWS (Just Add Water System) product is a glass cleaner that comes with a reusable spray bottle and refill pods. This is a non-toxic, alcohol and ammonia-free, and eco-friendly cleaning product. It can be used on multiple surfaces including granite countertops, tables, TV screens, and more, leaving no streaks. When you’re out of refills, just buy more pods and reuse the spray bottle! This is a simple, safe, and effective way to keep your home clean, while also reducing your eco-footprint!

Hippo Sak Kitchen Bags

Hippo Sak makes kitchen bags made with 20% ocean-bound plastic. Ocean-bound plastic technology is plastic collected from developing countries before it gets into the ocean. It’s then recycled to reduce pollution. The bags come with handles and are durable and puncture resistant. On top of this USA-made product, the collection of Ocean Plastic has created jobs for impoverished families to be able to work, and have food, shelter, and educational opportunities. This is a great product that reduces pollution and offers high-quality eco-friendly products.

By: Crystal Vinarao

No noise.

It is a well-known fact that other lighting sources will begin making buzzing sources after they hit a certain age. This low, constant noise can become quite distracting and gets annoying fast. 

Decrease the risk of headaches

Better lighting and the absence of noise and light flickering that is common with other sources of lighting lowers the prevalence of headaches in the workplace. By reducing the number of headaches you also increase productivity!

Increase productivity

It makes sense that if employees work in an environment free from annoying buzzing and flickering that is common with other lighting options, they will be more productive. Also, LED lights can be dimmed or brightened depending on the time of day or activity being performed- if it’s late, brighten them up! 

Helps regulate circadian rhythms

LED lights were designed with human circadian rhythms in mind and produce many great health benefits because of it. LED lights regulate circadian rhythms by removing the blue light wavelengths that cause abnormal alertness levels and productivity, which causes problems such as insomnia and stress or anxiety. There is an article by AMA that describes several benefits of LED lights. 

LED lights are compatible with smart lighting

LED lightbulbs are compatible with smart lighting devices that can make it possible to dim lighting, turn lighting on and off, and even set up timers for when lighting is needed. 

Decreases power demands.

According to SpecGrade LED, LED lights generate the same or better lighting while requiring only 50% of the energy requirements of an incandescent bulb. This decrease in power demands means that lights can function even in low power and offices become less likely to experience the struggle of the lights blinking off and on during storms and other adverse weather conditions. 

LED doesn’t create as much heat.

Traditional lights produce quite a bit of heat which could make employees too warm and increase sweating and dehydration, especially in environments that are already hot like warehouses. 

Decrease Seasonal Affective Disorder

LED lights more closely resemble natural light, so they are a better alternative to traditional lighting sources because they help employees feel happy and safe year-round.  

Mayor @SylvesterTurner has long demonstrated a strong commitment to climate action, and I know that he will work to keep this at the heart of our COVID-19 recovery efforts. https://t.co/2DRP2pNlAM

— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) January 28, 2021

The Climate Mayors coalition is comprised of 427 mayors across the country (overseeing a population of 74 million) who are individually committed to fighting climate change in their cities. In his new role, Mayor Turner will help catalyze climate-forward actions taken at the local level, provide an example of climate action for leaders at all levels of government, and advocate for an economic recovery grounded in equity and environmental stewardship. He’s proven himself as a visionary leader, focusing on initiatives that transition the Energy Capital of the World to a clean energy future and increasing the resilience of communities across the City of Houston, prioritizing health, job creation, equity, and sustainability.

Cities are powerful drivers in the race against climate change. Mayors are investing in clean energy, greening our economies, and creating more sustainable and resilient communities across the U.S.

Honored to be named next @ClimateMayors Chair. https://t.co/YqeCuW5K3b

: 2017 pic.twitter.com/s5DIfnOF2z

— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) January 29, 2021

Mayor Turner has been a long-standing climate champion for the City of Houston, having served as Mayor during Hurricane Harvey and enduring multiple 500-year storms in just four years. As part of the City’s recovery efforts, Mayor Turner launched RESILIENT HOUSTON on February 12th, 2020, and the Houston CLIMATE ACTION PLAN on Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary on April 22nd, 2020.

Under Mayor Turner’s leadership, the City of Houston has committed to purchasing 100% renewable energy and is the largest municipal user of renewable energy in the nation. As part of this effort, the City recently approved the SUNNYSIDE SOLAR PROJECT – a public-private partnership to convert a 240-acre closed landfill in one of Houston’s most vulnerable communities into the largest urban solar farm in the nation.

Congratulations Mayor Turner, I wouldn't expect anything less from you! Your standards are always impeccably high and people recognize that!

— Samir Becic (@SamirBecic) January 29, 2021

Menstrual Cup

Invented in the 1930s, menstrual cups are a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly period product. A menstrual cup is a receptacle inserted into the vagina canal below the cervix to collect menstrual blood. One benefit of this product is that it can be worn for up to 12 hours without risk of toxic shock syndrome and does not interfere with the vagina’s natural moisture.

A study by Lancet Public Health found menstrual cups reduce the amount of waste and water used. In fact, using one menstrual cup is roughly equivalent to using 528 pads/tampons, and they can be used for many years. Most menstrual cups are made from silicone. Silicone is not detrimental to the environment because it degrades back to sand over time.

Menstrual Disc

Menstrual discs are similar to menstrual cups. Both are made of silicone material, can be worn for up to 12 hours, and do not interfere with the vagina’s natural moisture. A difference between menstrual cups and discs is their positioning. The menstrual discs fit back into the vaginal fornix behind and below the cervix. The disc is a flexible catch while the cup is more structured. Choosing between a menstrual disc and a cup is mostly a matter of preference since both period products are environmentally friendly. Although discs can be more difficult to remove, they can be used during penetrative sex. 

Reusable Cloth Pad

Reusable cloth pads are a sustainable alternative to disposable pads. They are mostly made from natural materials like cotton, a non-water-intensive crop. A cloth pad is placed in the crotch area of the underwear like a disposable pad. They can be worn for up to six hours and cleaned using a washing machine. Most people use reusable cloth pads for years and 5-6 cloth pads during their period. Although they may cost more initially, people will save money and help the environment in the long run by limiting the amount of waste going to landfills.

Reusable Sea Sponge

Sea sponges can be inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual fluids. Although they have existed for several decades, it is important to note that there are some risks, The small sponges placed in the vagina are natural, unbleached, and purportedly safe. Reusable sea sponges can be used up to a year before they need to be replaced. However, there have been ongoing debates about whether using reusable sponges is a safe alternative. Some research has shown sponges can contain bacteria and sand, meaning they are difficult to clean and could potentially affect the pH and natural bacteria of your vagina.

Period Underwear

Period underwear is like your regular underwear, but they have an absorbent area that holds menstrual fluid. Although period underwears are not always made of sustainable fabrics, they limit the number of disposable pads or tampons used and are a sustainable alternative. Once you’re done using them, you can easily put them in the washer to clean. Some brands can hold three to five teaspoons of menstrual fluid.

Organic Pad and Tampon

Even though organic pads and tampons are disposable, they are still more environmentally friendly than conventional products because of the material of the product. Organic pads and tampons do not have harmful chemicals and are mostly plastic-free. As a result, they are more breathable and hypoallergenic, and women report less irritation when using them as opposed to conventional products. Additionally, organic pads can be easier and cleaner to use than other sustainable products such as menstrual cups. According to Public Goods, the applicators in organic tampons are free of phthalates and dioxin, which are materials known to disrupt endocrine hormones and are linked to cancer respectively.

Cardboard Applicator

The cardboard tampon applicator is one of the first applicators to be invented. They are environmentally friendly since cardboard applicators are biodegradable. Therefore, cardboard applicators will break down naturally even when they end up in landfills. They can also be composted if you have the facilities. TOTM explains that cardboard may feel more rigid than a plastic applicator, but it is not a large adjustment or difference to adapt to.

Non-Applicator Tampon

Non-applicator tampons are less expensive than tampons with applicators. In terms of size, non-applicator tampons are smaller. As a result, they can be easier to carry with you and require less waste in packaging, making them a more sustainable alternative to tampons with applicators. People also have more control and facilitation when inserting the tampon without an applicator. However, one disadvantage of using a tampon without an applicator is that it can be messier. 

Reusable Tampon Applicator

Reusable tampon applicators are sanitary and can be used for up to 10 years. An innovative product, the first reusable tampon applicator was launched in 2018 by the DAME company. The company designed reusable tampon applicators using antibacterial materials called Sanipolymers, which are natural sterilizers eliminating at least 99 percent of germs and microbes.

A big argument against going either low-waste or zero-waste is that it costs too much. Which is sometimes true. If you live in a large city, chances are that you’ve walked into a zero-waste store and walked right back out, without purchasing anything, because everything was too expensive. And although you feel the need to help the environment and create a cleaner environment for your future children, it’s just not worth spending upwards of $10 for a pound of dried pasta when you can get the same amount for less than $2 at any regular grocery store. 

But, the good news is that Amazon has a wide variety of low to zero-waste products that are affordable. You’re probably thinking, “but what about all of the packaging from the shipment of the products? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of buying zero-waste products?” To a degree, yes. However, most amazon products are shipped to the buyer in a cardboard box, which is easily recyclable. And the plastic envelope type bags are also recyclable. The packaging for the actual products are compostable, which means that if you have a compost bin or have a garden growing in your backyard, you can always tear up the product packaging and throw it straight into the soil or compost bin! 

Although your first choice for anything low or zero-waste should be a local business, Amazon is a much cheaper alternative that can actually help you save money while helping to save the planet. And with the money you save from not purchasing one-use products, it can be used to help support your local zero-waste businesses once you feel financially secure enough. 

Here are some great zero-waste products from Amazon to help kickstart your zero-waste lifestyle: 

Straws

Back in 2015, a marine conservation biologist, Dr. Christine Figgener, filmed her and her team removing a plastic straw that was blocking the nasal passageway of a sea turtle. The grueling video began to resurface again in the middle of 2018 and sparked a major movement against single-use plastics. Specifically plastic straws. Since then, there has been a huge demand for reusable straws and Amazon has the perfect solution. 

Coming in various shapes, sizes, colors, and materials, Amazon has a variety of different kinds of reusable straws. You can get metal straws or silicone straws, both of which are environmentally friendly. However, we recommend the Grilljoy 13 pc Reusable Metal Straws. With 10 stainless steel metal straws, 2 cleaning rods, and a compostable carrying case, this set costs you $8.99 and is a steal. The 10 straws consists of 4 straight straws, 4 bent straws, and 2 thick straws that are great for boba or milkshakes.

Water Bottle

Single-use plastic water bottles, although convenient, can end up costing you a fortune in the long run. Not only do they cause a buildup of trash under our beds from where we’ve tried to hide the evidence from our parents, but they also cause a massive buildup in our oceans from incorrect disposal and lack of recycling. Plus, there are tons of amazing reusable water bottles on the market that don’t cost too much and even keep your drinks insulated. One of the best reusable water bottles on Amazon is the Opard 30oz Sports Water Bottle. For only $11.99, you can get a reusable, BPA-free, plastic water bottle that has a built-in infuser and a scale on the side to help you keep track of your water intake.

If you’re looking for something that is similar to a HydroFlask but is significantly cheaper, then Simply Modern’s Insulate Water Bottle is the one you’re looking for. For $19.99 they come in a wide range of colors and patterns and also come with a straw and spout. Insulated and said to keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours, it’s a great deal!

Silicone stasher bags

From packing sandwiches and snacks for lunch, to storing items in your fridge/freezer, storage bags are the easiest grab and go items to help you accomplish these tasks. However, these bags are thrown out after one use and not even recycled. Instead of using these single-use bags and wasting your money, consider this zero-waste alternative; silicone stasher bags. You can freeze them, microwave them, heat them up in boiling water, all without worry of contaminating your food. You can get a pack of 6-12 from $15.99-$16.99 on Amazon and you can get a mix of sandwich, snack, and gallon-sized bags.

Produce bags

Although you might have reusable grocery bags, another worthy purchase would be reusable produce bags. These are the bags that you put your fruits and vegetables into while shopping. At the store, they’re made of plastic and are rarely eco-friendly. Unless you only shop at Whole Foods, where the bags are compostable, most of the produce bags at the grocery store are made of single-use plastic, and create an absurd amount of waste. Consider switching to the mesh produce bags that are not only eco-friendly, but also help keep your produce fresh by allowing them to breathe better while in the bags. For $12.99, Naturally Sensible sells a set of 5 reusable organic produce bags.

Beeswax food wraps

When you want to keep food fresh or cover containers that you have conveniently misplaced the lids to, you’re most likely to reach for the plastic wrap. However, the worst part about plastic wrap is that you can’t reuse it once you’ve removed it because it bunches up and it’s hard to straighten it back out. So, you’re forced to remove another piece of plastic wrap from the roll to redress the container. Instead of wasting plastic wrap and disposing of it incorrectly, try using beeswax paper. A reusable alternative to help keep your produce and foods fresh. Made from cotton cloths covered in beeswax, these food wraps are an amazing way to reduce your waste and keep your foods fresh. Orgawise Reusable Beeswax Food Wrap Set sells a set of 6 beeswax papers for $12.99 in three sizes that are perfect for replacing your plastic wrap! 

After you use your beeswax paper wraps, you’ll have to wash them. So, it is recommended to use a mild dishwashing soap and cold water, to keep the beeswax from melting. However, after a few months of use, it is recommended that you refresh your food wraps. You can do this by purchasing beeswax bars and reapplying beeswax to your food wraps.  

Makeup remover pads

If you wear makeup, then you’re familiar with makeup remover and makeup removing methods. Some of these methods utilize the use of makeup remover wipes or cotton rounds that you douse in makeup remover. However, one you use these removers, you have to throw away the wipes or cotton rounds and they are not recyclable and can end up in landfills which then go on to create more pollution. The best way to change up your routine and become more eco-friendly as well as create less waste is to switch to reusable makeup remover pads. Greenzla Reusable Makeup Remover Pads have a 20 count organic bamboo cotton pad pack that even comes with a washer bag so that you don’t lose your pads in the washer and dryer. 

Dryer balls

Speaking of the dryer, do you use dryer sheets to help make your clothes smell fresh and be less static-y when they come out of the dryer? Well, those sheets are once again a single-use option and although you may be recycling them, it is still creating a lot of waste and you’ll probably end up paying more money in the long run. Switching to reusable dryer balls is not only going to save you the hassle of having to remember to place the dryer sheets in the recycling bin, but also save you tons of money! You won’t be saving money just from not having to purchase dryer sheets, but also because dryer balls can reduce the amount of time needed to use the dryer by 25%! Wool Dryer Balls by Handy Laundry sells a pack of 6 large wool dryer balls for $7.99 on Amazon as well as a pack of 12 for $14.99. 

You might be wondering how to get your clothes to smell fresh if these cotton balls don’t come pre-scented. The solution is a simple fix, you can always purchase essential oil bottles of the scents that you like to sprinkle onto the dryer balls before you pop them into the dryer along with your clothes.

Keepcup

If you’re someone that loves getting coffee at your favorite coffee shop instead of making it at home, you might want to consider buying a keepcup; a reusable coffee cup. You may not realize it, but your daily medium latte creates a lot of waste from the cup, lid, and the koozie used as a barrier between your hands and the hot cup. Instead, invest in a reusable cup that is of a similar size to the cup of coffee that you get from your coffee place. This way you’re helping to create less waste, and many coffee shops even offer discounts for customers that provide their own cups, so you’ll even be saving a bit of money. A really great keepcup from Amazon is bioGo Cup which is made from Rice Husk Fibers and is $13.99. It comes with a lid and a koozie sleeve to protect your hands from the hot coffee. It’s also offered in a variety of colors.

Baking supplies

If you’re an avid baker, you’re probably buying a lot of cupcake liners and parchment paper to help line your tins and trays. However, that not only costs you a lot of money, but also creates a lot of waste. Waste which you can’t even recycle because there’s food waste on the liners. A great alternative to these single-use products are reusable cupcake liners and reusable baking sheets. AmazonBasics offers a 3-pack of silicone multiple-use baking sheets for $14.99 as well as a pack of 12-24 colorful cupcake liners for $7.99-$11.99. These are great alternatives because once you use them, you can wash and reuse them for your next baking adventure!

Oprah Winfrey

View this post on Instagram

The Lockdown has not stopped green things from growing. I get a lot of joy from gardening. Anyone else enjoy? #HarvestDay

A post shared by Oprah (@oprah) on May 21, 2020 at 12:46pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Ahhhh Farm Life! Just picked a 16 inch. zucchini with Ivory the cow looking on. Gonna make truffle fries with those potatoes. #harvestday

A post shared by Oprah (@oprah) on Jun 30, 2015 at 4:05pm PDT

Oprah is well-known as a talk show host for her program, The Oprah Winfrey Show, but she is also a television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist. Raised by her grandmother on a small farm, Oprah’s passion for gardening began in Kosciusko, Mississippi. All the food she consumed came from the garden. After learning that 90% of Hawaii’s food is shipped overseas, Oprah wanted to create an opportunity for people living in Hawaii to have access to fresh and organic food in a sustainable way. 

According to O, The Oprah Magazine, Oprah transformed 16 acres of her property in Maui into an organic farm. Partnering with her friend Bob Greene and the management company Bio-Logical Capital, they created a farm that grows over a hundred different species of vegetables, fruits, and herbs and produces more than 145 pounds of food every week to give back to the people in Maui.

Prince Charles

View this post on Instagram

Visiting the Carpet Garden is like stepping into an exotic location. You are greeted by bold colours, heady perfumes and the gently trickling fountain. HRH The Prince of Wales explains, ‘After gazing for many years at the patterns and colours of one of the small Turkish carpets in my room at Highgrove, I couldn’t help feeling what fun it would be to use those patterns and colours to create a theme for a garden. The challenge would be to see if you could almost create the effect of being within the carpet.’ #CarpetGarden #Highgrove

A post shared by Highgrove Royal Gardens (@highgrovegarden) on Aug 19, 2019 at 7:00am PDT

Many people in the world know Prince Charles as the Princes of Wales and heir to the British throne. Prince Charles is also a strong supporter of an organic lifestyle. According to the Royal Gardens at Highgrove website, he bought Highgrove House and transformed it to have 15 acres of organic gardens. Prince Charles began the project by seeking the advice of Lady Salisbury and the help of Miriam Rothschild; both are experienced organic gardeners.

Some key features of the garden include the Walled Kitchen Garden, the Orchard Room, Thyme walk, and a wildflower meadow. Specifically, the Walled Kitchen Garden produces fruits and vegetables that allow Highgrove to be self-sufficient. Some of the fruits and vegetables the garden produces include leeks, Charlotte potatoes, cabbage, spring, carrots, brussel sprouts, apples, and strawberries. Wisteria, honeysuckle, jasmine, Holboellia, lilies and thyme are the flowers that were chosen to be grown around the paths of the estate.

Not only does Prince Charles grow an organic garden, but he also implements many sustainability initiatives. For example, the Royal Garden at Highgrove stated most of the electricity is sourced from solar panels, wood pellet fired boilers which heats the house through biomass, and rainwater is used to water the gardens. The Prince is Patron of the NCCPG, which conserves the diversity of our plant heritage through its national collections.

Julia Roberts

View this post on Instagram

VOTE 15 Days to Go! #weareinthistogether #earlyvoting #challengeaccepted @ritawilson

A post shared by Julia Roberts (@juliaroberts) on Oct 19, 2020 at 6:59am PDT

Julia Roberts is an actress, infamous for her role in the movies Notting Hill, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Pretty Woman. As the mother, Roberts instills the importance of healthy nutrition and sustainable habits to her three children. At her farm in Malibu, California, Roberts embraces a sustainable lifestyle through her organic garden.

Her friend Sophie Uliano, the author of the book Gorgeously Green, introduced Roberts to composting. In an interview with Oprah, Roberts said she uses leftovers from her kitchen to compost. Composting is a way to fertilize and bring nutrients to the soil to grow plants in the garden.

Martha Stewart

View this post on Instagram

OMG. This is one lily that has grown in a crazy way! I counted forty five separate flowers on this one stem I have only seen this once before in Maine in my garden and that one had fifty blooms. Does anyone know how this happens ?what freak of nature occurs to create such a lily? All these bulbs come from #zabo And all these lilies were planted this past May I also want to mention the book in the second photo- “the ladies village improvement society cookbook “. Edited by Florence Fabricant. With a foreword by me ! Many interesting people contributed to the book and the. recipes are delicious Photos by @seenbysharkey

A post shared by Martha Stewart (@marthastewart48) on Jul 26, 2020 at 6:04pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

My favorite display ever on my antique iron tree form on my house. It is the form that inspired our wall planter we have sold on QVC. These plants are flowering cabbages and kales. Enjoy!!

A post shared by Martha Stewart (@marthastewart48) on Oct 22, 2020 at 5:07pm PDT

Martha Stewart has authored numerous cooking books and created her own magazine and television program. According to Stewart’s website, her love for gardening began as a four year-old when her father gave her a screwdriver and showed her how to dig out weeds. Stewart regularly posts gardening tips, ideas, and innovative new ways to garden on her website. For example, she has incorporated technology such as drones to monitor her gardens and uses a creative method to fence her garden away from animals.

Stewart has many different gardens on her different properties. Her massive vegetable garden in Bedford, Connecticut includes several varieties of tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, basil, parsley, potato, okra, garlic, artichoke, and soybeans for the fall. In the spring, her garden produces chard, fennel, radish, turnip, carrot, cauliflower, snap pea, broccoli, and numerous other vegetables which she details in an article.

Jake Gyllenhaal

View this post on Instagram

«Когда дети пачкают руки в саду или экспериментируют на кухне, им весело, – говорит Джейк Джилленхол, – но что более важно, они узнают о том, как заботиться о себе и друг о друге. Этих уроков нет ни в одной государственной образовательной программе, но при этом это одна из лучших инвестиций в будущее нашей страны, которую мы можем сделать». #fusionlandscapes #студияфьюжн #jakegyllenhaal #jakegyllenhaalgardening #edibleschoolyard #alicewaters #gardenforkids

A post shared by Landscape Studio Fusion (@fusion_landscapes) on Nov 21, 2018 at 11:32am PST

Jake Gyllenhaal is a film producer and actor in movies such as Okjja and Nightcrawler. His love of gardening began when he saw the way gardening connected family and community together and the benefits of growing your own food. In fact, Gyllenhaal is an ambassador for The Edible Schoolyard Project, a charity program centered around educating children to grow and cook their own food and lead a healthy living. Gyllenhaal is quoted saying that it is important for children to be mindful of what they eat and learn how to grow their own food, preventing childhood obesity and diabetes.

Reese Witherspoon

View this post on Instagram

When life (or your son) gives you lemons… #Homegrown #LemonadeTime

A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) on Jun 23, 2017 at 9:45am PDT

View this post on Instagram

When the weather drops below 60, it’s officially cute coat season! @draperjames

A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) on Oct 15, 2019 at 8:59am PDT

Reese Witherspoon is known for her role in the movie Legally Blond and the show Walk The Line. She has a ranch in California and grows cucumbers, tomatoes, and lemons. According to Arcitectural’s Digest, Witherspoon gardens with her children and posts frequently on social media, promoting a healthier, green lifestyle.

Elizabeth Olsen

Elizabeth Olsen is an American actress and the sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. In an interview, Elizabeth Olsen said growing her own produce and creating a closed ecosystem was a lifelong dream. With the help of Heather Trilling, she planted citrus trees, fruit trees, and built a raised bed. Olsen also planted peas, kale, plum trees, tomatoes, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, lemons, and peach trees. To supplement the garden, Olsen composts foods such as eggshells and leaves oil and vinegar traps. The garden reminds Olsen of the smaller joys to look forward to in life.

Jessica Alba

View this post on Instagram

Taking a #Zen moment my @honest office -there are 1,072,800 seconds left this year, make every single one count! Follow @ZICOcoconut for more healthy tips and fun #2014Countdown ideas. #CrackLifeOpen #MindBody #HealthyLiving

A post shared by Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba) on Dec 18, 2014 at 2:09pm PST

An actress, Jessica Alba is well-known for her role in Sin City. As an avid environmentalist, Alba owns a company selling eco-friendly home and baby products. Additionally, her home is filled with succulents and indoor plants through the innovative vertical aeroponic system. 

According to Architectural Digest, the company LA Urban Farms designed the vertical garden by mixing water, minerals, and nutrients at the base. These nutrients are then drawn up through the center of the column and then showered on the roots below in a continuous cycle. The system has a smaller footprint is more sustainable than vegetable garden; it consumes 90 percent less water and allows plants to grow more quickly. Not only is it an easy way to garden, but it also does not require any soil.

Soy Milk

One of the first cow milk alternatives, soy milk probably has the closest, balanced nutrition to cow milk. It has the highest amount of protein per serving compared to other plant-based milks and contains isoflavones, a phytonutrient, which may have cancer-fighting properties.

According to researcher David Pimentel, approximately 0.195 kg of CO₂ to produce a 200 mL glass of soy milk. Soybeans are also legumes, so they fix nitrogen in the soil and lower the amount of nitrogen fertilizers needed. A drawback of soy milk is the amount of land required to grow soybeans. Currently, the Amazon rainforest is being deforested to grow soybeans, which is detrimental to the environment. 

Oat Milk

Oat milk is a good choice for people with allergies or intolerances since it does not contain lactose, nuts, and soy. Those with gluten allergies can purchase oat milk made from gluten-free oats. Oat milk has one of the highest calories, carbohydrates, and fiber among plant-based milk varieties. However, oat milk does not have much protein. 

All around, oat milk has less of an environmental impact compared to most milk alternatives. For a 200 mL glass of oat milk, there is about 0.18 kg of CO₂ emission, which is slightly more than almond milk but less than soy milk. In terms of water and land use, oat milk has a relatively low impact. The New York Times stated only one-sixth of water and resources needed to make one pound of almonds is needed to make one pound of almonds.

Almond Milk

Low in sugar, almond milk has one of the lowest calories. Almond milk also contains more unsaturated fats rather than saturated fats, which may help people lose weight. It is also naturally high in vitamin E, which may be beneficial to reduce inflammation and stress. Although it is low in calories, almond milk is low in protein and carbohydrates compared to alternatives. 

Environmentally, almond milk requires more water to produce than soy or oat milk. A single glass of milk requires 130 pints of water, which is more water used than for a typical shower. Approximately 80% of the world’s almonds are grown in California, which is problematic since California is dry and susceptible to droughts. However, almond milk produces slightly less greenhouse gas emission: a 200 mL glass of almond milk makes about 0.14kg of CO₂. 

Rice Milk

Nutritionally, rice milk is fortified to become a good source of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D. Rice milk is also naturally sweeter than other alternatives. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, only relying on rice milk can be a risk for infants and children because of inorganic arsenic levels. 

Similar to almond milk, rice milk also requires a lot of water (54 liters per 200 mL glass of milk). However, unlike almonds, rice does not require as much land and has slightly higher greenhouse gas emissions (0.24 kg CO₂ per 200 mL glass). 

Hemp Milk

Hemp milk is made from the hemp plant, which contains a complete protein, healthy unsaturated fats, and minerals. Some benefits of hemp milk may include better skin health and protection against heart disease.

Hemp is a non-GMO plant and typically does not require chemicals to produce enough quantities of the plant. It also does not deplete nutrients from the soil. For water resources, hemp requires less than 1/3 of the water almonds need to grow.

Macadamia Milk

Similar to almond milk, macadamia milk is also usually low in calories, but the fat content is higher than some other milk alternatives. Macadamia milk also is low in protein. As a nut milk, it is not the best option for those with nut allergies.

Macadamia milk is a better alternative than almond milk in terms of water footprint. Macadamias usually grow in areas with fewer water shortages. However, with more climate change, water scarcity could increasingly become a problem for regions such as Hawaii or Australia, where macadamia nuts are produced.

Cashew Milk

Unlike cow’s milk, cashew milk has no naturally occurring sugars. Therefore, it will not suddenly increase your blood sugar. One cup of cashew milk contains 50% of your daily vitamin E, which may help protect your skin against sun damage.  It also contains a good amount of vitamin K, which is vital for blood clotting. 

Cashew crops have a low yield, so it requires more energy to grow the same amount as other plants or nuts. Therefore, cashew milk is not the most sustainable milk option. Additionally, cashews also require more water than other milk alternatives.

Coconut milk

Consuming moderate amounts of coconut milk may be able to lower cholesterol and promote weight loss. Coconut milk is high in saturated fat, which should be avoided to have a healthy diet.

Growing coconuts has a fairly low impact on land, and the use of water is relatively low. A drawback is that coconuts are typically grown abroad in tropical areas such as Indonesia and the Philippines, which requires transportation and emits more greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the coconut farming industry encourages monoculture farming, harming biodiversity.

Pea Milk

Pea milk is typically low in calories, high in protein, and has little or unsaturated fat. Like most milk alternatives, companies fortify it with vitamin B12, vitamins, minerals, and other added oils. To minimize consuming large amounts of sugar, consumers should try to drink unsweetened pea milk (that goes for all milk alternatives too!)

Producing pea milk uses far less water and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Like cashews, peas are nitrogen-fixing plants and do not require much fertilizer.

Conclusion

Plant-based milks have both drawbacks and benefits from cow milk. Each milk’s nutritional value and sustainability goals will vary depending on the company and manufacturer. Overall, all plant-based milk will almost always be a better alternative for the environment than cow milk. However, more research is necessary to have a more comprehensive outlook on the sustainability of milk alternatives. Choosing which milk alternative to buy will solely depend on your nutritional needs and environmental goals.

Outdoor Voices 

With a mission to get the world moving, Outdoor Voices hopes to free fitness from performing and bring back doing things for fun. The company abides by three core values: people, planet and product. Their products are designed with longevity and circularity in mind, aiming to reduce their environmental impact. They use materials designed to last a lifetime, and have lifecycle solutions to repurpose, repair and recirculate used items.

In addition, Outdoor Voices uses sustainable fabric alternatives in all of their products. They have implemented environmentally conscious designs into their headquarters, shops, events and shipping process.

Threads 4 Thought

Founded in 2006, Threads 4 Thought is devoted to creating products that have a beneficial impact on our environment, support in- need communities, and redefine ethical standards within the fashion industry. Their clothing is made from the world’s most sustainable materials, and their production operates at the highest level of sustainability.

In addition, the company has a long lasting partnership with the International Rescue Committee, which aims to give refugee communities the opportunity for the quality life that they deserve.

VYAYAMA

Founded with the belief that products should be held to the same standards that we hold for ourselves, VYAYAMA is determined to provide a natural alternative for synthetic activewear. The company utilizes unique materials for their fabric, which are not only environmentally friendly, but also soft and high performing. Their production facilities are strategically thought out, both geographically and process wise, to limit any negative environmental impact.

VYAYAMA solely utilizes certified safe fabrics, which ensures that they are not a detriment to the environment or your skin. The company serves as a role model for other brands continuing to produce synthetic products. 

Tentree

Founded on the slogan that “we made this mess one little thing at a time, and that’s exactly how we’re going to fix it,” Tentree is a company dedicated to encouraging everyone to make environmentally friendly changes, none too small. The company not only sells high quality, sustainably made activewear, but with each purchase, plants ten trees, empowering customers to make a difference. 

Tentree allows customers to register their trees and track their environmental impact, providing an educational, interactive consumer experience. They have planted over 46 million trees to date, and plan to plant 1 billion trees by 2030. 

Organic Basics

Developed in disgust of the unnatural and environmentally detrimental products and processes within the fashion industry, Organic Basics set out to make a change. Their products are made with natural, renewable, recycled, biodegradable and low-impact textiles, designed to last a lifetime. They produce their clothing in certified factory partners located world wide, that are working continuously to reduce their environmental impact. 

Not only is this company determined to make a positive environmental impact, but they are also focused on educating their consumers, by providing information on the specific impact of each product, and the company to date. 

Picture

The France- based company, Picture, works relentlessly to fight against climate change. The company’s goal is to play a role in wiping out fossil fuels, which they implement into every aspect of their business model.  

The company’s products are made from organic, recycled, bio sourced, reused and animal based materials. Their production and shipping processes are strategically thought out in order to make sure each step of the supply chain is using the most environmentally friendly energy sources. 

Outerknown

Outerknown founder, Kelly Slater, noticed that the market was lacking an apparel company that was truly living up to responsible sustainability standards, so he decided to create one. The company is committed to never compromising sustainability, despite the challenges that goal poses. 

90% of the fibers the company uses are organic, recycled or regenerated, and 100% of their swim trunks are made with recycled plastic. Their products are guaranteed for life, and will be repaired, replaced or recycled. 

ARIELLE

Guided by the slogan “stylish, sexy and sustainable,” ARIELLE was launched by a zero-waste, climate lobbyist and human rights advocate named Arielle. With 10 plus years of experience in the fashion industry, she decided to create a brand that reflected her personal values. 

ARIELLE is committed to using solely organic, recycled and zero-waste fabrics, in addition to local manufacturing, fair-trade supply chain and plastic-free packaging. They create clothing designed as a canvas for you to be you, described as “softly confident and fiercely humble.”

NUBE

NUBE is a woman owned company “made for the people on this planet.” The company uses sustainable fabrics designed to be long lasting. They are environmentally conscious in their sourcing and production process, aiming to reduce waste as much as possible. 

NUBE partners with artists and designers around the world to create prints that inspire customers to have a positive impact on the environment. They foster the idea that “clothing can be a platform that sparks mindful consumption”, and utilize their company to do just that.

Alternative Apparel 

A company guided by “do good, feel good,” Alternative Apparel is focused on the impact they have on the planet and its people. They utilize materials such as recycled cotton and recycled polyester, reusing approximately 1.8 million recycled plastic bottles annually. The feel ranges from lightweight to heavyweight, and combines strength and softness for maximum comfort.

In addition to selling sustainable clothing, Alternative Apparel uses oxo-biodegradable mailer bags, and recycles bags from their vendors.

Boody

Boody is an Australian based clothing brand with the environment and comfort at the forefront of their values. Years ago, the company decided that selling some eco- friendly products wasn’t enough, and became dedicated to becoming a 100% sustainable brand. 

Their clothing is made from bamboo, an environmentally friendly and extremely soft material. Not only is the bamboo grown organically and without artificial irrigation, but it plays a role in improving air quality, by producing more oxygen and absorbing more carbon dioxide than trees.

TALA

TALA is a brand dedicated to designing affordable, sustainable activewear that doesn’t compromise high performance and a flattering fit. The company prides itself on being sustainable, accessible, community conscious, transparent, and a role model within the fashion industry. 

TALA partners with world- leading facilities to produce sustainable clothing at a reasonable price. They take the unique approach of filling each product tag with seasonal seeds, allowing customers to simply add water, and watch their plant grow. 

Vegetables and Fruits

• Figs: The health benefits of figs include being rich in fibers and minerals. They also contain antioxidant vitamins A and K, lowering blood pressure and reducing cravings. Figs are known to have relatively low carbon footprint, low environmental impact, and are resistant to water stresses.

• Orange Tomatoes: In comparison to red tomatoes, orange tomatoes hold up to twice as much vitamin A and folate. Notably, they contain lycopene, an antioxidant that may have health benefits such as reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. By buying and consuming a different variety of tomatoes, Knorr reports the market for a variety of tomatoes will diversify the types of foods grown, making agricultural land more resilient. 

• Okra: Okra contains antioxidants such as beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutei, which may help reduce risk against oral and lung cavity cancers. A heat and drought resistant vegetable, okra is not a resource-intensive plant to grow, which leaves minimal impact on the environment.

• Kale: Kale is full of vitamins A, K, and C. It also has antioxidants boosting the immune system. Kale has anti-inflammatory properties, preventing illnesses such as arthritis and heart disease. A hardy plant, kale is relatively easy to grow anywhere and in a wide range of temperatures. Additionally, it only takes 55 to 60 days for the plant to grow into maturity. 

Beans

• Lentils: High in protein and low in calories, lentils are packed with vitamin B, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and fiber. They are known to improve overall gut functions and may reduce the risk of heart disease. Lentils are great for the environment because they do not require much water to grow, have 43 times less carbon footprint than beef, and strengthen the soil.

• Soybeans: Like lentils, soy beans are high in protein. Soybeans are rich in vitamin B and K, minerals, fiber, and healthy fats. They may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, risk of prostate and breast cancer, and alleviate menopause symptoms. Moving toward plant-based foods like soy helps reduce the demand for soy as animal feed, which takes pressure off the environment.

Cereals and Grains

• Buckwheat: Unlike its name, buckwheat is not related to wheat. It is gluten-free and makes a great substitute for flour in breads or rice because it has higher protein. Buckwheat’s environmental impact is minimal due to its short season, grows well in acidic or unfertilized soil, keeps weeds out, and reduces erosion.

• Quinoa: Quinoa is a complete protein having all nine essential amino acids. It is also gluten-free and has fat, minerals, and vitamins beneficial to your health. The Food and Agriculture Organization has deemed this nutritious food important for the future because quinoa can grow in harsh climates, does not require much resources, and helps many local farmers.

Nuts and Seeds

• Walnuts: Walnuts are known to have omega-3s, which can reduce risk of heart disease and some cancers. They are a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. The walnut trees help improve the surrounding soil structure and helps fortify the soil from cattle ranching.

• Hemp Seeds: Rich in omega-3 fat and omega-6 fatty acids, hemp seeds They also contain protein, may alleviate symptoms of menopause, and help with digestion. According to Forbes, hemp seeds are versatile and almost every part of the plant can be used. Having a short growing season, hemp is relatively easy to grow since it does not require fertilizer or pesticides and can grow in different types of soils.