By Esther Lerman Freeman | Contributing Writer
Here are some environmentally friendly ideas that also make you happy while you’re doing them. I love anything that’s a win/win and these ideas qualify.
1. Make your Own Bean Sprouts
Making one’s own sprouts is waste free, really fun to watch, requires minimal time and provides fresh and delicious sprouts while saving you money. All you need is a one quart wide mouth jar and a straining lid. (Straining lids are infinitely reusable.) You soak the seeds overnight, drain them in the morning and then rinse them three times a day. In three or four days you’ll have a packed jar of yummy sprouts. Any kids at home will love being part of the growing process.
2. Switch Out Leaf Blowers for Good Old-Fashioned Rakes
Leaf blowers cause noise pollution for you and your neighbors, use energy and are unhealthy for ears and lungs. Old fashioned raking can be a lovely meditative experience since it is repetitive, requires little skill or thought and is done in the beautiful outdoors. I think of it as moving meditation. Additionally if you “leave the leaves” you are getting free mulch for your soil.
3. Shop at the Farmers Markets from May to November
Buying directly from farmers gives you access to the freshest and most beautiful produce and is definitely more fun than being at a supermarket. You can bring your own bags and reuse them, which decreases packaging as well as the energy used to ship vegetables from large farms to stores since you’re buying from local producers. There is frequently lovely music at the markets, interesting new produce to learn about and the farmers are making a better living selling without a middleman.
4. Make Broth from Veggie Scraps
Making broth is a money saver and a vitamin boost. Any time you devein kale or remove the stems of mushrooms, the ends of onions and garlic or the tops of carrots and radishes, just put them in a bag in your freezer until you have a full bag. Then boil everything in a pot of water for an hour or so, adding any salt or spices you like. Scoop the mushy veggies out and compost them and then let the broth cool. You can use it as a base for your soup, stew, or even to cook your rice or other grains. You have paid zero for the broth and there was no container to recycle.
5. Make Your Own Body Scrub
You can make your own body scrub with household ingredients. Combine 1/4 cup of sugar with 1/8 cup of olive or grape seed oil and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Next time you come in from gardening and your hands are dirty and feel dry, use this scrub.
6. Mend Your Own Clothes
If your favorite shirt has a hole in it, don’t despair! Visible mending is a new trend that turns a plain garment into a creative crafty expression. Either stitch around the hole with some embroidery thread so the hole becomes a decoration or find a scrap of lovely fabric to cover it and sew around it. The sewing is super easy and only requires a needle, thread and some creativity.
Try one of these environmentally friendly projects at home soon!
Esther Lerman Freeman is a certified Master Recycler and Concordia resident.