Going Zero in Connecticut

The very first thing I ever researched when I first attempted a zero-waste lifestyle was how to make beeswax wrap. I saw a cool facebook commercial about how you can use them over and over, just wash them with mild soap and water, and when they are done just cut them up into your compost. WOW! Who needs saran wrap then? But then I looked online to buy myself a few squares of these pieces of zero-waste gold.... "HOW MUCH does it cost again for three measly sheets of beeswax wrap? $19?? That's nuts, I'll just have to figure out how to make it myself!"  --famous last words. Today is the day that I finally get to write about how I made my own beeswax wrap! I took a lot of pictures of the process, so maybe I can help someone out there in the internet world. And maybe after you read about it, you can decide to get dirty like me, or skip all the mess and purchase some instead. It's so great that we have choices today! At first I had no idea what exactl...

Hello Everybody! The zero-waste journey has indeed been a process that has slowly, slowly seen great strides and progress. During this journey I have spent a lot of time reading blogs and listening to vloggers talk about the changes they've made in their lives, and I wanted to go through some new habits I've formed from all their knowledge, to keep things out of my trash and reusing/recycling things that are still good for other purposes than the landfill. Some of the things I've learned from them has been immensely helpful, and even saves me a few $$$. Let's jump right in! EGG SHELLS Did you know that Egg Shells are an excellent source of calcium? WHAT?? It's true! I wash the shells off and keep all my egg shells in an open container to dry out. If I were to consume them like an alternative to calcium supplements, I would boil the shells for a few minutes, but since I don't eat them I skip this step. Next I put them in a casserole dish the oven o...

Zero wasting is hard, and I often find myself reverting back to my old habits when I don't mean to. When I am starving and stop at a fast food place, it is only when they hand me my drink that I see the plastic cover, the plastic straw, and my heart drops because I had forgotten YET AGAIN! -_- One day I'll get this all right! Which leads me into a short-term failure, long term success story for you all. The plastic sandwich bags and snack bags are a huge waste in our house. Every day we get our kid's lunches ready in plastic bags. plastic for sandwiches, for bell peppers, for tortilla chips even. Then at the end of the day we throw the bags away and begin again with new ones. I can't think about how much plastic and excess money we've thrown out with that useless habit. It was time to change for something sustainable! After doing some research, I found a wonderful way to make reusable snack and sandwich bags. The fabric is called "PUL fabric."...

This past weekend was an exciting one for our family. My 8 year old daughter tested for her black belt, and my baby turned two! We wanted to celebrate it all with friends and family in one fun-filled weekend!  I want to let you know that I was THIS! CLOSE! to throwing in the towel and going to Costco. I mean, do you know how hard it is to resist Costco, pick up some Hummus, some Juice, some prepared meals in their plastic containers so I don't have to make everything from scratch? I was so close, I sat in the parking lot and wrestled with myself, struggling between convenience and my caring so much about the environment. It was a difficult moment, but I negotiated a way that I could entertain a group of people without waste on my part. Please note, on MY part, because I couldn't really help others bringing in waste, and I am also not the kind of person that gets on a high horse and tells others how to live their lives. When we took out the trash, I was a little sad abo...