ML Interest Tag: reduce

How to Make an Origami Cat

by Kenzie Kramer
Partner Content

Looking for the purrfect hands-on craft for little cat lovers? Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is an easy (and mess-free) way for families to get creative this summer. All you need is paper, scissors for cutting and some helpful how-tos. Follow these steps below to make your first origami cat!

Keep your real-life cat happy with the help of ARM & HAMMER™ AbsorbX! ARM & HAMMER™ AbsorbX lightweight kitty litter gives pet parents the assurance of odor control while being 50% lighter than their regular litter. Thanks to unique Desert Dry Minerals, easy-to-carry AbsorbX traps, seals and controls odors fast.

Try it today at your local Publix, Giant, Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores or Martin’s!

 

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR
ARM & HAMMER™ AbsorbX
ARM & HAMMER™ AbsorbX has all the convenience of lightweight kitty litter with the confidence of guaranteed odor control. AbsorbX is over 50% lighter than their regular litter and has an improved formula to help reduce litter tracking. Try it today at your local Publix, Giant, Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores or Martin's!

 

 

*compared to regular ARM & HAMMER Litter

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Celebrate World Ocean Day with Baby Shark’s New Playlist

by Karly Wood

Happy World Ocean Day! In honor of this special day, the creators behind Baby Shark have curated a new playlist for little listeners.

The 40 minute playlist has 27 songs that feature Baby Shark and other sea animals. Designed to education kids on the importance of reducing plastic waste and saving the ocean and sea animals, the fun lineup of songs is just as addicting as the OG ear worm that Baby Shark is known for.

photo: Courtesy of Pinkfong

If your kiddos are looking for more ways to positively impact that ocean, head over to YouTube to see Pinkfong’s World Environment Day Special, Baby Shark vs Waste Monster and ‘No More Single-Use Plastic!, a video that raises awareness about plastic pollution.

––Karly Wood

 

RELATED STORIES

Musical Alert! Lin-Manuel Miranda Just Dropped the First 8 Minutes of “In the Heights”

National Geographic Has 8 Weeks of Summer Awesomeness For Your Kids

“We The People” is the Star-Power Packed Series We’re Watching This Summer

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

How to Raise Eco-Conscious Kids

By Aureal Ojeda

Photo: Aureal Ojeda

The statistics on how we’ve treated the planet up to this point are pretty bleak. Only 9 percent of the plastic ever produced has been recycled, and each year, 8 million tons of plastic pollute the ocean.

While the problem at hand is massive, it’s easy for kids to get involved because even the smallest sustainable action helps to make a collective difference. I’ve learned through experience with my own son that it’s best to keep it simple, focusing on the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Reduce

Children always gravitate to the newest and coolest toys, fashion or food, but the conspicuous consumption Americans are known for is not good for the planet. Instead, try and instill the belief that less is more and quality trumps quantity.

Reinforce reducing consumption and making smarter choices with a quick trip to the grocery store. Teach your kids how to choose items with the least amount of packaging, shop in the bulk foods section, avoid single-serving foods and bring cloth shopping bags to haul it all home in.

Your house is the ideal place to demonstrate energy and water-saving behaviors to your kids. By modeling turning off lights when you leave a room, turning off appliances not in use, unplugging appliances not often used and taking short showers, you’ll help instill an attitude of conservation early.

Reuse

Upcycling is definitely a trend these days, so it should be easy to get kids, tweens and teens on board. The goal is to show kids that not everything needs to be thrown away. Before throwing away a toy, or perhaps clothes, examine it to see if it can be fixed or mended. If it can, teach your child how to make the fix so they can learn important new skills. With clothes and toys that your child has outgrown, engage them in collecting everything and donating it to a charitable organization. Not only are they learning how to reuse, but they’re also learning the importance of philanthropy. When you do need new clothes for the kids, consider shopping at a local consignment store rather than the mall.

Single-serve plastic items are some of the most destructive consumer goods on the market, but you can cut down on your consumption by using refillables whenever possible. Invest in decorative refillable soap dispensers for the home and make sure everyone in the family has a reusable water bottle. Disposable paper products are also incredibly wasteful. Limit your use of paper towels, plates and napkins, opting for cloth and ceramic options instead.

Since it’s impossible to limit using all of these things, teach kids how to make the most of a product. If you do use paper products, use the cardboard tubes and boxes for art projects. When printing at home or coloring, make sure to teach kids to use both sides of the paper.

Recycle

Recycling materials that can be reused is key to sustainability. Have bins at home to collect glass, plastic and paper that can be recycled. If your community already recycles, it’s easy, but if not, consider working with your kids to start a recycling drive in your community. It’s also important to note that not all items are recyclable, even if they appear to be, and not all states and cities have the same recycling practices. To best understand your city’s recycling rules, I recommend checking your local government website.

In addition to recycling, point out to your kids which of their favorite products are made from recycled materials.

There’s no better time than Earth Day to show kids that creating a sustainable planet starts at the grass-roots level. By getting the next generation excited about keeping the Earth healthy for years to come, we’re ensuring many more Earth Days in the future.

 

feature image via iStock       

My name is Aureal Ojeda, and I am the founder of Outwoken Tea, a zero-waste tea brand sourcing from small tea farms in developing countries. I continuously strive to bring awareness to how each of us can challenge ourselves to create better, conscious decisions to positively impact the environment.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Easy Earth-Friendly Swaps for Earth Day

By Suzan Chiang

We live in a world of convenience and waste. We want things right now and within easy reach. Yet do we truly think about what happens to all the things we buy for convenience? Are they ever used? Are they disposed of properly? I’ve been a long time advocate for the environment and I’m here to tell you that yes, you can limit your need to buy everything out of convenience!

This year marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, a crucial movement dedicated to learning, helping, and understanding the need to protect our environment. Whether you believe in climate change or not, know that helping the environment can only be a positive endeavor even if you do one small act. 

I’ve been leading an environmental program at an elementary school for years and it’s always a joy when a student has that “A-ha!” moment. The moment they realize that their small act of compassion for the planet can indeed make a huge impact! Below I’ve listed 10 easy swaps you can make for Earth Day and every day of your life!

1. Swap out single-use plastic bottles for reusable water bottles. Buying a reusable water bottle saves you money on buying single-use plastic water bottles. Plus you are eliminating unnecessary plastics in landfills.

2. Swap out single-use plastic sandwich bags for silicone or paper sandwich bags. These handy reusable bags last for many years and are compostable.

3. Swap out grocery store bags with reusable bags. Store grocery bags are usually made from a material that is not recyclable. It’s best to invest in a better quality reusable grocery bag or tote.

4. Swap out store-bought herbs and plant your own herb garden. Planting your own garden helps you have fresh herbs on hand and it reduces your carbon footprint by buying in stores.

5. Swap out polyester materials with eco-friendly materials. Materials made from organic cotton, repurposed cotton, and Tencel are great alternatives, plus they wear well!

6. Swap out driving a short distance to get groceries to walking to the stores. If you’re within walking distance to a store, then try walking there to reduce carbon dioxide made by cars.

7. Swap out packaged produce to picking your own produce at a farmer’s market or a free-standing produce rack. The plastic packaging wrapped around produce is truly unnecessary.

8. Swap out plastic utensils and use reusable stainless steel or bamboo utensils. Just say “NO” when you’re offered plastic utensils. It’s easy to bring your own or use your own utensils.

9. Swap out new books with used books. Yes, that new book smell is quite delightful! But gently used books keep the circular recycling effective.

10. Swap out the need to recycle by reducing and reusing. Follow the 5 “R’s” and you’re on the path to reduce plastic use! Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle.

We can all do our part to make our planet healthier and cleaner. We all wish to breathe cleaner air and let nature reset itself so that our planet can stay healthy for many generations.

Happy Earth Day!

I am a mom first and foremost. I might not be a supermom, but I am constantly learning and growing.Topics I stand with are parenting, the environment, and living a healthy and happy lifest‌yle. I work at an elementary school and I have 30 years experience in the health industry.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Celebrate Earth Month with Starbucks’ New Merch

by Erica Loop

Starbucks is celebrating Earth Month with new can’t-miss merch that’s good for you and good for the planet!

The beloved brand announced its commitment to become a resource0positive company earlier this year. Now with Earth Month on the horizon, Sbucks is adding a new line of reusable merchandise to help customers reduce and eliminate waste.

As part of the Planet Positive Initiative, Starbucks has made a multi-decade commitment to reducing its waste, water and carbon footprints by 50 percent by the year 2030. This April the company will highlight the initiative with an Earth Month Game for loyalty members, the Starbucks Odyssey Blend Coffee, Starbucks Earth Day To-Go Hot and Cold Cups and the reusable Siren Waves Tote Bag.

The new Earth Day To-Go Hot Cup comes in a 16-ounce size and the To-Go Cold Cup is available in a 24-ounce option. These tonal mint green cups let you reduce waste in a super-stylish way.

Along with the reusable to-go cups, Starbucks is also debuting a mint green Siren Waves Tote. Not only does the bag help to eliminate the paper and plastic waste generated from disposable options, but it’s also made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled PET.

The new merch doesn’t end with the to-go cups and the tote bag. You can also nab a 16-ounce Mint Green Plastic Tumbler, 12-ounce Stainless Steel Tumbler with a Recycled Plastic Lid, 100 percent post-consumer recycled glass Clear Water Bottle and 16-ounce Recycled Glass Cold Cup.

Head to your local Starbucks to grab this limited edition collection before its gone.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of Starbucks

 

RELATED STORIES

Get a Taste of Disney with New Mickey Mouse Coffee

Starbucks Is Turning 50 & That Means Anniversary Merch Is Here

Dunkin’ & Girl Scout Cookies Have Teamed Up for a Delish, Drinkable Collab

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Spectacular Waterfall Trails to Hit Now

by Maura O'Brien

Shake off the summer heat with an awesome adventure filled with dense woodlands, volcanic ridges, and a rushing cascade (or two). From the Columbia River Gorge to the Cascade Mountain foothills, the following are six of our favorite waterfall hikes, all located within sixty miles of the Portland area. Whether you’re looking for a level, stroller-friendly path or a dazzling misty payoff, these trails will give you just the experience you need to shake off the COVID blues. Read on for all the details.

Pothole Falls by Carrie Uffindell

photo: Carrie Uffindell

Pothole Falls at Lacamas Lake Park

For a quick hike in the metro area, head to 312-acre Lacamas Lake Park. At the play area, follow the gravel path circling the lake through the trees. Nestled a short distance off the main trail is the falls, named for the round holes punched into the rock. An unexpected highlight is the fish screen and dam, located on the south side of the lake. With several sections of moderately steep terrain, this walk isn’t suitable for strollers. Make a day of it with visits the park’s other two waterfalls, also located off the main loop.

Pandemic Status: Open
Round-trip distance: 1.2 mile (Round Lake Loop)
When You Go: Free. The park is located 15 miles east of Vancouver, WA off Highway 14. Spots in front fill up fast, so look for the large overflow lot at the north end..

Munson Creek Falls

The short, winding path – perfect for little legs – follows along the creek to an impressive 319-foot tumbler, the tallest in the Coast Range. The protected site, located south of Tillamook, is a 62-acre timber-turned-natural area, so be sure to enjoy the old-growth western red cedar, moss-draped maples, wildflowers, and other flora and fauna along the way. In late fall and winter, the waters are home to spawning salmon.

Pandemic status: Park is open dawn to dusk with reduced services.
Round-trip distance: 0.6 miles, out and back
When You Go: Free. From Portland, take Highway 26 west approximately 77 miles. Turn left on Munson Creek Road. Note: Parking is limited and no restrooms are available.

South Falls by Carrie Uffindell

Silver Falls State Park

Peek behind a 177-foot torrent of water at this 9,200-acre Oregon park, situated in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Of the ten waterfalls sprinkled throughout the park, South Falls is one of the most accessible – and dramatic – for families. From the South Falls lot, follow the main path (and the sound of rushing water) past the lodge to a viewpoint above. From there, descend 400 feet to explore a cave behind the falls. For the full 2.6-mile loop, continue on to Lower South Falls. Or, for a shorter 1-mile walk, return via the scenic bridge.

Pandemic status: Expect reduced services. No showers. Camping reservations required (no walk-ins). Day-use visitors should plan to turn around if parking lots are full.
Round-trip distance: 2.6-mile (Maple Ridge Loop)
When You Go: $5/vehicle. Head south some 55 miles to Silverton. From Silverton, take Highway 214 almost 16 miles south until you reach the park. Follow the signs to the South Falls Day Use Area.

photo: Chi T. via yelp

Multnomah Falls

One of the the most popular waterfalls hikes in the Gorge. This 611-foot-tall roaring force of nature lets visitors get up close and personal with its power. According to Native American lore, Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe. And this spot is magical. This hike can be made shorter or longer as there are multiple tiers that offer different views. Each is spectacular, but the lower hike is more appropriate for families with younger children or elderly grandparents.

Pandemic status: Open
Round-trip distance: A moderate, 2.2-mile hike with 700 feet of elevation gain to the top of Multnomah Falls, or a difficult 5.4-mile loop to Wahkeena Falls with 1,600 feet of elevation gain.

featured image: Jonathon L. via yelp

—Annette Benedetti

 

READ MORE

Best Summer Hikes for Portland Families

The Best Hiking Spots in Portland for Kids

The 6 Best Hikes for Families in Forest Park 

 

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

5 Ways for New Parents to Save Money

By Lauren Reed

baby shopping cart

Becoming a new parent can be exciting, but it can also be terrifying if especially since it’s your first time. You will need to prepare well for the changes that come with parenting, and sometimes it means changing your lifest‌yle to accommodate all the financial needs that come with being a parent.

Parenthood requires a lot of planning, and one thing which should be at the top of your planning list is how to manage your finances to cater to all the needs of your growing family.

One thing that you will see change when you become a parent is how you spend your money. If you don’t plan for this change, you can find yourself in a deep financial crisis. To avoid falling into a financial crisis as a new parent, you will need to reduce and eliminate some expenses to accommodate and afford your new life as a parent.

Here are some tips for new moms and dads that will help them save money for their families.

1. Create or reassess your budget. It is crucial to create a personal budget or a budget for your household, and if you already have one, you should re-evaluate it to accommodate the additional needs. A budget helps you to track your expenditure and know where your money goes, thus making it easier to make decisions about how you spend. You can identify the essential things that really need your spending and cut back on some other things that are not essential.

2. Boost your savings and reduce monthly expenses. After compiling your budget and knowing where to spend and to cut back, you should look for other saving strategies by looking at your monthly expenses.

You should take out non-essential monthly expenses. Do you really need that Spotify subscription? To save money on your electric bill, unplug appliances and turn off the lights when not in use. You can also reduce your monthly electricity bill by cutting back on your reliance on appliances like air conditioning and only using it when necessary.

Look into the little things that you can forego, such as dining out all the time or buying expensive coffee. There is always something that you can do to bring down your expenses so that you can save more money.

3. Look out for discounts or promotions. Never get carried away when shopping for your baby as a new parent. Make a shortlist that will guide you on what you need to buy. Always stick to the essentials and what is really needed when on the shopping floor.

Also, when shopping online, you can save a lot by using promotional vouchers, online coupons, and discounts offered for the various baby and home products.

Make it a habit to always look out for weekly flyers from stores, which are sent through email as they may contain coupons and discounts on multiple items. These days, you can also find online coupons on retail stores’ websites, or you can search for them on the internet.

4. Remember babies don’t need a lot. After budgeting for the baby, the next thing you should do is reduce your spending on unnecessary baby products. Spend on what the baby needs at that time. Don’t rush to buy baby clothes and shawls that the baby might overgrow in a few months. One of the best ways to save on baby clothes is to get from family or friends’ hand-me-downs. When it comes to toys, you can buy just a few to entertain the baby.

5. Cut back on non-essential spending. You can save a lot when you cut down on non-essential spending. One way you can do this is by cutting down the amount you spend on dates and movies. You can also cut them entirely by choosing to stay at home and watching Netflix instead. You can hold off upgrading phones and even TVs to the latest models until you get used to your finances as a new parent.

Parenting can be a challenge for new parents, especially when it comes to finances, but saving money as new parents is not impossible. If you adjust your lifestyle and look for ways to spend less and save more, being new parents won’t be as financially challenging as you thought it would be.

 

Lauren reed has been writing articles for five years. lauren reed has provided her services independently and through the online employment forums.she writes SEO articles for bussiness. Her articles have appeared in a number of sites including https://www.techtimes.com/,  https://mommysmemorandum.com/, https://www.thefashionablehousewife.com/. 

Her articles are of high quality and focus on balancing information and unique content. 

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

9 Reasons Moms Need to Get Their Stress in Check

By Kara Reynolds

Mom life can cause a lot of stress. Between being the amazing carer you are for your kids every hour of the day and making time to care for your own needs, things can get a little more than hectic. Just like any job or role in life, being a mom can come with some serious stress. In fact, moms tend to be more stressed than dads or other parents on average—though dad stress is totally real, too. While there are many reasons why this might be, getting to the root of the stress is what really makes a difference to many stressed-out moms.

It’s no secret that stress can have a negative impact on your health and happiness. People with high-stress careers tend to have higher rates of related health complications and even lower quality of life in some cases. By eliminating stress — or working to get it in check at the very least — you can cultivate a longer, happier, healthier life for you to enjoy with your family. Here are just a few reasons why it’s important to keep your stress in check as a mom.

1. For Your Heart
Your heart is directly related to your stress levels. Issues like high blood pressure and heart complications occur much more often in those with issues related to stress. Especially if heart problems run in your family, keeping your stress at bay can be a literal lifesaver.

2. For Your Immune System
Stress can wear down your immunity, which not only means that you’re more likely to get sick, but it also means that you’re more likely to bring something home to your partner, parents, or kiddos. Infections, colds, illnesses, and even injuries taking longer to heal are all a result of weakened immunity, and stress can be a large contributor to that.

3. For Your Oral Health
Being stressed out can have an impact on your teeth and gums! To start, stress can impact your gut microbiome, which is connected to your mouth. But additionally, stress can cause you to grind your teeth both at night and during the day, which can cause jaw pain and other oral health complications. Releasing your muscles and being mindful of physical manifestations of stress can help keep this at bay, especially if you know yourself to be a grinder.

4. For Your Happiness
While this one might be obvious, it’s always worth the reminder that you deserve to be happy and live a happy life. When you reduce stress, you leave more room for enjoyment and happiness to come into your existence, and that’s something worth making the effort for.

5. For Your Kids
Of course, you already do so much for your kids, and all of that deserves abundant appreciation! But one thing you may want to think about is the example you’re setting when they see you getting stressed out. De-stressing is a great way to lead by example and show your kids that life isn’t stressful. That way, you can all lead calmer, more peaceful lives in your household.

6. For Your Friends
Well, this one might be for you, too, but it certainly involves your friends and loved ones. Those who care about you want to see you happy, which is a given. Therefore, making time for friends and acquaintances that bring you joy can not only work to reduce your stress, but it works the other way around, too. Reducing your stress allows you to be there for your friends and have more fulfilling relationships with those you care about.

7. For Your Mental Wellness
While it’s true that everyone experiences stress, excessive or prolonged stress can cause—or contribute to—conditions like anxiety and depression. If you tend to notice yourself feeling anxious and depressed, or you already struggle with those conditions, keeping your stress in check is especially important.

8. For Your Life Goals
When you’re under daily stress, your long term goals, projects, and ambitions can sometimes feel overwhelming and even no longer worthwhile. By keeping your stress levels in check, you can keep your own goals in mind and do what is best for you no matter what’s going on around you.

9. For Those Aches & Pains
There are a million things in this world that can make you feel achy and creaky, and unfortunately, stress is one of them. Stress can exacerbate neck and back pain, joint pain, muscle soreness, and even headaches and migraines. The body and mind are connected, which means allowing yourself to relax can have a direct impact on how you feel in your body.

Mom stress is the real deal and can take a serious toll, that’s why it’s important to remember your needs and check-in with yourself. Stressing out can have a bigger impact than you may realize on your body, mind, and family. While everyone experiences stress in different ways, excessive stress isn’t good for you and should be avoided, especially if you notice it starting to impact your life negatively. What’s your favorite way to de-stress?

Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine.  A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures.  She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time. 

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

This CA Park Denies Bigfoot Sighting & Sasquatches Our Dreams

by Karly Wood

Breaking news: the town of Eureka doesn’t have a Bigfoot. The Northern California town just issued a statement to inform visitors and residents that despite news websites distributing photos of a “primate-like” form in the 70-acre public preserve that is Sequoia Park, there is no Sasquatch roaming the forest.

In no small coincidence, the sighting allegedly occurred in the area where a canopy walk is being constructed. The photos supposedly show a Bigfoot-esque being on a platform 50 feet off the ground.

photo: iStock

The structure, part of the city’s Redwood Sky Walk which will open in the spring to connect the forest with the city’s zoo, will link tree platforms and is more than 100 feet high. Miles Slattery, city manager for the City of Eureka has encouraged visitors to “please avoid the area during the final construction phase to reduce the impacts on the park and zoo.”

Despite being a large park, Slattery also states that “none of our staff has reported anything.” The surrounding area of Willow Creek is no stranger to Sasquatch “sightings.” Known as the Bigfoot capital of the world, the term “Bigfoot” was coined there in the ’50s.

So Sasquatch fans, the search continues.

––Karly Wood

 

RELATED STORIES

This Ultrasound Let Blind Dad “See” His Baby for the First Time

3 Parenting Trends That Are Here to Stay, According to Dr. Harvey Karp

Is a Video Game the Key to Identifying ADHD in Kids? This Study Says Yes

 

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Easy Ways to Protect the Planet (Even More) in 2021

by Allison Sutcliffe

It’s resolution time, parents! And although saving the planet is a tall order as far as resolutions are concerned, working toward a sustainable environment doesn’t have to be overwhelming. So if you’re looking for simple and easy solutions to support sustainability in 2021, you’ve come to the right place. From kits that help reduce food waste to how to recycle everyday plastic waste, we’ve got what you need to make your New Year a bit green-er.

photo: iStock

Skip the Landfill

We’re all doing our best to reduce, reuse and recycle. But if you find yourself puzzling over what to do with broken toys, plastic food wrap and clothes that have holes, you’re not alone. Check out these services and resources that help keep items out of the landfill.

Ridwell

Subscribe to Ridwell
When it comes to recycling, there’s only so much you can put in your big blue bin. That’s where Seattle-based Ridwell comes in. What started as a father-son quest to collect dead batteries for recycling has grown into an odds-and-ends recycle and reuse subscription service boasting over 15,000 customers in the Seattle area.

Ridwell collects everyday items like light bulbs, clothes, shoes and plastic film (think: cereal box liners, Ziploc baggies and that stack of Amazon bubble envelopes you’ve got sitting in garage) on a bi-monthly basis and delivers them to area recycling and reuse partners so you don’t have to. They also gather those really strange items you’re not quite sure what to do with, like eye glasses, pet items, Halloween candy and even Christmas lights—they designate one special item as their featured category each month. To date, Ridwell has collected more than one million pounds of trash that would have otherwise gone into landfills.

Online: ridwell.com

Allison Sutcliffe

Work the Web
What’s the old saying? One person’s junk is another’s treasure. Sometimes keeping things from the landfill is as easy as offering them up to others to use. Joining groups like Buy Nothing and Freecycle makes the reuse part of the three r’s a cinch. If you don’t have any takers, you can always see if local reuse art stores like Seattle ReCreative and Tinkertopia in Tacoma are collecting what you’re looking to offload. (Hint: they both love leftover art supplies, parents!)

Find a Fix-It Fair
Whether you’ve got a vacuum on the fritz, a chair that needs repair or you can’t darn a sock worth a darn, “fixers” at a Seattle or Tacoma area Fix-It-Fair can help. Simply bring small appliances, broken toys, tools, computers—you get the idea—and have a skilled “fixer” take a look. They’ll give it a once over, repair it if they can and offer helpful tips you can take home too. Although the pandemic has put these Fix-It-Fairs on hold, King County has plans to bring them back in some from or another in the near future. So don’t get rid of that broken blender just yet. Help is on the way!

Eat Locally

Rylea Foehl

Find Local Farms & Farmers
When it comes to our area’s sustainability, supporting local farms and farmers is a simple action that has a serious ripple effect on Mother Earth. Not only does it reduce the resources needed to grow, ship and prepare food, it puts good stuff back into the land (think nutrient dense soils and healthy waters) and the economy. Find everything you need for 2021 at the newly launched eatlocalfirst.org that features more than 1,700 sustainable and organic farms, farmers markets and food businesses around Washington state. The best part of this new resource is that it puts the tools families need to eat locally at their fingertips. This is one resolution you can keep!

Online: eatlocalfirst.org

Corinne Monaco

Join a CSA, shop the farmer's markets and visit farm stores
If you’re interested in joining a CSA, start planning now. Consider you family’s needs—do you want produce only? What about meat? Are you looking for farm pick up or home delivery? Then browse eatlocalfirst.org to find the perfect match for your fam.

A leisurely stroll at the local Farmer’s Market isn’t always an option for busy parents, especially during a pandemic. But one of COVID’s silver linings (if there is such a thing) is that our local farmer’s markets have pivoted to online shopping with curbside pick up that makes seasonal eating as easy as driving through your local fast food joint. Don’t forget home delivery options from local spots like Local Yokels, Pacific Coast Harvest and Milk Run.

Finally, throw in a visit to a farm store like Green Bow Farm in Ellensburg, Bellewood Farms in Lyden or Garden Treasures in Arlington on your next road trip. Enviro-adventures away!

Reduce Food Waste

Commission for Environmental Cooperation

Download the Food Matters Action Kit
Composting is the first line of defense in reducing food waste (great job, Seattle!). Cutting down on what you compost is second. When you think about it, wasting food wastes all the resources that went into producing it (growing, transporting and selling) and uses even more to process the waste. So if your family wants to shrink their food waste in 2021, the Food Matter Action Kit has everything you need. Plus it engages kids in the process. They get to do math, play detective and help save the planet. Sounds good to us!

Seattle mom, Terumi Pong, has been using the kit with her kids. She describes one of the lessons as “eye-opening” explaining her family didn’t realize “how much food waste we created and how some of the things we often waste can actually be eaten.” She goes on to say, “After reading through the toolkit and working through some of the lessons, my family is more aware of the choices we make with food and it didn't take a lot of time or effort. I'm thankful that in this time period where so many things feel out of our control, we can do a little bit to help ourselves and our community at home by reducing food waste.” You might be surprised by what you find, too.

Online: cec.org/flwy/

—Allison Sutcliffe

RELATED STORIES:

Skip the Store: Seattle CSA’s Delivering Produce (& More)

50 Ways Families Can Save the Planet

The Best Eco-Friendly Clothing Companies for Kids

25 Black-Owned Family-Friendly Businesses We Love

Sink Your Teeth Into Seattle’s First Plant-Based Burger Joint

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement