Thoughtful living

Be the change you want to see in the world. 

These words from Mahatma Ghandi might seem like such a cliché, but there's so much truth in them. In this modern world that we live it might seem impossible to live ethically. 

Caught in the day to day rush, it can seem difficult to think of small things like zero waste. However I am convinced that we need to teach kindness to our kids and have a family life that cares about the world we live in. And you don't need to change your style all of a sudden, just take small steps and start with the simple things: 

1. Make sure you have a reusable coffee cup with you. It’s not always easy, but if you can save one coffee cup (plastic or paper) a week, why not do it?

2. Put some food containers in your car. Maybe the next time you will go to the restaurant and take away some of the food, you’ll use your own recipients.

3. Teach your kids to donate. Why keep in the closet those things that you don’t use when somebody else could be very happy to have them?

4. Borrow. Fix or accept used items from others. One of the things that I love most in my motherhood friendship is that we borrow or switch toys for the kids, even switch clothes since one of the boys is older. Then we offer them as a gift from our turn, if they are in good condition. And we usually try to keep them as such (especially the toys), as we want to teach the kids to take care of their belongings and not think that anything can be broken and replaced immediately after.

5. Do not throw food away. That’s a hard one…but it’s not impossible. Just don’t buy too much stuff. Go to a small shop in the neighborhood more often, make a meal plan and stick to it. Or just cook with whatever you have in the fridge. I remember I was watching a TV show in Belgium some years back and I was amazed to find out about their antigaspillage campaign. I learned how to make chips from potato skin and quiche from the radish leaves or vegetable stock from everything that I used to throw away from a vegetable.

6. Support your local farmer.

7. Eat seasonally. Why eat watermelon in December when the harvesting season is during summer time? Just eat what every season has to offer, that way you make sure the products are chemical free. It’s a huge benefit for your health and the environment.

8. Go to garage sales or buy vintage. If you still want to buy stuff then at least try a flea market or garage sale. You cannot imagine how many treasures there are!

9. Share your car! Really, does every couple need to come in its own car for dinner? Plus, only one get to drink water this way!

10. Inspire your friends to live ethically. Not by becoming an activist, but simply by offering zero waste housewarming gifts: wooden brushes, a French press coffee machine, some linen napkins or bread bags. I have a long list of these items that I totally love and I’ll share it over the weekend.