Little changes can make a BIG environmental impact. Go green and reduce your carbon footprint or live a more eco-friendly life with these tips to make an impact today!

Earth day is April 22, and that day always showcases so many inspiring ways to get a little “greener” in everyday life. While you may not think that the choices you make have an impact, they really do!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. 

“It’s only one plastic straw…said 8 billion people”

Did you know?

• Leaving the water running while you brush your teeth can waste about 5 gallons of water.
• Around the world, nearly a million plastic bottles are sold EVERY MINUTE.
• Roughly one-third of the food produced every year – around 1.3 billion tons and valued at $1 trillion – is wasted or lost, enough to feed 3 billion people.

There are BIG things you can do like buying an electric car or installing solar panels on your house to curb your carbon footprint. But there are also tons of small things that will add up with a big impact. If those facts above weigh heavy on you, know that you can start today toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

If you’re looking to get started on your sustainability journey, or for additional ways to “go green” as a family, here are 52 easy ideas (one for each week of the year!)

Eco-Friendly Tips and Recommendations

Using Less Plastic & Recycling More

• Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags when heading to the grocery store. Keep them in your car for shopping trips. Make sure to take them out and wash them frequently.
• Skip plastic Ziplock bags and opt for reusable silicone ones instead. 
• Recycle all those plastic containers, newspapers, egg cartons and more. 
• Buy a reusable water bottle you can refill instead of buying bottled water.
• Say bye to plastic straws and hello to reusable ones. There are so many stainless steel and silicone ones to choose from.
• Don’t brown bag it – get a reusable lunch tote and containers for packing your familys’ lunches. 
• Donate or sell unused items (housewares, clothes, toys, books, furniture etc.) instead of throwing them out.
• Swap disposable plastic wrap for reusable beeswax wrap.
• Don’t cover your baking sheets with aluminum foil, instead use a reusable silicone baking mat, like Silpat.
• Buying online? Opt for your items to come in less boxes/deliveries.
• Save toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, plastic fruit cup containers, etc. for arts and crafts projects with your kids.
• Don’t take disposable cutlery and napkins with your take-out food.

Preventing Food Waste

• Buy in-season produce = less transportation to get it to store. Plus it’ll be fresher and cheaper.
• Save those veggie scraps! Store your vegetable odds and ends in a freezer bag until full. Then, make your own veggie stock for soup.
• Go meatless at least once a week. Adding more plant-based foods to your diet is not only great for your health, but also for the environment. Plant-based foods emit fewer greenhouse emissions than other foods.
• Don’t let those fruits and veggies go bad – freeze them for later! Check out these tips for how-tos.
• Plan your meals BEFORE you head to the store. It’ll cut down on extra food purchases and set you up with a plan for the week. 
• Know when and when not to toss out food. Expiration and sell-by dates aren’t always the same and can lead to you tossing otherwise good food. The FoodKeeper app can help you see the shelf life of common foods. 
• Properly store your fruits and vegetables so they last longer. We break down 60+ items on our Produce Tips page.
• Join a CSA (community supported agriculture) and receive local, farm-fresh goodies straight to your doorstep.

Gardening & Composting Ideas

• Plant a garden. Whether you have a large backyard or just a small windowsill, planting fruits, vegetables and herbs can have a big impact. 
• Start a compost pile and add to your garden to enrich the soil.
• Regrow your fruits and veggies! Green onions, lettuce, pineapple and more can all be regrown and save you money.
• Plant native to your area – all places have ecological significance – even your yard!
• Install a rain barrel and use the rainwater to water your plants.
• Water smartly! Water evaporates more easily during the hotter parts of the day. Stick to watering in the morning or evening.

Saving Energy & Water at Home

• Turn off lights as you exit each room to conserve energy and save on your electricity bill.
• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth, wash your hands or shave.
• Switch your regular light bulbs for energy-efficient bulbs. LED light bulbs can be more expensive up front, but tend to last longer and will save energy (and on your electricity bill) over time.
• Go paperless, billing that is. Opt to get your bills via email and pay them online or over the phone.
• Turn up the thermostat when you leave the house to save energy and cut down on your electricity bill.
• Wash dishes in the dishwasher instead of by hand to save water.
• Install low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets.
• Unplug appliances and other items when not in use to avoid “phantom” electricity consumption.
• Wash your clothes in cold water and only wash when you have a full load.
• Check your sprinklers regularly to ensure they’re watering your grass, not the sidewalk or driveway.
• Take shorter showers.
• Use smaller appliances like a slow cooker, air fryer or Instant Pot instead of turning on the oven.
• Buy eco-friendly appliances.
• Turn off your computer when it’s not in use.
• Fix leaky faucets, toilets, etc. to save water.

More Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Tips

• Spend more time outdoors. Plus, fresh air is good for the soul.
• Borrow books from the library instead of purchasing them.
• Read your favorite newspaper or magazine online instead of reading the paper versions.
• Adopt pets instead of getting them from a breeder. There are so many pets out there who need a family!
• Use eco-friendly cleaning products at home. A lot of chemicals used to clean our clothes, dishes, and house end up causing damage to our planet and its biodiversity.
• Carpool to work or school, or ride your bike!
• Shop at bulk food stores (and bring your own containers) for dry goods, nuts and other items you use frequently.
• Repurpose glass jars for storing leftover, dry goods and more in your kitchen and house.
• Swap your sunscreen for a mineral-based sunscreen. Look for sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, they’re safer for the ocean.
• Buy second-hand clothes or shop sustainable clothing brands.
• Skip the elevator and take the stairs.

The post Easy Ways to be Eco-Friendly Every Day appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

Earth day is April 22! If you’re looking for easy ways to celebrate at home, we’re sharing 6 ideas below. Learn more from these Earthy Tips so we can give back to Earth and care about it.

Earth Day is a reason to take a look at how you’re doing at home and in the kitchen when it comes to being more mindful about what we’re eating, how we’re getting it to the table, and what happens after the meal is over.

Few tips for celebrating Earth Day

Plant a garden.

Gardening is fun activity for the whole family. Even toddlers can help with planting and watering the plants. Container gardens are a great way to accommodate small spaces. Tomatoes, lemons and herbs are just a few of the things that are easy to grow in a pot.

A fun idea is to plant a theme garden. A spaghetti sauce garden can include tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and herbs. A salsa garden might include tomatoes, jalapenos, onions and cilantro.

For more gardening tips, check out some of our other gardening posts.

Start a produce co-op to share with gardener friends.

Last year, I started a produce co-op in my neighborhood. We have an online group to post when we have produce to share. Sometimes we might have more tomatoes, cucumbers or squash than we can use or process before it spoils, so sharing the bounty is a handy option. This Build Your Own Salad would be a great way to use up extra produce.

Start a compost pile.

Fruit and vegetable peels can add up and instead of throwing them in the trash, a compost pile is a natural way to let the waste work for good. Once the compost is ready, it is full of nutrients and can be added to your garden. Compost containers come in all shapes and sizes at garden centers, online or you can build your own to work in different spaces.

Another great option for all those produce odds and ends? Freeze them and make you own homemade veggie stock! Here’s how.

Go meatless one day a week.

Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is not only good for your body with all the extra vitamins and minerals, but it’s also good for the planet. Growing and producing fruits and vegetables creates fewer greenhouse emissions than the production of other food items. Here are 25 delicious and healthy meatless recipes to try.

Choose seasonal, local produce.

Seasonal produce is often less expensive because it is more plentiful and easier for farmers to grow. Produce grown far away is just more expensive to grow! You’ll also be helping reduce the amount of fuel it takes to transport the food. Check out our What’s in Season guide for what fresh fruits and vegetables are in-season each month.

Preserve seasonal produce to enjoy year-round.

Take advantage of fresh produce sales or the bounty from your garden by freezing or canning produce. You’ll not only save money but you can feel good knowing your choices today can be enjoyed all year long.

It’s simple to be a bit more mindful about the way we enjoy the foods we eat. Choose one new idea and before long it might just become a habit! For more ideas to reduce food waste at home, check out these 7 tips!

The post Easy Tips to Celebrate Earth Day At Home appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

If you are looking to regrow some fruits and veggies, reduce your food waste, or make trips to the grocery store, look no further than these ideas on regrowing some of them. This can be a fun way to keep the kids busy and learning at home.

In our podcast Episode 51, we talked with Tanya Acosta, who shared with us about mastering distance learning and even provided us with a fun free downloadable you can use to turn this into a true science experiment and help your family learn about produce. 

We are trying a few of these in our house like green onions (which I think is the easiest) and even celery.

Regrow Fruits and Vegetables

How To Regrow Green Onions 

1. Chop off root ends (about 2 inches) and place in small glass with an inch of water. 
2. Refresh water every few days and watch your green onions regrow within days. 
3. Cut off as needed from the top. The green onions will continue to grow if left in water.

Learn How to Regrow Celery

1. Chop off the base of the stalk, rinse it, and put it in a shallow cup of warm water in a well-lit area. 
2. Change the water every few days. 
3. You should see significant signs of growth within five days or less, depending on how much sunlight you have available. Then, Celery will start growing!

How to Regrow Pineapple

Pineapples are hardy plants that like warm weather and good soil that is well composted. There are three ways to plant pineapples: from seed, from suckers and from the crown of the pineapple. The crown and suckers are planted in almost the same manner, but the seeds will require more attention.

Planting a Pineapple crown

A Pineapple crown is the leafy top of a pineapple like the ones that can be purchased in the local grocery stores. To remove the crown, twist the top and the crown will separate from the pineapple, leaving a cone shape at the base. Be careful not to get cut when twisting the top off, it is pointed and sharp. 

A good pair of gloves will help in this step of removing the top.  At this point, take time to cut away any fruit that is attached to the bottom of the crown. Any excess fruit will damage the crown roots and they will rot. causing the plant to die.

Next, pull off the bottom one or two inches of leaves, but be careful not to tear the plant base while doing this. When done, the pineapple will have a root base with a couple of inches above it for a stem. The roots should already be forming and look like little pimples in between the leaves that were removed.

The pineapple is now ready to plant.

1. Set the top of your pineapple aside and allow to dry for a day or two. 
2. Once dry, plant in soil. Depending on your soil and daily temperature, you can choose to plant in the ground or in a pot. If you are somewhere that doesn’t allow for warm weather year-round, you can grow your pineapple in a pot indoors, but they do need about six hours of sunlight a day. 

How To Regrow Tomatoes 

1. Remove the seeds from your tomato, soak for about an hour.
2. Allow to fully dry and plant in soil within seven days. If it’s not quite spring yet in your home, you can start your seeds indoors in an old egg carton or other small container and plant outdoors when you are ready. Your kids will be astonished to see you grew a tomato from your tomato!

Let’s Regrow Potatoes

1. Cut potatoes so that each piece has at least two “eyes.” 
2. Let them sit out at room temperature overnight until they’re dry. 
3. Plant them in soil 8 inches deep and spaced 1 foot apart.

How To Regrow Avocado 

1. Clean the pit and remove any avocado remains. Towel dry. 
2. Push 4 toothpicks into the pit to create an X (you’ll want to place the pit pointy side up in the next step). 
3. Place avocado pit over small bowl or glass jar (pointy side up) using the toothpicks to hold it up. Add enough water to the bowl so that half of the pit is submerged. Place in sunlight and change water every 1-2 days. 
4. After about 3-6 weeks, the pit will begin to split open. In a few additional weeks, a stem, leaves and root will begin to grow. 
5. After about 3 months, when the “tree” is about 7-8 inches, plant in a pot.

Regrow Romaine Lettuce

1. Chop off bottom of the Romaine heart, leaving a few inches. 
2. Place in bowl with ½-inch of water. Keep in a sunny place and change water daily. 
3. Once it starts to sprout (after a few days), plant those sprouts directly in your garden. Harvest when about 6-8 inches tall.

How To Regrow Carrots

1. Cut tops off of your carrots. You’ll need about an inch of the root.
2. Stick toothpicks into carrot tops and place on top of a small glass. Fill with enough water to barely touch the bottom of the carrot top.
3. Place in a sunny spot and add water daily to keep the water touching the bottom of the carrot top. 
4. The carrot tops will start to grow roots in about a week.

Show us what you’re regrowing!

Join us in the Healthy Family Project Facebook Group to show us what you are growing, or leave us a comment here. Are you regrowing fruits and veggies from scraps in your kitchen? We want to see! Tag us on social media using #healthyfamilyproject or tagging @healthy.family.project

The post How To Regrow Fruits and Vegetables from Scraps appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

Thinking about starting a garden but not sure where to start – or worse, feel like you’re cursed with a “black thumb”? Check out these beginner gardening tips that anyone can easily master.

I’m by no means an expert gardener, but I do have some tips to share for those of you out there who want to grow. There’s something about nurturing a plant from seed to harvest or bloom that is so satisfying.

It’s fun for kids too, and allows them to understand the process of growing and even the process of growing your own food. My planting/gardening skills come from a lot of trial and error. RIP to many 🌿.

Pay Attention to Planting Zones

First things first, If you are planting outdoors and from a seed, I highly recommend checking the back of your seed packet for suggested zone and timing for planting. It makes a difference!

Your planting zone will make huge difference in the success of your plants. It’s often confusing because seeds and plants often sold in your zone are not actually even suited for your region of the U.S. As if us beginners need more confusion!

The lesson here, check your seeds and plants (if you choose to plant a mature plant) before you purchase for outdoor planting. Some plants not necessarily suited for your region may do well indoors though so don’t feel discouraged if you love the look of something you find.

A little research will help you on your way. Here’s a good resource to know what grows best where and what to plant when.

Think Inside the Pot (for growing your own food)

A few simple edible plants you can get started with and easily grow in pots are grape tomatoes, mini bell peppers, banana peppers, lettuce and herbs.

Surprisingly, lettuce only needs a 6-inch-deep pot as they have very shallow roots. The same goes for kale! Radishes can grow in a 4-inch pot.

If herbs is where your mind is going, mint is a great herb to get started with because it grows like a weed and is really easy to care for. Just keep your mint hydrated! Basil is fairly easy to grow as well as cilantro, rosemary and thyme.

Attract Pollinators

I highly recommend planting pollinator-attracting plants, like annuals, perennials and shrubs, throughout your growing area. Pollinators, like bees and butterflies, will help your plants flourish and you can feel good knowing that you are helping plants all over the world thrive by supporting pollinators.

Hydrate but Don’t Overwater!

We talk a lot about hydrating here at Healthy Family Project, but when it comes to plants, be careful not to overwater! When I first started growing, I thought every plant should have constant water.

Wrong! Pay attention to your plants, if you “listen” it’s easy to figure out what they need. But you can also check out this post 10 Tips for Watering Plants Growing in Containers.  

Trim, trim, trim!

I used to hum the Lorax song in my head as I watched my hibiscus bushes grow out and up and then someone at my local nursery compared my plants to hair and it hit me.

I heard my mom in my head explaining why I had to get a haircut. Of course! It’s so your hair can be stronger and healthier. Same with plants. Cut them back and trim them often. They might look a little blah for a week or so, but come back more beautiful and lasting longer.

Enrich the soil

I usually stick with pots for edible plants so I can control the soil. Did you know you can use things like leftover coffee grounds and eggshells to fertilize your soil?

I keep a cup near my coffee maker and dump the grounds all week. I mix with water on the weekend and my plants perk up right away. Crushed eggshells are also a great fertilizer and ward off some pests. I am not a scientist, but you can learn more about fertilizing naturally.

Ward off Pests

I have a lot of pests here in Florida and the soil in my location is meh for growing successful edible plants. If you have ideas on how to ward off pests, please leave in the comments! 🐜

This is an area I often struggle with. I’ve been using Neem oil as I don’t like to use harsh pesticides, but find I have to reapply often and stay vigilant. I know you can build your army of good bugs, like ladybugs, to help the fight, but can take some time.

Hoping my beginner tips help you navigate your planting. My best advice is to enjoy the process and take some time to appreciate all the goodness that comes from our Earth!

Be sure to listen to my recent podcast with Heather Manzo from the Allegheny Conservation District. She shares a lot of great tips on getting your small space started.

Here are a few of my go to gardening tools to get you started.

• The right gloves matter
• Trim away with these pruning shears
• Neem oil to help with fungus and pests
• Fence planters for over-the-fence herb planting

The post Gardening Tips for Beginners appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

This episode of the Healthy Family Project podcast is all about how to get started with gardening. Heather Manzo gives us a crash course on different types of gardening and what to consider before deciding which style best suits your space and lifestyle.

Gardening is a relaxing hobby that requires a decent time commitment but offers big rewards and positively impacts the environment. Whether you have a small balcony or large backyard, you can work with your space and choose plants that can thrive in your environment.

From edible landscapes and container gardens to flower beds and indoor gardens, it’s all about balancing your goals with your limitations. Heather gives us a crash course on different types of gardens and their benefits, plus useful tips to help you succeed and work on your green thumb.

Listen to the episode

What We Cover:

Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

• 2:45 Get to know Heather
• 4:47 How can beginners get started with gardening?
• 6:23 Limitations to consider when deciding what to do with your space
• 8:06 Beginner-friendly plants
• 11:05 What are companion plants?
• 12:46 How to select native plants for your garden?
• 14:08 What is a plant palette?
• 16:20 What are the benefits of container gardening?
• 20:20 How to attract bees and butterflies?
• 27:07 What you need to know about soil and composting?
• 32:33 What can the act of nurturing a seed do for us?
• 35:40 Hot takes

About Our Guest, Heather Manzo

Heather Manzo is the executive director at the Allegheny County Conservation District. Heather is passionate about preserving the world around her and helping others discover how they can make a difference in our current environment. She practices permaculture and urban ag at her home, tends to grow pumpkin patches in her front yard, and in her free time documents the plants and people of wild places armed with hiking boots, a camera and plenty of trail mix.

Relevant Links

• 16 Gardening Tools for Kids
• How Gardening Can Improve Mental Health
• 4 Steps to a Backyard Garden
• 8 Fruits & Veggies You Can Regrow From Scraps
• 10 Beginner Steps to Starting a Garden
• How to Grow Milkweed
• USDA hardiness zone map
• Mother Earth News, ‘What to plant now tool’.
• Lead guidelines

Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

• Episode 64: Tips to Declutter Your Home
• Episode 48: Self-Care for Busy Families
• Episode 36: Dietitian-Approved Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips

Healthy Family Project Facebook Group

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Healthy Family Project Podcast

Conversations covering hot topics in the world of health, food and family with a dose of fun. Helping families ease their way into a new fresh and healthy world.

Be on the lookout for new bi-weekly episodes and don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting site. If you like an episode, make sure to leave a rating and comment.

If you are interested in being a guest on the Healthy Family Project podcast, contact amanda@healthyfamilyproject.com with your topic idea for consideration.

The post Episode 66: Small Garden, Big Environmental Impact appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

Ready to start a garden? Get your kids involved in the process with the help of some of these gardening tools for kids! From muck boots and gloves to fun books and flower pots, there’s something for kids of all ages on this list.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. 

It’s my favorite time of year! Spring has sprung and it’s time for our family to plant our annual garden. We love to grow fresh herbs, tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce and more, and my boys love to get involved. After all, what boy doesn’t like to play in the dirt?

We’re lucky enough to have a big backyard where we can plant, but even if you only have a small balcony or window where you can place a flower pot or two, there’s something you can grow! Check out this list below for a fun Mushroom farm, herbs you can grow in a can and more.

Whether you’re a gardening pro or looking to start your family’s first garden, there’s something on this list to get your kids excited about gardening.

16 Gardening Tools for Kids

Kid Gardening Essentials

If your kids are joining you in the garden, make sure to grab a few kid-friendly gardening tools to get them excited. Dinosaur watering can, anyone?

1

Kids Work Gloves

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2

Dinosaur Watering Can

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3

Kids Gardening Set

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4

Kids Garden Tall Tool Set

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5

Kids Muck Boots

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6

Memory Foam Garden Kneeler

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Gardening for Small Spaces

These fun gardening items are perfect if you’re tight on space or new to gardening and want to test it out on a smaller scale.

7

Back to the Roots Water Garden

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8

Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Growing Kit

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9

Back to the Roots Garden-in-a-Can Grow Organic Herbs Variety Pack

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10

Creativity for Kids Grow 'N Glow Terrarium Kit

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11

Container Gardening Complete: Creative Projects for Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Small Spaces

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Fun Ideas for Kids

From a book on gardening projects for kids to paint-your-own flower pots, there are tons of great ways to get kids involved in the seed to table process of gardening.

12

The Tiny Seed (The World of Eric Carle)

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13

Gardening Projects for Kids

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14

Paint & Plant Stoneware Flower Growing Kit

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15

Metal Plant Labels

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16

Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden

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