“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.” Wendell Berry.
Earth Day has been celebrated annually since 1970. It is a great time to pause and consider your efforts and actions and their environmental impact. We think the kitchen is a smart place to start. Here we share a few simple ideas to consider and implement today and every day.
1. Go Green When You Clean
Use plant-based cleaners and avoid the use of harsh and dangerous chemicals in your home when cleaning. Visit the ewg site to find the safest products for your home. Don’t forget about how easy it is to make your own green cleaners as well. A quick internet search will yield a plethora of effective home cleaner recipes to keep your home sparkling and germ-free.
2. Cook Once, Eat Twice
As you plan and prepare your weekly meals, purchase enough ingredients and plan to make enough for several meals. This will allow for leftovers to eat later in the week or freeze for a later date. You can even plan to share a home-cooked meal with friends and family.
3. Commit to the Compost
There are so many foods that can be composted instead of heading to the trash. Egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit, vegetables, and other food waste are perfect candidates for a home compost. Not sure where to start? Visit the EPA’s home composting site to get started.
4. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
The kitchen is an ideal place to focus on reducing your footprint, reusing and recycling containers, bottles and other items that often find their way to the garbage. Jars make excellent vases, and many product containers make excellent reusable food storage. Commit to considering each item before it heads to the trash.
5. Grow your Own
Plant a garden and grow your own herbs and favorite vegetables. If this feels like a daunting task, start small. Find a window ledge and grow your favorite cooking herbs.
6. Shop Locally
Head to your local farmer’s market, support your local grocer, and check out what local CSA’s are available in your area. Local Harvest is a great resource for locating CSA’s near you.
There are countless ways to celebrate Earth Day every day across your home and across your life. Start small, start in the kitchen, just start today!