The beginner’s guide to composting at home
Composting is a vital step that we all take to reduce the current garbage crisis. In other words: roll up your sleeves!
Author: Kerly
Why plastic is nasty and why to stop using it
We are daily surrounded with so much plastic, that we even do not notice how much of it is out there. It is practical, it is poisonous and it is forever. Make a change and stop using plastic!
Minimalism – a way to a better life
I love minimalism in photography. I have tried to capture it, but it is difficult. Is it easier to apply minimalism to your life and why one should want it?
What is minimalism?
“So what is this minimalism thing? It’s quite simple: to be a minimalist you must live with less than 100 things, you can’t own a car or a home or a television, you can’t have a career, you must live in exotic hard-to-pronounce places all over the world, you must start a blog, you can’t have children, and you must be a young white male from a privileged background.
Minimalism isn’t about any of those things, but it can help you accomplish them. If you desire to live with fewer material possessions, or not own a car or a television, or travel all over the world, then minimalism can lend a hand. But that’s not the point. Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from overwhelm. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from depression. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. Real freedom.”
From: The Minimalists
Does this sound a bit familiar to you, at least one of you? These blurbs are taken from the world-renowned The Minimalist website and these lines were written by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. You could call these two friends minimalist lifestyle pioneers. In a way what they do is nothing extraordinary or innovative. We kind of all know about this, but never bothered to put it into practice, but they did and got all the fame and fortune.
By their website, they have helped more than 20 million people live meaningful lives with less while using to promote their ideas through their website, books, podcast, and documentary, which you can all find in their web site.
The idea of minimalism
Minimalism is not a new term in the conventional sense, as we know it has been applied in architecture. Showing clean forms with straight lines or lean curves. Basically less is more, also in art. Perhaps most known in photography. The almost empty shots of clean surfaces with one item in it. Sometimes not even that, but the shadow of the pictured gives the depth. We all love those forms and photos, as they say, they are easy on the eyes.
Minimalism as a lifestyle follows more or less the same line, but in there the whole story is around owning possessions. Not only having heaps and heaps, but also giving too much meaning to what we own. Often times we are abandoning more important, such as relationships, passions, personal growth and most importantly our health. Minimalism is foremost about choices. Do you want to have a family, car and a career, you can do all that.
“Minimalism simply allows you to make these decisions more consciously, more deliberately.”
By Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
Who are minimalists?
Anybody can be a minimalist. You, me or your neighbour. There is no limit. The only limitation is the wish to change and the determination of letting things go that doesn’t matter.
The Minimalists introduce on their website their friends. Some have careers, are married and have six children. Or someone who owns only 51 things and travels all over the world. And a couple who lives in a tiny house and own no car. Though these people are different, they share two things in common: they are minimalists. And minimalism has allowed them to pursue purpose-driven lives.
You may want to ask, how come they all still can be minimalists? Joshua and Ryan help you out here again with summing it up in one sentence: “Minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important – so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom.”
How minimalism can help me?
- Eliminate your discontent
- Reclaim your time
- Live in the moment
- Pursue your passions
- Discover your missions
- Experience real freedom
- Create more, consume less
- Focus on your health
- Grow as individuals
- Contribute beyond ourselves
- Rid ourselves of excess stuff
- Discover purpose in our lives
What are exactly things?
Let me come back to the things. Sometimes people call health, relationships, growing also things, yet they are not obvious. Things are just a sad term, we tend to overuse. Things can’t give us happiness and freedom in life, they may help us to get there and to enjoy that. Have you ever heard somebody say that their life is complete now when they have iPhone 11 Pro or that they are driving the latest model of BMW? You may have, but again then they are not your people and it is difficult for us to relate with them.
Happiness, isn’t this the one and only thing we all are craving? While incorporating minimalism into our lives, we can find lasting happiness. This we can’t find through things but through life itself. We can individually determine, what is important and what is not in our lives. This seems like a daunting task and that is how the above mentioned two guys, The Minimalists are trying to help us out. But with every new thing, every change in your life, this can be a bit complicated in the beginning. But it is guaranteed by Joshua and Ryan that your journey towards minimalism gets much easier – and more rewarding – the further you go.
Where to start?
I watched first their documentary. It is available on Netflix. Then I read their book. My first thought is that they will Marie Kondo me, so I will start throwing things out I do not need. It didn’t happen. But I know it will happen. Firstly I needed to understand what is important and who is important. What is my passion and what I like doing? Giving up things is the next step. I can’t tell you this is the right way to start. But I feel like this is what I want to share to inspire others like I was inspired.
Hopefully, this little intro was useful for many of you and maybe helped some to get back on track. While writing this, I am thinking of the knick-knacks drawer what desperately needs some minimalist touch….but I hope this act of writing, while seated by a clean desk with just a bunch of field flowers in a reused iron supplement dark glass bottle and a laptop in front of me, helped me pursue my passions, create more, grow as an individual and contribute beyond myself.
May be also a useful read: Change your mindset, change your life!
Baking soda – the household wonder helper
I have known that baking soda is good, but I never realized how good it is for the environment, my wallet and my everyday life!
What about organic waste?
I didn’t tackle the organic waste subject in my previous post. From several ways how to manage your organic waste, with our little tips below, you can easily find yours!
Veganism is the new today
Animals, nature, and well-being have never mattered us so much than now. It seems like veganism is the only way. If you need some persuasion, read below!
The inspiration to write this article came after watching a YouTube video of VEGAN 2018 – The Film. As a vegan, I am not really looking to educate myself more on the matter, as I am already a vegan, so I am doing my best, as it is, right? No, it doesn’t stop here. Educating myself more, I am more confident and I have actual facts to present, when in discussions, the never-ending subject, why I am vegan, comes up.
Veganism is not a trend
Being a vegan is not a trend and it is not a phase. At least to those, who really believe in what they are. Veganism is not a lifestyle. It is a life dedicated to saving lives. Not participating in the slaughter of animals, eating healthy and being environmentally conscious.
If you have become vegan just recently, it may not be the case for you, as you are in the whirl of finding out what to eat and which meals to cook. But one day you will start seeing the bigger picture and your small, but important role in it. Perhaps these little thoughts are helping you to be more aware of the current situation and be ready to protect yourself when you are under attack because of who you are.
Why veganism is not a trend? Because people are waking up and seeing that this is not the way to go on. Many changes will take place! Perhaps this is the reason that last year veganism really made a huge raise, precisely 500%! Whopping 500%!
Veganism entered the mainstream
2019. is the year when veganism is entering the mainstream. Many beliefs are changed, the year when every week a vegan restaurant is opened. In the US alone, nearly 25% of the people call themselves a vegan – wow! Being vegan has never been so easy than today. Even for those, who just can’t give up the meat because of its flavour. Worry no more – become a vegan now because now there is Beyond Burger.
It is an invention that was worked out in the United States. Even meat-eaters have been fallen in love with it. This meat alternative is found the aisles between the meat, not in a special corner only meant for free-from products. Ten years ago it would have been unthinkable. More fresh products are available to us and unimaginable amounts of processed vegan foods are available to make the beginning times of a new vegan easier.
Think where your food comes from
When not consuming meat, you save lives and you also save the environment. These are reasons enough to jump on the vegan boat. I guess everybody would agree, if meat-eaters, would see how the cow is milked or the animal is killed for their meal, they would not want to eat it. It is disgusting! But yet it is a norm and vegans are the villains.
Everything that is new is not accepted and this is normal. But everybody, not only vegans, should think that eating no animal products is normal. Nevertheless, we still hear things like: “We have always eaten meat, from the beginning of the time”; “Meat and dairy are good for you”, etc. 2019 can tell you not to believe all that, as these are all outdated reasons and the information – surveys, researches, articles – is out there.
Times have changed
Yes, we used to eat meat, as there was nothing else to eat. Meat and dairy are definitely not good for you. They are the leading cause of tens and tens of health issues. I am not making it up, or nobody is making it up. It was made up by the big corporations. So they can sell more products, to flourish and grow. This all happened for the sake of human lives, who have gotten sicker in recent years, because meat and dairy products are not clean, fresh and healthy, as we believe they are.
With anything that is produced in large quantities, it becomes mass production. And to make it more sustainable monetary wise, different means have set in, which changes the end product and makes the products unhealthy. Any attacks you face in the news by meat industries are not based on real evidence. But bought researches to save their doomed businesses, as their products are no more in such a high demand they used to.
Another big change that veganism is spreading, is being more open about the current climate situation and with changed eating habits making an actual change. In the news, you can read that experts warn that we have until 2030 to stem catastrophic climate change. I mean, we are still young. Life is still ahead. This may be the time when your children are in your prime and they have to grow up in a world, which may be quite unlivable. And they may never enjoy it the way you did when you were young.
Future, not our problem?
The world doesn’t end with us. There are more generations to come. We need to leave the world in such a state for them, which allows them to continue preserving it. We have land enough to feed 9 or 10 billion people. But not when they all eat veal, chicken, and pork. Meat and dairy industries are extremely exhausting for Mother Earth. We are close to depleting its natural sources and for what? For wrong beliefs and our taste buds? Think for a moment, that it takes 127 kg (280 pounds) of grain to make 450 g (1 pound) of beef. But imagine how many people that 127 kg of grain would feed?
Every year people are more and more health-minded. Nevertheless, we are the sickest today. In US the most money is spent on healthcare, but people are not healthier. On the opposite – the situation is getting worse. This makes, of course, to look at what is on the plates of the people. Health becomes better not with visits to a doctor, but changing what is eaten.
Eating meat and dairy is the main cause of today’s illnesses. Heart diseases are the number one killer in the USA. They can be beaten, just with changing a diet. Eating only plant-based meals is known to prevent various cancers, respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, pneumonia, influenza, and even suicide. Knowing that it would be enough of a reason to quit. To enjoy this life to the fullest and live longer and healthier.
Conclusion
Vegans have given up on serving their taste buds. But they are dedicated to saving the lives of 150 million animals killed daily for food. They do not think they are better, they just want the lives of animals to be better. Also planet Earth. Please do some research, if this wasn’t enough information and please make the change to join the new life already this year. We are here to help you on your path!
Click here to watch the Vegan 2018 – The Film HERE.
Sorting garbage in the kitchen
Though we are trying to become plastic free, we do not believe in trashing bags and containers that we already have just to be free of it. In other words – how to manage your garbage?
Two cents on becoming a vegan
I was vegetarian for many years because I thought being vegan was impossible. I put vegans on a pedestal. My journey may inspire you like others have inspired me.
Sugar and gluten fast: 10 days is not enough
If you do not eat sugar and gluten for 10 days, does it make you feel any different? Is it difficult or easy-peasy? Read more to decide yourself.
We are vegans and have been not eating gluten on a regular basis for years. This year we kind of lost the track. Due to excessive amounts of free bread and pastry, we have been blessed to receive. We tried once sugar-free fast for two weeks. I remember it was a struggle. So we decided to see how easy it is fast again, giving sugar and gluten a break for ten days.
Who wouldn’t love sugar and gluten?
We skipped eating gluten because of health conditions a few years ago. It was not so difficult, though the bread was following us everywhere. Not only that but other food items, which had wheat in as a supporting ingredient. I remember we got our rice cake game on. Sweet and savory. In the morning and in the evening. We were okay reading the labels and avoiding anything with gluten. We felt good. But then we started getting lots of free bread, which would have gone to waste otherwise. So we found ourselves back at the gluten train.
We tried sugar fast a few years ago, also in the fall time. I remember that the first few days were quite tough for me. Eve took it better and she was looking for options, how to clench our sugar thirst. She got us stevia, as a natural sweetener for gluten-free baking and for sweet tea. I remember lots of struggling and thirst for sugar. We usually have something sweet after having a good savory meal. In a way, it is so dumb, as the meal was enough, why need more. But habits are meant to break, right?
Knowing all that, I was eager to see if we can pull this ten (just 10 days!) day fast through. We declared October a health and well-being month, so we were taking it seriously. This is a known fact that sugar and gluten make you addicted. Anyway on these days, if you really need to eat something regular, like a loaf of bread or pasta, then it is easy to get gluten-free options. Sugar-free items are a bit difficult to find, but fruits are easy to get!
We were on!
Breakfast headaches and evening pains
I love breakfast. Love making them, love eating them. While we were using bread, it was so easy to make something easy, really fast. Cut that bun open, spread coconut oil and add some cheeze (vegan) on it. Fry and enjoy it! Or make the bread any other way. Now we had to plan a bit ahead, what to eat. But then again it was more like fun and a challenge, than a struggle.
I love warm porridge, especially oatmeal, but amaranth, millet, and buckwheat get good scores as well. So I knew that we are covered. Sure, it takes more time, but definitely we would be eating healthier. If something sweet was needed, I had always some fruits or berries at hand to sweeten up our meals free of sugar and gluten.
Some examples of our sugar and gluten-free breakfasts:
- Overnight oats with dried fruits, seeds, nuts. Fresh cuts of plum and pear on top
- Smoothie
- Oatmeal with coconut oil, nuts, and seeds
- Pan toasted oats with sugarfree jam, plant milk, nuts, and seeds mix
- Potato pancakes with salad on aside
- Oat flour pancakes
The other thing was the evening snacks. This was more like a challenge, especially in the first days. We were so used to have something sweet, like squares of dark chocolate with a cup of tea. I guess we had every evening something like that. I was really looking forward to times of just enjoying the fresh cup of tea. Now the time had arrived.
Some examples of snacks we had:
- Natural kettle-cooked chips (first night!)
- Plums
- Dried fruits, nuts, and fresh apple slices
- Pear slices with peanut butter
- Sugar and gluten-free brownie
- Rice cake with peanut butter, topped with fresh plums
I mean it is not perfect but as a first test fast of sugar and gluten, it did a good job.
Some tips on how to avoid sugar and gluten
Knowing that sugar and gluten are not good for you is a good start. Usually, if you skip those, you will skip many processed and unhealthy components from your meals. This is a win-win situation. It makes you focus more on quality food items. Also making the right choices will make you more creative while preparing your meals.
What we kept in mind while on sugar and gluten fast:
- We avoided artificial sugars (including sodas and juices).
- We avoided anything with wheat in it.
- Naturally, our meals became less fatty.
- We cooked more creatively with plants, beans, and gluten-free grains.
- We started to appreciate fruits and vegetables more.
If you are considering having any kind of fast, set yourself goals. It makes the whole process easier to follow. Start with something in which you feel comfortable and keep your promise. We chose 10 days, as after that my mom came to visit us, and we wanted to enjoy the best vegan meals with her. Often times they may have some gluten or sugar in them, unfortunately (for example udon noodles, cinnamon buns and vegan ice-cream).
We started another 10 days fast yesterday. It will be broken, because of our trip to Italy. If you do not eat gluten there, then I mean, what you are going to eat anyway :)) After that we will continue. I feel like this is the way to go now.
Is fasting good?
Intermittent fasting is actually good for you. It means that fasts which are occurring at irregular intervals are not continuous or steady is what your health needs. While not eating sugar and gluten you are not damaging your health in any way. Think of it as a little rest. Some people have to avoid sugar and gluten for serious health issues every day in their lives. If you are healthy and like to eat healthily, then having these fasts can only be greeted.
It has scientifically proved that fasting when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle, can be effective. Especially if there is a wish to lose weight. We didn’t fast because of that reason. Mostly we wanted to get back to our usual way of eating, meaning no gluten. Sugar…well, there is so much of it everywhere, so it doesn’t hurt to cut back every once in a while.
Harvard Health Publishing recommends for successful fasting:
- Avoid sugars and refined grains. Instead, eat fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (a sensible, plant-based, Mediterranean-style diet).
- Let your body burn fat between meals. Don’t snack. Be active throughout your day. Build muscle tone.
- Consider a simple form of intermittent fasting. Limit the hours of the day when you eat, and for best effect, make it earlier in the day (between 7 am to 3 pm, or even 10 am to 6 pm, but definitely not in the evening before bed).
- Avoid snacking or eating at nighttime, all the time.
Conclusion
We can’t really say that consuming no sugar and gluten for ten days made us feel any different. Probably we need at least 2-3 weeks to really feel the difference. One thing we noticed though. The more time we were in with our fast, the less we dreamed of having something we were not supposed to have. So in a way, our minds learned to cope without gluten and sugar. We were getting used to not having that. It was difficult in the first few days, but in the end, it got easy-peasy.
Used source: Harvard Health Publishing