bookmark_borderHow to Zero Waste Your Cleaning Supplies 💧

Hey earth muffins! For the next post in my “How to Zero Waste Your [insert room/thing here]” series, I will be sharing how you can easily make your cleaning supplies more sustainable. 😊 Just like I mentioned in my How to Zero Waste Your Bathroom 🚽 post, there are many ways you can avoid the smelly and chemically-filled cleaners that you can find in the store. Let’s jump right into it!

Cleaning Containers
~Recycled buckets/baskets/etc.: Utilize what you have around the house (or your friend’s house)! Many people have buckets either in their basement or garage, so see if you can put them to good use instead of buying something new.
~Metal/wire bucket: If you can’t seem to find any container (which I think is extremely unlikely), purchase a metal or wire bucket that can be recycled after you are finished with it. 👍

Paper Towel/Disinfectant Wipe Alternatives
~Rags and washcloths: One of the first things I did when I started my journey to zero waste was to stop using paper towels. Instead of throwing away something every time you need to clean the counter or wash a mirror, try recycling old clothes into rags or putting those old washcloths to use. Throw them in with your laundry and you are good to go!

~Natural Sponges: Instead of using normal sponges, try natural ones. Make sure to use up the sponges you already have in your cupboards before switching, as you wouldn’t want to waste anything!
~Wooden brushes with natural bristles: Instead of any sort of sponge, I have switched to wooden brushes to clean my dishes, etc. These can easily be sterilized by dunking in some boiling water, so I have found that they last much longer!

DIY Cleaners
~Natural alternatives to cleaners: Instead of using cleaners that are both bad for you and the environment, use ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax, castile soap, etc. to make your own cleaners! These ingredients can be purchased in bulk, which saves on plastic packaging as well. 😃 I have been amazed by the number of recipes you can find online and on Pinterest.

~Brands known for being sustainable: Feeling like you don’t have time to make your own cleaners? Check out Seventh Generation or Mrs. Meyer’s brands! While they aren’t as sustainable as making your own, they are still better than some of the other alternatives.
~Laundry soap nuts: As I mentioned in my How to Zero Waste Your Laundry Room post, you can use soap nuts instead of laundry detergent! 😍 There are many other DIY laundry cleaners out there as well, so I would definitely recommend checking out Pinterest!

Pin to read later!

What sustainable cleaning tips do you use?

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

Loading

bookmark_borderRecent Reads & Movie Reviews 🎬

Hey earth muffins! You all seemed to really love my last Reads & Movie Review post, so I thought I would share my thoughts on the books and films that I have recently read/watched. As I am officially done with school for the summer, I have had a lot more time to read and watch things… So definitely  look forward to more of these posts in the future! 😃

Pin to read later!

Recent Reads
~The Last Job: The “Bad Grandpas” and the Hatton Garden Heist by Dan Bilefsky

 
 
In one of my book review posts from January, I talked about a random book I found at my local library about a college guy who stole a bunch of dead birds from a museum. I thought it was quite interesting, so (of course) I just had to get another heist book. This one focuses on the Hatton Garden Heist where a group of 60 and 70 year olds used a diamond tip drill to cut through 20 inches of concrete. Sounds like a movie right? Well, it actually did inspire three! 😂 This was such an interesting book, and I just cannot believe the craziness of this robbery (which includes a sleeping look out, a security guard literally showing up when the heist took place, and giving up but then returning a day later). If the “Bad Grandpas” had done this crime in 1980 they would have never been caught! 
Rating: 10/10
~Trainwreck: The Women We Love to Hate, Mock, and Fear… and Why by Sady Doyle
 
 
This book focuses on the “trainwrecks” we all know about from the media – examples like Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, etc. Doyle does an excellent job of comparing these women to the male “trainwrecks” who are never as negatively affected or ridiculed by society. It definitely made me think about the unfair expectations that women celebrities have forced on them, so I would recommend reading if you are into feminist literature!
Rating: 7.5/10
 

~Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

 
 

Gilbert is most known for her book Eat, Pray, Love (which I have yet to read haha), and in this book she shares her ideas about creativity. One of the interesting things she talked about was how ideas wander around (sort of like ghosts) until they find the right person to express them… I thought this was such a romantic way to put it! For anyone who is looking to lead a more creative life, I think Gilbert has a great way of basically telling the reader that everyone is creative in their own way. 😊

Rating: 8/10
 
~Are u ok?: How to Know You Need Help and Where to Find It by Kati Morton
 
 
Knowing how to handle your mental health is something that I have learned throughout college to be of the upmost importance. One of my close friends was struggling to deal with depression recently, so I gave this book a read to try and help them out. Morton does an excellent job of debunking the misconceptions about mental health and therapy while describing all of the steps you can do (both by yourself and at therapy) to make sure you are at your best. She does an excellent job of breaking down medical terms, and I think it is super helpful for anyone struggling with a mental health issues. ♥
Rating: 9/10
 
Movies
~Sing
 
 
I am pretty sure that you all know how much I love animated movies, so of course I enjoyed Sing! I was actually amazed by the all-star cast for this film, which makes the singing portions so much more enjoyable. I laughed a lot (especially during the auditions scene because who doesn’t love a good audition montage like High School Musical or Pitch Perfect?!), so I can definitely say that this was a feel-good family movie. 😂 Give it a watch if you need a pick me up! 
 

Rating: 9/10

What have you read or watched recently?

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

Loading

bookmark_borderBirth Control: What is the Cervical Mucus Method?

Hey earth muffins! If you have been following my Natural Birth Control series, you will know that I use the Basal Body Temperature method to track my menstrual cycle. To use the BBT method, I use the Femometer. 🌡 I have loved everything about my experience with this device, and I recently also started using the Cervical Mucus method alongside BBT. This method can also be tracked using the Femometer, so I wanted to write a post all about this other form of natural birth control. Let’s jump right into it! 🙃

 

What is the Cervical Mucus Method?

The Cervical Mucus Method (also called the Billings Ovulation Method) is a natural form of birth control that focuses on the mucus patterns during the menstrual cycle. Now you might be thinking, ew gross mucus?! 🤢 But don’t worry, every woman produces this mucus and it isn’t gross at all (you probably have already seen it in your underwear at some point)! By looking at the mucus produced during your cycle, you can predict when ovulation is occuring. This is helpful if you are trying to get pregnant and also if you are trying to avoid a pregnancy.

What is the typical Cervical Mucus pattern?

When making your observations, you will usually see this pattern:

1. Period days – don’t bother looking at any mucus haha
2. No cervical mucus/”dry days” 
3. Cloudy and sticky mucus 
4. Clear and wet mucus – When this mucus resembles egg whites and can be stretched between your fingers, ovulation is occuring!
5. No cervical mucus/”dry days”


How do you do the Cervical Mucus Method?

This part is so simple a cavewoman could do it! 👍 When you are about to use the bathroom each day, wipe with some toilet paper before doing your business. Then, observe what is on the paper! It is extremely helpful to also touch/stretch the mucus, looking for characteristics mentioned in the last section. Some people prefer to actually insert a finger to monitor their mucus, but I have found that the toilet paper method is easier. 😃

How can I track my CM with the Femometer?

On the home screen, there is a “CM” button:

That opens up a screen to add a mucus reading:

On your BBT chart, letters denoting the mucus will then show up! The Femometer platform takes these readings into consideration, making your predictions even more accurate.

What are the risks of using this method? 

1. User error – I will be honest with you all, sometimes Cervical Mucus all looks the same. But I think after I continue to practice this method, identification will get easier.

2. Unwanted pregnancy 👶 – I would suggest using some other form of birth control (condoms, etc.) with this method at first. I think it is an easy natural birth control method, but you need to get practice with it before trusting it 100%!

Would you ever consider using the Cervical Mucus Method?

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

Loading

bookmark_borderWhat You Should Buy at the Farmers Market This Summer!

Hey earth muffins! One of my favorite things to do in the summer months is to hit up my local farmers market. There is an excellent one in my hometown, as well as in the city where my internship is – this means I get to enjoy the local options all summer long! 😀 The farmers market is an essential part of my in-progress-to-zero-waste lifestyle, so I would recommend checking out yours for these summer goods!

~Any “Toxic 13” things that are in season: To live sustainably, you should make sure to eat local and seasonal food! These 13 fruits and vegetables tend to suck up the most pesticides if you don’t buy them organic and/or local: apples, carrots, celery, cherries, grapes, kale, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears, spinach, strawberries, and bell peppers. Check out your farmers market to see what your local farmers are growing!

~Local honey: I didn’t know that honey can be a different color depending on your location… Support your local honeybees and the local floral flavors!

Make sure the honey is sold in glass jars!!

~Berries: Summer is my favorite time for any type of berry, and they can be super cheap at the market. Nothing screams summer more than a bowl of blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries 🍓

~Flowers: My market even has some succulents! I love to see what gorgeous flowers are in season – I think a vase of fresh florals on the dinner table makes the perfect centerpiece. 😊

~Local delicacies: If you live by a river, check out the local fish. 🐟 If your region is known for its cheese, then check out the cheese selection! 🧀 Summer is a great time to try new foods, so find the coolest (and maybe even weirdest) things that your farmers market has to offer!

Pin for later!

What are your favorite things to purchase at the farmers market?

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

Loading

bookmark_borderSustainable Gift Guide for Mother’s Day

Hey earth muffins! Mother’s Day is right around the corner (if you aren’t aware, it is this Sunday!). As you should always do something special for your mom on this holiday, I thought I would share some sustainable gifts to give that your mom (and the planet) will love! 🎁

1. Brunch or dinner to her favorite place – My family loves to celebrate holidays with special food, so treat your mother to one of her favorite places to eat! No need to buy a cake in plastic or ingredients to make a meal when you can go where she will enjoy it best 😀

2. Ethique hair and body products – Treat your mom to an at-home spa day! I recently reviewed Ethique’s Heali Kiwi shampoo bar, and I absolutely love their hair masks. My mom is always concerned that her hair is too dry after blow drying it, so I got her this Bloom hair mask to give it some nourishment. Feel free to check out Ethique’s other masks too!

3. Potted plant – Instead of giving flowers that will just die in a few days, try getting a plant in a ceramic or glass pot (avoid any plastic pots please!). These are great additions to the home and make excellent centerpieces on the dining room table. 🌷

4. Reusable bags for the market – Now that the weather is finally getting nice, the farmer’s market in my city is about to open. To make sure your mom is shopping in style and saving the planet too, get her some reusable grocery and/or produce bags!

5. Homemade goodies in a glass container – If you know your mom loves your chocolate chip scones or triple chocolate brownies, why not make them for her? Pack them up all cute in a glass container, and let her check both the treats and the box! 👍


What are you getting your mom for Mother’s Day?

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

Loading