• Lifestyle
    • Faith
    • Minimalism
    • Zero Waste
    • Home
    • Motherhood & Family
    • Health & Wellness
    • Travel
  • Food
    • Raw Food
    • Vegetarian
    • Smoothies
    • Desserts
    • Clean Eating
    • What I Eat In A Day
  • DIY
    • Facial Cleanser
    • Facial Moisturizer
    • Facial Mask
    • Eye Cream/Serum
    • Lip Balm
    • Hair Cleanser
    • Hair Rinse
    • Hair Leave-In/Styler
    • Beauty Oil/Butter
    • Beauty Mist/Toner
    • Natural Fragrance
    • Deodorant
    • Nail Care
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Curly Hair Regimen
    • Healthy Hair Tips
    • Chemical-Free Series/Hair
    • Skin
    • Acne
    • Principles
    • Chemical-Free Series/Skin
  • Style
    • Modesty
    • Wardrobe Simplified
    • My Capsule Wardrobe
  • SHOP
  • About
    • Beauty Regimen
    • My Personal Testimony
    • My Minimalist Home
    • Testimonials

Minimalist Beauty

living simply with grace, discretion and faith

Minimalist Beauty

Zero Waste Goodies For Everyday & Travel

April 5, 2016 by Dawn Michelle

Earth Day is April 22, yet every day could be earth day if we choose it to be.  Living more environmentally takes self reflection as well as research.  I am beyond estatic with the zero waste efforts so far that I’ve incorporated in our home and daily lifestyle.  At the same time, I am also compassionate with myself when I make a wasteful mistake.  I use mistakes I make as a learning curve.  I’ve put together six basic items that I keep in my bag to help me maintain my zero waste goals when I’m out and about.  These six items help tremendously when traveling too.

1. Stainless Steel Straw

Plastic straws are wasteful.  Over 60 million straws are thrown away each day.  A stainless steel straw can be reused and recycled.  They also look so much better than plastic.

2. Stainless Steel Utensils

By carrying a set of utensils in my bag, I avoid the possibility of needing to use disposable utensils all together.  Compostable utensils sound good, but most of the time they too become trash.  I found this set of airline utensils at an army surplus store which was random and perfect all at the same time.  I keep them wrapped in a piece of fabric.  Bamboo utensils are another great option!

3. Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Plastic water bottles leach “bad estrogens” into your water which is never good for your health.  Plastic may be inexpensive and convenient intially, but it only causes unnecessary pollution that does not ever fully biodegrade.  Only 5% of plastics produced in the United States is recycled out of the 100 billion tons of plastics produced each year, so recycling alone is not the answer.  I used a basic glass jar to carry water until my hubby bought me a stainless steel water bottle.  Both are ecofriendly alternatives, yet stainless steel does not break.

4. Organic Cotton Produce Bags

I use organic cotton produce bags for shopping in the bulk section of grocery stores, and obviously for produce as well.  I also use these bags to carry snacks and keep lunch items in when I am out or traveling.  They are a much better alternative to a plastic sandwich bag, and they can be reused over and over again.  I keep small cotton bags with me at all times, and also have medium and large size cotton bags that I use for grocery shopping

5. Fabric Napkin/Cloth

Using paper napkins are not nearly as bad as one time use plastics, yet for zero waste avoiding both is the goal.  Fabric napkins look fancier than paper napkins ever will.  You could also carry a bandana instead of a fabric napkin.  A bandana is about the same size as a fabric napkin and can be used in various ways.  Paper napkins can be composted though too.

6. Expandable Shopping Bag

When I go grocery shopping I use large canvas shopping bags to carry all of my items out.  I like to keep an expandable shopping bag with me in my handbag for other shopping trips.  This bag is beyond convenient to carry other miscellaneous items when needed too.

There are so many aspects of everyday life that can be modified painlessly to reduce your environmental impact.  It just takes a bit of conscious effort.  Living intentionally is very empowering.  These six items are also fairly inexpensive and easy to travel with.  What items do you keep with you throughout the day to lessen your environmental impact on the planet?  Please share below!

One Love!

(Image by Dawn Michelle)

Stay Connected with Minimalist Beauty & Subscribe with bloglovin’.  Also Join the Community on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.  For more about Dawn Michelle go here!

Share

Facebook Google+ Twitter Pinterest Email

You might also like...

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Christina J says

    April 6, 2016 at 8:43 am

    Love the ideas! I will def pick up a stainless steal water bottle and fabric napkins. Very classy as well. I do want to pick up eco friendly bags for shopping. I saw the trolley bags…what do you think about those? Keep your ideas coming!

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      April 6, 2016 at 11:32 am

      Hi Christina J,
      Thanks! I love using canvas and hemp bags for grocery shopping. A lot of reusuable bags are comprised of plastic so just do your research. The expandable bags aren’t a natural material but I only have one of them. The rest of my bags are natural fabrics. Have a beautiful day!

      Reply
  2. Danee says

    April 17, 2016 at 11:10 am

    Thanks for sharing. I picked up the water bottle and several other items too! Stainless Steel really is the way to go, keeps cold drinks refreshingly cold. I wish I had the stainless steel cups my mother used when I was a kid. They were so surdy and they came in a rainbow of nifty colors 🙂 I have a looong way to go before my household is zero watse, but I feel I have a good start thank to you. Happy Earth Day!

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      April 17, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      Hi Danee,
      I’m so glad you enjoyed this and it’s so awesome that you are taking the steps to be more environmentally friendly. Zero waste takes time. I just finished up the plastic packing tape that we had this weekend. Now I’ll be replacing it with paper packing tape. There are so many details involved with zero waste so it really doesn’t happen overnight. Enjoy the process and Happy Earth Day!

      Reply
Previous
Next
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

living simply with grace, discretion and faith

I met a woman the other day who openly shared some I met a woman the other day who openly shared some of her challenges with motherhood.  Motherhood is intensely challenging, beyond humbling, and at times you just want the day to be over then realizing that you’ll be back at it the next day.  It never ends and there isn’t much reprive.  It’s been on my heart to share some encouragement to any mother who will read this.  I pray this will bless you in some way.  The link is in my profile!
🌻 #motherhood #encouragement #humility #minimalistbeauty
Fenugreek seeds, also called methi seeds, have a m Fenugreek seeds, also called methi seeds, have a multitude of medicinal properties along with being a prominent spice in many cultural dishes.  For starters, fenugreek seeds are packed with protein for strengthening strands, mucilage for moisturizing and soothing the scalp while detangling the hair, and most importantly nicotinic acid which may minimize hair shedding while soothing scalp issues.  Fenugreek seeds are also anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal which is beneficial for soothing a dry irritated scalp as well as high in iron. 🍂

These little seeds are a win win for natural hair care and can be used in various ways.  I’ve used fenugreek seeds in my beauty regimen on and off for years.  Today I wanted to share four easy ways you can incorporate fenugreek in your hair regimen to promote healthy hair growth.  The link is in the profile. 🍂

#diyhaircare #naturalhair #minimalistbeauty #sponsored @mountainroseherbs
God is so good! We move on FRIDAY. This picture God is so good!  We move on FRIDAY.  This picture was taken before they removed the bricking which was VERY NOISY to say the least.  We haven’t been completely able to avoid the beginning of the construction process, but I honestly think it’s a good thing.  This way we can remain GRATEFUL throughout the entire process.  GRATITUDE during LIFE’S IMPERFECTION develops CONTENTMENT.  That is one thing I work on daily.  If you missed our “We’re Moving Again” testimony it’s on the blog. 🌿🍁🍃

 #testimony #sharewhatisgood #godisgood #godisfaithful #godmakesaway #minimalistbeauty #simpleliving
Friday mornings are my busiest mornings of the wee Friday mornings are my busiest mornings of the week.  I make muffins for Saturday’s breakfast (either corn bread, pumpkin, or banana bread muffins) to have with fruit, a big crockpot dinner for the weekend (beans & rice bowls, lentils and sweet potato stews, or a big veggie and red potato stew) to serve with bread, tortillas, grains, and/or salad depending on the dish, and I’m usually putting orders together to go out for @iamazuha today too.  All the while I’m also making other food for the day. 🍂🥧🍁

Friday’s are crazy because of the usual responsibilities, but mainly because I really want to relax a bit over the weekend.  Over this past year I’ve worked really hard to create systems to make working from home and being a homemaker easier.  Homemaking really is like running a small boutique bed and breakfast hotel.  It takes planning ahead, having a solid system, financial planning, commitment, and a lot of love.  I’ve been learning to really enjoy this process.  Just like everybody else I’ve been baking more this year than ever.  Very rewarding. 🍂🥧🍁

Wishing all of you a beautiful and blessed weekend! 
💞Dawn Michelle
We’re MOVING again! With everything going on wi We’re MOVING again!  With everything going on with the world wide pandemic, I’m seeing the importance of sharing anything good that the Lord is doing in your life with others.  We need HOPE.  We need to share the JOY of walking with God.  The testimonies of glorifying God would just add encouragement that I know I need.  I LOVE hearing of God making ways out of no way, giving us more hope and FAITH. 🌿🍂🍃

I was initially praying to God for ways to endure what we were about to go through while somehow someway making it nice for my family during the process.  But God was already orchestrating a new way for us to not even have to endure it at all.  Read my testimony on Minimalist Beauty... (link in profile) 🌿🍂🍃

If God has done ANYTHING in your life no matter how small PLEASE share it in the comments below.  We all need to hear what’s good!  The news shares otherwise, but we can create a space here of good testimonies.  Please share below and I pray you are having a blessed day. 🌿🍂🍃

Much love!
#testimony #sharewhatsgood #godisgood #godisfaithful #godmakesaway #minimalistbeauty #simpleliving
We could all use an IMMUNE BOOST right now.  Here’s a simple juice recipe that I make for just that.  I call it SPICY APPLE JUICE and my three (almost four) year old drinks it up no problem! 🍎 

I simply juice 2 WHOLE medium/large APPLES (3 small apples pictured) + 3 CLOVES of GARLIC in a slow masticating juicer for one immune boosting serving.  Yes I do include the core as it has many health benefits. 🍎 

After having my 1st official winter back on the east coast last year, RAW GARLIC was how I made it through without getting sick at all while caring for sick family members. 🍎 

Since then I juice garlic in many of my juice recipes or mince up multiple cloves as dinner toppings for chickpea pasta, beans and rice bowls, and stews.  What I LOVE most of all is hearing my son say, “More Juice?” Proud Mama!!!! 🍎

#immuneboost #juicing #juicerecipe #simplenutrition #healthyliving #minimalistbeauty #minimalistbeautyeats
I started wearing linen clothing because it’s ex I started wearing linen clothing because it’s extremely practical.  Linen is one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics on the market.  Linen is also considered the world’s strongest natural fabric.  After tiring of purchasing new clothing every season for my heavily worn small capsule wardrobe, it just made sense to look for mid and heavy weight linen garments that could be worn year round and layered that actually lasted. 
🍃

Linen clothing can last up to 2-3 decades if properly cared for.  I’ve made some mistakes along the way, but have finally found a simple method for caring for my linen garments. (Link in profile.)
🍃
#linenlover #minimalistbeauty #sponsored @mountainroseherbs
I stopped using henna, I tossed my comb and brush, I stopped using henna, I tossed my comb and brush, I wear hair buns 95% of the time, and my hair care routine only got simpler with only two “products”. All the details plus why I really cut my hair last spring on the blog.  Much love!  #minimalistbeauty #curlyhairroutine #naturalhaircare
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: Access Token is not valid or has expired. Feed will not update.

Copyright 2021 Minimalist Beauty | Site design handcrafted by Station Seven