It just so happens that sustainable living practices coincide with times of recession.
It makes sense, when you think about it. During economic recession, saving money means using less – turning down the heat, making your own dinner, and using less fuel, being kind to the earth as a result.
In general, these practices also mean being healthier. It’s a 3-in-1 deal, and how can you say no to that?
The amount of things you can do to save energy are only as limited as your imagination. It just means reworking how you think. Do you really need to throw away that Ziplock bag, or can you reuse it?
Today’s tip: Make your own food.
(This goes along with our post about victory gardens! Growing your own vegetables, fruit and herbs is cheap and fun.)
Pre-made/frozen meals use more plastic & cardboard waste than home-cooked meals, not to mention all the added sugar & preservatives. Do your body and your wallet a favor: don’t buy prepared meals.
Just take a tip from YouTube star Clara, a 94-year-old cook who demonstrates meals that her mother made during the Great Depression. In her popular online show, she shows how to stretch ingredients to the furthest degree and still get a great meal out of it.
You can check out Clara’s videos and recipes here.
- Cooking your own meals takes some planning. It may sound like a lot of work, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it. Plan out a week’s worth of meals, including leftovers, before you go to the grocery store. That’ll keep you from the temptation from buying unnecessary, unhealthy packaged food.
- Fresh food is your friend! So are rice & pasta, good staples to keep in your pantry.
- Reduce the amount of meat you use, or get rid of it altogether. Meat is more expensive than most other foods you’ll buy.
And there you have it. Some simple ideas to get the healthy train going. If you eat out constantly, try starting out with a couple cooked dinners a week, and see where it takes you!