As women business owners ourselves, we love supporting fellow businesswomen. When those women are offering services that improve our planet and empower other women, it’s even better! Victoria Smith is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner in Northern Kentucky. She formulated several of her own supplements based on years of research. She has helped thousands […]
The official Keeper® and Moon Cup® blog.
Awareness about Organic products is growing. As demand for these products increases, we can see a massive change in the health of ourselves and our Earth! Last week we talked about something many people overlook, fabrics. Today we’re happy to interview Gaby from The Organic Fabric Company to share a little more with you about […]
You eat organic, you use organic products, you’ve taken steps to reduce chemicals in your home, but have you given thought to your fabric choices? Honestly, this is something most of us don’t do. Even those who live the most conscious lives, don’t always put much thought into our clothing, bedding, or other textiles. After […]
Last week we brought you information on the concerns and statistics of single-use and plastic food storage containers. This week, we’re happy to feature an interview with Bee’s Wrap. These unique, and beautiful, reusable food storage options are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Thanks for taking some time to share with us about […]
One of the things our company is passionate about is reducing the amount of single-use products that exist in the world. We don’t want to only see single-use menstrual products reduced, we’d love to see a reduction in all similar products worldwide. Not only do these products account for a massive amount of waste in […]
Last week we took a look at some of the chemicals and toxins present in many skincare products. Today we’d like you to meet Kristie from Tilvee Superfood Skincare. A fellow made in USA (Colorado) women-owned business who is committed to making the healthiest skincare products out there! 1- Thanks for taking some time to […]
A morning personal care and beauty routine is something virtually all women have. Our routines may change throughout our lives but the basics are all there- cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, makeup, hair brushing and styling. Walk into any women’s home and you’re likely to see a variety of products, and we all have our favorites. According […]
Last week we took a lot at detoxing and “cleaning up your cleaning.” Today we’d like to introduce you to someone who has dedicated her life to helping others clean green, non-toxic and safe. Meet Allison from Branch Basics cleaning products, a women-owned business from Austin, TX. Allison and her partners, Marliee and Kelly, have […]
Clean cleaning products? What on Earth does that even mean? Shouldn’t cleaning product, by default, be clean? I’m sorry to tell you, my friends, that many cleaning products are anything but clean. Sure, they’ll remove the grime from your bathroom and make the windows shine. But they come at a cost to your health, your […]
We live in an increasingly toxic world. In fact, WWF has found that between 1930 and 2000 the production of chemicals increased from 1 million tons per year to 400 million! It seems like every day some “new” product is being released that’s full of chemicals and ingredients our Great-Grandparents wouldn’t have recognized. The full […]
Today we have a special post to share with you, in which we interview long-time, loyal Keeper user, Evelyn from Canada. She’s been using The Keeper since the 1980’s and has been so pleased with her experience that she’s introduced them to her daughters! We know that hearing about other women’s experiences can be so […]
Independence Day is coming up in just over a month, so what better time to talk about buying American-made products! Recently I came across this fantastic article about altering your shopping habits to include more items made in our own country: Trying to Buy American? 3 Rules to Follow Every Time You Go Shopping. If […]
Since the 1980s, our menstrual cups, the Keeper and Moon Cup, have steadily been gaining in popularity. But even now, there are many misconceptions over how they work and how they could be superior to cotton tampons. Some women have been using tampons since their first period, and the idea of using something else to […]
What do you think of when you see a six-pack of beer or soda? Leaving apart the nutritional value (or lack thereof), the thoughts of summer long weekends, or the mouth watering anticipation of a carbonated beverage, what associations does the packaging bring up in your mind? If you’re anything like me, you think about […]
The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center is encouraging everyone to open their windows, and embrace all that spring has to offer. A big part of the coming of this season is preparing for the ever daunting spring cleaning. Fortunately, there are easy and even fun ways to embrace this practice, that don’t involve harsh or […]
Hi April, we are so excited to talk to you about your book Aunt Flo: Who She Is, Why She Visits, and What Others Have to Say About Her. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. What inspired you to write Aunt Flo? I was inspired to write a book about […]
Last year during Waste Less and Be Green in 2015 I introduced you to a different challenge every week and brought in some great Zero Waste and green business women to share their wisdom with you. Striving for a Zero Waste/ less wasteful life can get lonely in a world of pre-packaged foods, “fast clothes” […]
Tiny House mania is sweeping the nation. There are several Tiny House shows on TV, tiny house exhibitions are easy to find, and Pinterest is full of Tiny House love (check our board out here!) What is it that’s so appealing about these homes and would the transition to tiny be right for you? If […]
Most of us living a “green” or Zero Waste lifestyle recycle. Heck, even many people who wouldn’t consider themselves green at all recycle. Did you know that there are several errors people frequently make when recycling? Recycling errors can lead to a “bad” batch of recycling where everything ends up getting trashed! Let’s make sure […]
Spring is officially here, and with the warmer weather comes the desire to get a fresh start. You’re probably thinking about airing out your home, doing some deep cleaning, and clearing out clutter and older, unused items. Having a closet full of rarely used items just makes it difficult to find what you actually need […]
What if I told you that plants we consider “weeds” and not worth keeping around can actually be some of the most sustainable and nutritious foods you aren’t yet eating? Would you look at your lawn or neighbourhood greenspace the same way ever again? Well, it’s true! Lots of plants that people have designated as […]
The first day of Spring is a few days away. Life here in Colorado is deceiving this time of year. We’ve had temperatures in the 60s and 70s lately, trees are budding and flowers are blooming. Springtime in the Rockies, however, means SNOW! March and April are typically our wettest months of the year and […]
The United Nations-backed International Women’s Day 2016 was celebrated on March 8th, but there’s more to it than just paying lip service to the history of women making change in the world. It’s a day to consider what women can do going forward, to make a positive impact on society and the planet. This year’s […]
Spring is on its way, and for a lot of us, it can be an inspiring time to think about our eating habits and how we might try to improve them, or make them more eco-friendly. One option that has become trendy over the past few years is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). This model of […]
In our fast-paced modern lives, almost everything seems to be designed for convenience. Why make something the slow, traditional way or pay for a quality item when you can have the newest, easiest thing by just popping out to the store or having it delivered? We live in a culture which values ease of use, […]
Americans toss between 30-40% of our food every year! This accounts for millions of pounds of food waste, and the food being tossed is typically perfectly useable food. Some estimate that 4.5 pounds of food is thrown away each week per person in the US. So what is being thrown out and what can we […]
It may seem early to be thinking about gardening, with parts of the country still blanketed in snow and dealing with freezing temperatures, but mid- to late-February is actually an ideal time to plan out your green activities for the upcoming season. Especially in more Southerly States where the first Spring flowers are already starting […]
As firm believers in women taking their health and wellness choices into their own hands and learning how to make informed choices in their day-to-day lives about the products they use and the impact on themselves and the environment, we’d like to tackle a topic today that some might turn their noses up at. Even […]
One of the top themes I am asked about in regards to a less waste/ Zero Waste lifestyle is trash cans/trash bags. People are curious about how to best make the transition from a large kitchen trash can to a smaller (or no trash can at all). I also get asked a lot about trash […]
With the start of February comes two weeks where everything is awash in red and pink, with heart and cupid motifs adorning everything from your local coffee shop to the workplace. Valentine’s Day is a major holiday event and cultural touchstone that so many people enjoy. Whether you have a special someone in your life […]
It may still be winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a head start on your spring cleaning. After all, who wants to spend the warmer, sunnier months indoors scrubbing all day? Continuing from our theme last week, today we have some great non-edible uses for food scraps. Instead of tossing these small bits […]
The Super Bowl this year, Super Bowl 50, is supposed to be the most viewed television program ever. As a Colorado native and HUGE Broncos fan, you can guess that I’m excited about the upcoming big game. Now my family doesn’t actually own a TV so most games we listen to on the radio or […]
Part of living a healthy, green lifestyle is cooking and eating your own meals from whole foods. It feels good to make nutritious snacks and entrees, but most people create a surprising amount of waste when preparing foods. All those peelings, skins, and end pieces of your fruits and veggies add up, and there are […]
Happy New Year Everyone! I have taken the last couple weeks off the blog to get myself a bit better organized for 2016 and to enjoy the last bit of winter break with my son. I’m happy to be back with you all this year to continue learning together about how we can reduce our […]
Hello Zero Wasters, our “Waste Less and Be Green in 2015” journey has come to an end. Have you learned any valuable tips and tricks for reducing your waste? I hope so! I’ve learned that a lot more people are interested in making a positive impact on the Earth than I thought. I’ve met incredible […]
The Holiday travel season is right around the corner. Families are busy finishing up shopping, securing motel reservations and getting excited to see loved ones. All that travel does have a significant impact on the Earth. Fortunately there are some easy ways to reduce our impact and have the trip we desire. Last year we […]
When do you typically decorate for the Holidays? I love how every family has a different timeline and tradition for decorations. We begin decorating the day after Thanksgiving and gradually add ornaments and decorations over the following weeks. A couple years ago we made the switch to all LED Christmas lights which are “supposed” […]
According to the EPA waste increases by nearly 25% between Thanksgiving and New Years- accounting for a million tons per week of additional garbage. Let that sink in a little bit- one MILLION tons per week!!! Most of this is wrapping, bows, boxes, gift bags, etc. YIKES!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately most gift wrap cannot be recycled- only […]
The big day is tomorrow! Most likely you’ve got your turkey in the fridge or freezer and all your ingredients ready. You’ve got an idea for how the day will look and hopefully took some tips from our 4th of July post to make your Thanksgiving Day as low-waste as possible. Have you thought […]
It’s hard to believe we are wrapping up our Waste Less and Be Green in 2015 series in a few weeks. I hope that you’ve all gleaned some new information about how to reduce your impact on the earth and maybe even found some new favorite things along the way! This week I am wondering […]
There is nothing in the world quite like sipping on a cup of warm tea by a fire and reading a good book. Did you know it’s easy to make your own fire logs and fire starters? Last month we talked about making fire logs from old leaves. Don’t have old leaves laying around? Fire […]
Growing up my Mom always had her Christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving! I try my best to do the same so I can avoid any last minute stress of finding the perfect gift. Gift ideas get difficult the more concerned you become about sustainability, I’ve come up with a few ideas I hope you’ll love! – […]
Fall is my favorite season. I love the crisp smell in the air, pumpkins, apple cider and cool clear nights. I also love crunching leaves. I mean really, really love crunching leaves! I will go out of my way to crunch a good leaf 🙂 It makes me SO sad to see leaves shoved into […]
Halloween is right around the corner. My son starts planning his costume for the next year on Halloween! We usually go through dozens of ideas before deciding on something right before Halloween. It is so fun to watch kids get dressed up and tap into their imaginations. Costumes, however, can be super expensive. This year […]
Halloween is coming soon! This is a tough holiday for individuals with food allergies and sensitivities. It can also be tricky for Zero Wasters with all the food wrappers! Thankfully the Teal Pumpkin Project launched last year and is gaining popularity- This project was created by a mom who has a child with food […]
Farmers markets, grocery stores and roadside stands are all full of pumpkins this year! Did you know there are over 30 different varieties of pumpkins?? Pumpkin is super nutritious, stores well long term and is really a classic flavor of fall. Pumpkin puree is extremely easy to make, is Zero Waste and allows you to […]
Last month we looked at ways to clear out our closets and keep clothing out of the landfill. Now that you have a clean, organized closet you’ll want to take extra good care of your clothes. Your clothes will last longer if you wash less often and wash on cold. Levi’s recently came out and […]
It’s no secret that I love bulk shopping. I get as much as possible in bulk by refilling my own containers. However, I also order cases from my local grocery store and shop at Costco for canned goods like pumpkin and tomato products. Purchasing in bulk is a great way to save money, reduce […]
One of the most common questions I get is about cleaning products. It can be hard to understand and decipher claims, greenwashing and all the options out there! In an era with no regulations on the word “natural” it is hard to determine fact from fiction. One of the most simple options is baking soda and […]
Did you know the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates that 2 BILLION disposable razors a year are thrown away?!?! I can’t even wrap my mind around what that looks like. Those razors are most likely never going to breakdown- and that doesn’t even count the disposable razor blade heads on refillable razors! Fortunately, there are […]
This Labor Day weekend is the last hoorah before heading indoors to work and study all winter. Once over the heat hump of July and August, the cooler temperatures make it more bearable to be where the bears are: in the woods. Labor Day is one of the biggest camping holidays, so if you haven’t […]
I’m excited to introduce you to someone who has an amazing product for people looking to reduce their waste! A few months ago I wrote a post about making my own shampoo. That was before I found Natalie with Apple Valley Naturals!!! Natalie makes shampoo and body bars. She also has a men’s bar that’s […]
“Scoopin’ the loop” was the only amusement for adolescents in my rural Iowan hometown on Sunday nights in the summer. The “loop” was the uptown square, and to “scoop” it was to drive in endless circles (squares?) around it. Scoopin’ the loop was tailgating in motion. Teens borrowing their dad’s truck had a five-second window […]
The last couple of weeks we’ve looked at reducing our closets and keeping clothing out of the dumps. One aspect of clothing care that is often overlooked is dry cleaning. Hangers and garment bags from dry cleaning account for a HUGE amount of waste. These are usually tossed without second thought. The best option is to […]
Starbucks is giving their top selling Pumpkin Spice Latte a makeover this fall, marking a positive change for the environment. The coffee giant is updating their recipe to include real pumpkin, and they’re making other changes too, like eliminating the artificial caramel coloring from their drinks. The change comes as part of the growing real […]
Iowa, in the heartland of America, has heart-stopping attractions at their state fair this week. Under the big top, food is over-the-top. Oversized, overpriced, and over the waistband. If you get a hankering for taking a bite out of the Iowa State Fair’s cow carved out of butter, you can munch on your own stick […]
Sometimes the only way to face stupidity is to laugh. That seems to be the case with the tampon tax. You may be aware of the tax situation; while “necessities” or “non-luxury” purchases like groceries are exempt from sales tax, items that are considered to be essential to a person’s survival, only five states have […]
How’s your clean closet feeling? Were you able to part with a lot of things? Did you try to go through any of your undergarments or lingerie? What’s a Zero Waster to do with these items they no longer want or need? Don’t worry, you don’t have to trash them!! Unwanted underwear and lingerie can be […]
Depending on your point of view, back to school planning can be either joyful or a little depressing. We get it. We don’t want to rush the end of summer, but it’s possible to savor and enjoy summer while also looking forward to fall. And from a certain perspective, getting things organized can be a […]