Mix one packet of chaga with 1 tablespoon of each of the other ingredients. Pour hot water over, let steep for 10 minutes, strain and drink!
Part 1 of my plastic free and res-uable bathroom Swaps!
Swap out your plastic razor for a fully metal safety blade. Not only will you cut back on plastic but you'll save money and get a better shave!
Just remember to use a good shaving cream to prevent nicks and razor burn!
Did you know that plastic toothbrushes take over 500 years to breakdown. That means every toothbrush you've ever used is still on the 🌍.
Swap to a bamboo brush that takes 3-4 months to decompose.
Some conventional Q-tip brands use plastic. Swap them out for a reusable cotton swap from LastObject. They are expanding their offerings to include tissues, baby Q-tips, cotton swabs and more!
Tips and Tricks to be Plastic Free while Shopping
Did you know that receipts are printed on thermal paper that is lined with BPA. This makes receipts non-recyclable and a hazard to our health (BPA can be absorbed through our skin into our bloodstream) opt for email Receipts when you can or let the cashier know you don't want a receipt before the transaction
A lot of times we remember to bring reusable bags to the grocery store but use the plastic produce bags. I purchased some mesh cotton bags on Amazon to avoid this and when I forget them at home (which is VERY) often I just opt for no plastic bag and hand my produce to the cashier
Some plastic is unavoidable when shopping, and this experience is not about being perfect. Terracycle helps you recycle smarter and avoids chip bags being sent to a landfill. If chips are a staple in your house invest in the Terracycle chip bag box and watch your snacks turn into something sustainable!
If your grocery store has a bulk aisle take your mesh produce bags over there and fill up. Remind the cashier to check the tare when ringing you up and you won't have to worry about the extra weight!
One incredible stat is if Americans purchased all of their almonds in bulk they would save 72 million pounds of waste from entering a landfill!
One way to cut back on plastic is to get creative in the kitchen and make some things yourself. Some easy things to try: grinding your own flours (oats and buckwheat are the easiest), making your own potato chips, turning tortillas into tortilla chips, using dry beans instead of canned.
A roundup of products and places plastic is hiding
Coffee cups (and all hit cups for that matter) are lined with plastic to help them be waterproof. This lining makes them non-recyclable + we know that plastic leaches when it's heated
While not every brand of tea makes their bags with plastics many do. This is to help the bag retain it's shape when placed into boiling water. I've been fooled by many "natural" brands so do a quick Google search before buying your next box or buy loose leaves in bulk!
Perhaps the most disturbing of this whole list is chewing gum. Gum is made with the same plastic that is found in plastic bags and bottles (polyethylene) and some contain the same plastic used in tires !! Don't want to quit your gum habit ? Look into brands like Simply Gum
One of the things I regret most is being a part of the vegan leather world in the fashion industry. Traditional vegan leather is made using PVC and PU (polyurethane). PVC breaks down gradually over time creating microplastics that can be ingested by animals and cause digestive complications. Opt for canvas, mushroom, or pineapple leather to avoid plastic.
Wipes are made by weaving plastic and cotton together and are flushed down toilets or thrown in the garbage to end up in landfills. Wet wipes take 100 years to breakdown - meaning every wipe you've ever used in your lifetime still exists - a better option are diy wipes with cotton, or purchasing a bidet (which we love and cannot imagine our life without!)
OH HEY, FOR BEST VIEWING, YOU'LL NEED TO TURN YOUR PHONE