I’d rarely done grocery delivery before the Covid-19 pandemic. I actually would have told you, back then, that I much preferred going to the grocery store and picking out my own items. I have several posts on this blog about grocery shopping, and how to do it without too much waste.

I stand by all those posts, but my perspective has changed and the options for grocery delivery have evolved as well.

Since the pandemic hit in 2020, I’ve tried several of the delivery options: Instacart, AmazonFresh, Thrive Market, Imperfect Foods…but my favorite is Denver’s online local grocery delivery service: Pine Melon. Here’s what I love about the experience:

Produce is fresh, seasonal, reasonably-priced, and often local. You can’t always get every single type of fruit, but that’s because they’re not all in season! Pine Melon stocks most fruits and vegetables, but they focus on partnerships with local producers. It has a bit more of a farmers’ market feel to it. You can get the more “basic” fruits and vegetables, but they also have lots of heirloom and unique products like specialty mushrooms, greens, and sprouts.

Packaging is low-impact. Grocery delivery is definitely not zero waste, and Pine Melon is no exception. However, they do try to use minimal packaging with a focus on recyclable and compostable materials. The orders come in paper bags, and produce is left loose, in green paper cartons, or in compostable bags. I use the compostable bags to line my compost bin, now that the Front Range no longer allows us to compost brown paper.

Members get special deals + free gifts. I became part of the Pine Melon “family,” which is basically their membership program. This gives me free delivery on orders over $35, special deals on many products (such as organic carrots for 99 cents and organic romaine lettuce for $1.29), free gifts of products to try, and extra “MelonMoney” back with each order (which usually equates to a few dollars off my next order).

$0.01 deals! Once I got a whole bag of mangoes for one cent. Another time it was four locally-made cookies. Another time it was a huge bag of cherries. It’s so cool to be able to add an item to your order for just a penny!

Their customer service is fabulous. They communicate well when products are out of stock (rarely happens to me!) and they always deliver on time, usually at the beginning of my two-hour window. With other grocery delivery services there are often mistakes - forgotten items, wrong items, spoiled food…I’ve never had that happen with Pine Melon. They’ve always gotten my order 100% correct.

They offer three types of bananas: regular (usually just-ripe yellow), “smoothie ready” = very ripe, and green. I like to know what I’m getting when I order bananas and I’m happy to pay a bit more (or a bit less) for what I want. I usually get the “smoothie ready” ones for baking - just 75 cents for a bunch!

I’ve been super happy with Pine Melon and encourage my Denver friends to give them a try!

Have questions? Ask me! I could talk grocery shopping nuances all day long.

Wanna give Pine Melon a try? Use this link to get $30 off your first order! (Full disclosure, I get $30 too so it’s pretty awesome for both of us!). This post isn’t sponsored or anything, I just like sharing things I like.

If one was to try to identify my shopping “addictions,” jeans would definitely be near the top of the list. I love a good pair of jeans that fits just right and matches everything! When I was a kid, we’d drive over an hour from my hometown to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where I could get the coolest jeans that weren’t even available in the USA (thanks, Mom!).

Years later, when I’d started buying most clothes from consignment stores, I would still argue that buying a good pair of new jeans was worth it. And there is definitely is some validity in that argument. But I couldn’t really make it anymore when I had 10+ jeans in my closest. I didn’t need anymore; new or used.

However, jeans wear out. Holes can be patched of course, but sometimes you do need to retire a pair. Your body changes due to time and life and sometimes your old pair of favorite jeans just doesn’t fit anymore.

A few months ago, when the weather got colder, I found myself with numerous jeans in my closet, but none of them were ones I could wear. I know that sounds dramatic, and you’re probably thinking, “Yeah right, Melissa, I’m sure they fit, you just didn’t like them.” But honestly, they either had holes in them (great style for the spring and fall; not so much for the winter) or they were too tight. (Plus I had a couple great pairs of black jeans, but everyone needs a blue jean option!)

In an attempt to bolster my jean wardrobe, I went consignment shopping. In person and online. And yet, it didn’t quite work out. I ended up with more pairs that didn’t fit well. I started to think I might need to buy new again. I was almost going to go online to a store when one of the people I follow on Instagram reminded me that it takes almost 2,000 gallons of water to grow enough cotton for a pair of jeans. I couldn’t do it. I had to find some pre-loved ones. I doubled down on my consignment skills.

I am pleased to report that as of last weekend, I have two pairs of completely serviceable blue jeans without holes in them!

Here’s what I learned from the bumpy process of buying a few too many pairs of not-quite-right jeans. Hopefully these reminders will help you if you, too, find yourself in a “I need new jeans” moment:

one. // Try them on. To some this probably sounds like a no-brainer, but it the world of buying used clothes there are often situations in which you don’t have the opportunity to try something on. Many brick-and-mortar thrift stores have closed their fitting rooms since the pandemic for health or staffing issues and online stores like thredUp and Poshmark have great selections of like-new jeans but you can’t try them on before they arrive in the mail. Not trying them jeans on is almost always a mistake. Sometimes you get lucky, but often you don’t.

two. // Sizes are not always the same. I currently have jeans that fit me in at least three different sizes. The fit of even the same brand can vary so much depending on the cut and material and who has previously worn them. This factor points you back to tip number one: try them on!

three. // Don’t be too committed to one brand. Like many, I love Madewell jeans. Everlane is great too. But when I’ve shopped at consignment stores, I’ve found some great jeans from new-to-me brands. “Low-end” brands can actually be thicker material than a more expensive brand. Jeans made by a brand you’ve never purchased before might be just the ticket.

four. // Be thoughtful about whether or not you want holes. I mentioned this in my intro: the trend of jeans with holes in them is cool, but not always practical. I like wearing hole-y jeans during the warmer months, but they sit in my closest when it’s cold out.

five. // Ask your friends about their jean stash. There’s no way you’re the only one who has a pair of jeans or two that doesn’t fit quite right. I was lucky enough to grab a couple pairs from a friend recently. Maybe even arrange a jeans swap (that would get me in trouble!).

What about you? I want to hear your jean stories! I know you have one!

Household waste reduction feels harder than ever these days. The pandemic has forced our focus elsewhere, increased the emphasis on hygiene and safety, and created unprecedented circumstances for all of us to navigate. I’ve found myself contributing to the single-use madness with items like paper grocery bags, more restaurant take out materials, disposable masks (thanks Omicron), hand sanitizer and more.

But even with the pandemic concerns and constraints, there are a few things I just don’t buy. If you’re looking to reduce your household waste, maybe these are places you could make a change!

one // Tissues, paper towels, and napkins. Use cloth. Find a system that works for your family. I like to cut up old clothes and I have several wet bags around the house than can be thrown directly into the washer. I have smaller wet bags for my kids to keep in their backpacks for blowing their noses at school. Everyone’s lifestyle looks a bit different, but cloth is a sensational replacement for single-use paper products.

two // Baby wipes. And cleaning wipes. And makeup wipes. I bought a few packages of baby wipes for my first child, but after that we switched completely to cloth, even for traveling. Cloth works better than disposables for all messes, in my opinion, and I just hate the idea of so so so many baby wipes polluting the earth. As for Clorox wipes etc., I make my own bleach wipes with cloth and bleach + water. Most messes I clean up with a towel.

three // Bottled cleansers and lotions. These days, there are many ways to obtain zero-waste beauty products. I like to stock up on at a refill store near me (like Joyfill, Zero Market, or Simply Bulk) but there are also stores online that sell low- to no-waste shampoos, lotions, and soaps. I use soap bars for my face and body, and get liquid lotion in reusable jars. (I occasionally buy shampoo in a plastic bottle because I haven’t found a low-waste option that works for well for my hair, but I only wash my hair once a week so a bottle lasts me at least a year.)

four // Disposable period products. Menstrual cup, period underwear, and cloth pads. Nothing more to buy or throw away! There are several quizzes online that will recommend a good menstrual cup for you (based on how many kids you’ve had, your flow, etc.). Do a quick internet search and you’ll find one!

five // Plastic wrap. I haven’t bought any kind of plastic wrap for years. Occasionally a visitor to my kitchen will ask for it, but personally I’ve never missed it. I store food in jars, glass containers, and silicone bags. To cover items, I use clean cloth towels and beeswax wrap. I also just save plastic bags and aluminum foil that comes into my life; even when you don’t buy these items, they still appear! Which leads to:

six // Plastic baggies. Reusable containers and reusable bags serve our needs well, but we also manage to acquire a lot of plastic bags without buying them. Tortilla bags, produce bags, the occasional bread bag…Recently I bought my son some new face masks and each one came in a plastic ziplock bag. Ugh! I save these and reuse them when I need a bag. But typically, I have way more than I can use!

seven // Muffin wrappers. I make a lot of muffins. I invested in 30 silicone muffin wrappers a few years ago (24 regular size and 6 jumbo). I use them constantly. They’re a bit of a pain to clean, but I know the earth is thanking me. This is one of those items that might not seem like it has much environmental impact since they’re small and usually compostable. However, the production and shipping of paper products is significant. Reusables are a better choice when you’re going to use them over and over again. But, if you only make muffins once a year, then paper might be a better choice!

eight // Dairy milk. Until about a year ago, I was singing the praises of local dairy milk in a reusable glass bottle. But more learning taught me that there’s just too great of an environmental impact from dairy farms (and almost all animal agriculture, really), so I just stopped buying it. My kids missed it a little bit, and they still haven’t been able to give up cheese 100%, but we’re no longer buying dairy milk and it feels good from both a health and an environmental perspective. (Don’t let anyone give you a hard time about almond milk. Sure, almond growing uses a lot of water, but WAY less than dairy milk requires! The impacts of animal agriculture, particularly cows, on the environment is HUGE.)

nine // Dryer sheets. Wool dryer balls for the win! I also try to line dry my clothes as much as possible.

ten // Single-use batteries. This is a change I wish we’d made MUCH sooner. It was one of those “duh” moments…why had we been using disposable batteries for so long!? We now have a supply of reusable batteries in a variety of sizes, and a big plug-in charger in the basement. I worry so much less now about the kids leaving a flashlight on! It is also so nice not to have to deal with safely disposing of batteries since you should never put them in your regular municipal trash bin!

Some of my most popular posts on Instagram are when I share what I’ve found at Goodwill and other thrift stores. I always get a few questions about where I go, and what other tips I have, so I thought I’d put a few thoughts here on the blog, for people to reference!

Of course this is all based on my own individual experiences, and I usually go to thrift stores close to where I live; I’m sure there are some GREAT ones elsewhere in the Denver area.

Which stores do you go to?

Goodwill. I like the variety of product they carry, as well as the fact their prices are generally determined by type of product not by brand. This means a kids’ shirt is $2.99 whether it’s originally from Target or JCrew. People have mixed feelings about the organization…I’ve heard some “horror stories” but I’ve also read a lot of good press about what Goodwill does for the secondhand market worldwide. Obviously no company is without their flaws, and Goodwill has to deal with an excessive amount of donations (we’re all over-consumers!). I generally feel good about shopping secondhand, and Goodwill makes it easy to do that.

I also shop at Kid-to-Kid in Arvada when I’m looking for specific products for my kids. I do find this spot to be a bit pricey, so that’s a deterrent for me. I like a deal!

Treasure Trunk Community Thrift Store in Lakeside is one of my favorite local spots. You definitely have to be ready to dig through the products here, but you can find some real gems! I love their crafting section and they often have school supplies.

I used to shop at Arc Thrift Stores more (they have great sales - every Saturday is 50% off most items, and they also have 99 cent days!) but there isn’t one very close to where I live now, so I don’t find myself there very often.

Which Goodwill location do you like best?

All of them! Ha. I usually go to the Central Park location because it’s closest to my house. They get a lot of Target overstock there, which is good or bad, depending on your view. If I find myself over on the west side of Denver, I like to go to the Lakeside Goodwill because it’s across the street from Treasure Trunk! The Archer location on Broadway has lots of good stuff and two floors! And I’ve been to locations in the suburbs that are fantastic, too. Just go to wherever is most convenient!

What are you favorite days/times to go shopping?

I generally avoid the weekends, especially during pandemic times (but that is when they often have good sales). I find if you go early in the week, the shelves are well stocked. But mostly I just go whenever I get the chance; it’s pretty random! I personally avoid the big sale days because I don’t like crowds (especially these days), but if you are looking for a lot of clothes or big items, it could be good to check the Goodwill calendar.

How do you find such good things?

Time! It takes time and patience to comb through the racks. I usually can’t get to all sections of the store during one visit; it just takes too long. I always keep a list of things I need on my phone, and I look at my list and prioritize the things I need most, or am most hopeful to find (things I really don’t want to buy new).

When looking for clothes, I look first at the material. For myself I like 100% cotton and wool products, but my kids often need polyester clothes for outdoor school. You can look at the edges of the clothes to get a sense of the material without pulling each item off the rack.

It’s also important to see what you find, not to just be looking for specific items. If you need something very specific, you will likely be disappointed (although it feels GREAT when you get lucky!).

Do you also shop online?

Yes! For specific items or when I can’t get to a store, I like to shop on Poshmark, Kidizen, thredUp, and eBay. And Facebook groups and Marketplace of course! (If you click the links above you can get $5-$10 off your first purchase.)

Tip: people often cross-post items on Poshmark and Kidizen., but you can barter on Poshmark but not Kidizen.

Other tips?

Keep a list: As I mentioned above, keep a running list of things you think of that you need in life. Instead of ordering them immediately, wait if you can and look for them the next time you’re thrifting.

Look for quality items: fast fashion is alive and well in thrift stores. Instead of getting the shiny new thing, look for well-made items that will last awhile. But on the flip side of that spectrum, if you need something cheap, better to get it used than new!

Stock up: if there are things you use a lot (like crayons or cloth napkins), stock up when you see them at a thrift store, even if you don’t need them that moment. We don’t need to become hoarders, but if you know you’ll use something in the future, it’s worth getting it secondhand at a cheaper price.

Put a few things back: Thrift shopping plays on our impulses just like “regular” shopping. Before checking out, double check your cart to see if you really need/want everything. Maybe you don’t need that holiday decor? Or maybe you do!

So many of you are experienced thrifters! What tips do you have?

I am so excited to share that I do believe I have found an exceptional option for purchasing low-waste foods: Azure Standard! They’re available to people in almost all parts of the US. I just completed my first order (bear this in mind when reading this post; I am not yet a long-time customer), and I am very pleased with the products and the process!

I’ve been shopping at Costco for bulk goods during the pandemic, but I just don’t feel great about all the waste, and they also don’t carry a lot of the items I need in bulk (how do they not sell dry beans!?). Basically, Costco and I tried each other out, and we’re just not a good fit. At first meeting, Azure and I seem to be made for each other! Here’s some more info:

What’s Azure all about?
From their website: “Azure’s goal is to provide the best, most affordable prices for families by operating on a cost-plus basis and passing on any savings when costs go down. We purchase large quantities from independent manufacturers and food makers in order to ensure you get the best quality food available anywhere. We work hard to provide volume discounts where we can, encouraging our customers to buy in quantities they can share with family and friends.”

I love that they encourage sharing with others. I bought large quantities of several items and then delivered portions of them to my friends and neighbors. Less waste for all and serious financial savings too!

What do they sell?
Azure sells a whole range of food products, including many “name brands.” But I was most excited about their own label, under which they sell grains, flours, spices, legumes, pasta, seeds, nuts, dried fruits and more! Most items come in compostable brown paper bags (I called them before ordering to confirm this), and most items are sold in quantities of less than a pound up to 20, 30, 50 pounds or even more. The product pages include lots of information about the origin, processing, and ingredients of every item. This made it easy to make sure I was getting exactly what I wanted. For example, they note that their olive oil is not processed using hexane. This is important information can be hard for consumers to find.

How does shipping work?
When you place an order, you can opt to pay for shipping to your home, or you can have it sent to one of Azure’s many “drop sites.” These are spots along their truck routes where a drop coordinator unloads several orders for customers to pick up. This reduces the stops a truck has to make by consolidating orders (read: reduces carbon emissions!). You can look for a drop site near you: they’re in most larger cities and lots of smaller towns, too. Some locations are eligible for free shipping, while other areas (Colorado) pay a 8.5% shipping fee.

What’s the catch?
I’m not sure there is one! It’s a particular way to get groceries, which appeals to me, but of course it won’t be the right fit for everyone. Here are a few more things to be aware of:

• “Drops” are made once a month. This means you need to plan ahead and get your order in by the cut-off time. (Although, you can pay for shipping to your house anytime.)

• My pick-up site was at a woman’s house. She was very accommodating about when I came to pick up my items. I imagine most drop coordinators are like this, but I can only speak to my one experience.

• Some items came in plastic bags. I’ve gotten pretty used to plastic packaging during the pandemic, but this is just something I wanted to flag for those of you who are striving to be zero-waste!

• They don’t have puy lentils. I really like puy lentils.

Here are some of the products and prices of what I bought in my first order:

• Organic Roasted Peanuts - 30 pounds @ $3.16/lb

• Organic raw cashews - 5 pounds @ $6.48/lb

• Organic raw pumpkin seeds (imported) - 5 pounds @ $3.88/lb

• Organic golden raisins - 5 pounds @ $3.12/lb

• Organic Thomson raisins - 5 pounds @ $2.46/lb

• Organic mango (no sugar added) - 1 pound for $11.48

• Organic red lentils - 25 pounds @ $1.93/lb

• Organic Great Northern Beans - 5lb @ $1.27/lb

• Organic dry black beans - 25 pounds @ $1.59/lb

• Organic popcorn kernels - 5 pounds @ $1.77/lb

• Organic old-fashioned oats - 25 pounds @ $1.00/lb

• Organic fusilli pasta - 10 pounds @ $2.25/lb

• Organic Einkorn flour - 5 pounds for $18.63

• Organic Spelt flour - 5 pounds for $7.66

• Organic white whole wheat bread flour - 10 pounds for $12.08

• Organic olive oil - 1 gallon for $35.37

• Sappo Hill Soap - 3 x 3.5oz bars for $5.87 total

Is it a good deal financially?
Having bought foods from bulk bins for year prior to the pandemic, I’ve memorized many per-pound prices. The prices above, are definitely less expensive than most typical grocery stores. A few items that stand out as particularly good deals: pumpkin seeds, raisins, peanuts, olive oil, pasta. Keep in mind the prices get lower the more you order and I bought 25 pounds of several items.

Is it a good environmental choice?
The more I think and learn about sustainability, the more I realize that everything we do has an impact on the earth. It’s not possible to live on our earth and not change it in some way. Keeping this in mind, all you can do is try to make the best choices possible with the options available. I can’t speak with authority since I’ve done zero actual studies, but given my knowledge of environmental impacts, here are a few considerations:

• Food waste is a huge contributor to carbon emissions, so buying 25 pounds of beans is only a good choice is you’re going to consume 25 pounds of beans (or share them with your neighbors!).

• Another significant chunk of emissions related to food come from agriculture and food production. Azure provides detailed information on their website about the production and ingredients of their products. Their “Core Values” and “Product Standards” indicate their care deeply about soil health, sustainable farming practices, removing harmful chemicals from our food, and more.

• The food you bring into your home also has an environmental impact based on how it traveled to your house. From the farm to factory, factory to packaging plant, packaging plant to distribution center, distribution center to grocery store, grocery store to your home. Azure takes out of a few of those steps, and also delivers to just a few drop sites in each city, meaning their trucks drive less than a truck from, say, a Kroger grocery store.

• Lastly, the packaging waste from my order was minimal. Granted, I only ordered bulk goods from the Azure brands (they sell several items wrapped in plastic). Also, my order was packaged in larger boxes that had been repurposed. Almost all the packaging I received was recyclable or compostable.

More questions?
Leave a comment below or send me a note! I love talking about all things grocery shopping and low waste.

Have you ordered from Azure? Do you think you’ll try it? Do you want to buy a few pounds of beans or oats from me? Happy to share my bulk or to order a few things for you next month!

When I became pregnant with my first child in 2011, I registered for glass baby bottles. I was planning to breastfed, and ultimately did breastfeed. My daughter never really took a bottle. Neither did my second baby, or my third. Back in 2011, I never really thought about why I was registering for baby bottles. Babies just needed bottles, right? Well maybe. But mine didn’t.

From the moment you think you’re pregnant (nay, from the moment you decide you’d like to maybe become pregnant), our capitalist society is ready to sell you something. Messages bombard you from all directions about what you need, what the baby needs, what will make your life easier.

I fell for a lot of it. We all do. We’re human. We’re products of our environment. We’re persuadable. And, honestly, some of it does actually make your life easier. You need some of it. You just don’t need all of it.

Here’s what I’d say to my 2011 self; the advice I’d give on what to buy and not buy and how to start off on the right foot in terms of low-impact, minimalist parenting:

Wear what you have. It might be tempting to buy a lot of maternity clothes, but try to first “shop your closet” for your baggier clothes, pants with a larger/lower waist band, and all the spandex. You can use a rubber band on your jeans button for a couple months, and if it’s summer, dresses are always a good choice for a growing belly. Yes, you will probably need some new clothing, but not as much as you might think.

Seek out pre-loved maternity clothes. When you run out of options from your current wardrobe, it’s time to find some pre-loved options. Ask your friends, look on Facebook groups, or shop consignment online. You’re sure to find plenty of used maternity clothes. During this process, keep in mind: women are, by design, pregnant for only a relatively short period of time (I know it might not feel that way when you’re in the throes of it). This idea is important to remember for two reasons: you won’t need clothes that last a lifetime, and any used clothes you buy will likely be only lightly worn.

If you buy new, select a few key pieces from ethical brands that will work postpartum. If you do buy new clothing, seek out ethical brands that use natural materials. Undergarments and sleepwear that you can nurse in are items you’ll wear over and over again.

Do you really need the maternity pillow? Probably not. Think about it: what will you do when you’re no longer pregnant? Put it in your guest room? No. Use a few extra pillows to make yourself comfortable at night. Even buy a few new ones if needed; they’ll be much more useful in the long run.

But, if you do feel inclined to “stock up” on gear: GET IT USED! Parents love to get rid of things! Once a child is done with something, parents want it out of their house to make room for new items. As a result, they’re often happy to give things away or sell them for a reasonable price. Strollers, high chairs, baby bouncers, you name it! There are several online website dedicated to reselling kids’ gear, and Facebook groups are always a great place to look, too.

Rethink the registry. Once you have thought through what you can obtain for the baby from friends or neighbors, decide whether or not you want to create a baby registry. People love to show their affection through gifts, and you’re sure to have many well-wishers. Be very clear about what items you want (or don’t want!) for your baby. If you don’t give any guidance, you’ll get 25 Carter’s pajama suits in size newborn. And those are not very useful! Think about the items you truly want or need for the baby that might be more expensive and/or hard to find used: cloth diapers, a baby carrier, a crib. You also might ask for take-out gift cards, meal services, laundry service, a massage, etc.

Make goals + take classes. I didn’t love the idea of taking classes when I was pregnant, but I’m so glad that I had wise people in my life who encouraged me to do so. I gained a great deal from taking prenatal yoga and breastfeeding classes. The tools I gained from these classes definitely helped me during my pregnancies and postpartum periods.

Seek out like-minded friends. Generally, I think it’s great to have friends who have a wide-variety of views and ways of doing things. But when it comes to parenting, there are so many ways to do it and to do it well. As you think about your parenting style, it helps to talk to others who have similar intentions for how they want to raise their kids.

Focus on the baby and your health; the “staff” can wait. So often we want to prepare for a big event like a baby by buying all the things we “need.” But, remember, babies don’t need very much besides warmth, food, and love. Try to focus on your health during pregnancy and your relationships. Enjoy some alone time (trust me on this one). Of course you’ll get a few things for the baby, but you can still shop once the baby arrives!

With Christmas a few weeks, and Santa set to gift around the world, I thought I’d pop in with a few tips on how to decrease commercial consumption this holiday season. It feels potentially even more important this year due to the pandemic. As I’ve mentioned before, many of us use shopping as a way to try to address our emotional state. And let’s be honest, we all could use a little “pick me up” after the year it’s been.

Gift giving and receiving is a tricky topic, for sure, but it is one that is on many people’s minds. I’m a member of a few parents’ groups on Facebook, and there are numerous posts about how to minimize gift giving and decrease “all the stuff.”

There are so many different ways to look at this issue, and it is very important not to devalue the role of gift giving and reciprocity within one’s culture. Within that context, here are six ways my family has tried to navigate the holiday onslaught:

one // Communicate.
Obviously this is the best place to start. Discuss your family’s priorities and views with your partner, and then communicate these values to those closest to you who will likely be giving your family gifts. Also communicate them to your children. It’s important that your children have realistic expectations around gifts. We often talk about how different families do things differently and that certainly applies to the holidays!

A common complaint is that people have told their mom/dad/aunt/mother-in-law/grandmother how they feel and the “don’t listen.” Honestly, that’s their prerogative. All you can do is ask nicely.

two // Ask for and give experiences, food, or really useful items.
All of these things are slightly lighter on the environment and result in less stuff in your home. However, much of gift giving is about the “wow factor” and the recipient’s reaction, and the giver knows that. They might not want to give a museum membership instead of a toy that will bring the child instant gratification. Again, their prerogative.

However, holidays can be a good time to ask for things that will help you to live the life you’ve imagined with your kids. For us, this has meant asking for bike-related gear or toys that get the kids outside (scooters, skateboards, stroller attachments, etc.). Maybe your child needs some new “gear” that will help the pursue their favorite activities?

three // Ask for and give the things your children truly need.
Around late summer, I stop buying my kids the things they need. Socks, underwear, new clothes… And if I do buy these things, I set them aside until Christmas. These are things you can ask relatives to give as well.

four // Shop consignment.
This works best when shopping for one’s own immediate family, as not everyone is “into” consignment. (Although they should be, and apparently it’s the next “big holiday trend.”)

I start looking for holiday gifts around summertime. If I see a good toy or clothing item, I’ll buy it and stash it away until December. Goodwill and similar stores are usually pretty picked over right before Christmas, but there are great things to be found in August!

I also have good luck at kid consignment stores when I need specific clothing items for my kids. Last year my youngest needed mittens, and I was able to find a Patagonia pair for $5!

five. // Gifts do not need to be new.
I usually give my children books form “Little Free Libraries.” I also have boxes hidden in the attic of toys from my childhood that I will give to my kids, as age appropriate. Perhaps your relatives have and heirloom or old item that they no longer want that you or your kids would enjoy. My mom gives me some of her beautiful sweaters and my mother-in-law recently gifted me a candle holder that had been in her family for decades. Remind yourself and others that gift giving is about the thought; it does not have to be a brand-new item.

six // Let it go.
This is a reminder to myself as much as a tip to you: when it comes down to it, you can only control the things you can control, and people have a lot of different emotional attachments to gift giving. People show their love through “stuff,” so sometimes we should just say “thank you” and appreciate the sentiment. There are signs that the culture around gift giving is evolving (note the article I linked above!). Do what you can, and then just put your feet up and enjoy a holiday treat!

A few of you might remember: I set a goal not to buy any clothes this year. Definitely nothing new, but nothing consignment either. I’d been feeling like I had too many clothes, and a lot of my clothing was items I didn’t really like but I’d picked up at Goodwill or a clothing swap. I wanted to stop consumption of any kind and reassess my wardrobe.

Turns out, I unwittingly picked a pretty good year for this endeavor. Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, I was certainly not doing any ambling Goodwill hunts.

Nevertheless, I haven’t managed to keep to my commitment 100%. I’ve had some slip ups. But I’ve also resisted a lot of shopping! Which, I’ve learned, can be extremely challenging for me.

Given that today is “Black Friday,” a day that tempts our materialistic tendencies with sales galore, I thought it’d be the perfect time to share an update on my successes and failures:

I had a few impulse-buy moments:

• An Everlane black cardigan.
  I’ve been on the hunt for a “go-to” black cardigan for years. Seriously. Might sound silly to some but I bet others can relate! In early 2020, an Instagram influencer I follow posted about her favorite Everlane cardigan being on sale, and when I clicked the affiliate link, I discovered not only was it on sale, but there was only one left in stock! Before I knew what happened, I’d ordered it. FAIL. The positive side is that Everlane is an awesome company doing good things, and I do think this will be a high-quality staple in my wardrobe for years to come.

• A J.Crew bikini from thredUP.
  I was very sad that the pools in Denver were closed this summer. Going to the pool with my kids has always been how we pass summer days. Then, mid-July, I found a pool that was open! As a result, my kids needed some new swimsuits. I took to thredUP.com to find some options, and late one night I suddenly was ordered a J.Crew high-waisted bikini in my size. Second fail. At least it’s pre-owned?

• A romper from Goodwill. When COVID-19 cases started to go down mid-summer, I made a glorious solo trip to Goodwill. I was mostly getting school clothes and shoes for the kids, but I stumbled upon a beautiful linen romper in my size that was only $2.99. Despite my 2020 goals, I’m not a complete idiot. You snatch up a 100% linen romper when you see one!

I made a couple thought-through purchases:

• Underwear. I needed a few new pairs. Ordered them from Pact, and awesome Colorado-based B Corp where I get most of my family’s undergarments.

• Gloves: I didn’t have a good pair of gloves to wear on school runs. I was always taking my mittens off to help the kids with their stuff and it was getting cold. Ordered some, pre-owed, from thredUP.

• Everlane jeans from Poshmark. As the weather got cooler this fall, all 3 pairs of my “around the house” jeans ripped. I was able to patch one pair, but the other two were beyond repair. I bought a used pair from Poshmark. I love Everlane and their jeans, but still always try to buy used when I can.

I accepted a few gifts:

• A bikini bottom from a friend: Like I said above, swimming was front of mind over the summer. I had to help a friend out when it didn’t fit her. ;)

• Shoes from a friend: I have trouble saying no to free things that are looking for a new home. And I thought it through long enough before saying “yes” to make sure they were shoes I’d wear regularly.

• A hand-knit sweater from my mom: My mom has knit sweaters for decades. They’re beautiful. When I visited her a few months ago, she had one that didn’t fit her that she wanted to give me. I will always feel good about accepting a made-with-love warm sweater from a loved one.

I donated repurposed a lot of clothes.
A big part of my mission this year was to edit my wardrobe. I had too many clothes that I didn’t like and didn’t wear. I tried to donate as much as I could, directly to people who could use it (thank you, Facebook!). I also have a few bags in the attic to take to Goodwill sometime soon. (I recently read Adam Minter’s new book, "Secondhand", and was pleased to learn that most clothes donated to Goodwill find a second life and don’t go directly to the landfill. But those details are for another post!)

In conclusion: I resisted so, so many purchases.
My experience this year has taught me that even though I like to consider myself a minimalist who’s against excess consumerism, I have a real problem with consumption! I felt myself turning to shopping as a response to a whole range of feelings: boredom, sadness, moments of low self esteem.

This year has been challenging for all of us (and yes, I’m fully aware I’m writing about something very insignificant right now!), and I found myself often looking for a little “pick me up.” Buying clothes is a way we try to make ourselves feel good; a way to bring some excitement into our lives.

And there’s not necessarily anything wrong with that. There are worse vices. But I think it’s important to take a metaphorical look in the mirror and decide what’s really driving your shopping. That’s my aim, going forward. I’m not sure what my 2020 goal will be in regard to buying clothes, but I am very glad that I made an effort to curtail my shopping this year.

Now, if I can also make it through Black Friday without any impulse purposes!

What about you? Do you have any thoughts or goals around shopping? Are you comfortable with how much you buy?

A few weeks ago, I received a note from a reader asking for help avoiding plastic. (S)he wrote:

“I’m so interested in reducing waste but struggle with plastic as it seems to be part of every food item not bought in bulk! Please help!”

The struggle is real.

As much as this might sound defeatist: I’ve completely given up being “zero waste.” It’s just not possible. Instead, I’m focusing my efforts on the ways my family can have the greatest environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

That does not mean I am blasé about tangible waste! Just today I went out to lunch at a new restaurant that’s touting itself as sustainable but was serving in-house diners on disposable plates. I voiced my concerns to the staff about this. I had my own forks in my bag so I didn’t have to use their disposable ones.

We have to be realistic about what we can do. We have to operate within the system we find ourselves even as we work to change it. With that in mind, here are eight tips for reducing your environmental impact around eating, both at home and from restaurants:

one // Buy in large quantities. The original “bulk.” Even though I can’t fill with my jars at my local grocery store anymore, I try to reduce packaging but buying the same size bags that grocery uses in their bulk section. Costco is great for this, as is Walmart. Local suppliers can be found too; depending on your region. Always buy the biggest bag you can when it’s a product that will keep.

two. // Avoid animal products an other emission offenders. Eating less meat and animal products is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint. It has a much larger impact that “going zero waste.” Also consider limiting foods that are known to be bad for the environment such as palm oil.

three. // Use your voice. This is particularly relevant when it comes to eating out. So many restaurants and food suppliers have made the choice to refuse personal containers from customers and mandate the use of single-use plastics/disposables. This is of course their prerogative, and it comes from a good place (trying to keep everyone safe and healthy), but as a consumer you have the right to voice your opinion and point out that the risk of surface transmission of coronavirus is not eliminated by using more plastic products. And you can always choose not to visit an establishment!

three // Make it yourself. We can’t make everything ourselves, but if you think about what foods you consume most often, maybe you can make some of them. I’m making less things myself because we’re currently doing a kitchen renovation, but thanks to a friend’s bread maker, I’m still making my own bread. This saves me so many plastic bags per week! Do what you can.

four // Avoid food waste. Food waste is a significant source of emissions, especially if they’re not composted. Try to make the amount of food your family will consume, and remember that most things freeze well. If you have unopened goods you know you won’t use, consider sharing them with neighbors or a food pantry nearby.

five. // Compost! Composting is the #1 thing I suggest to people looking to decrease their environmental footprint. There are more and more easy ways to compost in Denver, and perhaps in your city too! We have the municipal pick up, as well as several private companies who offer service to apartment dwellers and local businesses. A backyard bin or a vermicompost is always a good option too! Here’s an excellent guide to composting at home.

six. // Support “good” companies. Research the companies you’re supporting. Look beyond the advertising on the packaging to see what their corporate sustainability practices are. Do they do any work to help the environment? Wind energy? Regenerative farming? Carbon neutral? A company’s website is usually a good indication of what they’re committed to: look for details and not just vague statements. And being a certified B Corp is always a plus.

seven. // Resist “kid-friendly” or convenience foods. Convenience foods are the main plastic packaging culprit. Companies try to make their products more convenient for consumers and this typically means putting things in individual packages. Likewise, there tends to be a pervasive culture that suggests kids “have” to eat certain foods: juice boxes, cheese sticks, Z bars, etc. But truly, they don’t. Cut up some cheese. Pour them a glass of juice from a large bottle. I’m not saying you can’t give your kids some treats from time to time, but if you’re willing to do just a little more work in the kitchen, you can save yourself a lot of plastic and money!

eight. // Eat local. By buying local products, you cut down significantly on the shipping emissions related to a product. Visit farmers’ markets, sign up for a CSA, grow your own food. Reducing the semi trucks on the roads delivering food can have a huge impact.

What suggestions do you have ? There are so many other things we can do; but don’t forget to use your voice to advocate for more systemic change! The burden cannot and should not be placed entirely on the shoulders of individuals.

I hate spray sunscreens. I know that’s a controversial position to take among parents. Putting sunscreen on your kids is a legit pain, and spray sunscreens often seem like they’re easier. But here’s the rub: they’re shown to be less effective and they’re also terrible for the health of the planet and those nearby when you’re spraying.

Here’s something else I dislike: non-recyclable plastic. And that’s what packages many sunscreens. But thankfully, there are a few companies out there doing their part to make their sunscreens the best they can be for both the health of the users and the health of the planet.

I’ve received some questions lately about what kind of sunscreen we use, so here are my thoughts on how to make the best possible choice for yourself and your family when choosing a sunscreen. Sometimes we forget that our skin is our body’s largest organ, so we shouldn’t be blasé about what we’re putting on it!

THREE THINGS I LOOK FOR IN A SUNSCREEN

one // Proven “non-toxic” ingredients. As you may know, in the US, beauty products are only very loosely regulated by the government. It can be hard to know what ingredients are safe and which ones aren’t. And on top of that, hundreds of sunscreens (and other beauty products) promote themselves as “green” or “natural” or “non-toxic.” In many cases this is just greenwashing; they just want you to buy their product. To determine if a product is really safe, you should be able to find clear information about their products’ ingredients on their website. You can usually tell if they’re bluffing about the natural nature of their sunscreen or if their claims are legitimate.

two // A company with sustainability practices. Many companies are making improvements on their plastic packaging. Reusables are always the best choice, but we’re seeing more and more stainless steel containers and compostable paper sticks. These are fantastic choices. But it’s good to remember that even if a company is using plastic for their products, they still might be doing great things on the sustainability front. Their manufacturing and shipping practices has a lot to do with how many emissions are created through their business. Do some research so you can be informed about the companies you’re supporting with your wallet.

three // Zinc oxide; preferable non-nano zinc oxide. Instead of trying to figure out which weird-sounding chemical ingredients are safe and which aren’t, I look for sunscreens that are made out of zinc oxide and other ingredients I can recognize. As for why you want “non-nano zinc oxide,” it’s essentially because nano particles can enter the bloodstream and that’s bad. So you want not super small particles. You can do a quick internet search and find out lots more information on this topic.

OK OK, SO WHICH SUNSCREEN SHOULD I BUY?

Raw Elements - I love all the products Raw Elements make. All their sunscreens are reef-safe, which is extra important if you’re swimming somewhere besides swimming pools. I can get their sunscreen at my local refill shop, but I also like ordering directly from their website. Their kids sunscreen is great and I also love the tinted face moisturizer. Their biodegradable sticks are super for face application as well. I haven’t yet tried their lip products, but I bet they’re fantastic too.

While writing this post, I realized I could sign up to be an affiliate with them, so here’s a 10% off code if you choose to order from their site: deliberateless10
If you chose to make a purchase with this code, I get a very small commission. But please know that I was planning to promote their sunscreen anyway; I truly love their products and what their company stands for!

Meow Meow Tweet - I use Meow Meow Tweet Everyday Sunscreen year round. It’s light and goes on easily. It gives me less protection than the Raw Elements products, so I use it on days I don’t plan to have a lot of sun exposure. I really love the metal dispenser and the smell. If you’ve never checked out Meow Meow Tweet, you’re missing out. I love all their face products!

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These are by no means the only great sunscreen options on the market. They’re just the brands I know and trust. What other companies are working hard to create sustainable and healthy products for sun protection?