Sustenance and Sustainability

Simple, Sustainable Swaps for Food

Waste isn’t waste until we waste it.
will.i.am

The One Where You Didn’t Go To The Grocery Store

Welcome to the second edition of the short series: “Simple, Sustainable Swaps.” I’m glad y’all decided to come back. Today I decided to talk about Farmer’s Markets for a couple of reasons, the main ones being that I am slightly afraid to go to the store right now (I don’t know how many people touched those Kombuchas before me!) and I’m hungry. As a Trader Joe’s fanatic, I will probably never be able to cut out going to the store, but I do try to get to my local Farmer’s Market every Saturday and stock up on what I can, and snag a pastry from my favorite French baker.

The sign at the entrance of the Falls Church Farmer’s Market

Even with the ongoing pandemic, local farmers are working to put food on our tables and theirs. This sign is posted outside of my local market every Saturday, with volunteers standing at the entrances monitoring how many people come in and out, and ensuring that people are staying 6ft apart. Every Thursday, my mom, boyfriend, and I order and pay online for everything we want. The following Saturday, we take a stroll up to the market to pick up our fresh fruits, veggies, and even a make at home pizza kit!

Pastries and pizza kit from Rustiq, apples, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes from Toigo Orchards, leafy greens from Endless Summer Harvest, and paw from Stitch.

While I will be highlighting my local market, please look into markets near you because they may be open and ready for business! Also, if you are in the D.C. Metro area and want some of the delicious food from the Falls Church Farmer’s Market, to get out of the house, or to walk around a new neighborhood that isn’t the same one you’ve been meandering for the past two months, then come on over.

***Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by any of the companies that I mention. All opinions and research are my own. Do with it what you may, but may I remind you, I am an Accountant, not an Environmental Scientist or an English Professor. I’m just out here trying my best. Aren’t we all?***

Why Choose Farmer’s Markets?

On average, food from your grocery store travels 1,500 miles before it gets to your plate. That is the equivalent of traveling from Denver to Washington D.C., or Houston to Mount Rushmore. With the consumption of fossil fuels, extra packaging, preservatives, pesticides and so much more, the healthy food that you’re eating from large grocery stores is at the expense of the environment. Shop local and shop in season at markets wherever you go to take full advantage of the delicacies that are produced so close to home. There are a plethora of other reasons why shopping local is better for you and the environment but that would make this blog post way longer than most of you would like to read so…. On to the main event:

The Falls Church Farmer’s Market

Under normal circumstances, the market is free to roam 8 a.m. to 12 p.m every Saturday. You can sample the seasonal fruits and vegetables, smell the small batch soaps, and get a paper bag of fresh mini donuts (I cannot stand the smell of them. They do, however, taste delicious!). Due to the social distancing and minimizing the amount of people, you are no longer allowed to wander and fill up on delicious samples, (I know!!! They took away the best part!) but you can still get most of your favorite foods to satiate yourself until the next weekend. I am going to highlight some of my favorites but please take a look at the full list of vendors and see what tickles your fancy.

Click Here for Full List of Vendors at the Falls Church Farmer’s Market

I am a huge pastry and apple fan so that is usually what I gravitate to, but there are so many options! The best part about farmer’s markets is branching out and trying different things with local foods.

My favorite apple/fruit vendor is Toigo Orchards. I’ve bought their Honey Crisp and Pink Lady apples, mini cucumbers, red cherry tomatoes and apple cider, but nothing compares to their Golden Fuji apple sauce. I buy it by the case (6), and even then, it only lasts about a week and a half. It is sweet, with just the right touch of tart, and comes in the large mason jars which are perfect to reuse in a pantry! They also have a variety of different tomato sauces, Bloody Mary mixes, and honey to help complete any meal.

For all my sweet and savory pastry needs, Rustiq Bakery has my heart with their almond croissants and caramelized onion and bleu cheese quiches. Not all of their products are available online (if they were, Sam and I would be eating their fruit tarts in unhealthy quantities), but sometimes they bring a few extras with them, so it never hurts to ask. They have started selling ‘make at home pizza kits’ with dough and toppings (veggie and meat options) for two pizzas. It has helped add some variety to our quarantine meals and gives us something fun to do together.

As a pescatarian, (it’s saying it’s spelled wrong but I googled it so… If google and I are wrong, please send help) I love the amount of seafood options our market has. Chris’ Marketplace has crab cakes, salmon cakes, and a variety of empanadas which he has dubbed ’empamuchos’. His gazpacho will make anyone feel like they are in the Spanish Riviera, and since that’s about as close as we will get to a vacation, it’ll have to do. He doesn’t have a website, but he takes orders by phone at 202-412-2518 or by email at choge07@gmail.com. Since he doesn’t have a menu either, I’ve posted one here!

For all of your leafy green needs, Endless Summer Harvest has, by far, the most delicious salad greens I have ever tasted, both in and out of restaurants. The greens are grown hydroponically and pesticide free all year which allows you to get them any time during the year. You may think that $18 for a large bag of lettuce is a lot, but we have gotten 12 good salads out of it with some to spare. Thats only $1.50 per salad! Two weeks later, the lettuce is still as fresh and crunchy as the first day we bought it. Someone please tell me what store bought brand can do that? They also have living plants like basil and parsley you can plant which is perfect for the summer. 10/10, great greens.

There are so many other great vendors like Sexy Vegie (vegan cuisine, try the burgers), Metro Microgreens (try their variety pack), and Family of Nuts (try their cocoa covered almonds), to name a few.

So…

If you want a different reason to go outside besides taking out your trash or getting the mail, check out the measures your local market is doing during this time and go if you can! Get the ingredients to make a gourmet meal instead of the pasta you have been eating. Both your local farmers and your stomach will thank you.

Feel free to comment with your favorite farmer’s market finds, and let me know if you have any suggestions for future posts or know of small businesses that are out there making a big impact on the world.

Send me an email at hello@sustenance-and-sustainability.com and check in next week for a new post! I don’t know what it is yet, but there will be one!

Yikes,

Nicole

Hi, I’m Paul

***If you understand this reference and plan on reading the rest of the blog, we may be soulmates. If you don’t understand the title, please google it and realize why Jimmy Neutron was such an iconic show.

Before all of this gets fully up and running, I thought I’d introduce myself and tell you all about my journey to starting this blog and Instagram. I’ll try to keep it short and sweet so that we can get back to the regularly scheduled content of namedropping companies that will help make your transition to a more sustainable life easier. If you don’t really care about who I am, please discontinue reading and come back next week for more sustainable content. If you do care, buckle up, keep your hands inside the ride at all times, and let’s go.

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.
John F. Kennedy

The One Where I Introduced Myself

Now that you all understand the reference, you know that I am, in fact, not Paul (the biggest difference being he has three eyes and I have four).

Anyway, howdy everyone! I’m Nicole. You can find my most basic information in the about page on the blog, but I thought I would share a bit more about how I got here, writing a blog in my teddy bear bathrobe (do people actually put on real clothes these days? Asking for myself).

My family and I always recycled. We would compost our leaves and cut grass and in high school, we started composting our food too. *** Please compost or throw out your egg shells. Do not throw them in the garbage disposal because over time, they will build up, and you just might flood your kitchen during a dinner party.*** Most of my lifestyle changes started in the past year, so it’s a very good place to start.

I was a college kid on a budget. I couldn’t afford to eat out all the time and quickly realized how meal prep and home cooking was way cheaper, and healthier, than getting takeout every night. As I meal prepped, I mainly used plastic bags to store my snacks and old, plastic take out containers for my meals. I was getting frustrated with how much waste I was producing and how squished my hard boiled eggs were getting (IYKYK). That was the beginning of this very long journey as I started searching for more environmentally friendly way to store my ~sustenance~ and keep my eggs in their proper shape.

After graduation, during my last summer of freedom, my friend (THE Mallory Golski) and I went on a backpacking trip through Europe. Because we had limited resources and had to carry all of our belongings on our backs, we made do with what we had. When I got home, I realized that I wanted to make the transition to a more minimalist lifestyle (this is also coming from someone who has over 40 pairs of shoes, so take that comment with a whole shaker full of salt, and add some tequila while you’re at it). Slowly but surely I went through my belongings and donated as much as I could to the local thrift stores.

Mallory and I on the last day of our month long journey.

A couple of health issues led to a couple of weeks off from work which led to finding something to stay mentally and physically active. I cleaned and organized my entire room and closet, and quickly realized how many clothes, miscellaneous items, and products I had that were taking up space and would end up being wasted if not used. I organized everything so I knew what I had and what I was running out of, so I could start making the switch to more sustainable products. The trunk of my car is jammed packed with clothes, shoes (can you believe it?!), and a lot of the things I brought back from college. I can now confidently say that I am moving closer to that ‘minimalist lifestyle’ that I have been trying to achieve since last summer.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Lao Tzu

Long Story Short…

So, here I am today, trying to find a sustainable, egg shaped container and donating/using many of the things I have to live a more waste/clutter free, environmentally friendly life. I made this blog (and accompanying Instagram) to document my journey and help people realize that the transition doesn’t have to be hard. I hope that all of the time and effort to make this blog will help inspire others to make similar changes.

Oh and there’s also food. Everyone loves food.

Again, if you have any comments (probably about my grammar), questions, or suggestions for future posts, shoot me an email at hello@sustenance-and-sustainability.com

Thanks,

Nicole

Simple, Sustainable Swaps for the Bathroom

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
Vincent Van Gogh

The One Where It All Started

Over the past few weeks, while I have been recovering and adjusting to the new normal, I found a lot of joy in finding ways to live more sustainably and lower my impact on the environment. So, welcome friends, family, coworkers, and whoever else, to the first edition of my short series: “Simple, Sustainable Swaps.” I’m not saying, ‘toss everything and go zero waste,’ mainly because I am an accountant and I LOVE hard copies, but here are a few brands you can switch to, to make your everyday a bit more Earth friendly.

***Disclaimer: All opinions and research are my own. Do with it what you may, but may I remind you, I am an Accountant, not an Environmental Scientist or an English Professor. ***

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
Robert Swan

Why These Brands?

While researching brands, I found that many of them were small, U.S. based, women-owned businesses. Now, more than ever, these types of businesses need our help while their store fronts are closed. For Earth Day, many of these companies are having large sales too. What’s better than saving the planet and your tax refund?

General Home Cleaning

With all the cleaning that is currently being done due to the global pandemic, thousands of plastic bottles are being thrown away. As you run out, try switching to these brands with reusable bottles, eco-friendly refills, and fewer toxins.

Supernatural: Using the water in your tap and a concentrated blend of essential oils, these cleaning products use the antimicrobial, antifungal, and a plethora of other natural ‘anti’ properties to keep your home looking and smelling great. I just ordered the starter pack and stainless steel cleaner! (Use the link for $25 off your first order! https://www.talkable.com/x/vNglCc )

Blueland: Water and concentrated tablets make these eco-friendly products. This company also makes foaming hand soap tabs; however, I didn’t like their container due to the large logo sprawled across the front. I found foaming soap dispensers on Etsy, so once I finish up my current hand soap, I will be making that switch. (Use the link for a free refill tab! http://rwrd.io/xx1f8x8 )

CleanCult: This company fills their glass bottles with cleaners made of natural ingredients. Instead of using tablets and concentrates, they send you paper-based cartons lined with plastic to refill your bottles. This company is more holistic because they carry items for your dishwasher and washing machine too, making it more of a ‘one stop shop,’ if you want that kind of convenience.

Bathroom

From what you brush your teeth with to what you wash your body with, there are SO MANY easy and less expensive swaps you can make in the bathroom. If you want to ease into sustainable living and help reduce the amount of plastic that enters our landfills, this is probably the best room to start with, in my opinion.

Mouth:

Bite Toothpaste Bits: Just bite into one each time you brush your teeth and brush like normal. They come in a month’s supply of ‘bits’ in a variety of flavors from berry to lemon lavender (don’t worry, they also have mint, if you’re into that).

Georganics: While they are from ‘across the pond,’ their mouthwash tablets are what got me. Stick a tablet in a shot glass (full of WATER), gargle, and spit. Easy as that. They take up far less space than a huge bottle of mouthwash and the brand has many more sustainable mouth products including chewing gum! (Use the link and the code FREEFLOSS at checkout for free dental floss! https://georganics.com/pages/_go_?ref=1577:11274 )

Dental Lace: 100% compostable floss in a pretty, glass container. Need I say more?

Boie USA: I LOVE their toothbrush and body scrub. They are colorful and extremely durable. The luffa may take time to get used to but I will never go back to buying a normal toothbrush ever again. I even got a compliment from my dentist (my teeth are whiter; my gums are happier…)

Shower:

Plaine Products: This company carries pretty much any body care product you could want in recyclable and reusable aluminum bottles. From shampoo to facial toner, they have it all. When you order refills, they send a return label so you can put your empties in the same box and ship it back to them. (Use code GreenGT for 20% off your purchase!)

Body Wash: Whenever I travel, I try to get bars of soap from local businesses/farmer’s markets. Not only is this helping small businesses in that area, but your suitcase will always come home smelling great!

Toilet Paper:

Who gives a Crap: They have funny name, a Chief of Feline Relations named Gustov Griffiths, and make toilet paper out of recycled (clean) paper. Each roll is wrapped in patterned, recycled paper that can be reused at gift wrapping paper! Did you know that most wrapping paper is not recyclable? But that’s part of a post for another day. The toilet paper (and other paper products) is delivered right to your doorstep. Except not right now. It’s all out of stock.

Where do we go from here?

If you’re still reading this far, I first want to say THANK YOU and I promise that I am almost done. You won’t get the time you spent reading this back, but hopefully you will get a few ideas on how easy it can be to live a more sustainable life.

The companies that I listed are just a few of the amazing groups that have worked to make products that we use every day a little less harmful to the world around us. There are larger brands like, Lush Cosmetics, that also provide sustainable alternatives, but the ones I included were just my preference. Stay tuned as I create other issues dedicated to the kitchen, bedroom, laundry room, and other, random ways to make your life more eco-friendly.

Happy Earth Week!

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to send me an email at Hello@sustenance-and-sustainability.com

Thanks,

Nicole