sustainability – GreenDesert

Jun5

How to beat inflation

6 ways to Beat Inflation with Regenerative Agriculture

How to beat inflation. It’s really about learning how to recycle your materials. We think with the end in mind. So from the waste of the things we buy, we make sure that we can utilize them in our gardens. Our recycled materials are turned into fertilizers, microbes & soil, and from soil to produce. That savings in produce save us a lot of money over time.

The average American throws out about 5 pounds of waste per day. At least 32% of that is recyclable. That’s about a pound a day or 30 pounds per month…..and that’s where the gold is. Nature already knows how to recycle and rework those materials. So with nature’s assistance, this material is reworked to help go against inflation. As a bonus, It also helps reduce your environmental impact. So I’m going to discuss with you six ways we beat inflation with regenerative agriculture principles.

1. We compost our cooked food waste through a process called Bokashi. It’s a Japanese method of composting that uses a special type of bran to ferment food waste. After it ferments, you can bury it in your garden to become nutrient-rich soil. This process also creates a nutrient-rich liquid that we use as a fertilizer. Since we only buy and grow organic food, we get the benefit of being able to rework all of our food waste into our garden. Nothing we buy goes to waste.

2. Second, we compost all of our raw food waste. We have worm bins buried in our garden and add all of our raw food scraps to it. We also add leaves and yard waste to the compost bin to help with proper composting ratios. We even shred some of our paper waste and add it to the compost bin. Paper waste is a good source of carbon, which is necessary for the composting process. The worms and other insects break all this down within a few weeks, making it nutrient and microbial-rich and immediately ready for use in the garden. Composting like this is three times faster than traditional composting.

3. Third, we mulch tree clippings and put them back into the garden as compost. Mulch helps to keep the soil moist and suppress weeds. It also breaks down over time and adds nutrients to the soil. Three trees give us enough clippings to mulch our entire garden twice yearly. This replaces having to buy outside soil.

4. Fourth, we compost our orange peels, egg shells, and wood ash from the fireplace. These offer unique NPK ratios that help make specific soil and fertilizer arrangements. We are also able to add microbes from diverse sources like worms, chicken & fish waste, and bokashi.

5. Remember, we are in the desert; so we conserve our water. We collect rainwater and use greywater. Greywater is wastewater from sinks, showers, and baths. We reuse it to water our trees. We collect rainwater and use it to offset our drinking water cost, and it’s much healthier to bodies. Overall It’s a huge savings on water costs.

6. Lastly, number six, we collect our own seeds. Reoccurring seed costs are a significant farm expense, but collecting your seeds helps nullify this cost. You also know precisely where your seeds come from.

Conlusion:

At this point, our garden is now producing enough biomass that we no longer have to buy soil or fertilizer.

We also don’t have to grocery shop as much. We get a third of our food from our garden.

The savings from each step in our journey fuels the next step.

This process continues to be repeated and be refined, and with that, our savings grow, and our lifestyle continues to ease, even in an inflated environment.

Over time, you will notice your trash bin shrinking. When you see this happening, you’ll be saving money and the environment. Once you buy the material, it becomes yours, and recycling your waste is like getting compound interest on your money. Some of the materials we put in our garden years ago still give back today.

Don’t be discouraged; we started this process with one plant. So, just one small step at a time is all you need. Check our our website for more infor graphics on the process.

Also Please check out our off-grid series to learn more about living a more self-sufficient, self-sustainable lifestyle. In this series, we show the building of a rainwater harvesting system, greywater system, and compost bin, and much more all in one working system off-grid.

I hope you enjoyed this video! If you did, please give it a thumbs up, like and share it with those you think it will help, and subscribe for more tips on self-sufficient living. If you have any questions, or ideas we can all benefit prom please leave them in the comments below. Until the next time my friends, Eat Green Get Sun & Stay grounded.

Be sure to check out our page on natural remedies and add some of those natural ingredients to your recipe.

Mar23

DIY Garden Health Household sustainability Sustainable

Rosemary

Want to Keep Your Brain Sharp? Add This to Your Garden

Rosemary isn’t just a fragrant herb that adds flavor to your dishes; it’s a powerhouse of health benefits and may even be able to prevent your brain from aging.

A Little History

Rosemary’s botanical name is Rosmarinus officinalis, and it’s part of the mint family. Its name derives from the Latin words “ros” meaning dew, and “marinus” meaning sea – giving it the meaning of “dew of the sea.” Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region and has been revered since ancient times by cultures like the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians for its culinary and healing properties.

In ancient Greece, students wore rosemary garlands while studying, as it was believed to improve memory and concentration. The plant was considered sacred by the Romans, who used it for purification rituals and crowned newlyweds with rosemary wreaths as symbols of love and loyalty. Clearly, this herb has been valued throughout history!

Benefits of Rosemary:

So what’s so great about rosemary? Let me count the ways…

For starters, it’s packed with powerful antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C, and plant compounds called polyphenols. This helps neutralize free radicals and fight oxidative stress in the body, which plays a role in aging and many diseases. Some researchers even suggest rosemary may help prevent cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

There’s credible research from respected sources like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, and Journal of Medicinal Food suggesting rosemary may have the ability to protect brain cells. That means regularly consuming rosemary through things like rosemary tea, seasonings, or extracts may be an effective way to take advantage of brain-boosting benefits, like keeping your brain healthy and helping preserve memory, learning, and overall cognitive function as we get older.

Rosemary is also an anti-inflammatory superhero thanks to its abundance of compounds like carnosic acid. This helps reduce inflammation throughout the body, providing relief for issues like muscle soreness, arthritis, and even asthma attacks. Speaking of muscles, rosemary has long been used to improve circulation – the increased blood flow can help muscles recover faster after a tough workout.

As if that’s not enough, rosemary has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that make it a natural germ-fighter. Studies show it can inhibit the growth of certain strains of bacteria and fungi. Sipping some rosemary tea may just help that annoying sore throat!

The benefits truly go on and on, but I think you get the idea – rosemary is one mighty herb! Now for the fun part – how to get your hands on some.

How to Grow Rosemary at Home:

Your first option is to grow it yourself. Rosemary is incredibly easy to cultivate, even for those new to the garden. This evergreen perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant it once and it will just keep on giving year after year! Rosemary can also tolerate droughts quite well once established.

You can find rosemary plants at most nurseries in the spring. Or, you can easily start from seed or take cuttings from an existing plant to propagate new ones. Rosemary makes a fantastic addition to garden beds, containers, and even herb spirals.

Other Places to Find Rosemary:

If gardening isn’t your thing, you can find dried rosemary or even buy fresh rosemary plants at many grocery stores and farmers markets.

However you acquire it, I highly recommend having a fresh rosemary plant around. There’s just something so satisfying about being able to pluck sprigs right from your own plant to use in cooking or home remedies! Those intoxicating aromas alone are reason enough.

Simple Ways to Use Rosemary:

Now that I’ve convinced you to embrace rosemary, let’s talk about easy ways to use it:

Add sprigs to roasted veggies, soups, breads, marinades – the options are endless
Infuse olive oil with rosemary for dipping or drizzling
Make a refreshing rosemary lemonade or sun tea
Dry the leaves and use them in sachets, potpourri, or smudge sticks
Create salves, creams, or hair rinses by steeping the herb in oils/butters
Take advantage of its fumigant properties by burning bundles to purify air

The possibilities truly are limitless with this versatile plant!

We have an entire page of natural remedies. Let us know if you have any of your own.

Jul1

DIY Garden Health Household sustainability Sustainable

Bentonite clay

The Power of Bentonite Clay… Unleashed on our Family Land

Imagine stumbling upon a hidden gem on your own land. That’s exactly what happened to us on land that’s been in our family for more than 100 years…. in Texas.

As we were digging a pond, we stumbled upon an ample supply of bentonite clay. We always knew it was present throughout the land. But seeing it in abundance firsthand was truly eye-opening… especially considering the red clay has been cherished for centuries.

The history of bentonite clay stretches back through the ages, with various civilizations recognizing its remarkable properties. Ancient cultures such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Native Americans harnessed its power for healing and purification purposes. This clay was considered a prized possession, revered for its ability to draw out impurities and promote overall well-being. Today, we feel incredibly fortunate to have this treasure right beneath our feet. It’s like a magic potion for our skin, hair, and overall well-being. So let’s dive deeper into its benefits, uses and I even include a unique recipe to revitalize your skin using bentonite clay.

Detoxification and Purification:

Let’s start with its detoxifying powers. Bentonite clay has an incredible ability to absorb toxins and impurities from our skin. When applied, it acts like a magnet, drawing out excess oil, dirt, and grime, leaving our skin feeling refreshed and revitalized. It’s like a mini spa treatment in the comfort of your own home!

Nourishing Skin Care:

Not only does bentonite clay detoxify, but it also nourishes our skin with essential minerals. Silica, calcium, magnesium, and potassium work together to give our skin a healthy and radiant glow. Think of it as nature’s own multivitamin for your skin!

Hair Rejuvenation:

But wait, there’s more! Bentonite clay isn’t just for our skin—it’s a hair superhero too. If you’ve been dealing with product buildup or an oily scalp, this clay can come to your rescue. It gently removes impurities, excess oil, and residue, bringing balance back to your scalp.

Enhance Your Garden:

Bentonite clay not only benefits us personally but also plays a role in helping the environment thrive. It promotes agriculture and minimizes the need for harmful chemicals. The clay’s water-retention properties help conserve water by soaking up excess moisture and preventing soil erosion. This means less water is wasted, and it helps conserve one of our most precious resources.

Additionally, it improves soil quality by enriching it with essential minerals and nutrients. Bentonite clay even detoxifies the soil, removing harmful substances, purifying it and creating a healthier ecosystem.

Here are some practical ways to incorporate bentonite clay into your routine:

Face Mask: ( I have a full recipe at the bottom of this blog)

Create a rejuvenating face mask by mixing bentonite clay with water or other natural ingredients like apple cider vinegar, rosewater, or aloe vera gel. Apply the mask to your face, leave it on for about 15-20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. This helps to detoxify the skin, unclog pores, and absorb excess oil.

Hair Mask:

Revitalize your hair by making a nourishing hair mask with bentonite clay. Mix the clay with water, aloe vera gel, or your favorite hair conditioner to form a paste. Apply it to your hair, focusing on the roots and scalp, and let it sit for around 20-30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly to remove the mask and enjoy the benefits of increased volume, reduced oiliness, and improved scalp health.

Body Detox Bath:

Add bentonite clay to your bathwater to create a detoxifying bath. Mix a quarter to half a cup of clay into warm bathwater and soak for 20-30 minutes. The clay helps draw out toxins from your body, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Spot Treatment:

For pesky blemishes or insect bites, make a paste using bentonite clay and water. Apply it directly to the affected area, let it dry, then rinse off. The clay’s absorbent properties can help soothe irritation and reduce redness.

Oral Rinse:

Bentonite clay can also be used for oral care. Mix a small amount of clay with water to create a liquid paste, then swish it around in your mouth for a couple of minutes before spitting it out. This can help freshen your breath and promote oral health.

** Remember, it’s essential to use high-quality, pure bentonite clay and follow the instructions provided. If you have sensitive skin or any underlying skin conditions, perform a patch test before applying bentonite clay to larger areas. As always, consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or specific medical conditions.

DIY Bentonite Clay Face Mask:

To revitalize your skin, try this simple and effective face mask recipe:

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon bentonite clay
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon raw honey
2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

In a small bowl, combine bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar, and raw honey.
Mix well until you have a smooth, creamy consistency.
Add a few drops of essential oil for a delightful aroma and added benefits.
Apply the mask to clean skin, avoiding the eye area.
Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes, or until it dries.
Gently rinse off with warm water, followed by a moisturizer.

We have an entire page of even more natural remedies. If you have natural remedies you use, please share them — it takes a community!

Household sustainability Sustainable

Solar shades

Before we built our off-grid shipping container homes, I must admit, my idea of off-grid was not what we have experienced. I expected it to be so hard, to feel like we would have to make a lot of changes and sacrifices to our lifestyle. And I was ready for the journey. But it’s not at all what I expected.

Being off-grid is really like being your own EPA because you have to manage your own resources. Our bread and butter is the sun and the rain; Solar has been running pretty much everything for us, from the refrigerator to the lights. And we don’t have a big power system; you can really call us power poor, so we definitely monitor our power usage. This also means temperature control is a priority. And since we haven’t installed an AC unit yet, we utilize the sun to heat up our container.

One of the things that has made a huge difference is our window coverings. We had temporary paper blinds up for about 2 years, and they were great for privacy but didn’t do enough for controlling the temperature.

We had all sorts of consequences from hot and cold temperatures — motors freezing, leaks, things melting including my favorite candle and the list goes on. So, we replaced our temporary paper blinds with solar-powered, motorized shades from Somfy and Eclipse Luxury Shades and I couldn’t be more grateful because the energy savings and convenience were immediate and gave us so much more control. We measured the temperature change, and the shades made the containers 8 degrees cooler… huuuuuge difference.

So let me share with you some of the reasons we chose these specific shades.

When we first discovered Somfy and Eclipse Luxury Shades, I was immediately impressed with their eco-friendly options. They even had shades made from recycled water bottles, and they were gorgeous. I didn’t think we would really be able to use the motorized option because again, being off-grid, we are counting our energy. But these motorized shades don’t suck up our energy. In fact, we don’t have to think about charging the batteries for at least two years. And even that process is convenient… you just plug them in.

And for the shades that are facing the south, they don’t need charging at all because they are solar-powered, perfect for being off-grid.

So our off-grid home feels like a smart Jetsons home because with a touch of a button, the shades go up at down at our request. And they’re so quiet. We have the shades programmed in sections… so we can press a button to control all of the shades at once or just a few at a time. We wake up in the mornings, press a button and the shades on one side of the container goes up to let the sun in to start heating things up. We press another button, and the shades in the bedroom open up without us having to get out of bed. It’s priceless.

One of the features we haven’t used is with Wi-Fi; you can control the shades from anywhere using their app. You can even talk to the shades through Alexa and Google Assistant.

I could go on and on about this experience, which is why I had to share it.

Experiencing this off-grid lifestyle has been a win-win… we are getting closer to zero waste every day, we are not affected as much by inflation, we are learning so much and having fun doing it and we are building a legacy for generations to come.

So join us on our journey!

View the entire journey in more detail here.

Website: http://GreenDesert.org

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Check out other shade and awning options here:

Somfy Shades & Blinds page

Connect with a Somfy Dealer

https://www.eclipseluxuryshades.com/

Sep30

Garden Health Household sustainability Sustainable

Avocado

AVOCADOS BENEFITS

It’s no secret how amazing avocados are on almost everything including burritos, toast, salsas and of course guacamole. But the benefits go much further than the flavor; avocados are filled with antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, vitamins C, E, K and B6, among other nutrients.

They’re known for high levels of healthy fat and since they literally have no cholesterol and low sodium (1 avocado has 11mg), I indulge.

Below are some specific benefits that the avocado brings that may cause you to indulge too.

Anti-Inflammatory & Heart Health

Because avocados have a ton of niacin it helps with inflammation. When eating it, it can fight inflammation in the body and help protect your arteries. That in turn helps your heart stay healthy, lowering your cardiovascular inflammation.

In fact, new research from Harvard University shows eating 2 servings of avocados per week may boost your heart health and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Skin Health

The beta carotene protein and other nutrients found in avocado oil are great for your skin.

Rub the oil on your skin for eczema and to help treat psoriasis. It’s great for moisturizing your skin so it’s also beneficial for conditions like dermatitis since it helps with the itchiness associated with these inflammations.

Also try it on sunburns for faster healing!

Try this: Take the inside of an avocado peel and massage it on your face. Leave the oil on your face for about 15 minutes, rinse it off and let me know how great your skin feels.

Healthy Brain Function

Vitamin E is another main nutrient in avocados, and lots of research shows how beneficial vitamin E is for slowing down conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. It’s supposed to keep your brain from declining in thinking and memory skills. In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, when taken with Vitamin C, it’s been shown to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 20%.

Fun Fact: Half of an avocado contains about 2 mg of vitamin E. The recommended daily allowance is 15 mg per day.

Strong Bones

Vitamin K is the essential nutrient in strengthening our bones, which yes, is found in avocados. Vitamin K is also an important nutrient for blood clotting.

Digestion

Because avocados are high in fiber and insoluble fiber it helps move everything out of your body keeping you from getting constipated.

Vision

Eye doctors rave about the nutrients in avocados because they can save your eyes from damage that leads to poor vision. Specifically, the high amounts of lutein found in avocados protects your eyes from cataracts, macular degeneration and other age-related eye issues.

Fun Fact: Avocados have more lutein than your average lutein supplement.

We have an entire page of natural remedies. If you have any avocado recipes or any natural remedies you use, I’d love to try them, so please share — it takes a community!

Sep28

DIY Garden Health Household sustainability Sustainable

Start a garden

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN STARTING AN URBAN GARDEN

It’s planting season in Phoenix! Do you know what to plant? Where to plant? How to plant?

There are so many questions when it comes to starting your urban garden – or as I like to call it – your medicine cabinet and grocery store. And you will read all sorts of articles telling you dozens of things you need to do to be successful. But it really doesn’t have to be that hard or expensive… especially if you know the basics.

So we came up with our top things you need to know when starting your urban garden:

RESEARCH – This includes looking at a planting calendar to know what to plant in your area. And once you figure out what grows when, choose things you really will use. Research images of what the plant will look like in your garden, how much space the plant needs, best temperatures for germination, etc. Seed packets will give you the basics. Don’t limit your research only to online searches. Social media gardening groups are awesome and local nurseries can be extremely helpful.
START SMALL – Doing too much gets discouraging and causes many of us to quit. Gardening doesn’t have to be hard. 4×4 is a perfect starting point for a garden and so easy to build a garden bed yourself. Home improvement stores will cut your wood to your specified size and you can use blocks to simply place the wood slabs inside. It’s a simple process, especially if you want to avoid cutting and drilling, etc.
PREPARE YOUR BED – Grass and weeds can be one of your biggest enemies. We put cardboard at the bottom of our beds to help stop the grass. We also have a lot of gophers in the area so we also put chicken wire at the bottom. Fill your bed with soil… add compost…. Soil and water are the basics that will help your garden thrive or die.
SAVE MONEY ON SEEDS—1^st garden will be most expensive but should be the only time you have to spend money buying all of your seeds because you can save them each season.

There are lots of seed banks at libraries and other local places that may offer free seeds.

All seeds are NOT created equal, so look for GMO Free, heirloom, open-pollinated seeds so that you can continue to save the seeds each season.

GROW WHAT YOU’LL USE – Whether it’s food or medicine, if you’re watering it, you want to use it. If you won’t eat brussel sprouts, don’t plant brussel sprouts. Can’t sleep? Plant chamomile for tea. Got a cut? Plant aloe. You’d be surprised at how many natural remedies you’ll find in your garden (ADD NATURAL REMEDIES LINK)
CREATE MICROCLIMATES AND KEEP IT ORGANIC – Planting all of the same families in the same bed means they’re all competing for the same nutrients and attracting all of the same bugs. So mix things up. That will also create a cooler environment and help keep your garden naturally organic , especially if you consider companion planting.
PUT WATER ON A TIMER—one of biggest things to kill gardens is water so you don’t want to have to constantly think about if you’re over or under watering. Set a timer for your water —- regardless of the type of sprinkling system you choose.

OLLAS are another option for watering… my favorite because it takes guesswork out of watering.

FEED YOUR GARDEN—we fertilize about every 2 weeks with homemade worm tea, compost mix, etc. Again, don’t freak out if you’re not composting, you can buy fertilizers when you’re first starting – ONE THING AT A TIME. Again garden groups are great for where to buy what, where to find sales, tricks of the trade, etc.
BE PATIENT, STAY POSTIVE AND ENJOY THE RIDE—Everything will NOT grow and some things will look great one day and be falling over the next. It’s about trial and error, learning your soil, your garden. Trust me, the rewards make it all worth it. The flavor of the food is richer, you know exactly what you’re getting, you’re saving money, lowering your carbon footprint, growing your own meds… the benefits just keep coming.
TREAT YOUR GARDEN LIKE YOUR FAMILY – If you’re thirsty, you need water. So do your plants.

If you’re cold, you may need a blanket. If you’re hot, you may want shade. Same with your plants. I talk to my plants, sing to them… not sure if that makes them happy. The peace of being in the garden in priceless, so spend time in nature, learn your garden (family) and mother nature will do the rest.

We have all sorts of DIY videos helping you throughout your journey. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions because we are all in this together. It’s a lifestyle that keeps on giving.

Jan29

sustainability

TOP APPS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Living sustainably may sound daunting but it doesn’t have to be! I found six apps sure to cut the work on your behalf substantially. Try out any of these apps and you’ll be on your way to a greener life!

OLIO

A dating app but for the food in your fridge. The OLIO app connects you with people in your area who are trying to reduce food waste. How? By sharing any over abundance of groceries, cleaning products or anything that could potentially go unused. All you do is take photos of the item you’d like to share and your neighbor’s can connect with you to arrange a pickup time. They have even adapted to the pandemic by adding a safety guide so that you can continue giving your neighbors a hand in the safest way.

OLIO is free and available on iOS and Android.

FUN FACT – Olio is a traditional Spanish stew created in order to prevent food waste.

NoWaste

No Waste almost seems like a second grocery scanner. It literally has a scanner that you use on the barcodes of your groceries to catalog them and be able to access your fridge through your phone. There’s no need to buy anything and if it doesn’t have your grocery in the database you can simply type in the expiration date that way not one thing is lost or gone to waste. When you finish any of your food you go in and note that it has been completely consumed and the best feature it has is the “Consumption” tab that will keep track of the percentage of the food you buy has been consumed and the percentage that has gone to waste overall. A great app if you are looking to hold yourself more accountable in reducing food waste!

Sorry Android users, this free app is only available on iOS right now.

iRecycle

It’s no secret… it’s better for our environment to recycle things versus tossing them in the trash to end up in our landfills. The problem for many of us is knowing exactly what to recycle and where.

iRecycle makes finding those recycling centers so easy.

It’s a free app that uses your phone’s GPS to find the nearest location to recycle what you are trying to get rid of.

There is a huge list of items, everything from batteries, to hazardous materials, to paper and electronics… some things you never thought to recycle.

Click on the item you’d like to recycle and the app pulls up a registry of locations that recycles the item. You’ll get the location’s address, phone number, website and a list of what is accepted.

Of all the locations I’ve chosen, the information has been current. But these days, things can change very quickly. So to be safe, I suggest calling or visiting the company’s website to ensure the information is accurate.

Seasonal Food Guide site and app

Seasonal Food Guide is a simple way to know what your body needs right now! It tells you what foods are in season in your state each month.

Eating food that is in season gives you the best options for taste and nutrition. Did you know that food contains its maximum amount of vitamins when it’s in season? It also has more flavor, is better for the community, and has a lower carbon footprint because it doesn’t require as much transportation, refrigeration, etc. to go from the farm to your table.

Back to the Seasonal Food Guide; it’s a free site and app.

It’s very easy to use; No need to sign up, just choose your state, the month and food you’re looking for. You can also choose your favorite foods and the site will tell you when they are in season and the best way to choose the food.

For example, ever wonder how to know the watermelon you choose is at its ripest, sweetest moment? According to the Seasonal Food Guide, you want to look for darker, green melons that feel heavy and sound hollow when tapped.

If you’re considering planting your own food, we have a planting calendar with everything from when to plant what, when to harvest and tips on planting.

Foodprint

This site is an extension of the Seasonal Food Guide. It gives you even more insight into your food! It’s like an encyclopedia on the foods you choose, including the benefits, how to choose it, how to cook it, even store it. Footprint also gives you fun facts, the sustainability of the food and it helps you figure out your “foodprint” and how to reduce it.

. PlantSnap

Starting a garden or planting trees are at the top of the list when it comes to lowering your carbon footprint. The trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, store it in the trees and soil, and releases oxygen back into the atmosphere.

PlantSnap helps you identify plants, trees, flowers, even weeds… you’d be surprised at how many nutritious, edible weeds you may have growing right in your yard!

But if you don’t know the names of these greens, you don’t really know how to care for it.

This can also help you figure out which plants are edible and which you should not ingest.

To use the app, just snap a photo or use an existing photo from your image gallery. The app will give you the best possible matches.

PlantSnap also plants new trees when we share photos!

This app is free, although they do have a paid version that gets rid of ads and avoids the daily snap restriction of 25. You also need to register for an account to use the app.

If you’d like to start your own plant oasis, we have a planting calendar that shows you the best time to plant your favorite veggies, along with tips to help ensure a successful harvest.

These may all seem like small steps, which is the point of making sustainability more feasible. I believe that every conscious choice helps get us closer to zero waste and makes lowering our carbon footprint more likely.

What new apps are you using to help you reduce waste? Email me! I’d love to try them out!

Category: sustainability