Hi Reader,

Happy Earth Day! 🌎

If you've been around here for even a few days, you probably know that my cooking philosophy is closely tied to supporting and connecting with the earth.

I believe wholeheartedly that our impact on the planet as individuals lies in the small efforts we make every day, collectively and without perfection... not just 1% of people being perfectly zero-waste.

So thank you for being part of a community of people who try to incorporate seasonal, plant-forward eating into their daily routines! It means a lot to have you here 💛

In celebration of Earth Day, I wanted to round up and share a few Earth-friendly habits that I've woven into my routine, in case it's helpful or inspiring for you, too. (These are ones that have actually stuck!).

Buckle up, because this one is information-packed.

Composting

I always used to be intimidated by composting, especially when I lived in smaller condos and apartments, but I'm so glad I finally tried it. I started with using an electric composter (we use a Lomi).

And then last summer I started using a composting drum that was left in our backyard when we bought our house for the bulk of our composting. So far so good! Winter slows it down a bit (compost needs heat to break down), but I'm excited to keep learning and reducing the amount of trash going from our house to landfills.

Now we use the Lomi in winter, and also to break down food waste and add to the compost pile in warmer months.

Side note, we also considered a local composting service (Green Box, if you're in Madison), where you get a bucket every two weeks to fill, drop off with compost, and exchange for a new bucket. This might be worth considering if you want to take baby steps toward composting!

Plastic-Free

Last year I shared a bit about how I haven't purchased plastic wrap in years, and a fews tools I use to help me do that.

1. ​Food huggers - Perfect for food halves (lemons, apples, onions, etc.), or even covering jars or cans.
2. ​Bee's wrap - Excellent replacement for plastic wrap.
3. ​Silicone stretch lids - This can be tricky depending on size, but if you find ones that perfectly sized for that random container or jar that doesn't have a lid... so useful. They even have baking dish sizes!
4. ​Reusable produce bags - Keep them with your reusable grocery totes and replace in-store plastic bags for produce.
5. Buying in bulk - If you have a store with a bulk section, this is a great way to purchase dry goods without plastic packaging.
6. Silicone bags - I love Stasher bags for so many things, even freezing! But if you have access to a Trader Joe's, they have the best Stasher bag dupes for less than $10.
7. ​Reusable paper towels - Even if you don't use these always, using them sometimes helps reduce what's going into the landfill. Plus, they're so cute! (Some local ones here, if you're in WI).

Reuse

Let's be real - it's so hard to go completely plastic-free when so many things we buy (even locally) are packaged in plastic. For that, we can reuse!

It's hard to reuse everything, but here's how I've been reusing food packaging when possible:

• Glass jars - Wash/sanitize glass jars that had coconut oil, pickles, jams, etc., and reuse use as pantry storage.
• Plastic containers - I've washed and reused a couple cottage cheese containers for storing cleaning powders (laundry, toilet, dish) from my local refill shop. Also, I loved reusing clamshells for collecting and/or sharing garden produce (like cherry tomatoes).
• Plastic bags - Especially if they're zip-top! Rinse them out and stuff a towel in them to soak up any moisture. Reuse for snacks or other food storage.

Local Food

Reducing miles between soil and table helps cut back on carbon emissions, gets you the most nutrient-dense foods, and helps you connect with your community of growers.

Three ways I love eating locally:

1. Garden - The most local you can get. Even starting with a pot of tomatoes or herbs is great. Eating something you grew is one of the most gratifying experiences.
2. CSA - Get a box of veggies every one or two weeks from a local farm! You let go of control of what you're getting... but also less decision fatigue.
3. Farmers Market - I love shopping at our local farmers market! I usually try to go with a friend to really help me slow down and be present, plus combine it with time to connect with others. I love chatting up the local farm stands - they light up when you ask them about their farms, and are so passionate about what they do. Think of all that love growing your food!

I could go on! But these are the habits I've been most consistent with over the past 2-5 years as I try my best to reduce my footprint.

What I'm thinking about next:

• Growing a bigger, higher-yield garden
• Canning & preserving
• Where my textiles come from (synthetic textiles are a huge contributor to microplastics in our environment, so I'm starting to research natural fibers and dyes in clothing, towels, cloths, and sourcing of those fibers).

Hope you get to enjoy some time outside or in nature in celebration of the earth this week 😊

💛 Tera

P.S. Some of the links in this email are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission on purchases. They are items I personally use and love. Thanks for your support!

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