American consumption of eggs has increased in recent years. Eggs are nutrient-rich and not as harmful to cholesterol as once thought to be. 

Whether you’re eating them scrambled, poached, or sunny-side up, who wouldn’t want to wake up the taste of fresh eggs in the morning? More and more people are keeping backyard chickens for that reason. Raising chickens for eggs taste great, is sustainable and helps you save money.

But these aren’t the only benefits of raising chickens. Here are five other reasons you should keep chickens in your backyard. 

 

1. Maintain Your Yard

By allowing your chickens free range around your yard, they will eat pests and bugs. Chickens will reduce the damage and nuisance of these pests naturally. As a result, you won’t have to use costly, harmful pesticides to protect your lawn. 

Chickens produce a lot of waste, but this waste is full of nutrients. As a result, you can compost their waste and use it as a fertilizer in place of chemical fertilizers. Thus, you can maintain your garden with this fertilizer to live more sustainably. 

Chickens will also eat grass. So keeping backyard chickens can cut back the amount of time you spend mowing your lawn. 

 

2. Reduce Food Waste

After going through the work of cooking a meal, nothing feels worse than having to throw out the leftovers. With chickens, you won’t have to feel like you are wasting food because you can give those leftovers to your chickens. 

Chickens love human food and will pretty much eat anything you give them. You can research what to feed them because too many starches can be harmful to your chickens’ health, and some foods can affect how their eggs taste.  

 

3. Great for Education

Keeping backyard chickens is low maintenance. Setting up their living arrangements might be challenging, but they are easy to care for once that is out of the way. This ease of care makes them a great pet to teach your kids about responsibility and caring for animals. 

You can show your kids how to feed the chickens, how to clean up after them, and how to collect the eggs. 

Chicks are cute, making them a great way to get your kids interested in raising chickens and learning how to be gentle. If you are looking to teach your kids how to raise them from the start, these products can help you incubate your eggs so your kids can watch the process. 

 

4. Chickens Are Entertaining

Chickens have their own personalities, which is fun to observe. They can be wild and constantly up to something or complete lap chickens. They’ll peck, scratch, take dust baths, talk with each other, just to name a few fun things. 

 

5. Keep Chickens Out of Factory Farms

Chicken products you get in the store often come from chickens raised on factory farms, where they are often mistreated. 

By keeping chickens in your backyard, you can reduce your dependence on these unsustainable food practices. Also, you will know exactly how your chickens are being treated and fed. So, you can feel good about where at least some of your food comes from. 

 

Keep Chickens to Live More Sustainably

As you can see, raising chickens in your backyard can help improve your life in various ways. Caring for your own chickens is fun and highly rewarding since it can help you reduce your carbon footprint and be more self-sufficient. Since they are low maintenance, it is easy to dive right in and start making a difference right away. 

Check out the food and health sections of our site to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle.

The idea is that true health comes from a balance between body and mind. The natural way to life is based on this. But almost everything can actually be approached holistically. This year, these bloggers lead the way with their commitment to educating, inspiring, and empowering people to live holistically in the round of the best natural living blogs.

1) Stephi LaReine

Stephi LaReine is a fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and travel blog. Stephi LaReine aims to provide an insider’s view of the fashion industry from backstage at Fashion Week and a style diary and daily views surrounding her global travels and encounter with tastes, textures, sounds, and scents. Stephi LaReine gives a voice to anyone who dares to be different and inspire whilst aspiring to be the best a person can be. With many awards presented to Stephi for her efforts within the fashion and beauty industry, she seeks out to primarily make the world more colorful and positive.

2) Maple Holistics

Maple Holistics was born of a desire to get back to basics and tune into what Mother Nature has known all along – simpler is better. That’s why, at the core of Maple Holistics, lies the belief that there is no better way to express your natural beauty than by using real ingredients for real results. They use naturally-derived ingredients to create personal care solutions that work for everyone, no matter your hair type, body type, or beauty needs. The products are free from harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Also, they are free from animal testing and certified vegan.

3) Blufashion

Women today know how important it is to commit to their emotional and physical health and wellness but don’t have time to filter through dozens of websites for relevant advice about fitness, health, wellness, alternative medicine, style, relationships, and eco-consciousness. This is where Blufashion.com steps in. Health, fitness, food, clean beauty, and more. We sift through the fads, feeds & daily news cycle to bring you the info and insights you need for living well.

4) Seven Roses

SevenRoses.net is a blog about Vegan food, green living, cruelty-free beauty, and a boho lifestyle. Helping you to live a more magical & conscious life.

5) EcoParent

EcoParent is a quarterly magazine for families that want to make healthier, greener lifestyle choices. Fun and inspirational in tone – and never judgmental – we appeal to the already eco-savvy but remain accessible to the newly eco-curious. Food, fashion, books, travel, health & beauty, home & garden, and so much more!

6) Arizona Spa Girls

Arizona Spa Girls is a local, woman-owned business dedicated to supporting Arizona’s beauty and wellness community while empowering women (and men!) to embrace a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle. Since 2002, we have provided a fun, engaging online environment for nurturing inner and outer beauty. We connect you with outstanding local businesses and health and beauty pros who can enhance your life with expert guidance. We also keep our eyes peeled for products that bring out your inner glow.
Arizona Spa Girls is your girlfriend-to-girlfriend source for spas, salons, beauty, and beyond!

7) Healthy Happy Hippie

Healthy Happy Hippie is all about wellness, a healthy lifestyle, and natural remedies. Its founders, Kylie and Keio share their experience, knowledge, and values with their readers through their blogs. They are dedicated to helping their readers improve their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness through natural, healthy living.

8) Unsustainable

Unsustainable is a digital magazine consisting of carefully curated pieces of writing, photography, and occasionally video, all related to issues of sustainability and equality. Its mission is to gather stories concerning sustainability from every corner of the world, and offer solutions. They believe that an average person can do a lot to make our planet a better place and that we’re all responsible to do our part.

9) Skinly Aesthetics

Skinly Aesthetics is a boutique medical spa located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York. Owned and operated by a board-certified cosmetic physician, Dr. Schwarzburg M.D., Skinly Aesthetics offers a wide variety of minimally invasive skin tightening, rejuvenating, and body contouring procedures.

10) Fashion Police NG

Fashion Police NG is a platform with a keen interest to improve the lives of women by delivering inspiring and interactive fashion, beauty, and wedding-related content.

11) She’s SINGLE

She’s SINGLE is everything for women, from news to advice, entertainment, and motivation. She’s SINGLE looks to occupy a special place in the hearts of millions – it’s not just a magazine but her most trusted confidante, a brand that will revolutionize the magazine industry and become a cultural institution in the female community. Founded by African American author, Lisa K. Stephenson, her vision is that women continue to be celebrated and uplifted in a world where the goal is to seemingly eclipse us. She’s SINGLE will look to flourish beyond its pages with extensions such as CERKIT TV where subscribers can also enjoy original movies, and shows (scripted and non-scripted) produced by She’s SINGLE Media as well as romance movies we can’t get enough of. She’s SINGLE is your home. 

12)Really Rather

ReallyRather.com is where celebrities and experts share their 5 favorite things in the fields of entertainment, lifestyle, wellness, home, and food & drink. ReallyRather.com was created by a diverse group of women looking to provide a fun and informative escape from the stresses of daily life. Here you’ll find interesting features on some of your favorite topics, and you get to weigh in as well. Our goal is to share information that will help you expand and enjoy your life just a little bit more.

13) Zax Healthcare

Zax Healthcare Inc. is not your typical skincare company. They make unique first aid and skincare products called Zax’s Originals, designed to treat common skin conditions for you and your family. Pharmacists developed and made with natural ingredients, when in need put some Zax’s on it!

14) Revel

Revel is a community and events platform (free to join here!) for women in the second half of life who are looking for all sorts of things: enrichment, more fun, support, engagement, invigoration; you name it and we’re pretty sure we have it. We offer events, online forums, and resources and you can create or attend pretty much anything you can imagine. Our gatherings, both virtual and in-person, are created for and by our members. Take a moment to browse and you’ll find something that appeals for sure, whether an event that tackles sex and dating, self-care, outdoor activities or so many others.

15) Colourwarehouse Blog

Welcome to Colourwarehouse, the home of hair care. From how-to articles to reviews and tips, we show users how to apply professional hair care at home as a pro.

When you think about your workday and the things that you enjoy about it, does your daily commute immediately come to mind? If you’re not a fan of the to-and-fro ritual of getting to work, don’t worry: you’re not alone. Research has indicated that an employee’s daily commute is one of the least favorite parts of their workday, and for good reason.

 

Not only does your commute have a severe negative impact on the environment, but it also is terrible for your overall well-being, too. Sitting in gridlocked traffic has been shown to raise your blood pressure and cortisol levels, and that doesn’t even begin to touch on the damage it does to our already fragile ecosystem.

 

Fortunately, greenifying your daily commute doesn’t have to be a difficult task. By implementing these five simple tips, you can help reduce your carbon footprint and finally start to enjoy your workday a little bit more.

 

Work Remotely

 

These days, many employees are choosing to work remotely. Furthermore, these work-from-home numbers are expected to remain consistent in the coming years. The COVID-19 pandemic required many employees to take their work home with them, and once the quarantine has lifted, this change should still remain the norm.

 

If you’re looking to minimize your carbon footprint, why not just work from home? Not only will you be able to avoid the tedious commute and its toll on our already limited fossil fuels, but you can also enjoy the pleasure of working from the comfort of your own house. Even working from home one or two days a week can benefit the planet greatly.

 

Take Alternative Transit

 

One of the best ways you can reduce your fuel consumption in your commute is to consider alternative modes of transportation. Taking your city’s public transit system, whether it’s through the bus or a light rail, can help offset the wastefulness of your commute.

 

Of course, public transit isn’t the only way to get to work, either. More and more people are embracing e-bikes, as they are fast, efficient, and don’t leave them reeking of sweat when they get to work. Or, if you live close to your workplace, why not consider walking it in? You’ll get a nice, gentle cardio workout, and it’s arguably the greenest method of commuting possible!

 

Carpool with Coworkers

 

If you and your coworkers happen to live in the same neighborhood, it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to them and discuss the possibility of sharing a ride to work. Not only is this a more environmentally friendly way to commute, but it’s also a fantastic way to reduce the cost of your daily drive, as well.

 

Other benefits of carpooling include less wear and tear on your own vehicle, and you can share the cost of fuel between one another. Even if you can only get one or two coworkers together, you’ll still be doing a huge part in helping to protect the environment.

 

Invest In an EV

 

Today’s electric vehicles (EVs) have come a long way from previous generations. They get more miles to the charge, and they’re one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation available. The newer generations of EVs are also much more attractive and more sporty than older models, too.

 

Keeping your EV charged is fairly simple, too. Many of them can be charged overnight in your garage, but there are also many public car charging stations scattered around most mid-sized metropolitan areas. That way, you don’t have to be worried about running out of “fuel” when you’re only halfway home!

 

Work Longer Hours

 

This tip may seem counterintuitive, but don’t dismiss it before you give a moment or two of consideration. While nobody actually likes to work longer hours without an immediate, evident reward for their efforts, this one may be worth it for you. Sneaking an extra two hours on your workday, a mere four days per week, can pay off multifold. 

 

Not only will you have less of a commute to contend with, but you can also enjoy one extra day off per week, since you finished your workweek duties early. However, this suggestion isn’t for everyone. If the thought of 10-hour workdays is too much for you to bear, then it’s understandable if you decide to skip it.

 

A Greener Commute and Happier You

 

If you’re getting burned out on the 9-to-5 grind, and you’re ready to reduce the amount of time you spend in traffic, then now is your chance to introduce a positive change to your commute. By simply introducing one or more of these easy, eco-conscious transportation tips today, you can both help improve your health and benefit the planet for a better tomorrow.

 

In 2016, global plastic waste amounted to 242 million tonnes. The garbage made up 12% of the total municipal waste. This statistic shows how threatening plastics are to the environment. The worst part is that only a small percentage of the total waste materials are discovered for recycling.

Plastics take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose, unlike organic waste, which takes only a few months. Plastic is also the primary cause of clogging drains, resulting in floods. The waste shortens animals’ lifespan if it gets into contact with their food, not to forget that plastics result in respiratory health when burned.

If you want to be good to the environment and the oceans, start by creating a sustainable home.

How Do You Reduce Plastic Waste in Your Home?

Avoid Plastic Shopping Bags

Reports by the Environmental Protection Agency reveal that one trillion plastic bags are used annually across the globe. Although they are free and may seem like a convenient way out for shoppers, plastic bags come with a high environmental cost.

Carrying your shopping bag to the store is a great way to save the environment. In fact, some places have banned the use of disposable bags to curb the constantly rising plastic waste.

The pantry makes up for the largest amount of plastic waste. Most of them are single-use shopping bags, meaning that you have to buy a new set of bags every time you go shopping.

Instead, invest in reusable shopping bags for food shopping. Some items such as veggies and fruits do not necessarily need carrying bags. You can throw them in the boot as they come for immediate use.

If you feel that the reusable bags are a bit expensive, shop with your reusable pantry containers, especially for cereals and legumes.

Say No to Plastic Straws

Fortunately, a range of sustainable brands has come up to offer glass and wooden straws. They are easy to clean, thus great for reuse. Besides being environmentally friendly, the straws are stylish and good for your health.

Therefore, you can do away with the plastic straws each time you buy a drink or want to drink your water at home.

Pro-tip; you can make your own paper straws at home to evade the costs. Just check out tips and videos online for guidance on how to do it.

Invest in Reusable Water Bottles

Plastic water bottles are a significant contributor to unending plastic wastes. People have adopted the habit of buying water at convenience stores while traveling. They carry the plastic bottles all the way to their home, which end up in the dust bins.

It would be better to invest in quality water bottles and carry your water as you leave home. You can refill the bottle later in the day, thus no need for buying water. In addition to saving the environment, the idea comes handy to save your money.

The same applies to coffee mugs. Avoid the plastic cups offered at the coffee shop. Instead, bring your own thermos for your daily go-to coffee to minimize your plastic footprint. You can refill your coffee as many times as you wish, without the need for disposable mugs. 

Contact Plastic Recycling Company

As much as you try, some plastics are hard to do away with altogether. From time to time, you may want to dispose of your plastic basins or toys that your kids have outgrown. The least you can do is to ensure that you dispose of them appropriately.

You cannot go wrong by contacting a reliable plastic recycling company and let the expert do what they do best. Recycling reduces landfills, saves you the landfill taxes, and it is a chance for you to create employment opportunities. 

Buy Food in Bulk

If you can, buy food in bulk to minimize the need for packaged goods. Disposable containers have become the norm in supermarkets and stores. From PET bottles to plastic containers and polystyrene trays, sellers always have plastic packaging to offer.

You can avoid the plastic bags by buying items in bulk which in most cases come packed in reusable containers. If you must buy food in small quantities, get steel containers for storage. Also, if you must carry to work, avoid the Tupperware containers and instead get glass containers.

Final Thought

Plastic waste is a significant threat to the surroundings and everything in it. It is your responsibility to look after the environment you live in, and it all starts at home. Check out the highlighted tips on how to reduce plastic waste at home.

Take the initiative to create a sustainable living space, not only for you but for your loved ones, plants, and animals. The planet will thank you, and so will your health, for creating a toxic-free environment.