Natural Living – Eco Karen

Living Alone for the First Time – What to Do?

Embarking on the transformative journey of living alone for the first time is a significant and multifaceted milestone in life, where one steps into the uncharted territory of independence and self-sufficiency. The prospect of creating a space to call your own, managing finances, establishing routines, and cultivating a support network may seem daunting, yet it is an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. So, here are a few comprehensive insights and valuable tips that delve deep into various aspects of solo living, offering a holistic guide to help navigate the challenges and embrace the freedoms that come with living independently.

Setting Up Your Space

Creating a living space that reflects your identity and becomes a sanctuary of comfort is an integral aspect of transitioning to solo living. The process involves more than just placing furniture; it’s about curating an environment that resonates with your personality and fulfills your emotional and practical needs. From selecting the right color schemes to arranging furniture strategically, the goal is to transform your living space into a haven that not only meets your daily requirements but also serves as a reflection of your individuality.

Budgeting and Financial Management

The financial aspect of living alone is a critical factor that necessitates careful consideration and planning. Crafting a realistic budget involves not only accounting for rent and utilities but also factoring in groceries, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. Delving deeper, it’s essential to explore the intricacies of financial management, such as setting financial goals, creating an emergency fund, and understanding the long-term implications of your spending habits. By mastering these financial skills early on, you lay the foundation for a more stable and secure solo living experience.

Home Security

The concept of safety takes on heightened significance in the context of solo living. Beyond the physical structure of your living space, creating a secure environment involves implementing robust home security measures, especially if you opt for comfy apartment rentals that come with advanced safety features. This includes reliable locks, a comprehensive security system, and proper lighting, so make sure you stick to those rentals only. Additionally, understanding and familiarizing yourself with emergency procedures, having essential contacts readily available, and being proactive about personal safety contribute significantly to the overall sense of security and peace of mind in your home.

Meal Planning and Cooking

The culinary dimension of solo living brings forth a myriad of opportunities for self-discovery and personal satisfaction. Beyond the mere act of sustenance, cooking becomes a creative expression and a journey of exploration. Implementing effective meal planning strategies not only ensures a well-balanced diet but also transforms the kitchen into a space where you can experiment with flavors, try new recipes, and develop a repertoire of culinary skills. In essence, cooking becomes a source of joy and a means of nurturing your physical well-being.

Establishing a Routine

The establishment of a well-structured routine is the linchpin for a harmonious and productive solo living experience. Beyond merely adhering to a schedule, a thoughtfully crafted routine becomes a tool for time management, stress reduction, and personal development. Integrating work or study hours with dedicated self-care, social activities, and moments of leisure fosters a sense of balance and purpose in your daily life. Moreover, a routine provides a framework that adapts to your evolving needs and aspirations.

Building a Support Network

While the prospect of solo living may evoke notions of solitude, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of building and maintaining a robust support network. Actively seeking connections with friends, family, and neighbors becomes an essential aspect of emotional well-being. Engaging in local communities, joining clubs, and participating in social events open avenues for meaningful connections that can offer support, companionship, and assistance during challenging times. In essence, a thriving social network becomes a pillar of strength in the solo living journey.

Self-Care and Mental Health

The emphasis on self-care extends beyond the superficial and delves into the realms of mental health and holistic well-being. Beyond the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is essential to carve out moments for mindfulness, relaxation, and activities that nurture mental resilience. Incorporating regular exercise, practicing mindfulness techniques, and indulging in hobbies provide a holistic approach to self-care, ensuring that your mental health remains a priority as you navigate the complexities of living alone.

As we draw the curtains on this exploration of solo living, it becomes apparent that the journey is far more than a mere transition—it is a profound and transformative experience. By doing everything mentioned here and making the most of these ideas, one can embark on this journey with confidence and purpose. May the tips and insights shared in this comprehensive guide serve as a compass, guiding you through the challenges and enriching your solo living experience with growth, resilience, and the joy of self-discovery.

7 Awesome Eco-Friendly Ideas for Your Besties

With all the added waste that comes with wrapping papers, excess packaging, and bows and ribbons of all kinds, it’s only fair that we do our part for the environment, as small as they may seem. Sustainable shopping should be on our to-do lists.

When finding the perfect gift for your besties, plenty of eco-friendly products are readily available in the market; They’re also far less expensive than one may think. The best part is you can practice a little environmental responsibility by sacrificing quality and style!

Looking for the best environmentally friendly presents you can give for that special occasion? Here are some great eco-friendly ideas to give to your besties:

1. Scrap Book or Journals

Does your friend love to write in a notepad? Then one of the best gifts you can give her is a nice journal. Not only that it’s a lovely gift to give to your friend, but it’s one of the best ways for an effective catharsis.

If you want a more personalized approach, you can transform your memorable texts, emails, and pictures into a book to preserve your most endearing moments! For your loved ones, a personalized love book is one of the unique gifts you can give, whether you want to celebrate a friendship or mark a special occasion!

2. Organic Soaps

You also want to go for sustainably made gifts that don’t have chemicals. What’s a better gift than an organic soap that works well in all skin or pore types?

Organic soaps help the skin stay firm and smooth. It also has healing properties for people with skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Not to mention, it comes with different scents, ranging from lavender to rose. Organic soaps are also made from natural ingredients, so they’re good for the face.

3. Bamboo Cooking and Serving Utensils

Another eco-friendly gift you can give this year is a bamboo cooking set and serving utensils. Both men and women will like the practicality of this gift, especially if they’re into cooking or throwing regular parties with family or a group of friends.

4. A Zero-waste Travel Kit

Do you want your friends to have a zero-waste journey when traveling? Then, making them a DIY zero-waste travel kit is a great way to start. All you need is a few essential items, a bamboo toothbrush, organic soap, lip better, a handkerchief, and a foldable tote bag.

Then, gather these items together in a drawstring box. This sustainable gifting idea is a great way to reduce waste and help create a healthier planet.

5. Biodegradable Phone Case

Another eco-friendly gift idea on this list is a biodegradable and compostable phone case. Although this concept is relatively new, it has excellent potential to be a great way to reduce plastic.

The best part is that these items are more durable and resilient than the usual wear-and-tear phone cases. They’re also ecologically disposable. Who wants to say no to a cute, eco-friendly phone case?

6. Plant-based candles

As much as we want the scent of the soft light and the soothing scent of candles, sometimes we cannot help but wonder. How will all the wax, color, or perfume, once dissolved in the air we breathe, affect the air quality? What’s the price we have on an excellent ambiance from candles?

Well, conventional candles are made up of animal fats or paraffin, also known as petroleum waste. Now, the latter is not good for us and the environment.

On the other hand, plant-based candles are relatively cleaner. They also have longer burn times and are much safer for people and the environment. That’s because they are made from natural ingredients.

7. Coffee Cups

The thing with single-use coffee cups is that they’re bad for the environment. While they may be made with paper, these contain plastic lamination. Thus they couldn’t be composted. Plus, there are also plastic lids that you need to think about.

You can opt for reusable coffee cups instead. Switching to reusable coffee cups is one of the best ways to reduce your plastic footprint, making it a sustainable gift idea for your friends.

There are also many options, from stainless steel ceramic cups to tempered glass.

Over to You

Going green and living more sustainably isn’t just a trend. If you and your friends are passionate about saving the environment, you should opt for environmentally friendly gifts.

Hopefully, these eco-friendly gift ideas on this list to become more environmentally aware have given you a good source of inspiration for the items you need to buy.

It would be best if you also remembered that every gift you purchase should match the receiver’s hobbies, tastes, personality, and values. Not only will your friends love you for being environmentally conscious, but mother earth will also appreciate it.

Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum CBD: What are the Differences?

CBD or Cannabidiol has been shown to improve one’s health in many ways over the past several years. This all-natural plant extract can help someone by reducing their pain, reducing anxiety, and depression.

Anyone anywhere can obtain premium CBD products as an over-the-counter treatment. The FDA, Food and Drug Administration, have only given their seal of approval to one strain of CBD specifically for the treatment of epilepsy. However, that does not mean the products you can purchase at your local brick-and-mortar store or online are not high-quality products.

When you know the difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products, you can make an informed decision about which is best for your particular health issue.

Full Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD is going to contain several different parts of the cannabis plant. This means there are going to be trace amounts of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. This is the compound that gives marijuana users the mind-altering effect.

Cannabis is completely legal in many states and that means CBD can contain higher than 0.3 percent of the THC. Where it is not legal, the amount of THC needs to be under 0.3 percent. In general, this is what full spectrum means.

Broad Spectrum

By contrast, Broad-spectrum CBD will not contain any traces of THC. It may contain other cannabis plant components, but that just means it is not 100 percent CBD. This does not mean it is not a good product, it simply means you need to be careful when choosing this type of CBD.

Pros of Full Spectrum CBD

One of the best reasons to take this type of CBD is the fact there are multiple components of the cannabis plant and when there is more, it gives you many more benefits. This is also known as the “entourage effect” and is one of the major selling points for full-spectrum CBD.

Some of the components in full-spectrum include Flavonoids, Phytocannabinoids, which are THC and CBD, and Terpenes which give the compound flavor and scent. And all this together gives someone the maximum benefits of cannabis in CBD form.

Cons of Full Spectrum CBD

The fact that it contains some amount of THC, even trace amounts, could give the user a “high” feeling. This chemical can also come up with in some drug tests. You may not feel the euphoric side effects with full-spectrum, it will depend on the brand of CBD and the amount of THC within the product.

Pros of Broad Spectrum CBD

Sleep — A young woman is sleeping on the bed

This type of CBD is beneficial if you need to keep a “clear mind” because there is not going to be a “high” feeling. Because there is no THC in this product, it will also be better for someone who is regularly drug tested for their employment or other reasons.

Cons of Broad Spectrum CBD

Because it lacks the combination of elements found in the full spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum will not be as effective.

To determine which CBD is right for you, you will need to try both types and decide for yourself which works best for your ailments. There are consultants at every CBD outlet that can give you more information.

5 Tried and Tested Ways of Promoting Your Vegan Restaurant

Learn five strategies for drawing hungry customers to your vegan restaurant, and turning skeptics into converts of clean, sustainable eating.

You’ve painstakingly scrimped and saved to open your vegan restaurant, recruited an A-team of staff, and curated a smorgasbord of delectable dishes for your menu. Now, there’s only one thing left to do:

Get the customers coming in!

Even a vegan restaurant with the yummiest food in the world won’t survive for long if its tables are perpetually empty. Read on to learn five tried-and-tested strategies for bringing in hungry customers, and turning skeptics into converts of clean, sustainable eating:

1. Craft an attention-grabbing brand message

Every brand has a story. What’s yours?

More importantly, is it something that will make customers sit up and take notice, or will it put them to sleep?

With veganism being a relatively new trend, your vegan restaurant already has an edge in terms of novelty. However, push your brand message further and state what you stand for. By doing so, you’ll entice like-minded customers to add your restaurant to their list of must-visit places.

As an example, take a look at this quote that vegan restaurant Vegan Beat Athens posted on its Instagram account:

Here, the restaurant has made the bold declaration that veganism is about doing the least harm and the most good to the environment. And if you identified with that statement, you may just go: “YES! This restaurant totally gets me.”

Then, feeling buzzed with such positive vibes, you may make a note to try and drop by the restaurant for your next vegan meal.

2. Produce eye-catching restaurant posters

Say the word “vegan” and people unfamiliar with vegan food may think that it’s all green, just “rabbit food” and, well, basically not very appetizing. This is where you’ll have to prove them wrong, by creating eye-catching posters of your vegan dishes.

If you need to, work with a food stylist to make your dishes look absolutely scrumptious. Then, once you’ve taken photos of your dishes, create posters with them and put your posters up everywhere. In your restaurant, on social media, on your website—the list goes on.

For instance, here’s a poster that VeganBurg, a vegan restaurant in Singapore, published on Instagram to promote a limited-edition Christmas menu:

Truffle bello — Check out this Instagram post credit to @veganburgsg

The best part? You don’t need to be a graphic design expert to produce drool-worthy posters of your food. Graphic design platforms such as PosterMyWall offer restaurant poster templates that you can easily modify through a drag-and-drop interface.

So go ahead and make those gorgeous food porn posters. You have our full permission.

3. Show customers how your food is made

Restaurant food doesn’t just magically appear on a plate, ready to be served to customers. Instead, it is lovingly cooked and plated by chefs passionate about their craft. So why not show off this process by creating behind-the-scenes videos of how your food is made?

By doing so, your customers can see for themselves all the tender loving care that goes into preparing their orders. It may get their mouths watering to the point that they make a beeline for your restaurant!

You can even go up a notch by showcasing how and from where your ingredients are procured. A well-informed customer is a happy customer.

Just watch Spanish vegan restaurant Vegan Junk Food Bar’s video of its staff member assembling a vegan burger:

Прикажи ову објаву у апликацији Instagram

Објава коју дели Vegan Junk Food Bar España (@veganjunkfoodbar.spain)

We don’t know about you, but we’d like to reach through our screen, grab that burger and sink our teeth into it. Mmmm.

4. Use social proof to draw in new customers

What’s better than talking up the tastiness of your food on your own? Customers doing this for you.

Customers’ amazing testimonies of your food can do wonders in getting their friends and family to visit your restaurant. However, don’t let the benefits stop there. Amplify your customers’ praises as widely as you can, so that others will see them as well—and also be inspired to check your restaurant out.

On Instagram, vegan restaurant Bistro Vonish reposted an Instagram Story from a customer who waxed lyrical about the restaurant’s black garlic bruschetta:

Black Garlic Bruschetta — Check out this Instagram post credit to @bistrovonish

The customer then replied to the post to thank the restaurant again for its good food.

Likewise, don’t forget to express gratitude to your customers when resharing their reviews! Tag the customer in your post, thank them for their glowing sharing, and end with an invitation for them to dine with you again in the future.

5. Hold a giveaway

Who’d ever turn down the opportunity to win free food? Probably no one. So if you hold a giveaway of your food, you could significantly boost brand awareness of your restaurant as people try their best to win!

Simply follow these steps:

Announce your giveaway on social media.
Share that participants will need to leave a comment on the social media post promoting your giveaway, and tag one friend (or more) when doing so.
After the deadline for commenting has ended, pick your winners!

The tagging requirement in step two is important. After all, you want your social media followers to introduce others to your restaurant. Especially if their friends are vegan food lovers too, and would likely be interested to try your dishes.

Vegan restaurant Eat of Eden has executed this giveaway formula down to a T:

Прикажи ову објаву у апликацији Instagram

Објава коју дели Eat Of Eden (@eatofeden)

With the prize being a vegan sharing platter costing £28, the restaurant is definitely getting a ton of publicity worth much more than that!

Attract customers to your vegan restaurant today

So there you have it—the recipe for promoting your vegan restaurant. While cooking up great food is an important part of the formula, you’ll also need to add other “ingredients” such as:

Baking strong messaging into your brand,
Whipping up stunning promotional posters and videos, and
Publicizing all the good things that customers have said about your food so far.

Perfect your promotional efforts, and your restaurant might just pack in the crowds and make a name for itself in the competitive food and beverage space. Not only that, you’ll introduce the uninitiated to the goodness of fresh, and delicious, vegan food. And that’s the icing on the cake.

Go Green: Ideas for an Eco-friendly Dining Room

Renovating and updating the style of your home is always a thrilling and amazing experience where you can show your style and make a few changes. In the last decade, people started paying more attention to the environment and sustainability, and eco-friendly style is now a huge part of most renovations. Just like any other room in the house, a dining room can also be sustainable which doesn’t mean you’ll have to lower your expectations when it comes to the design and appearance. Beautiful natural materials are a great addition to any home, regardless of the style in other parts of your home.

Lighting

This is one of the most important things that need to be done right at the start of the renovation process. If you want to make sure your new dining room is properly lit, you need to think about, all the space that needs light, so you can make changes before doing anything else.

Of course, the table should be the center of the room so this is where you’ll want to add the most light. Many modern wood chandeliers could also be combined with natural materials such as metal and glass to add more style. Use LED bulbs to make sure you’re paying attention to the sustainability factor, but also to create a nice and soft light in this room.

Natural materials

Dining room — A dining room is very nicely designed

Anything from a rug to different types of tapestry or a macrame wall hanging can be made from sustainable materials to keep the eco-friendly vibe going. No matter what style you have in your home, there are many ways to use these items to boost the aesthetics of your dining room.

When it comes to boho and vintage interiors, a nice macrame wall hanging on a piece of a branch could be a nice way to decorate your walls and add an interesting piece to the overall design. In addition to that, you can always use a rug made from jute or any other sustainable material that’s easy to clean and maintain but still looks amazing.

Dining room furniture

Furniture is the center of the dining room and when it comes to finding the best option, going for a durable wood set is the safest way to go if you want to have a dining room that lasts for decades and decades. Many homeowners value the art of handcrafted pieces which is why they opt for timeless Amish dining room furniture that’s known for being the perfect balance between design and comfort.

This will allow you to create a special place where you’ll be able to host dinners, enjoy meals with your family and always have that special piece of furniture that’s long-lasting and visually appealing.

Accessories and additions

Whether you’re using your dining room every single day or not, you need to add accessories and things you can use for your meals. When searching for different things to boost the appeal of your dining room, make sure to always find items made from sustainable materials.

Candles, vases, plates, and different types of glasses are the most common items people keep in their dining room built-ins so make sure they’re all made from durable and eco-friendly materials. From different types of wood, stone, and glass to fabrics that will follow that same style, there are many options to choose from, so be as creative as you want.

Flooring

There are two types of people when it comes to, choosing floors for the dining room – those who like carpets and those who prefer hardwood. The first group likes to have carpets to keep the same style they have in other parts of their home.

On the other hand, these can be hard to clean and maintain, so hardwood floors are usually a safer option. You have a lot of natural materials to choose from – from bamboo to natural wood that’s a bit more expensive, but also a great investment for any space you’re renovating.

If you take some time to plan, you can create a welcoming dining room that’s also sustainable and can become a great place for creating new memories. Just because you want to take care of the environment doesn’t mean you should give up the modern and sophisticated interior, so use these ideas and start turning them into reality!

How to Reach Peak Fitness While Being Mindful of Your Impact on The Planet

Sustainability is on everyone’s minds this year. As we are increasingly seeing the impact humans are having on the environment, it is becoming apparent that everyone has a role to play in reducing the harm done to the planet.

For the fitness fanatics out there, it is vital to consider the impact of our health routines on the environment. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways that fitness lovers can reduce any negative impact their lifestyle has on the environment. This article will explore some of the best ways to stay fit while being mindful of the environment.

Plan Your Meals

Plan your meals ahead of time to avoid food waste. Making a meal plan can be a great way to prevent overshopping and having to throw out perfectly good food. It is also a good idea to avoid shopping while hungry, to reduce impulse buying. You could also have your shopping delivered to cut down on the emissions from going to the shop yourself.

If you do find yourself with excess food about to go out of date, consider donating it to a soup kitchen. Bear in mind that soup kitchens will only accept in-date food, so it is a good idea to consider whether you’ll eat the food well in advance of its use-by date. For any expired food, you could consider starting a compost heap.

Choose A Non-Plastic Water Bottle

While buying a big pack of water bottles from Costco may be convenient to grab and go before a workout, all that waste plastic is definitely harmful to the environment. It is better to find a non-plastic, reusable water bottle. Not only will this reduce the amount of waste plastic you put into the world, but it will also save you money over time. It is best to look for a water bottle made from recycled, ethically sourced, or biodegradable materials.

Buy High Quality, Durable Workout Clothes

Avoid buying cheap workout clothes that will only last a few seasons. Consider using workout clothes that will stand the test of time and durability. Do some research to find the right fit and ensure that the clothes you choose are sustainable and eco-friendly.

Choose Plant-Based Protein Supplements

Choosing the right supplements to help aid your fitness is crucial. It is also vital to choose supplements made with natural ingredients, without harmful additives. You can find plant-based enhanced protein from the expert supplement brand Ingredient Optimized to help ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs while having minimal impact on the environment.

Recycle Worn Out Gear

Once your workout gear is no longer fit for purpose, recycling them rather than tossing them in the trash is important. There are charities that will accept old exercise gear, and even big names brands are starting to accept back their old products to recycle into brand-new exercise equipment. Do some research to find out where you can responsibly donate your old exercise gear.

Cycle Or Walk To Work

Turning your commute into a workout is a great way to improve your overall health. It is also a fantastic way to reduce the emissions caused by driving to and from work. While commuting by foot or bike may not be realistic for everyone, it can be hugely beneficial to those who live close enough to their employer. Consider getting public transport rather than driving, and getting your exercise by getting off the train or bus a few stops early and walking the rest of the way.

Raise Money For Environmental Causes

You could consider raising money for environmental causes by doing a sponsored race or other exercise challenges. Consider reaching out to a local environmental charity to see if there are any upcoming events you could participate in, or simply start a fundraising page to share with friends and family and donate the proceeds.

Workout In Nature

Taking your workout outdoors can have a positive impact on your mental health. You could also join the growing number of fitness enthusiasts that combine exercising outdoors with cleaning up the environment. Plogging is the exercise of collecting trash while jogging and can be a great way to get outdoors, exercise, and clean up the environment all in one.

Look For An Eco-Friendly Gym

Eco-friendly gyms are becoming more and more popular. There are gyms that use the energy produced by people working out on treadmills, exercise bikes, and more to power the gym itself. There are also places that plant trees each time they get a new member and other excellent eco-friendly practices. Do some research to find a gym in your local area that prioritizes good environmental practices.

Go Vegan

Vegetarian food — Vegetable rings are attached to wooden sticks and are displayed on the plate

A vegan diet can help massively cut down on the number of emissions we are responsible for. You don’t even need to ditch meat and dairy entirely – even one or two vegan days per week can make a difference. The great thing about a vegan diet is that, when done correctly, it is one of the healthiest diets possible.

Starting Your Own Business as a Vegan Nutritionist

Anyone who even just tried being vegan for a few days knows that it requires a lot of research and learning to be a health practitioner of this lifestyle. If you have a few years of being a vegan under your belt, you’re probably not only confident enough but also educated enough to help other people with their smooth transition to veganism. Plus, there are many recipes you perfected and even created on your own.

But if you want to become a vegan nutritionist and actually offer advice and create menus for money, you need to know more than just what to eat—you need to know how the body benefits from the changes and how the food needs to be prepared to achieve the best effect. It needs some extra education! If you’re still in, here’s how you can start your vegan nutritionist business venture:

Get registered

If you want to legally offer advice and practice nutrition, you need to become a registered dietitian (anyone can call themselves a nutritionist). If you just want to consult, you can use your current knowledge. However, with an RD title, you can get a license for your practice and even get reimbursement through insurance companies.

Becoming a registered dietitian requires intense schooling and exams. It also requires you to learn about animal content and practice food service and clinical rotations with animal foods. If you can push through that, it will be more than worth it in the end.

Find your niche

Before you sign any legal documents, it’s important to take a look at your vegan nutritionist business and consider what is it that you can offer clients that is unique. Are you offering plant-based diet schedules? Are you focusing on a vegan diet for weight loss or offering vegan supplement tips for athletes? Or maybe you specialize in raw diet plans that focus on health? Find your niche, stick to it and expand your business later.

Work on your business plan

Developing a business plan is crucial for any business, vegan nutrition included. A business plan is a written document that describes your business, together with your sales and marketing, paints a picture of your financial background, and contains predictions about profit and loss. As an entrepreneur, your business plan helps you with your vision and goals. Sure, there will be obstacles no matter how well you prepare, but knowing that you have your business plan to turn to can prepare you well.

Create a good website

In today’s climate, your vegan nutrition business needs to have a digital home. Your website will serve as your virtual waiting room, so make sure to create a space that’s pleasant, comforting, and helpful. Use your website name and combine it with a .me extension which is perfect for creating memorable website names and personalized pages. With a website name like this, you’ll stay in everyone’s mind. The rest you can leave to professionals. Today, having someone educated and experienced create your page is very cost-effective. If you don’t know what you need to include on your website, just pretend you’re a client looking for vegan nutrition consultants and include all the info you would want to see.

The eggplant is drawn to look like a caricature

Define your brand

Your brand is what your company is all about—in your case, veganism, health, longevity, fitness, and care for Mother Nature. But your brand also allows your business to be seen by the public, so you want to create a strong image that will stand out from the competition. Opting for the right logo and company colors can be crucial, so pay attention to these. There are free logo generators you can use online, but if you want a logo that truly represents your vegan business, it’s best to consult with designers and get something unique. When choosing your company colors, consult the Psychology of Colors for inspiration.

Form a legal entity

For your business to be legit, you need to establish a legal business entity like a corporation or LLC to keep you safe in case your nutritionist business gets sued. When it comes to different legal business entities, the most common structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. When it comes to LLC, you can start it yourself, paying on the minimal LLC costs to the state, but it’s also possible to hire LLC services for a small fee if you’re not the business type.

Start networking

If you’re starting your business from scratch, you will need to create your own network by joining your local chamber of commerce, attending wellness events, or attending vegan conferences and cooking demonstrations. It’s also smart to create separate social media accounts for your business and start creating relevant content. You can also do some real-life networking by introducing yourself to local gyms or health food stores. When you find your audience, explain what you do and how it can benefit service users. Be direct that you’re looking for clients, provide them with a way to reach you, or ask if you can follow up with them.

Offering vegan nutrition services can benefit so many people, so don’t hesitate to start a business that will make veganism more available to everyone. Plus, the profit you make will allow you to spread your business and hopefully create even more vegans.

Five Most Essentials Steps in making A Greener Home

The world is moving towards eco living. It not only helps you to live a better life but also cuts backs your utility bills. You would be much aware of it, if you own a house and spend a lot of money in paying electricity bills and waste a lot of money in buying things that can actually be recycled. A greener home may help you to save your money as well as provide a better environment to live. Here are five things essential to design a green home:

1. Use natural light

Home builders may design special light reflectors, windows, tubes and skylights in your house, which may help the sunlight to enter the rooms. Internal lighting using sunrays has been practiced since ancient times. It is the best way to cut back on electricity that is used to light rooms during daytime. Of course, you have to use light bulbs during night but utilising the natural light will help you save some money. Sunrays helps keep the rooms warm during summers, saving your money spent for heating the rooms.

2. Indoor plants to improve air quality

Growing plants inside your home not only maintains a good air quality but also helps keep your house smelling fresh. Plants absorb the carbon dioxide present in your home and releases oxygen making it fresh and rejuvenating. Some flowering plants have a refreshing fragrance to keep your surrounding regreshing. You can save a lot of money spent in buying air refreshers by planting such trees inside your home.

3. Use Solar and renewable energy

Using renewable energy like wind energy, solar energy and geothermal energy may help you to save money. Natural resources are inexpensive and you may use them to fulfill varoius needs. Heating and cooling costs may be lowered by insulating your home. Moreover, investing in installing solar panels may help you to cut back on your electricity bills. Home builders find it easy to install solar panels and solar heaters in new houses instead of installing them on their existing home, but it is beneficial once installed. Wind power generators are also a good option to invest on. Although, there might be an initial cost involved in installing such devices, they can provide years of free electricity for your house.

4. Conserve Water

Water conservation is another way to go green in your home. This is another part which is left unconsidered by many people. A lot of water may get wasted through showers, toilet flushes and taps. Using low flow fixtures in faucets and toilets may help reduce water wastage and save your money.

5. Sustainable landscaping and organic gardens

Relaxing landscapes including ponds and outdoor furniture can be beneficial for your health. Planting more trees will improve the air circulation in and out of your home. Growing organic vegetables in your own garden will save money that you usually spent in buying them. Moreover, home grown fruits and vegetables are healthier, free from pesticides and tastes better.

Making a green home is simple yet rewarding. A few changes may save a lot of money in addition to providing a better lifestyle, which is sustainable and healthy.

How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Since the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, we have been burning fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil to produce energy for homes and factories. As a result, the Earth is now 1 degree Celsius hotter than it was a century ago. According to the United Nations, we are the last generation that can prevent irreparable damage to our planet, with only 9 years left to do it. The Paris Agreement says that we need to keep global temperature rise to 2˚C, but ideally 1.5˚C, by the end of the century. Luckily, there are a few things we can do in our personal lives to reduce our energy consumption. Here are six ways to reduce our carbon footprint.

1. Go Renewable

One of the best -if not the best- way to reduce your carbon footprint is to simply opt for clean sources of power such as solar or wind energy that produce very little greenhouse gases.

The renewable energy industry has dramatically evolved over the past few years and thanks to the improved technology and reduced costs, many home and business owners are now investing in renewable systems.

The government also encourages people to go renewable by allowing you to receive 22% of your renewable system cost as federal tax credits in addition to many incentives and rebates that will reduce your solar system’s cost even more.

In addition to the numerous environmental benefits, going renewable is, in fact, a very good investment that can save you a lot of money.

On average, a solar system will last for around 25 years and the great part is that it’ll pay for itself within 7 years by reducing your electricity bills and by selling the generated electricity to the grid (net metering).

In other words, investing in a solar system right now won’t only reduce your energy footprint but also will get you around 18 years of free electricity.

2. Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances

Another great way to reduce your home carbon footprint is to invest in high energy efficiency electronics.

Each home appliance has an energy rating, which indicates how much energy it’ll use in comparison to other products from the same category, size and capacity.

As a general rule, the more energy stars the product has, the less energy it’ll use, and the more money you will save on energy bills.

These energy efficient appliances might be a little more expensive than the other products. However, they are in fact much cheaper in the long run, as they will significantly reduce your electricity usage over time.

For instance, an energy star appliance can save you up to 50% of the energy required, which as a result saves you money.

3. Switch To LED

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), lighting is responsible for 6% of total U.S. energy consumption.

LED lights are 85% more energy efficient, can last 25 times longer, and they are much cheaper than incandescent lamps.

Right now, there are over 2 billion working incandescent lamps in the United States alone and if we replaced these lamps with LED lights, we can save around 30 billion dollars in electricity costs and reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases by over 1.4 million tons of CO2/Year.

4. Consume Less Energy

Obviously one of the best ways to reduce your energy footprint is to simply use less energy.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you should go totally off grid and live off 2 gs bulbs.

All I’m trying to say is you should consume energy more wisely.

For instance, don’t leave your light on during the night or when you are out, turn off your appliances while you aren’t using them, and invest in a smart power strip.

5. Focus on Efficient Heating

According to the EIA, over 30% of the energy generated yearly is used for cooling and heating purposes.

This means more fuels and gases are used to produce more energy and subsequently more greenhouse gases are produced.

Luckily, there are some solutions we can do to decrease this effect such as:

Improve your sealings
Have better insulation
Use smart thermostat
Turn down your water heater
Make sure to close the refrigerator or freezer after using and don’t keep it up for long so you use less energy and also prevent damage
Use a cold water cycle to wash your clothes. Not many people know that, but many detergents are designed to clean better in cold water. It also helps in decreasing the energy consumption and the amount of water used

6. Do An Energy Audit

Energy audit is by far the best way to find out how and when you are consuming your energy, which devices consume the most and how to use energy wisely.

For those who don’t know, Energy Audit is a comprehensive system that provides data about a certain power system in order to manage this system.

In other words, an Energy audit tracks your usage of the devices and analyses it for you to understand how you are using these devices and which devices are wasting energy.

Of course this plays a vital role in identifying the problems with your system and how to solve these problems in order to save energy and cut costs.

7. Switch to Electric Cars

Even though they might be a little pricy, electric cars are actually cheaper in the long run due to low running costs, as well as tax incentives and government grants that apply to most of them. These zero-emission vehicles offer a smooth riding experience and reduce noise pollution as well! Also, this type of car is the least likely to fire. If you compare gas vs. electric cars fires, you’ll find out that EVs have the fewest fires per 100K vehicle sales.

Last Words

Climate change is one of the biggest fears we are facing now and we should take a step to decrease it.

This of course won’t happen in one night,however, by applying the tips mentioned in this article, we can help in decreasing our energy carbon footprint and save our planet.

In the end, we really hope you enjoyed this article as much as we did.

If you have any innovative tips to reduce your carbon footprints, please, share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

5 Ways To Make Your Sustainable Packaging More Branded

Picking product, logitstical, or cosmetic wholesale packaging based on sustainability does not call for a compromise on branding. Whether a brand selects recyclable, post-consumer recycled or other sustainable materials for stand up pouches, the use of compostable polymer-based inks and solventless lamination enables packaging to be fully customized. Here are five ways to boost the branding of sustainable packaging.

Less Is More

A minimalist approach to packaging extends to the materials used and designs printed on pouches or rollstock. Taking a “less is more” approach to package design can be an effective way to make products stand out on store shelves and in ecommerce marketplaces.

Simple styling is on trend, so it is crucial that packaging provide consumers with a clear concept of a product for sale. Connected packaging is the best way to increase brand awareness while keeping packaging simple. Printing a QR code on each package makes it easy for customers to find out more about a product or company.

Innovative Material Choices

Choosing packaging materials that are sustainable can be a good basis for brand-building. A brand committed to environmental responsibility can experiment with options for customizing the look and feel of sustainable packaging. Polyethylene is the most popular sustainable packaging material.

A brand might want to design printed mylar bags or other pouch materials with design options such as clouded or clear product windows, foil knockouts and varied finishes. Other types of sustainable packaging can contribute to branding in unique ways. For instance, compostable films can help a brand associate itself with nature. The materials a brand selects and how it presents packaging to customers both offer opportunities for branding.

Packaging Color Schemes

Brands should factor several color choices into designs. The background color of packaging, colors of fonts used to indicate a product and brand name and the colors in graphics all contribute toward branding.

In general, packaging colors should correspond to contents. For the purposes of branding, a producer may want to feature a consistent color scheme or colored elements in multiple designs. Otherwise, colors on digitally printed packaging can vary based on flavor or product SKU.

Connected Packaging Features

Sustainable packaging materials can be printed with QR codes that direct consumers or retailers to resources online. A brand could choose to use serialized QR codes to verify product authenticity. Serialized codes are also useful for branding strategies such as loyalty and reward programs.

The options for branding through connected packaging are unlimited. One way that connected packaging can contribute toward sustainability and creative branding is to offer sourcing information or disposal instructions. Connecting consumers with the product life cycle fosters relationships with a brand.

Product Line Designs

Consumables should be packaged in materials that correspond to the contents and the identity of a brand. Items in the same product line might have consistent designs that also incorporate universal branded elements.

A brand that chooses sustainable packaging has already made a meaningful decision for branding. Many consumers seek out products from companies that are committed to eco-friendly operations. Digitally printed designs on stand-up or lie-flat pouches offer further branding opportunities.