Tags: Minimalism
Someone I know who know's I'm on this minimalism journey reached out to me, because they want to start their own journey of decluttering. It feels overwhelming to give someone you know direct advice about something so complex, so I started to just think about what observations I've made about my own journey:
It took a few years of commitment in my mind, before I saw much results in commitment in action. I really wanted to be a minimalist, but it is hard to get rid of things and even harder to stop buying things. Nothing changed for me overnight. Things changed slowly over four year time period and they continue to improve now.
It has been harder to be a minimalist during times when I didn't feel financially secure. When I felt it would be easy to replace something that I might regret getting rid of, it was easier to get rid of it.
Digitally archiving sentimental items makes it a lot easier. Although it takes up valuable time, making videos about my artwork that I was getting rid of and scanning old photos, made it much easier to get rid of them, which is the ultimate goal.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is the best book on minimalism and decluttering. This book spoke the truth to me and it was enjoyable to read and implement.
Peace, Love, and Tidying Up!
Monday, December 28, 2015
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Three Break-Resistant Dishware Options
Tags: Zero Waste; Buy It For Life
Dropping a dish or a glass in the kitchen and watching it shatter seems to be a rite-of-passage to being human. How many pieces a person breaks in a given year or decade can vary; with the naturally clumsy needing to either replace their dishware set on a regular basis or live with an array of mismatched cups, plates, and bowls accumulated over the years.
Another problem with dishware is it is often sold in sets with pre-determined numbers of each piece and in styles that do not stand the test of time. Companies that produce classic styles, where you can buy the pieces individually to meet your own needs, is much better for the zero waste and minimalist lifestyle.
For those wanting to invest in dishware and glassware that will likely last their whole life, I would like to showcase three options*. And one of the options is actually widely available and not so expensive!
Corelle Livingware
Corelle Livingware has been around since the 1970's. It is made from a special kind of tempered glass called Vitrelle. Corelle dishware is very thin and stackable, making it a great choice if you don't want your dishware to take up a lot of space. Winter Frost White is the most timeless style sold by Corelle, and you should be able to buy replacement items in that style many years in the future. Corelle can be bought in sets or as individual pieces. Corelle is very affordable and can be bought from World Kitchen, or Target. Both World Kitchen and Target have Corelle available to buy online or in brick-and-mortar stores. One important thing to note about Corelle is that their mugs are not made from Vitrelle, they are regular, ceramic mugs, so Corelle is only good for plates and bowls.**
Duralex
Duralex is clear, tempered dishware and glassware that has been made in France since 1939 and continues to be made in France today. Durelex makes and array of products out of their tempered glass, from bowls, to plates, to glasses, to bakeware. All of their products are classic and elegant. Their products are freezer-safe, heat-resistant (so you are less likely to be burned by a hot plate), and most of their products are stackable. Duralex can be bought from their online store or at Sur La Table (online or brick-and-mortar stores).
Metal (various brands)
Stainless steel or copper plates/tumblers is another option for break-resistant (break-proof?!) dishware and glassware. Metal dishware is a popular choice in India. For those of us used to glass or ceramic dishware, it can be a very enjoyable change to switch to metal. One important downside to metal is that it is not microwave-safe. Metal dishware and tumblers can be found at some Asian grocery stores. There are also American versions such as the items you can find at such eco-retailers like Life Without Plastic. Metal dishware and tumblers can vary between being very simple and practical looking to being downright beautiful.
*I would like to acknowledge that there are other ways to be more sustainable with dishware and glassware, such as choosing to buy what's available from a thrift shop.
** Update: I forgot to mention that Corelle Livingware also sells lids for their bowls, making them instant tupperware!
Dropping a dish or a glass in the kitchen and watching it shatter seems to be a rite-of-passage to being human. How many pieces a person breaks in a given year or decade can vary; with the naturally clumsy needing to either replace their dishware set on a regular basis or live with an array of mismatched cups, plates, and bowls accumulated over the years.
Another problem with dishware is it is often sold in sets with pre-determined numbers of each piece and in styles that do not stand the test of time. Companies that produce classic styles, where you can buy the pieces individually to meet your own needs, is much better for the zero waste and minimalist lifestyle.
For those wanting to invest in dishware and glassware that will likely last their whole life, I would like to showcase three options*. And one of the options is actually widely available and not so expensive!
Corelle Livingware
Corelle Livingware has been around since the 1970's. It is made from a special kind of tempered glass called Vitrelle. Corelle dishware is very thin and stackable, making it a great choice if you don't want your dishware to take up a lot of space. Winter Frost White is the most timeless style sold by Corelle, and you should be able to buy replacement items in that style many years in the future. Corelle can be bought in sets or as individual pieces. Corelle is very affordable and can be bought from World Kitchen, or Target. Both World Kitchen and Target have Corelle available to buy online or in brick-and-mortar stores. One important thing to note about Corelle is that their mugs are not made from Vitrelle, they are regular, ceramic mugs, so Corelle is only good for plates and bowls.**
Duralex
Duralex is clear, tempered dishware and glassware that has been made in France since 1939 and continues to be made in France today. Durelex makes and array of products out of their tempered glass, from bowls, to plates, to glasses, to bakeware. All of their products are classic and elegant. Their products are freezer-safe, heat-resistant (so you are less likely to be burned by a hot plate), and most of their products are stackable. Duralex can be bought from their online store or at Sur La Table (online or brick-and-mortar stores).
Metal (various brands)
Stainless steel or copper plates/tumblers is another option for break-resistant (break-proof?!) dishware and glassware. Metal dishware is a popular choice in India. For those of us used to glass or ceramic dishware, it can be a very enjoyable change to switch to metal. One important downside to metal is that it is not microwave-safe. Metal dishware and tumblers can be found at some Asian grocery stores. There are also American versions such as the items you can find at such eco-retailers like Life Without Plastic. Metal dishware and tumblers can vary between being very simple and practical looking to being downright beautiful.
*I would like to acknowledge that there are other ways to be more sustainable with dishware and glassware, such as choosing to buy what's available from a thrift shop.
** Update: I forgot to mention that Corelle Livingware also sells lids for their bowls, making them instant tupperware!
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Ten Tips For Preventing Bacterial Growth In Your DIY Beauty Products
Tags: Health
One of the benefits of commercial health and beauty products is that they contain ingredients that prevent bacteria from running wild. But don't fret, there are several ways to prevent bacterial growth when making and using your own DIY beauty products. Here are my ten tips that follow the process of making and using homemade products.
1. Distilled Water
Some recipes include water as an ingredient. Distilled water is the only kind of water that should be used in these cases. You can buy distilled water in most grocery and department stores that sell gallon jugs of water. Tap water, even purified tap water, contains some microorganisms. These microorganisms can multiply when they are mixed with something they like to eat and let to sit at room temperature for many days. This is basically what you are doing when making DIY products.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has natural antimicrobial properties. Try to use coconut oil as a main ingredient in your recipes as much as possible.
3. Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) also has antimicrobial properties. This is something that can be added to your recipes to help prevent bacterial growth. The recipe only needs to be two percent GSE.
4. Small Batches
Make your products in small batches so that they run out before bacteria has a chance to cause problems. It depends on the product, but a two week supply is a good rule-of-thumb.
5. Clean, Air-Tight Containers
Containers you store your product in should be clean and air-tight.
6. Avoid Cross-Contamination When Making
When making your products, wash your hands or wear gloves. Also avoid touching ingredients with your bare hands or with dirty utensils.
8. Avoid Cross-Contamination When Using
Once you've made your product and put it in its container, avoid touching it directly. If it's a in a squeezable tube, this should be easy. For balms and small amounts of powder, use a clean utensil, like the end of a makeup brush (that you wash after each use) to scoop out some of the product. If it's a larger amount of powder, pour some of it out onto a clean working surface.
9. Refrigeration
If you keep your products in the refrigerator, they will last longer! One month is a good rule-of-thumb for products you are actively using. Refrigeration can also be a good plan for storing bulk ingredients that you use to make your products. For example, aloe vera gel can last a year in the refrigerator.
10. Smell It
Periodically smell your product. If it has a funny smell, toss it!
One of the benefits of commercial health and beauty products is that they contain ingredients that prevent bacteria from running wild. But don't fret, there are several ways to prevent bacterial growth when making and using your own DIY beauty products. Here are my ten tips that follow the process of making and using homemade products.
1. Distilled Water
Some recipes include water as an ingredient. Distilled water is the only kind of water that should be used in these cases. You can buy distilled water in most grocery and department stores that sell gallon jugs of water. Tap water, even purified tap water, contains some microorganisms. These microorganisms can multiply when they are mixed with something they like to eat and let to sit at room temperature for many days. This is basically what you are doing when making DIY products.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has natural antimicrobial properties. Try to use coconut oil as a main ingredient in your recipes as much as possible.
3. Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) also has antimicrobial properties. This is something that can be added to your recipes to help prevent bacterial growth. The recipe only needs to be two percent GSE.
4. Small Batches
Make your products in small batches so that they run out before bacteria has a chance to cause problems. It depends on the product, but a two week supply is a good rule-of-thumb.
5. Clean, Air-Tight Containers
Containers you store your product in should be clean and air-tight.
6. Avoid Cross-Contamination When Making
When making your products, wash your hands or wear gloves. Also avoid touching ingredients with your bare hands or with dirty utensils.
8. Avoid Cross-Contamination When Using
Once you've made your product and put it in its container, avoid touching it directly. If it's a in a squeezable tube, this should be easy. For balms and small amounts of powder, use a clean utensil, like the end of a makeup brush (that you wash after each use) to scoop out some of the product. If it's a larger amount of powder, pour some of it out onto a clean working surface.
9. Refrigeration
If you keep your products in the refrigerator, they will last longer! One month is a good rule-of-thumb for products you are actively using. Refrigeration can also be a good plan for storing bulk ingredients that you use to make your products. For example, aloe vera gel can last a year in the refrigerator.
10. Smell It
Periodically smell your product. If it has a funny smell, toss it!
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