Simple Ways to Care for Mother Earth
/Mother Earth. Our home, our care-taker, our sanctuary, our life. The planet that provides infinite beauty and offers endless abundance. We live in a co-creative relationship with nature. Our livelihood and hers are Intricitly intertwined, from the cycles that exist within and without, to daily, monthly, and seasonal rhythms. From the beginning of time, mother earth has been the foundation of life itself. And in return, it’s our responsibility to show her this same love, care, and deep respect.
Now more than ever, earth needs our support. With the rapidly shifting climate, it can feel daunting to even know where to begin. Sometimes, I feel powerless. Like my actions won’t make a difference. But then I remember - every little gesture, no matter how small, has a ripple affect. It starts with us. Within our home, our circle, and our community. We are all connected, and the tiniest of steps create the most profound change over time.
Plant a garden
The idea of growing my own food used to be intimidating. Turns out, it’s much easier than I ever imagined! With the help of google, a simple gardening book, or a knowledgable friend, anyone can become a home gardener. All you need is the willingness to try, and a little patience! Growing our own food is beneficial to mama earth in so many ways; from combatting food shortages and utilizing otherwise wasted green space, to promoting soil biodiversity and enhancing food sustainability. Gardening is also incredible for our personal health:
Organic gardening offers an affordable and accessible way to obtain an abundance pesticide-free produce.
Fresh vegetables and fruits are more nutritious than ones purchased from the grocery store.
Soil is rich in trillions of microorganisms to support a healthy gut.
Fresh air and nature enhances overall well-being. Plus, I personally find something so therapeutic about digging your hands deep into the earth.
If you live in an apartment or don’t have access to land, do not fear! Gardens are not limited to large backyard spaces. A balcony or little patio is all you need to grow a diversity of potted produce. Even a sunny window offers a lovely spot to start growing your own mixed greens or fresh herbs.
Eat locally + in season
Seasonal eating has been apart of traditional cultures since the beginning of time. Long before the industrial age, the only option was to eat foods that could be foraged, gathered, caught, or grown. While times have changed dramatically, this practice still continues to offer incredible benefits for both the planet’s health, and ours! Large amounts of energy and resources are used to transport and ship products from across to the globe. While it may be tempting to eat tropical fruits in the middle of winter (I’ve definitely been there!), our bodies really do thrive off foods that are naturally in season. By shopping local, we support the small business in our communities, decrease our environmental footprint, support optimal digestive health, and naturally obtain the nutrients we need for the season we’re in.
Reduce meat + seafood consumption
Factory farming and fishing is descructive to both the land and ocean in a multitude of ways. Exntensive amounts of resources (land, water, and crops) are sacrificed to keep up with the global meat and dairy industry, resulting in deforestation, water shortages, and the release of excessive carbon dioxide into our environment. These resources, if left untouched, offer potential to support in-need communities all over the world. Factory fishing is harmful to the health of our ocean floors, coral reef, and sealife diversity - all essential contributors to the production of the air we breathe. Fishing also produces large amounts of by-catch, harming the ocean life and endangering entire species.
By no means do you have to go vegan to make an impact. Every being is unique, and there is no one size fits all. I personally still eat small amounts of animal protein. It’s what my body needs in this life stage. Instead, I simply choose to make an abundance of plant foods the foundation of my meals. This is a more realistic, sustainable, and less restrictive approach. If you do feel best continuing to incorporate occasional high-quality animal protein, view it as a ‘condiment’ rather than the star of the show.
Shop second hand
Everything we need already exists in this world. From clothing and furniture to books and household items - the options for purchasing second hand are truly endless! I still love to splurge on a brand new clothing item or gorgeous piece of furniture every now and then. But over the years, I’ve found second hand shopping to be incredibly rewarding. Purchasing second hand allows me to find pieces that are truly unique. It’s helped me cultivate my own style, and discover what I inherently love. There’s something SO rewarding about thrifting the perfect pair of vintage jeans, or finding a unique piece for your home. And you can feel extra good knowing that you’re loving on mother earth, too. Some of my favourite places to shop: local thrift stores, refurbished furniture stores, garage sales in the Spring time, and online markets (like Facebook Market Place and Craigslist!)
Switch to non-toxic products
Conventional cleaners, body care, makeup, and household products contain dozens of harmful chemicals and additives. These toxins leach into our air, water, and environment, harming wildlife, the planet, and human health. Switching to non-toxic alternatives might sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to happen all at once! Start slow by using up what you have, then simply replacing each item with a greener, cleaner alternative. Be mindful of ingredients, and watch for greenwashing on product labels. Before I make a purchase, I always look the product up first on Environmental Working Group. This website is an excellent resource to help you decode confusing labels and understand what’s actually in your products!
Shop sustainably
Support earth-friendly companies
One of the most powerful ways we can make change is to ‘vote with our dollars’. Many companies are taking initiatives to implement sustainable practices, from using compostable packaging to utilizing environmentally friendly materials. Do your research, and invest in companies who share similar environmental beliefs. Look for certifications such as B Corp, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance Certified, GreenGuard Certified, WaterSense, USDA Organic, and 1% for the Planet.
Favour low waste
Low and zero-waste shops are becoming increasingly more popular, with options to bring your own containers and purchase everything from laundry soap to pasta sauce! Support your local farmers, and utilize markets in the Spring and Summer months to find fresh produce, baked breads, and homemade soap. Do your best to stay away from single use plastics, and purchase products without excessive packaging.
Buy in bulk
Bulk shopping is a great way to reduce plastic waste, while simultaneously saving money! Bulk items typically have a larger food-to-packaging ratio, and certain bulk food shops let you bring your own containers to fill. I personally love to buy nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and nut butters in bulk, along with large bags of various flours for baking.
Reusable bags, water bottles, + cuttlery
Sometimes the smallest changes are the most affective, because they’re easy to implement and permanently stick with. A selection of cloth tote bags for shopping, a large glass water bottle to take on the go, and a metal straw / pair of wooden utensils for your purse should be essentials in any household. The best part is you really only need to purchase these things once. Overtime, incorporating them becomes a natural and unconscious part of your day.
Wear more, wash less
How often do you wash your clothes each week? While doing laundry may seem like a mundane yet harmless task, washing machines and dryers use up large amounts of water and energy. The solution? Wash your clothes less! We often don’t need to wash items as much as we think we do. I encourage you to re-ware tops, pants, and jackets multiple times before considering throwing them in the wash. Items like jeans actually don’t need to be washed on a weekly basis, and often hold up best without it. Not only does this reduce energy and water waste, but it also helps preserve the life of our clothes. Other earth-friendly ways to care for clothing include line drying over heated dryers, and avoiding conventional laundry detergents that leak toxins into the environment.
Re-purpose, re-use, recycle
A little imagination (and generosity!) goes a long way. There are endless creative ways to repurpose and reuse items you already own. Used pasta sauce jars suddenly become the perfect flower vase or cute vessel to store seeds. Old mugs transform into homemade candle holders or the perfect little succulent pot. Pass on clothing you no longer wear to family members, friends, or women’s shelters. Donate old books, furniture, and un-used household items to thrift shops, refurb stores, or people in your community. One person’s ‘trash’ is another person’s ‘treasure’!
Create Your own earth cleanup
This past Earth day, my partner and I participated in our own ‘beach cleanup’. We grabbed some bags, a pair of gloves, and headed down to our local beach. An hour later, we left with two heaped bags full of trash. Waste is everywhere, but we’re often conditioned to overlook it. When you begin to pay attention, you might be surprised by what you see. Grab a group of friends, select a date every month, and choose a new location each time. From your favourite beach to the local park (or even your own neighborhood!) the opportunity to make the earth a little cleaner is infinite. Clean-ups offer a beautiful opportunity to give back to mama earth - while simultaneously being outside to enjoy her magic!
Live in sync with nature’s rhythms
The earth provides a built-in lighting system - the sun! Becoming in touch with nature’s natural rhythms is a beautiful way to enhance both planetary health and personal well-being. When we’re able to rise with the dawn and wind down with the dusk, we align our body with the earth’s natural daylight hours. By making the most of daylight, we can greatly reduce our need for artificial lighting. The Spring, Summer, and early autumn months offer an opportunity to avoid turning on lights all together. In the evenings and winter season, utilize candles, dim lighting, and the moon’s natural glow during certain times of the month.
