Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 49

It’s Hemp History Week!

Happy hemp history week! I love using hemp, I’ve been a fan for over two decade. This plant is seriously special, it’s uses are extremely versatile and it’s environmental impact is low. When I did a collaboration with EcoTools, all our cosmetic bags were made of hemp. I still use these to this day! Besides using it as fabric to make clothes; hemp is also a great source of complete protein with ten amino acids, omega-3 and -6 essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, and iron (hemp milk, protein, seeds!). It can also be used to make cosmetics, building materials, and auto parts (for real)!

During Hemp History Week, there will be events happening all over the country, designed to renew support for hemp farming in the U.S. and to educate elected officials about the economic benefits of growing non-drug, industrial hemp on American soil. Read more about the campaign to get involved!

In honor of this hemp history week, I’m sharing some of my favorite hemp-based items below.

Oil

This oil has valuable super omega-3 (SDA) and super omega-6 (GLA), which can help the body metabolize fat. You can use this oil in smoothies, salads, vegetables, and sometimes pasta dishes. It’s delicious on salads!

Shampoo

Wonderseed’s sweet orange shampoo includes a yummy blend of organic hemp seed oil with other natural ingredients like licorice root extract, jasmine blossom extract, orange essential oil, cocoa butter and more. They also have this in a conditioner version.

 

Backpack

When I was in Hawaii with Bear last year, he got really excited about the hemp this backpack and  I couldn’t resist getting for him. I intended to borrow it but in actuality I’ve been using it everyday!

Seeds

These nutrient packed hemp hearts are a healthy addition to smoothies, salads, rice bowls, more. They are delicious! Per serving, there’s 10 grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of omega-3 and omega-6 per 30-gram! We use these seeds to make fresh hemp milk!

What hemp products are you loving? Will you be celebrating hemp history week?

 

Top Photo by Manitoba Harvest 

Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War

Every day an estimated 100 elephants are murdered for their tusks,  3 rhinos are murdered for their horns, and 300 pangolins are poached. This is insanely devastating. It’s also the heartbreaking, cruel reality of the illegal wildlife trade market, that’s worth over $20 billion annually.  Given the tremendous scale of poaching, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless. However, there are so many badass women doing incredibly powerful work to stop poaching on the front lines! Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War is a new documentary that explores the poaching crisis through a female lens from the perspective of courageous women who are making a difference. Woman like Marume Nene, a Zulu woman and an endangered species monitor working at ground zero on a private game reserve in Kwa Zulu Natal.  Watch the inspiring trailer below and visit their website for upcoming screening locations!

 

 

Top Photo by Tomáš Malík

Get Toxic Pesticides Out of Our National Wildlife Refuges

The United States’ 562 national wildlife refuges are the world’s largest collection of land set aside specifically for the preservation of imperiled fish and wildlife… yet somehow industrial-scale commercial farming of crops like corn and soybeans has become common on these refuge lands.  A report by the Center for Biological Diversity reveals that an estimated 490,000 pounds of pesticides were dumped on commodity crops like corn, soybeans and sorghum grown in national wildlife refuges in 2016. Say what? These refuge lands serve as vital habitat for more than 280 species protected under the Endangered Species Act, so what business does toxic agricultural practices have in taking place here?

It may come as a shock to you but these wildlife refuges allow “cooperative agriculture.” Historically the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the refuges, has allowed private farming on refuge land in order to help prepare seed beds for native habitat, such as grasslands, and to provide food for migratory birds and other wildlife. Today, however, industrial farming and the heavy pesticide use that comes along with it are commonplace on refuge lands. Nationwide every region of the refuge system except Alaska allows farming practices that often include the use of pesticides tied to commercial crops like corn and soybeans.

The Center researched this chemical use by way of obtaining records from the Freedom of Informations Act from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The pesticides used include highly toxic herbicides dicamba and 2,4-D, which threaten endangered species and migrating birds that wildlife refuges were created to protect.

Specifically, in 2016 more than 270,000 acres of refuge land were sprayed with pesticides for agricultural purposes. The five national wildlife refuge complexes most reliant on pesticides for agricultural purposes in 2016 were:

Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex in California and Oregon, with 236,966 pounds of pesticides;
Central Arkansas Refuges Complex in Arkansas, with 48,725 pounds of pesticides;
West Tennessee Refuge Complex in Tennessee, with 22,044 pounds of pesticides;
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Tennessee, with 16,615 pounds of pesticides;
Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, with 16,442 pounds of pesticides.

To protect these species as well as the overall health of our wildlife refuges, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needs ban the use of toxic pesticides. It’s time for the Service to stop prioritizing commercial agricultural interests over wildlife, birds, and the health of these precious ecosystems. Join me in urging them to discontinue the use of toxic pesticides for commercial agriculture on our national wildlife refuges immediately! Make your voice heard by signing this petition and contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today!

And by the way, this is a great reminder of why organic food is so important. Remember to vote with your dollar! Unless you’re buying organic, your food could be polluted with these nasty toxins.

 

 

Photo: Dennis Buchner

What I’m Most Proud of with mykind Organics & More via Purist

I spoke with Purist about wellness, health, and more. Check out our q&a below!

You’ve been a vegan/vegetarian and committed animal rights advocate for a long time now.  What first made you aware of the plight of animals?

I’ve been an animal lover ever since I was a little girl. My mom was the same way; if we saw a stray dog running in the street, we would rescue it, which I still do to this day! Because of this love for animals I flirted with vegetarianism throughout adolescence but it wasn’t until I was 21 that it really struck me profoundly and became all in. I watched the documentary The Witness and took a look at my dog and thought “If I’m not willing to eat you, how can I continue to eat these other creatures that have the same desire to live, are just as funny, and have the same reaction to pain as my dogs?” I had a realization that I was an animal lover eating animals and it didn’t feel right to be aware of the terrible reality behind the animal agriculture industry and condone them by actively participating in it with a non-vegan diet. I realized that until I stopped purchasing animal products, the suffering would never end. Little did I know, this diet would completely transform my health – ditched my asthma inhaler, weekly allergy shots, and acne.

  It’s so much easier to eat a healthy and delicious vegan diet today than in years past, whether cooking for yourself or dining out. Can you talk a little about how you like to cook for yourself at home now and what restaurants you cherish (at home in LA or elsewhere in the world)—with some specificity about favorite dishes/approaches to cooking etc.?

My books The Kind Mama and The Kind Diet have some of my absolute favorite recipes! A couple highlights for me from The Kind Mama include Protein Packed Waffles, Veggie Sausage and Sweet Potato Hash, and Chocolate-Dunked Coconut Delights. From The Kind Diet some go-to dishes include: Quick Date-Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal, Artichoke, Mushroom, and Leek Crostini wi th Pesto, Bok Choy Drizzled in Ume Vinaigrette, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. Other go-tos really depend on the season and what’s fresh in our garden. In the summer I make killer salads that Bear helps me put together. In the winter I love a warming soup.

Some of eateries I love in LA include Vromage; they have so many insane nut-cheeses and tasty sandwiches, and Crossroads Kitchen! Crossroad’s menu changes seasonally but delicious dishes I enjoy include the vichyssoise soup, Impossible sliders, truffle potatoes, squash blossoms, and the peach sundae! In New York, I frequent Souen, Candle 79, and ABCV. Soen has truly nourishing foods that has been a staple for me for the past decade – items like greens and daikon, kinpira, yuba soup, maze rice, and watercress salad. Candle 79 and the Candle Cafes have yum fun dishes like seitan picatta, seitan chimichurri, and peanut butter bliss. ABCV is out of this world, Jean George’s food is seriously next level. The beet carpaccio is insane.

Being a vegan and an environmentalist go hand in hand. Can you talk a little about how the two are related and your commitment to the causes? 

Plant-based eating is one of the most effective ways to help save our planet. Animal agriculture is responsible for 51% of greenhouse gas emissions and is the leading cause of deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution. It’s as if you have two meals of equal yumminess side by side – but one plate’s adverse for the earth, your health, and further’s world hunger. The other plate is harmless and healing. It’s a choice that’s a no brainer to me!

Was mykind Organics a natural progression for you, an extension of the kind of cruelty-free health regimen that being vegan is for you?

Yes! This vitamin journey began when I was pregnant with my son Bear. In order to grow the healthiest little human possible, I was already feeding my body with all the clean, nutrition-packed foods that had transformed my health years ago. But because these babies can be little nutrition vampires-and because some days were not all sunshine and kale – I wanted to have peace of mind that I was getting every health-supporting vitamin and mineral that my body needed during this special time. I embarked on a quest to find the cleanest prenatal vitamin possible, ideally one that was aligned with the way I eat: organic, Non-GMO, plant-based, and free of funky processed junk. I didn’t want a bottle of chemical isolates dressed up with organic fluff. The vitamin I wanted to take didn’t exist. So I went looking for a partner – the stars aligned with Garden of Life – and I co-founded mykind Organics. It is made from whole foods, Certified USDA organic, Non-GMO verified and free of synthetic binders and fillers.  

What do you hope to inspire in people with mykind? 

mykind Organics hopes to inspire the gift of empowered health. When diving into the world of vitamins I found time and time again, the vitamin market is just like the processed food racket: producers can market themselves as natural without meeting any major criteria. They can also pile a whole bunch of chemical isolates and synthetic fillers in there, put a pretty green leaf on the label, and call it a day. mykind Organics provides truly healthful farm to bottle supplements!

What are you most proud of about it?

mykind Organics’ leadership in innovation, transparency, and sustainability! From utilizing organic farmers, inventing Clean Tablet Technology which binds our capsules with organic plant material (not artificial funk), sweetening our gummies with only organic fruit and using fruit pectin (made from organic oranges and apples) instead of gelatin (boiled animal skin and bones), extracting our herbals with water and organic Non-GMO alcohol – not hexane or GMO ethanol (like everyone else is doing), and enclosing our supplements in packaging with mostly post-consumer recycled content!

There are supplements for many common ailments—from disruptive sleep (Sleep Well) to daily stress (Adrenal Daily Balance ) and seasonal colds with your Oil of Oregano drops, etc.  Can you say a few words about the range of products and why it was important for you to help people deal with these issues, rather than only offering a multiple vitamin?

Multivitamins cover your bases and in my life serve as a great insurance policy. While a multi is incredibly powerful to have for nutritional supplementation, I’m thrilled we also offer targeted nutrient supplements (B12, Vitamin C, Iron, D3, B-Complex, Plant Collagen) and 16 herbal blends because each of our bodies and day of the week is unique! When I’m working long hours and feeling run down, the Adrenal Daily Balance offers a much-needed extra boost. If I’m feeling like a cold is coming on, I reach for my Elderberry Syrup/Gummies, Vitamin C Spray, and Turmeric Golden Milk. If I’m travelling or have a lot on my mind, the Sleep Well R&R spray comes in handy for peaceful restorative sleep!

What is one thing you would recommend taking every day? And what are the herbal supplements that you personally can’t survive without everyday, and why?

Before we made our own truly clean mykind Organics supplements I didn’t want to take anything on a regular basis. Now that mykind Organics exists, I try to take our B Complex, B-12 Spray, and Vitamin C Cherry Tangerine spray. I also take our 40+ Multivitamin Gummy as a sweet treat that’s also good for me! Some herbal supplements I use as needed include mykind Organics Sleep Well R&R Spray, Ashwagandha, Adrenal Balance, and our delicious Elderberry Gummies.

What’s on the horizon for mykind?

We have so many ideas in the pipeline. Stay tuned!

In what ways did having a child of your own deepen your commitment to the health of the planet and its inhabitants?

Given our food’s immense impact on the planet and it’s biodiversity – if we love our little ones, we must care for the home they inhabit by showing respect, love, and compassion for all that’s in it: every resource, every creature.

What kinds of physical fitness do you enjoy/do regularly, and please talk a little about what it does for you physically/mentally…

I love yoga, circuit training, pilates and walking in nature. Bear and I enjoy hiking together and frequent dance parties! Getting movement in the body helps me feel energized and refreshed.

  Do you have a meditation practice or another way of staying grounded on a regular basis?

I meditate but not on a strict daily basis. Sometimes when I walk I try to meditate by listening and being present with the sounds of nature, smelling the air, and feeling my steps. My diet is really the core to feeling grounded. It leaves me so much more clear-minded, present, openhearted and connected to the earth. I try to eat slowly and chew, chew, chew! Present with every nourishing bite. Lots of tips on this stuff in my book The Kind Diet!  

What kinds of roles/stories do you find most enlivening at this point in life, and w hat upcoming acting projects are you most excited about?

Juicy characters that have depth! It really depends but typically I love roles that I can sink my teeth into, ones that are complicated, contradictory, and interest me. Recently I was the lead in two indie films, Judy Small and The Pleasure of Your Presence. Both roles were so much fun and great interesting parts to play. Last year, I really enjoyed played Bonnie Nolan on the TV show American Woman. Bonnie was a feisty mama in the 70’s time period. Overall, I’m excited about working with filmmakers like I did on The Killing of a Sacred Deer (Yorgos Lanthimos) and most recently, The Lodge ( Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala).

The Lodge  premiered at Sundance to rave reviews. Can you tell us about working on it? Looks frightening—in a good way!

At this time I have yet to see it! But I can’t wait to watch it. I’m a bit scared! Some of my friends saw it and jumped into each other’s arms at a certain point in the film where I do something… The filmmakers Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala were so interesting. It was such a cool artistic experience. It was also nice to work again with Lia McHugh, who played my daughter in American Woman, and I play her mom in The Lodge.

How do you cultivate a sense of well-being in the home?

Food is number one, hands-down cooking and serving plant-based meals. Bear and I maintain a veggie garden in our backyard and make it a ritual to plant and harvest together. We also supplement gardening with weekly farmers market adventures.

After food, every material in our house has been consciously considered for its sustainability and health. A couple examples, almost all of the furniture in our house is vintage and bought second hand; we have a house filtration system so we can drink and cook with clean water while also preventing the use of plastic bottles; our greywater is recycled to water our fruit trees; and we utilize Branch Basics non-toxic eco cleaning materials so there’s no funky chemicals or ample plastic spray bottles lying around our house.

 

Photo: Brian Bowen Smith

Honoring Mamas

Being a mama takes every morsel of your being. You want to feel your best and get the best quality of sleep, so you have ample energy to be present and available for every precious moment with your little one. Embracing the kind diet has without a doubt supercharged my ability to feel more energized and sustained, so I can truly savor every moment with Bear.

My nutrition sets the foundation for everything that ripples out in my life. Food combined with supplements and sleep is an incredibly powerful trifecta that helps me feel my absolute best. Getting nutrition straight from food is my top priority, but supplements serve a crucial safety net. Especially as our bodies age and go through biological transitions, it is helpful to have a little nutritional back up.

That said, my go-to supplements are B Complex, B-12 spray, and Vitamin C Cherry Tangerine spray (so yum!). I also take our 40+ multivitamin gummy as a sweet treat that’s also good for me and our Ashwagandha, Sleep Well spray, and Adrenal Balance as needed.

In honor of Mother’s Day and all you amazing kind mamas, we’re giving away some mykind Organics!  Enter below my leaving me a comment nominating a mama you love and tell me why they’d appreciate some mykind love! 

The 3 recipients will be announced on Saturday, 5/11.

With love,

Alicia

• LIMIT ONE COMMENT PER ENTRY. MULTIPLE COMMENT ENTRIES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. (NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING, SORRY).

• THIS GIVEAWAY ENDS AT MIDNIGHT PST, FRIDAY 5/10/2019 

• AFTER WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED, ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLAIMING YOUR PRIZE WILL BE EMAILED.

• NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS GIVEAWAY.

• VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 

Photo: Kristin Burns

Guest Blog: Discover a Younger-Looking (+ Feeling) You.. In the Kitchen

By Christina Pirello

In the spring, we all talk about giving our homes a ‘facelift.’ We clean closets, wash windows, de-clutter and get rid of the ‘cobwebs’ of winter.

But what if you could rejuvenate and refresh your very real face with some simple tweaks to your food choices? Can you really get a facelift from what’s in your fridge? In my experience…and I have a lot…one of the most pronounced and gratifying effects of eating a well-balanced, anti-inflammatory diet is the radiance that your skin takes on.

Everyone seems to love a good cleanse these days but Mother Nature supplies us with a bounty of naturally detoxifying foods that help the body eliminate environmental and dietary toxins…and at the same time, support the optimal function of critical organs. And the most powerful naturally detoxifying food is green vegetables!

Green foods are powerful. They help detoxify and can counter the effects of that wee too much alcohol or fun foods you may have indulged in at the spring fling you attended. Green foods include an array of plant-based delicately-flavored foods like dark leafy greens, baby kale, baby spinach, young barely grass, blue green algae, wheat grass, spirulina, watercress, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli sprouts, baby arugula, and escarole.

The chlorophyll present in greens is magic! Chlorophyll aka the plant’s ‘blood’ is what allows these greens to soak up the sun and transform it into food. In my humble view, there hasn’t been near enough fuss about greens’ magical powers, so here are four reasons why greens and their chlorophyll could be the secret ingredient to your best skin yet:

Healthy Skin Means You’re Healthy

Chlorophyll is often affectionately called “plant blood” because it’s the life force of every living plant. A key factor to chlorophyll, is magnesium.

Magnesium is essential to our body’s wellness as more than 300 enzymes require magnesium to work. It’s critical for cardiovascular, digestive and nervous systems function and for optimal function of muscles, kidneys, liver and hormone-secreting glands. And our precious skin? Magnesium helps to move oxygen to your skin and is essential for the efficient metabolism of vitamin C (which is a crucial vitamin for radiant skin). Magnesium also aids in retaining elasticity and the “dewy” nature of our skin as we mature!

Healing

Mother Nature cares for us in so many ways (even though we are consistently careless with her many gifts), but one of her best tricks is the goodness of green’s chlorophyll to help heal cuts and scrapes, burns, nicks, and inflammation. Chlorophyll can even help prevent scarring and infections with natural anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and wound-healing properties. It also helps destroy pesky germs. So eat (or drink) your greens.

Pimple Punishing

Because of its amazing germ killing action (creating an environment that inhibits the growth of bacteria) chlorophyll is great for helping fight breakouts. Pimples are, after all, the body’s attempt to rid itself of toxins and excess through these ugly little sacks of oil, dead skin and bacteria that we all despise.

Chlorophyll fights the bacteria that causes acne and can help stop breakouts or at least help them clear up faster. There’s a number of products that fight acne that contain chlorophyll and they’re great to use topically, but don’t make any excuses…eat or drink your greens daily.

Oh, Them Wrinkles!

Many movie stars maintain an ageless quality but that’s often the result of a team of dermatological and cosmetic professionals. But by simply adding chlorophyll to your beauty routine, you can age like diva as well. Chlorophyll is packed with skin-protecting antioxidants that can help prevent sun damage and delay the onset of wrinkles.

Chlorophyll has the great and unique ability to absorb light, so it can protect you from harmful UV rays. An Australian study of more then 1,000 subjects found that those who ate at least 3 servings of dark leafy greens a day reduced their risk of skin cancer by up to 55%. While a miraculous gift from Mother Nature, chlorophyll is best for its skin protective qualities when you consume it… but it’s not actually sunscreen. Though it’s fab for looking your glowing best, it’s no substitute for sunscreen so remember to protect your precious skin before hanging out in the sun.

Eat your greens and get your spring glow on!

 

PS FROM ALICIA – Don’t go off and buy chlorophyll pills! The chemical process to extract chorophyll isn’t exaclty clean – so it really is best to eat your greens! Steam and blanch, juice sometimes!

 

About Christina

Christina Pirello is one of America’s preeminent authorities on natural and whole foods with a radiant personality that only serves to make her message more powerful. She is the Emmy Award-winning host of the television series Christina Cooks and the author of several books. Her most recent, Back to the Cutting Board, helps you set aside all that tension and pretense and rediscover a pure, joyful passion for the art of cooking.

 

Photo: Victoria Pearson

Duh Compostable Bioplastic > Plastic.. No Not so Fast

Hey kind lifers!

I loved this informative q&a about the ubiquitous “compostable” bioplastic disposable products found all over Los Angeles. I was frankly confused over these ‘compostable’ eco-looking cups, you might be too!  Often when we get “eco-looking” disposable products, most people feel like they get eco bonus points, but in actuality this is misguided! And it’s not the consumer or businesses fault – there’s a lot of misinformation out there so read on to get the full scoop below!

Also remember to go reusable! Reducing waste at the source is the best way to go for our planet – plus there are so many cute and chic reusable options out there!

Thanks EcoLunchBoxes and Céline Jennison for sharing this!

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Plant-based, compostable or biodegradable bio-plastics, most commonly used for utensils, cups, etc. are marketed as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic. But are they better or, ironically, even worse than plastic? 

We sat down with Céline Jennison, the founder of Plastic Tides, a nonprofit organization based in Ithaca, NY, that combines adventure & science to address plastic pollution via stand-up paddleboard expeditions. She explained why compostable or biodegradable bio-plastics, a seemingly good alternative to plastic, might be even worse than plastic. She also shared her favorite alternatives and some solutions that you can easily integrate into your lifestyle.

When the packaging on a bio-plastic product says biodegradable or compostable, what does this really mean? 

Essentially, it means that in an industrial composting facility—where they are able to break the bio-plastic down into tiny pieces and compost it with very high heat—it will biodegrade or compost.

So are the products really compostable by a regular person?

In a home-scale compost bin, they won’t really break down. In order to break down, they must be composted in an industrial composting facility where temperatures get very high due to the immense volume of compost. Another issue is that even when they are composted, the quality of the compost is not very good. The “compostable” bio-plastics break down into a very sticky, resin-y debris that creates poor compost that’s not rich and nutritious for plants like compost from truly organic materials.

In Ithaca, NY, where I undertook my undergrad at Cornell University, the city doesn’t allow people to put compostable utensils into the waste stream because of the various issues.

Is it true that most of the products labeled biodegradable, degradable, compostable, etc., actually can’t be recycled?

That’s correct. They can’t be recycled because they’re not plastic. If you put them into recycling, it can screw up the waste stream. Even when you’re recycling plastic, the plastic has to be separated by colors. So when the recycling arrives at the sorting facility, if they find items that can’t be recycled such as the compostable utensils, rather than taking the time to sort it all out, they just send it [all] to the landfill. There’s a big potential negative impact on the recycling stream as well.

For example, if a restaurant offers “compostable” utensils when people get take-out, the odds that their customers are properly disposing of that compostable utensil are really low. And if they’re offering them in the restaurant and sending them to an industrial facility, they need a lot of signage to make sure that people put them in the composting and not in the recycling; and [they need to] sort through the recycling to remove any compostable utensils that were tossed in. Otherwise, it’s likely the entire batch of recycling will just end up in the landfill.

That certainly defeats the purpose. Are there other negative outcomes beyond potentially creating more waste?

Yes. It takes a lot of resources to create a biodegradable or compostable utensil or piece of dishware.

Most of the compostable utensils are made with corn. Corn is an annual crop that is intensive to grow and is usually grown in a monoculture system. It has to be seeded and watered, and the soil tilled. The corn that is used to make the bio-plastics is not organic, and there’s a lot of pesticide use as well. The end result is that valuable agricultural land was used to create something that just gets thrown away.

Then, there’s the environmental cost of disposal but also the environmental impact of the resources to make and transport the product in the first place.

There’s also the irony that the compostable utensils usually come wrapped in a plastic film that’s not biodegradable or recyclable. So there are a lot of costs, including the fact that the compostable utensils are more expensive than reusable items that can be washed and used for years.

So you’re saying that these products might be the worst of the worst! Would you say that recyclable plastic is a better alternative?

It all depends on the situation and how the plastic, or bio-plastic, is disposed of. If you’re going to recycle a plastic utensil, from an environmental standpoint, it’s actually a better choice than a compostable one, unless you’re sure the compostable item will be composted in an industrial facility.

But if a bio-plastic fork, for example, ended up floating around in the ocean, wouldn’t it eventually break down, unlike plastic?

No. The fork made from bio-plastic would act just like plastic and [only] break down into smaller and smaller pieces because it needs a high temperature to really break down.

What’s another misconception people have about bio-plastic utensils and other dinnerware like plates and cups?

The biggest issue is that it sends the message that we can still live in a disposable economy and have it both ways. Recycling is similar. By recycling, people feel that they’re doing their part for the environment, when what we really need to do is produce less waste in the first place.

What about big events like concerts, sports events, weddings or parties?

If you’re hosting a big event like a music festival, there are better options than bio-plastics. If you need disposable plates, bowls or utensils, using soft, fast-growing trees or bamboo—i.e., primary organic materials that can truly be composted—is a better choice.

You can also buy plates and bowls made out of leaves and other organic materials. The great thing about these is that they are visibly compostable, so if you are composting at your event, it’s more likely guests will understand what to do with them. For cups and plates, choosing unbleached cardboard without plastic or wax linings, which again can truly be recycled or composted, is also a better choice. Bakeys is a brand of utensils that’s edible. So with a little research, you can find better alternatives to fake bio-degradable stuff.

For a big event such as a wedding or party, you can also hire a company that will provide the reusable cups and plates, deliver them, and picks them up after. If you’re hiring a caterer, make sure they use real dishware and utensils!

Céline at the market in Chicama, Peru. Buying fresh, unpackaged fruits and vegetables, and choosing bulk foods that you transport in your own containers are easy ways to cut down on the waste from food packaging. 

What’s the best alternative?

Bring your own! There are so many great products on the market that make it really easy to bring reusables with you whenever you’re out and about.

What are some of your favorite reusable solutions?

Well, obviously ECOlunchbox! I like the Splash Box from the Blue Water Bento collection because I often make salads to go, and I can fit a lot more of my salad inside. The Stainless Steel Spork is great for soup, too.

Klean Kanteen is my go-to water bottle; To-Go Ware utensil sets for utensils; Chico Bags and canvas bags for shopping; and I have a Thermos that I’ve had for years and a stainless steel insulated mug—I don’t even know what brand it is.

What else should people think about if they’re trying to reduce their impact and live more sustainably?

There are other things that are part of the reusable, sustainable lifestyle. For example, I make all of my body care products, and I sew my own little bags for produce and other items that I buy at the grocery store. I also use Khala Cloths at home to wrap and preserve food instead of plastic wrap, plastic baggies or even aluminum foil.

Do you have suggestions for someone shifting to a more waste-free lifestyle?

It’s easier if you focus on one area of your life or a particular activity at a time. For example, you could start with how you save and preserve your food and leftovers at home, and integrate items like canning jars and Khala Cloths [reusable waxed canvas] into your kitchen. Or you could focus on solutions to single-use items when you’re out and about, like bringing a reusable bottle with you instead of drinking bottled water and bringing your own cutlery and even a metal or glass straw. You could focus on shopping, starting with bringing your own bags, and then move to think about how things are packaged, and bring your own container to your local market and bulk-food store.

Two golden rules to the zero waste lifestyle are (1) planning ahead and (2) refusing unnecessary things. There’s no denying that zero waste practitioners spend time planning ahead, especially when traveling. And we’ve learned to refuse stuff like plastic-wrapped candy, useless freebies handed out at events and all the rest of it.

I call this journey toward waste-free living the Zero Waste Voyage; if you were to imagine yourself going on an expedition on a paddleboard and only had one tiny jar to carry your trash, what excess packaging could you eliminate in your life? (Ladies: single-use sanitary products? Men: single-use razors?) The second aspect of this voyage is that you won’t become a guru overnight, but if you take it step by step and keep building on your success, over time you’ll be able to reduce your waste dramatically. In many cases, this can save you tons of money!

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Kind lifers –

I hope this clears up some confusion over bioplastic to-go ware. In sum, these bioplastic items are not a good option and are vary rarely actually composted — except in some areas – shout out to Marin County & San Francisco for example. If you’re still not clear please call your local sanitation/waste hauler to get some answers! Once you determine if industrial composting is actually happening in your city – educate your local eco restaurants! If the business is kind and sweet enough to spend extra dollars to purchase these products, they need to know it’s not actually getting composted but instead is greenwashing. While we appreciate their good intentions, it’s a waste of money and resources. Thank you for paying attention friends!

– Alicia 

 

About Céline Jennison and Plastic Tides:

Céline is an avid water woman, outdoor educator, and sustainability consultant. She has been making her own medicine and cosmetics since the age of 12 and holds a BSc. from Cornell University in Plant Science and an MPhil from Oxford University in Environmental Change and Management.

As an undergraduate, she co-founded the nonprofit Plastic Tides—combining adventure and science to address plastic pollution via stand- up paddleboard expedition, education, and outreach. Céline is an inspirational public speaker and uses the prism of an expedition to encourage people to reduce waste in their day-to-day life. She leads group off-grid living trips and hands-on workshops.

You can learn about her own Zero Waste Voyage and follow her adventures here.

 

Top Photo: Kristin Burns

Honor the Earth by Going Veg

I’ve said many times but it’s so true! Every day is earth day for me and most kind lifers! But in celebration of this magnificent planet, will you join me again in encouraging friends and family who aren’t plant-lovers to try going veg for Earth Week (4/22-4/28)? Making changes to your diet has one of the most powerful impacts on reducing one’s carbon footprint and helping heal the planet. Plus, you will be introduced to world full of vibrant delicious foods! Loved ones can take the “VegPledge” for the week and receive tons of support and recipes. Plus, you can check out all the veg-friendly delicious restaurants in your community and make it a fun yet nutritious adventure. Watch the cute video below for pledge inspo!

 

To kick off veg-week I’m sharing my Fat Fried Noodles recipe from The Kind Mama below. I love these noodles! They’re great and way healthier than takeout

Inspiring Show for Kids

A little while ago I met a kind lifer at an event who told me she was inspired to be veggie from the show Braceface! I had so much fun producing and doing the voice of Sharon! Sharon is vegan and eco 14-year old taking on high school. She loves animals and struggles with things like frog dissection in science class! It could inspire your kids to be eco-warriors or help support their potential veggie journey. Plus an accident at the orthodontist’s office has her braces do some pretty wild stuff! It’s a super cute show that I was so happy to be a part of. Miss you Sharon!

Seasons are available for download on Amazon Prime, YouTube, or iTunes!

Did you watch Braceface growing up??

Excited for Passover!

We’re getting excited for Passover! Will you and your loved ones be celebrating? I’d love to hear how in the comments below!

Last year one memory that stuck out was going to an Orthodox Passover service in San Diego. A vegan meal was provided by the Temple which was nice! Since this temple was Orthodox, there was a clear partition between the men and women, so when you walked in the ladies were on one side and the males on the other. Bear went straight up to the front of the men’s section and really absorbed the whole experience! Front and center in the action! At the end, the Rabbi asked who he was – impressed and enthused by Bear’s curiosity and passion. Side note: Bear happened to have a string – similar to the Orthodox tzitsis (a string/fringe that hangs down from the waist, derived from the commandment in Book of Numbers). To be honest, I have no idea where this came from, he either made it knowing what it was or just by accident had it? The Rabbi also noticed this and complemented it.  How cute are these photos..

If your wondering what all this religious speak is about, check out this blog explaining it. As I’ve mentioned before, Bear is thrilled about his Jewish heritage. It’s so innocent and sweet! Though it’s exciting and significant to him and I have a deep connection and appreciate for my Jewish upbringing, what I value about the holiday is honoring the celebrating tradition for it’s festivity and culture. I really like creating rhythm and ritual for Bear by marking the time and moment. If you missed my blog recapping our 2017 Passover Sedar, check it out! Such yum food and great photos!

Happy Passover Kind Lifers! Stay tuned to my Instagram to see snapshots of our celebration in real time