3 Totally Achievable Goals for Sustainable Living
It's always the perfect time to set goals that not only benefit ourselves but also the planet we call home. Embracing sustainable practices is a powerful way to make a positive impact on the environment and contribute to a greener future.
The good news is that sustainable living doesn't have to be overwhelming or unattainable. In fact, there are three totally achievable goals that you can incorporate into your daily life for a more sustainable lifestyle. Let's explore these goals and discover how small changes can lead to significant positive change.
Commit to Eating More Seasonally
One of the best things that you can do is to eat more seasonally. What’s seasonal eating? It’s being aware and observant of the foods that are naturally available in your area during each season and choosing to eat them over other foods.
So why does this make a difference?
Seasonal eating means that you will be eating more food that is grown, raised, or produced closer to where you live. By reducing the miles your food has to travel, you’ll help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Just think about the journey that a banana from Belize has to travel to get into your shopping cart!)
By eating seasonally, you’ll also be able to capitalize on the flavors and the foods of the season. Our bodies were not made to eat the same foods all the time. Rather, our diet should rotate with the seasons. This allows us to take advantage of the nutrients that nature provides. And, the best part is that the nutrients that are naturally prevalent during a certain season are also the nutrients that our body needs the most!
Support Local Growers
Another amazing thing you can do in 2024 is to support your local farmers, growers, gardeners, ranchers, and producers. Buying directly can make a huge impact!
Think it’s too expensive to shop at the farmer’s market or roadside stand? Think instead about exactly what you are paying for. Not only are you getting the freshest, healthiest foods, but you are also supporting a lot of other important things!
Supporting local food production increases the demand for it. This not only keeps money in your own community (rather than in the hands of large corporations), but it also helps protect farmlands, community gardens, and green spaces. Plus, the demand can help push local municipalities to create more food sovereignty laws, create SNAP programs for fresh foods, increase municipal funding for farmer’s markets and help everyone have better access to healthy foods regardless of their socioeconomic status. Buying locally from small producers also encourages better livelihoods for farmworkers!
Grow Your Own Whenever Possible
If you can, grow your own food whenever possible! Freshly harvested food that’s grown in healthy living soil is the most nutrient-packed food that you can eat! Plus, growing your own food is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your food and also greatly reduce food waste and packaging waste. Beyond that, it’s also one of the best ways to better understand food and nutrition. Connecting with the entire process of growing your food is one of the most eye-opening activities that you can do to better understand yourself, your body, and your environment.
Planted Places help you get started on your growing journey! We take the guesswork out of it by delivering all the supplies and seedlings that you need. You can start small and grow the easy things like herbs and leafy greens and then supplement with food you buy at the farmers market!
Each season, Planted Places partners with a chef to bring you a Seasonal Gardening and Cooking digital course so you know how to grow with the seasons! To make it even easier to get started - we plant for you - taking the time commitment out of the excuses. Find out about our seasonal course here.