Rapid Fire Q&A

10/06/22 • 32 min

Sustainable Minimalists

We're at it again! Today I'm answering 5 listener questions in a rapid-fire format.

Here's a preview of the questions I'm answering today:

[1:30] Are laundry detergent strips *actually* eco-friendly? What about TruEarth strips specifically?

[7:00] Is eco-friendly pet parenting possible and, if so, how?

[17:45] Is the Yuka app worth the hype?

[22:30] Tofu containers, oat milk cartons, and more: How can I reduce packaging waste from plant-based foods?

[28:00] How do minimalists gift their children during the holidays?

Resources mentioned:

West Paw dog essentials
Yuka app for iOS and Android
TruEarth laundry detergent strips
The Very Best Christmas Gifts That Aren't Toys
Join our (free!) community here
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
Email me and say hello! [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)

Thank you to our sponsor! Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free.

Our Sponsors:
* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

We're at it again! Today I'm answering 5 listener questions in a rapid-fire format.

Here's a preview of the questions I'm answering today:

[1:30] Are laundry detergent strips *actually* eco-friendly? What about TruEarth strips specifically?

[7:00] Is eco-friendly pet parenting possible and, if so, how?

[17:45] Is the Yuka app worth the hype?

[22:30] Tofu containers, oat milk cartons, and more: How can I reduce packaging waste from plant-based foods?

[28:00] How do minimalists gift their children during the holidays?

Resources mentioned:

West Paw dog essentials
Yuka app for iOS and Android
TruEarth laundry detergent strips
The Very Best Christmas Gifts That Aren't Toys
Join our (free!) community here
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
Email me and say hello! [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)

Thank you to our sponsor! Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free.

Our Sponsors:
* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Previous Episode

(Re)Purposeful Organization

We often think the solution to our household woes lies in better organization, but marketing pros have commercialized tidiness. "Getting organized" often entails purchasing plastic totes and baskets: Before we know it, we've spent boatloads of money to put order to the stuff we're storing.

Desk organizers, drawer dividers, specialized hangers, oh my: When we talk about living our best lives with less, we're also talking about living with fewer commercialized organization "systems".

If you're looking for motivation to flex your repurposing and organizational muscles this episode is for you. Today I speak with hospitality and organizing expert Leslie Lehr about stylish organization that goes beyond plastic bins and containers. She's on the show to offer her best repurposing tips (that also happen to be quite simple!) for common household items.

Here's a preview:

[8:45] Exactly where plastic bins and baskets fall short for both organizing and decor

[14:30] Evaluating alternate uses for glassware and vases

[16:00] How to take a ho-hum shoebox and make it aesthetically pleasing

[19:30] Practical reuses for spice jars, plus: the many uses of Mason jars

[24:00] Sentimental bowls, trays, and other houseware items: How to incorporate heirlooms into your seasonal decor

Resources mentioned:

Episode #120: Innovative repurposing jars for mason jars
Leslie on Instagram
Join our (free!) community here
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
Email me and say hello! [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)

Thank you to our sponsors!

Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free
KiwiCo: Get your first month on any crate line free at kiwico.com/sustainablekiwi

Our Sponsors:
* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Next Episode

Fashion "Rules"

Fashion rules abound and, historically, it's the patriarchy that has embedded them into our collective psyche. That's right: women's clothing is heavily influenced by the opinions of men, and just a few of the most common man-inspired fashion "rules" include:

Women would do well to wear "flattering" clothes (a.k.a. ones that bring them closer to the coveted hourglass silhouette).
External appearance is paramount to comfort (Here's looking at you SPANX, stilettos, and wired push-up bras).
While strong, straight silhouettes are powerful and masculine; tall and curvy ones are inherently feminine. If women want to be taken seriously, they must power dress (think: blazers and straight, tailored slacks).

Fashion rules tend to influence our shopping habits whether we realize it or not. Today I'm speaking with personal stylist Dacy Gillespie about *exactly how* to reject societal messaging around what you "should" wear so you can live your best intentional life.

Here's a preview:

[4:15] The concept of “flattering” is a part of diet culture. Here's why it shouldn't be a priority in your wardrobe

[8:30] Exactly how the trend cycle preys on women's insecurities to sell clothes

[13:00] Thoughts on the guilt many of us experience when we reject commonly held fashion rules

[15:15] Influencer culture and why we shouldn't buy what our favorite influencers recommend

[19:00] The patriarchy and the male gaze: How women have historically been conditioned to prioritize their external appearance over their own comfort

[22:00] Practical ways to reject commonly held fashion rules next time you shop for clothes

Join our (free!) community here
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
Email me and say hello! [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)