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No Spend June: Spending less, living more
Between birthdays, Mother’s Day, and a nearly completed kitchen renovation, it feels like the past few months have involved a lot of purchases. With summer vacations just around the corner, June feels like the perfect time for a reset and that’s what drew me to the idea of doing a No Spend month this June. Despite the name, a no-spend challenge isn’t about deprivation or avoiding every purchase. Instead, it’s an opportunity to become more intentional about spending and take a closer look at the habits that often happen on autopilot. A coffee on the go, a sale that’s too good to pass up, or another item that promises to…
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8 Sustainable Mother’s Day gift ideas you can make
A sustainable Mother’s Day is about more than skipping plastic—it’s about choosing thoughtful, low-impact ways to celebrate the people who care for us, whether that’s a mother, grandmother, or chosen family member. Each year, I struggle to find something meaningful that also won’t add clutter or waste. Traditional gifts—with excess packaging and short lifespans—never feel quite right. That’s why a more sustainable approach resonates with me: focusing on handmade gifts, reused or natural materials, and shared experiences. I haven’t decided what I’ll make yet, but all of these ideas feel like a step toward less waste and more meaning. Note: In Canada, Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday in…
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9 surprising ways everyday life impacts the environment
We all like to think we’ve got a pretty good handle on how our everyday choices affect the environment. It often feels simple: some things are “good,” others are “bad.” Reusable bags? Good. Plastic? Bad. Eating plant-based? Better. Driving? Worse. But it’s not always that straightforward. Some choices that feel eco-friendly can come with hidden environmental costs, while other small, overlooked actions can actually make a bigger difference than we realize. That gap between what we think helps and what actually does is worth investigating so that we can continue to positively impact the world around us. Surprising things that may have a net harmful effect on the environment Surprising…
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4 Sustainability lessons we can learn from past generations
Economic uncertainty is not new. During the 1930s and 1940s millions of people were forced to drastically change how they lived, consumed, and survived due to the Great Depression and World War II. I recently lost my grandmother and, of course, have been thinking back over time spent with her over the years. It’s interesting to note how many of the careful and frugal habits she developed during challenging times in her life align with modern sustainable living principles. As we continue to face new economic, environmental, and social challenges, I find it comforting to turn to the past for sustainability lessons that provide inspiration on how to respond to…
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The Heat Beneath Our Feet: Unlocking the Potential of Geothermal Power
The planet is electric. It is literally filled with ways for us to create renewable energy and power our lives. Not only can renewable energy provide us with electricity, but it can also help us move away from a dependence on fossil fuels. Our Power, Our Planet is the theme for Earth Day 2025, which carries a focus on “harnessing renewable energy to build a healthy, sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for us all.” With this theme in mind, we are focusing our next few weeks on the different types of renewable energy options. This renewable energy series will take a look at the good, the bad, and the encouraging…
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The Power of the Sun: How Solar Energy is Lighting Up Our Future
The planet is electric. It is literally filled with ways for us to create renewable energy and power our lives. Not only can renewable energy provide us with electricity, but it can also help us move away from a dependence on fossil fuels. Our Power, Our Planet is the theme for Earth Day 2025, which carries a focus on “harnessing renewable energy to build a healthy, sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for us all.” With this theme in mind, we are focusing our next few weeks on the different types of renewable energy options. This renewable energy series will take a look at the good, the bad, and the encouraging…
