As the weather warms up and flowers begin to bloom, it's a reminder that spring is here. The new season, and the home refreshes that often come with it, provide an excellent opportunity to set sustainability goals and start new habits!

Do you have any sort of spring cleaning routine to welcome the new season? As you gear up for spring cleaning, consider the impact of the products used. There are many greener cleaning products on the market that are free from harmful chemicals, making them safer for you, your pets, little ones in the house, and everything they come in contact with when disposed of. Keep an eye-out for products that are plant-based, biodegradable, and eco-friendly, or consider a DIY option. Click here for a place to start.

An awesome idea for adding some literal green to your daily routine is to grow a mini garden on your balcony or patio. Not only will this provide you with the joy of live plants in your space, but, if you choose edible plants, such as herbs or small produce, you can enjoy using them in your meal or cocktail prep. Flowering plants also give pollinators a place to stop as they pass through our community. Check out some ideas on our Pinterest to get started with your balcony garden.

Spring is a popular time for shopping, as the changing weather and season motivates us to look for new clothing and home décor. However, it's important to consider the impact of new purchases on the environment. Itching for some new outfits? Consider a shopping trip to a local thrift/second-hand store store to find new-to-you pieces that contribute less to the waste of fast fashion. When shopping for new pieces, keep an eye out for brands that use eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices. When buying new pieces, sometimes spending a bit more is worth it to have items that will last years, rather than only a season or two.

When going through your clothing and housewares, it's also important to consider what you can reuse in a new way and what can be given a new life. There are so many ideas online for upcycling pre-loved clothing and housewares and, if you're certain you no longer have a use for them, consider donating items that still have life left in them to a secondhand shop, so they can find their way to a new owner, rather than simply being discarded. Check out some ideas to upcycle items you might already have.

Finally, as the weather warms up, consider taking some time to get outside! Take a walk or hike, ride a bike, or simply sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. By reconnecting with nature, you'll be more mindful of the impact of your actions on the environment. Keep an eye out for our next blog post with local outing ideas to connect with nature.

Spring is a wonderful time to practice sustainability and have a positive impact on the environment! Making small changes in our daily lives can make a big difference.

The post Spring Greening – Sustainable Ideas for the New Season appeared first on The Beacon at Waugh Chapel Blog.

Welcome back cooler weather!

Summer 2022 has come and gone. Goodbye to shorts, flipflops, and relaxing by the pool, hello fuzzy socks, sweaters, and warm drinks! The fall equinox began on September 22 and people may feel a bit melancholy with the cooling temperatures and falling leaves. But Fall is a wonderful season and we have some great ideas for how you can embrace the changing season.

With the arrival of autumn, comes an abundance of season favorites, such as pumpkin spice, apple cider, cinnamon, etc. Did you know that this season is one of the best to get healthier due to the harvest of apples, grapes, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkin, and eggplant that can detox your body naturally? This is a great time to experiment with new recipes using these fruits and vegetables to help jump start your mind and body.

The start of a new season is the perfect time to begin new habits and create balance in your life. For example, you could try taking 10 minutes each morning to stretch and practice breathing techniques. Daily routines like this can help you focus and reinvigorate you for the day ahead. Remember that incorporating a little bit of exercise into your daily routine can also help you feel better. Try visiting our on-site fitness center for a more rigorous workout!

Everyone talks about spring cleaning, but, as the season changes, this is the perfect time to bring fresh balance and order to your home. Set goals to complete household chores that may have been neglected during the summertime. Don’t forget to swap out your summer wardrobe and sort through what you want to store, sell, or donate. We have GreenDrop boxes available on-site to make donations easy and convenient.

Are you pulling out your pumpkins and plaid, or maybe even getting ready for Halloween? Fall is the perfect time to refresh your home! For a more sustainable approach, consider picking-out decorations and costume pieces from a secondhand stores or making some of them yourself. Keep an eye here on our blog in early October for some great fall craft ideas and tag us on socials if you try any of them!

Happy fall, everyone!
 

The post Welcome Fall appeared first on The Beacon at Waugh Chapel Blog.