Better You, Better Earth

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BETTER YOU, BETTER EARTH

In the pursuit of living a healthy lifestyle, your habitual behaviours could be casting a shadow and creating a problem for the environment. Here’s how to be an ecoconscious consumer.

BY DANIELA DEFEO

In a world full of convenience and instant gratification, it’s easy to forget the pressure our daily activities could have on the environment. From commuting in our cars, grabbing a bottle of water or sporting designer athletic shoes, these everyday practices can cause damage to our planet more than we realize.

To create a healthful, positive change and lead the eco-friendly movement with purpose, there are many green ways to lend Mother Nature a helping hand.

PUSH YOUR LIMITS

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LIFE

Nutrition mission One of the biggest culprits impacting the global environment and our health is food waste. An epidemic that is polluting the air we breathe by discarded food rotting in landfills—it releases methane gas, a greenhouse gas, which is known to contribute to global warming and climate change.

As consumers, a concerted effort can be made by what’s put in the shopping cart to control the likelihood of spoiled food at the home front. Here are the steps you can take to make this process easier: 1. Stay focussed in the grocery store by making a list of essential items required to prep healthy meals.

Ensure that eating-in is your first choice for dining, as to control food portions, and to consume everything you purchase from the market/grocery store. Leftovers from your meals can be packed and stowed in your lunch bag for the next day or frozen to be enjoyed at a later date.

2. Be aware of expiration dates, rotate items in your fridge, or simply give food a simple smell or taste test to conserve food bought and make sure its eaten in good time.

3. Consider purchasing local, sustainable foods on a regular basis from farms and farmers markets. This will ensure the freshest of produce and other food items are hitting your table. Locally grown fruits and veggies will preserve more of its healthful vitamins and minerals, as the transportation time has been reduced from farm to store.

With the reduction in food miles, it aids in minimizing the use of fossil fuels and the number of air pollutants emitted into the air.

Support farmers who practice environmentally-friendly, natural methods of farming. Grain-fed operations, hormone/antibiotic-free raised animals and nurturing crops without the use of pesticides or other poisonous 26

chemicals are some eco-friendly ways to get the healthiest, best-tasting food.

Sustainable, local, farm-fresh foods not only benefit the health of consumers, but may also ensure when buying in smaller quantities (on a frequent basis) that food can be enjoyed at the peak of freshness and reduces the chance of it going to waste.

Green regime

Lead the charge in your fitness and eco-conscious goals by exercising outdoors. Enjoy the fresh air, sights and sounds of nature as you break a sweat under the blue sky. Partake in an organized sport activity, a heart-thumping boot camp session, splash around in the water or hit the trails with some hiking or running—whatever your exercise of choice, just take it outside!

You’ll get a good dose of vitamin D and serotonin, while doing your conservationist part enjoying a machine-free workout. And, while you’re grinding it out under the sun, consider the athletic wear hugging your curves.

As comfortable and stylish as they can be, some could be made from nylon and polyester, which are not sustainable materials and biodegradable. With many fair-trade, and ethical brands on the market today, purchasing environmentally-conscious, high performance workout wear is readily available. From organic fair-trade cotton and bamboo materials, recycled polyester made from water bottles to vegetable-dyed garments—green options are endless to remain pumped up and athletically fashionable.

Lifestyle blitz

Implement eco-friendly changes to your purchasing decisions for personal care and household items. Avoid single-use plastics such as straws, cutlery and water bottles as these items are not biodegradable which can make their way into waterways, and ultimately, the food chain. Consider swapping these items out with reusable bottles, dishware, and silverware.

or as planters. When shopping for produce at the grocery store, tow along an alternative food bag, instead of using the plastic bags. Paper, cotton, canvas and basket bags are eco options to help save the planet from plastic pollution that is infiltrating our waterways.

Sanitary pads, tampons and disposable wipes could also contain plastic, which do not disintegrate. Opt for recyclable or biodegradable options like menstrual cups, cotton feminine hygiene products and toilet paper for your personal care needs.

Lastly, work/life balance can have an impact on your health and the effects on the environment. If working from home is an option, this could save gas and fuel emissions, as well as stress that comes along with commuting in traffic.

If your designated mode of transportation is by car for work or to run errands, reconsider with alternate energy-efficient modes like transit, cycling, walking or even carpooling. This will not only help to reduce the amount of dangerous greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere, but it will save money and could contribute to your wellness goals.

Living a healthy lifestyle with eco-conscious foresight is the first step in recognizing the environmental implications in our way of life. Making positive changes in the way we eat, shop, stay in shape or just go about the daily grind, can help to take the pressure of Mother Earth, and positivity impact your health and wellbeing.

Daniela DeFeo is a certified health coach, freelance writer, lifestyle model and extreme sports enthusiast. She aims to inspire healthful, positive change and writes articles on nutrition, health, fitness and lifestyle.

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