Reduce, Reuse, Rejoice: A Spiritual Guide to Waste Management

Several months back I published a post about the waste we humans produce due to our eating habits (Click Here To Read). A lot of what I learned while writing this piece has stuck with me, influencing the way I think and feel, and consequently, the way I eat. At times I'm overwhelmed by this knowledge; I struggle with guilt brought on in part by my own, and in part by my fellow species, decision to exist in a way not consistent with nature. But as I continue to ponder these decisions, I'm beginning to realize something quite extraordinary.

Keep Calm & Compost

With all the bad news this week (I think we all know what I’m referring to) it’s nice to take solace in the simple things, like fresh air, nutritious food, and getting dirty! I am scared of what the future will bring, or take away, but I’m trying to approach these anxieties in a Zen-like manner; this is my mantra: the only moment is the one I’m in, and the most I can do is what I can do with my two hands, right now… which is why it’s time to compost!

First Compost

I know, I know... you are on the edge of your seat, waiting to hear all about my first compost!  Well I am happy to say the wait is over! Here it is! After weeks of researching and saving up my green food waste, I was ready to build my very own makeshift compost bin. Since I wasn’t sure which one to buy (there are several varieties) I decided to keep it simple and use a large, old, wooden planter I found in the backyard. I dug out the old potting soil, and got to work!

World Food Day 2016: We Are All One

This year, World Food Day focused on Climate Change. A changing climate means changes in our food, both in the agricultural sector and in disposal methods. Towns, cities and countries continue to wait on policy changes enacted by their government, but really, these changes must be made by the individual, by you and by me.

First things first, we need to change how we look at the world. It was recently announced that after 20 million years, the Great Barrier Reef, the largest reef in our oceans, has died. There has been debate as to whether or not this is true, but we can be certain that if not dead, it is dying, as are many reefs throughout the seas.

The Great Barrier Reef. Photo from greatbarrierreef.org

But why are the reefs dying? And why is this significant?