Considering everything that’s happened in 2020, I’ve had the urge to do Christmas in *a big way* to make up for everything that hasn’t happened. Lots of new lights and decorations, plenty of presents for my son, husband, roommate, and extended family, and anything else I can think of. Really, though, those things won’t make the holiday […]
Personal level / Zero-waste
8 Ecofrugal and zero-waste swaps and suggestions for your bathroom
Most bathrooms are a surprising and often staggering combination of perfumes, additives, dyes and many chemicals. The complex mixtures found in our soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, conditioners, makeup removers and more. Women, with out higher beauty expectation, put on 168 different chemicals on our faces every day, on average! That’s a bit mad, to be honest. […]
Environmental / Personal level
Ecofrugal reasons to choose natural fibers
Clothes and fabrics get a great deal of attention here on Ecofrugals, and for a good reason. It is estimated that the fashion industry is responsible for a whopping 10 % of the total global carbon emissions. That’s a lot of room for improvement. And we have talked about it. Angela has told us about […]
Environmental / Zero-waste
Ecofrugal camping
We spent a lovely, low key week camping up in the mountains this summer, and it got me considering the ways we ecofrugally go off-grid. We may not be perfectly zero waste, but many of the ways we choose to camp align with those values. After all, if a requirement of camping up forest roads […]
Mental health / Personal level / Zero-waste
Ecofrugal and zero-waste self-care tips
I’m sure we’ve all seen them. Ads for bath bombs, candles, blankets, books, soft snuggly things, restaurant trips, massage parlors, and more, all advertising their self-care mantra. This will make you relax, this will make you happier, this will buy you that one hour of time to yourself you could never get otherwise! But of […]
Book reviews
Book review: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
I hope it’s not just me, but I have really been enjoying sourcing and finding great books that relate to sustainability, compassion and community. And as soon as I read this book, I knew I had to talk about it. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is one of those books you come across only […]
Homemade / Recipes / Uncategorized
Basic oil-free, sugar-free, whole food granola
Sometimes I am not really confident about calling something a “recipe”, because it is just so simple it barely qualifies as one. This granola recipe falls into that category, and there is no added sugar, fat or processed ingredients to boot. At the very basic is just three ingredients; rolled oats, applesauce, and salt. We […]
Environmental / Zero-waste
10 Ecofrugal Zero-waste kitchen swaps
It is one of the rooms where we consume the most. Paper towels, processed food packaging, plastic bags, single-use plates and cutlery, cling film, aluminum foil, tin cans, plastic bottles and more. There seems no end to how much single-use manufacturers and advertisers have managed to cram into our often small kitchens. But we can […]
Change and acitvism / Zero-waste
Reasons a small wardrobe is an act of clever ecofrugalism
Clothes and the keeping of them has quickly become an important theme on this blog. The clothes shopping ban, the darning of socks, the patching of clothes and the adding of pockets to improve clothes you already have, it all boils down to the simple concept of using what you already have and reusing it […]
DIY / Repair reuse recycle
Adding pockets to pocketless skirts and dresses
Here at Ecofrugals we are all about that make do and mend attitude. To use what you have and reduce our overall consumption. But what about when a garment simply does not have the functionality we need and expect? I am, of course, talking about skirts and dresses without pockets. But you don’t need to […]