Sustainable Minimalists Sustainable Minimalists+

When it comes to environmental concerns, there's certainly plenty to worry about at the moment. Whether you and your family is eating microplastics on the regular may not be your list of top concerns.
But it’s an important topic to cover. While the health effects of microplastics on humans are not fully understood, common sense measures that reduce our exposures to both the plastic itself and also the endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are on and in such particles are certainly prudent. On today's show: How to eat, drink, and inhale fewer microplastics as you go about your days.
 
Here's a preview:
[6:00] Synthesizing the latest research into the effects of microplastics on human health
[11:00] Stop eating microplastics! 3 practical action steps in the kitchen
[27:00] Inhalation and absorption matters: Why vacuuming and dusting helps
[35:00] 3 (super easy) ways to reduce your plastics exposure when you're out and about
 
Resources mentioned:

Episode #393: Single-Use Poison

Episode #466: Toxic Fashion

E-Cloth

Numi Tea

 

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Join our (free!) Facebook community here.

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Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Finding ways to travel on your terms can be a challenge. We’ve become fans of the Zero To Travel podcast and hope you check it out too.

In 1901, American families spent 20% of their income on non-necessities.  But 123 years later? These days that figure has risen to 50%. Many of us spend hard-earned money in hopes of acquiring things that money can't buy, and the result? Nearly 3 and 4 of Americans identify finances as a top stressor in their lives.
Marketers have created consumer desire, sure, but it's entirely possible to spend in alignment with your values. In a world of disposable incomes, global warming, and far too much cortisol, we need values-based spending now more than ever, because spending on your core values benefits your wallet, your sanity, and the planet all at once.
On today's show author Jill Sirianni encourages us to drill down our core values so we spend less, save more, and recenter our lives around what's actually important.
 
Here's a preview:
[8:30] The Number One reason not to buy to solve your problems (It rarely works!)
[15:00] Faith, Family, Friends, and Fulfilling work: Identifying core values and the Four Fs
[18:00] It's not deprivation, but it could be sacrifice ... How does self-care fit into the values-based spending conversation?
[26:00] Nailing down your values and curb impulse spending for good
 
Resources mentioned:

Buy What You Love Without Going Broke

Frugal Friends Podcast


Thanks to E-Cloth for being the feature sponsor of this episode! Use my code "Minimalists15" for 15% off sitewide at: https://us.e-cloth.com/
 

This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting!


Join our (free!) Facebook community here.

Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists

Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

 

Once upon a time (oh, about 175 years ago) we were epic creators. Human hands made things, grew things, built things, and even invented things on the regular. But these days? By and large, we identify as consumers, and our hands are mostly used for typing and swiping.
And yet, when we consume too much, many of us experience stress, anxiety, and depression. We know it because we're living it: Our possessions can possess us. 
If we create more, we may very likely consume less. On today's show: Moving the needle of contentment away from over-consumption back to self-sufficiency by highlighting what research has to say about the wellness benefits associated with using our hands to create.

 Here's a preview:
[4:30] Exactly when and how did we lost our collective abilities to create (Here's lookin' at you, mail-order catalog)
[9:30] Our hands are marvels. Marvels, I say!
[15:00] Crafting is good for you, so pick up those knitting needles, woodworking tools, or art supplies
[20:00] In defense of active leisure (and I do mean active!)
[24:00] Puzzles, board games, and the wellness benefits associated with "supercharged socializing"
 
Resources mentioned:

Book Club is August 5! 2 meetings this time around at 12pm EST and at 7pm EST. Join us!



Working With Your Hands Is Good for Your Brain (via The New York Times)


Handmade (by Gary Rogowski)

 

This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting!


Join our (free!) Facebook community here.

Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists

Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

 

Tomatoes, green beans, peaches, and so much more: Our great-grandmas knew a thing or two about food preservation, and yet these days few of us can. It's a time- and labor-intensive practice, sure. But it's also a self-sufficient life skill. 
Whether you grow some or all of your own food or seek out bargains at the store and farmers' market, canning the season's bounty means you'll be eating well all year round. You'll also be participating in a nearly waste-free practice (no plastic to see here!). 
Back to our great-grandmas for a hot minute: They infused love in every jar, and so can you. On today's show author Sarah Thrush invites us to go back to food preservation basics with advice on how to integrate canning into a self-sufficient, money-saving, and sustainable lifestyle.
 
Here's a preview:
[10:00] Say it loud, say it proud: There's no self-sufficiency without community!
[15:00] The #1 Rule of canning, plus: why it's super important to start small
[19:0o] The One Week, One Month, One Year principle: Here's exactly how Sarah keeps enough food on hand to feed her family for an entire year
[25:00] Troubleshooting the most common canning conundrums
[33:00] Take it outside and make it a party! The benefits to canning outside with your family

Thanks to E-Cloth for being the feature sponsor of this episode! Use code "Minimalists15" for 15% off sitewide: https://us.e-cloth.com/

Resources mentioned:

Preserving With A Purpose: Next Generations Canning Recipes and Wisdom


Sarah on TikTok @peeliesandpetals

Superb canning lids



This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! 

Join our (free!) Facebook community here.

Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists

Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Does it sometimes feel as though the passive act of being alive is too expensive and too difficult? You're not alone: Many scholars argue that late stage capitalism is what happens when everything (literally everything!) is commodified. Existing feels unnecessarily hard, too.
There IS good news: Surviving (and perhaps even thriving!) in a late stage capitalist society is possible. On today's show Laura Oldanie shows us exactly how to sur-thrive, with 6 actionable steps.
 
Here's a preview of the strategies we're discussing today:
[15:00] Pay attention to when and how you're influenced
[17:00] Think of yourself less as a consumer and more as producer
[21:00] Use your attention capital wisely
[27:00] Embrace different forms of currency (free time, perhaps?)
[35:00] Reduce unnecessary consumption and get off that capitalist hamster wheel, for good
 
Resources mentioned:


Join us for Book Club! We are super fun, I promise!


Digital Minimalism (by Cal Newport)

https://timebanks.org

Episode #211 Redefining Wealth (with Shannon Hayes)

Capitalism Survival Guide E-Book

 

This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! **If you're a financial supporter over on Apple Podcasts and want to join Book Club, please email me and let me know! For privacy reasons, Apple won't share your contact info with me. Just email me and I'll happily add you!**

Join our (free!) Facebook community here.

Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists

Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.