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3 Reasons to Invest in Bitcoin

This post is sponsored by Diamond Bloggers. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

One of the largest trends in the investment industry over the past few years has involved the trade of Bitcoins online. The popularity of this trend is based solely on the commodities high value of the trade. As Bitcoin’s value has increased four-fold since spring.

Bitcoin, for those who may not know, is a type of digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank. Making them popular with investors domestically and abroad.

It goes without saying that Bitcoin, of course, is a blockchain-based cryptocurrency. It’s decentralized, anonymous, and global. Which for those who trade online makes the currency all the more desirable.

Bitcoin made big headlines this past winter when its price on exchanges surged to an all-time high above $4,000. That was about a four-fold increase from Bitcoin’s value just a before Thanksgiving, and about seven times what Bitcoin was worth a year ago at this time.

For example, if you had $1,000 dollars invested in stocks this time last year, you’d now have something like $4,000 today. A seemingly simple way to invest in your family after becoming debt-free at home. Which begs the question: Is now the time to invest in Bitcoin?

For those who are thinking about investing in Bitcoin, here are three reasons to consider the trade:

Bitcoin is not affected by political unrest:

Unlike many traditional investments, global unrest is not good for the financial market because investment values are closely tied to established companies that depend on government services, stable financially backed banking institutions, and a dependable workforce.

Bitcoin, on the other hand, is not undervalued because of political unrest and global insecurity. Because Bitcoin is not a government-backed currency. In fact, there’s evidence that recent unrest in Asia contributed to the Bitcoin price surge.

With the current political divide occurring in many first-world nations, you might find uncertainty to be a compelling reason to invest in the long-term prospects of Bitcoin.

Bitcoin is easy to invest in:

Investing in Bitcoin is simple. Because transactions are subject to few regulatory oversights, they often make for headache-free online transactions.

They have a lower investment cost:

Due to few investment costs, Bitcoin exchanges offer lower investment points for entry, with as little as 0.2% of the value of a transaction required on various Bitcoin exchanges.  Platforms seemingly out-of-reach for traditional families at home. By comparison, U.S. banks usually charge about 3% in fees when you use a credit card to buy something in foreign currency or to purchase traditional portfolio stock online.

For those looking for quick, first-time currency speculation, Bitcoin offers a cost-efficient way to do so.

There is also a lot of credible financial counselors and authors who praise the use of the currency. Mark Dukas, a renowned financial analyst who works within the Bitcoin industry praises plunging into this surging investment profile for working families and millennials alike. Mark Dukas Charlotte is a great source for information on Bitcoin investments for yourself this season.

With that said, are you considering investing in Bitcoin this season? Share your reasons for investment below!

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Homemade Vegan Mole Sauce Recipe

For the past week, I have been in the mood for all things pepper. Call it a last ditch effort to hold steadfast to the foods of Fall or needing to spice up my every changing vegan diet at home, peppers have just seemingly been on my mind.

And with Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, I couldn’t think of a better time to share with you one my favorite recipes, homemade mole sauce.

A recipe that I have adopted from a family friend and former part-time childhood caretaker, Ms. Katie. This recipe was her grandmother’s recipe for Chicken Mole, brought with her to the United States from the Puebla state in Mexico after she naturalized as a citizen in the 1960’s.

I remember loving the smells coming from Ms. Katie’s kitchen as a child. Especially the roasting of chiles for her grandmother’s mole sauce. This recipe, a vegan version of this time-honored classic. It is a sauce of memories. For Celebrations. Of dreamers. This is my homage to her.

Friends, I want to keep things on the level with you. This recipe is amazing but its also very time intensive.

Between shopping for all the ingredients, prepping the ingredients, and cooking everything, this Homemade Mole Sauce sauce will no doubt take more than an afternoon to make. There are no shortcuts. There are no hacks or copycat techniques to amend the process.  You cannot rush this dish, so be sure to time block your afternoon accordingly.

The time it takes to make this recipe, for me, are well worth the efforts. The flavor of this mole is deep, rich, fragrant, and decadent. This is the ultimate low-and-slow simmered dish.

Keep in mind, this recipe is ingredient heavy. With close to twenty ingredients in this dish, it requires its own dedicated shopping trip to pull together. All ingredients that are needed and cannot be substituted. For the following recipe, I will be grouping ingredients by steps to make it easier for you to pull together.

While it took me a day to make, the sauce ended up being beyond delicious. The perfect mix of savory and sweet. If you’ve ever had a desire to make a vegan version of it, here’s the ultimate recipe for you!

Step 1: Making Stock

The base of mole sauce is traditionally chicken stock. For my recipe, of course, I will be using frozen homemade vegetable stock. To prepare my stock, I added it to a stock pot, added fresh herbs from my garden, and brought it to temp for 2 hours on low heat. The finished stock should have a dark color and had rich great flavor.

Step 2: Drying Your Peppers

The savory factor in this dish comes from a variety of dried peppers. Specifically ancho and pasilla peppers.

You will need to roast your peppers on a baking sheet for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees until fragrant. Then add them to a bowl with about 2 cups of boiling water to reconstitute for 30 minutes.

Once the peppers are reconstituted, remove the stems and seed each pepper. Then add the seeded peppers and steeping liquid to a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside for later.

Step 3: Prepare Your Spices

Mole sauce contains several amazing spices. The key is to toast the spices in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. This brings out their flavors and will greatly improve your final product. After toasting your spices, grind them in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Set aside.

Step 4: Prepare Your Vegetables

The body of the mole sauce comes from vegetables. To make your base, rough chop all the vegetables and add them to a baking sheet. Bake them at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

Once the veggies are roasted, add them to your blender along with 2 cups of vegetable stock and blend until smooth. Strain the blend to remove any seeds. Then, add the blended vegetables to a large stockpot. This is the base of your mole sauce.

Step 5: Prepare Your Fruits, Nuts, and Starches

This recipe features different kinds of nuts. While almonds and peanuts are commonly used, they can be substituted for pecans or walnuts. Like with your spices, you will need to toast your nuts in a pan on low heat for 2-3 minutes in 2 tablespoons cup of vegetable-based spread until fragrant.

Once your nuts are lightly browned, add your raisins to the pan also and cook 1-2 minutes until soft. Then, add your toasted fruits and nuts, along with 1 cup of vegetable stock to your blender. Blend until smooth. Add this mixture to your stock pot along with your vegetable base. Add your toasted, ground spices at this time as well.

You will also need to cook a plantain in an additional 3 tablespoons of vegetable-based spread on medium heat for 3-5 minutes until browned.

Lastly, you will need to fry several tortillas until lightly browned in your leftover vegetable spread. Once browned, add them with an additional cup of vegetable stock to your blender. Blend until smooth. Add this mixture to your stockpot.

Step 6: Chocolate

Finally, finally, you will get to use the star ingredient in this dish, Mexican chocolate.

You will need to be specific when purchasing your chocolate. You will need Mexican chocolate and not common milk chocolate or dark chocolate. This chocolate is hard and very sweet. Its what is needed in this dish. You can find it at any Mexican market or online as well.

To prepare your chocolate, simply cut into cubes and add to your stockpot.

Step 7: Simmering

At this point, all of your prepared ingredients should be in your stockpot ready for simmering. Start your simmer by adding 2-3 cups of additional vegetable stock to your preferred thickness.

Simmer on low heat for 2 hours, stirring every 10 minutes to avoid sticking. If your mole gets too thick, add additional vegetable stock accordingly.

When the sauce is done simmering, season it well with salt to taste. From start to finish, this recipe will take no less than 9 hours to complete.

How to serve your sauce:

I like to add air fryer fried tofu or Gardein chicken-less strips to my mole and serve over rice. But this sauce would be delicious on anything. I have served it in the past with black beans, over enchiladas, or as a layer in a 7-layer dip. It’s pretty hard to beat this sauce. It’s that good!

With that said, this is my vegan version of Ms. Katie’s grandmother’s mole sauce recipe. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have over the years. Now I want to ask, has anyone else tried to make mole before? If you have any tips to make it easier, leave a comment below!

Print
Vegan Mole Sauce

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 9 hours

Yield: 6 Cups sauce

Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Serve warm over rice with air fried tofu, Gardein chicken-less strips, and enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 medium onions
  • 3 small tomatoes
  • 8 black peppercorns
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 6 dried ancho peppers
  • 3 dried pasilla peppers
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 2 tablespoons almonds
  • 1/4 cup peanuts
  • 1/4 cup pecans
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 6 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 plantain
  • 4 corn tortillas
  • 3 ounces Mexican Chocolate
  • 1/4 cup vegetable spread
  • 1 package no-chicken chicken stock cubes
  • 10 cups filtered water
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 10 black peppercorns
  • 2 dried ancho peppers

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Making Stock
  2. Use your stock vegetables to create a stock. Cook for 1 hour. Add chicken-less bullion cubes. Cook for an additional hour. The finished stock should have a dark color and had rich great flavor.
  3. Step 2: Drying Your Peppers
  4. Roast your ancho and pasilla peppers on a baking sheet for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees until fragrant. Then add them to a bowl with about 2 cups of boiling water to reconstitute for 30 minutes. Once the peppers are reconstituted, remove the stems and seed each pepper. Then add the seeded peppers and steeping liquid to a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside for later.
  5. Step 3: Prepare Your Spices
  6. Toast the spices in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. After toasting your spices, grind them in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Set aside. 
  7. Step 4: Prepare Your Vegetables
  8. Rough chop all the vegetables and add them to a baking sheet. Bake them at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Once the veggies are roasted, add them to your blender along with 1.5 cups of vegetable stock and blend until smooth. Strain the blend to remove any seeds. Then, add the blended vegetables to a large stockpot.
  9. Step 5: Prepare Your Fruits, Nuts, and Starches
  10. Toast your nuts in a pan on low heat for 2-3 minutes in 2 tablespoons cup of vegetable-based spread until fragrant. Once your nuts are lightly browned, add your raisins to the pan also and cook 1-2 minutes until soft. Then, add your toasted fruits and nuts, along with 1 cup of vegetable stock to your blender. Blend until smooth. Add this mixture to your stock pot along with your vegetable base. Add your toasted, ground spices at this time as well. You will also need to cook a plantain in an additional 3 tablespoons of vegetable-based spread on medium heat for 3-5 minutes until browned. Then fry several tortillas until lightly browned in your leftover vegetable spread. Once browned, add them with an additional cup of vegetable stock to your blender. Blend until smooth. Add this mixture to your stockpot. 
  11. Step 6: Chocolate
  12. Cut your chocolate into cubes and add to your stockpot. 
  13. Step 7: Simmering
  14. Add 3 cups of additional vegetable stock to your mole. Simmer on low heat for 2 hours, stirring every 10 minutes to avoid sticking. If your mole gets too thick, add additional vegetable stock accordingly.  When the sauce is done simmering, season it well with salt to taste.
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The 4 Greatest Skincare Guidelines You’ll Ever Hear

Have you heard claims like this before? Sure. Are they easy to predict? Not really – there are too many tips. Indeed, it’s hard to keep up with them all as there are so many. Trying to keep your skin fresher, moister, tighter and younger, then, is by no means a walk in the park.

Sadly, the only one who suffers is you as your skin begins to show the signs of aging. In this case, there are four escape plans that some may call the greatest they have ever heard. While the jury is still out, why don’t you make up your mind?

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1: Something Over Nothing

Thanks to excellent marketing by the top firms, the majority of us assume only a handful of lotions work. Hint: it’s the ones with the top-secret ingredient, right? Wrong. On the whole, pretty much every cream or lotion helps the skin to stay young and healthy as long as it contains a handful of elements.

The Allure site says they include everything from glycerin to shea butter. As long as it has hydrating qualities, the moisturizer will help the skin to recover or to maintain. So, that tiny, complimentary tube in the hotel bathroom isn’t a waste of space.

2: It’s Always Sunny In…

Every state in every town and city in the country. Yep, even when it isn’t sunny, the sun is shining and it’s an important fact to keep in mind. We all know about UVB light as they are the rays which induce tanning. However, another form of radiation exists, and it’s known as UVA.

The Skin Cancer Foundation site has detailed info if you want to learn more. What sets the latter one apart is its ability to blast through windows, cloud cover, and anything which isn’t a sturdy material. As it has cancer-properties, it can turn the skin a yellowish color. Therefore, always use a protector even when the sun seems to have on its hat.

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3: Look Good, Feel Good

Let’s face it – people are judgmental. So, as soon as they hear that you are considering cosmetic surgery, the rumors will begin to flow. Normally, it’s enough for the average person to give in to the peer pressure and stick to the natural methods of anti-aging.

Although organic is great, some cosmetic surgery techniques are also worth considering. Take a quick glance at the James Christian Cosmetics website and you’ll see that they are fast and non-invasive in lots of circumstances. Look, they may be a bad option, but you should check out the pros and cons and come to an informed decision rather than listening to the gossip.

4: Small Mercies

The little details are easy to gloss over as they don’t seem as if they can make a difference. Come on – what’s wrong with drinking from a plastic bottle? Well, the experts say the constant pouting and face-pulling helps to develop lines around the mouth. A top tip is to use glass or buy a bottle with a spout and drink H2O the Indian way.

How does the above gauge on the scale of the best skincare tips you’ve ever heard?

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5 Ways Bloggers Perfect Their Analytics

Please note: This post is sponsored by Diamond Bloggers. All opinions are my own. Thank you.

One of the biggest buzzwords in the blogging world surrounds analytics. Or the way by which search engines are reporting and analyzing the information you post to the world each day. Which makes analytic tools for bloggers a true must.

Because blogs that struggle with disparate misinformation sourcing still must find a way to make data fit their niche and purpose. Through aggregation, standardization, and enrichment of posting sources.

An effective IT strategy can assist in the development of better posts, higher SEO rankings, and can help to eliminate gaps in advertising strategies. This helps bloggers create comprehensive and robust technology environments that boost engagement and improve cost-efficiency for marketing your posts too!

Now if you’re looking for more ways that you as a blogger can better manage a robust analytics platform for your blog, here are 5 ways to get started:

Scraping your browser: Scraping is a way to get information from a website into an Excel or sheets document. A carbon copy of your site that helps give you a better glance at how your site is performing. You can hire someone to build you a scraper or you can do the job yourself with a few clicks using a Google Chrome extension scraper that works right within your browser.

Behind the scenes, scrapers also help manage and guide individual blog posts as well. As a scraper retrieves HTML elements from a page based on the rules you specify. For everything wrapped in an <a> tag. Having your scraper data at hand will help you to find missing tags and help clean up your blogs SEO ranking. 

Surveys: Want to know who reads your blog? Consider using Google surveys. Google Surveys, when administered to your readers in posts, on media channels, or in newsletters, help you to ascertain who reads your site, what posts they enjoy reading, as well as a wide range of demographic data they include about your respondents. You don’t just get answers to your survey questions, you can see who answered them. This will help you down the road, especially when creating a media kit or giving demographic information during pitch netters to sponsors. 

Google Trends: I love to use Google trends to research keyword analytics. This allows you to discover how popular certain topics are over the past decade in terms of their global search volume. Basically, is this topic being searched more or less around the world, or in your specific area. I then use that data to splice blog posts based on how I perceive my audience will want to know that information or if the information would be better served on live broadcasting, in a podcast, or in a newsletter. 

Facebook Advertising: Facebook gives marketers lots of control over their ad targeting. If you need to get some calculations for how many people are interested in a particular topic, simply you set up a random advertising campaign and use the audience targeting feature. This will allow you to see how quickly your audience engaged in a specific product, service, affiliate link, or blog topic idea before investing vast amounts of time and money into that field. Its a great resource tool before rebranding your blog or adding new social media features too. 

Izenda: Using a professional reporting and analytics company can equip your blogging platform with the tools to take your SEO from novice to robust in a matter of weeks versus years. While giving your potential sponsors insights they need, when they need them, to begin working with you. 

For such services I recommend Izenda. Which help bloggers and small business owner daily better utilize digital data management and ad-hoc reporting across various departments, blogs, and fields. This can also help bloggers determine domain strategies are no longer relevant to your blog management strategy.

Companies such as Izenda can help you master data management relationships that offer Microsoft MDM and Multi-Domain platform master data management to influencers and strategies from all digital walks of life. A service that can help take your blog to new platforms in the months and years to come.

Those are my top 5 ways to help you better address your blogging and blog marketing strategies this season by way of data policies, analyzing SEO, and database management systems. Methods that can help propel your blog and pitching to the next level in 2018. Now I want to ask, do you have any top strategies for assessing your blog analytic strategies? I’d love to hear about them below!

5 Ways Bloggers Perfect Their Analytics

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What is zero waste living?

What is zero waste living?

If you’ve read my blog for longer than a few weeks you will have heard me mention the phrase zero-waste living. But you may not be familiar with its purposed meaning.

In my home, we abide by the Zero Waste International Alliance definition of zero-waste living which states that: 

Zero Waste living is a 21st-century movement that aims to shift our economic system from a linear economy (our current global system) to a circular economy. It “guide[s] people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.

A lifestyle choice that came directly as a result of living a more simplified lifestyle at home. And with any newly adopted lifestyle choice, you want to share your success and enthusiasm with others. But often when I speak about living my own zero waste journey, the reaction I’ve come to expect is, “That’s impossible.”

And to a degree, I agree. As a human being with a family that consumes products, goods, and services in order to maintain our home and lifestyle, it is impossible for us to create absolutely no trash in the society we currently live in. As part of the economic waste stream, my purchases produce waste that I do not see, both upstream and downstream. I also live in a super small town without bulk shopping options, and aside from Amazon purchases, my local purchasing options are limited to mass retail and the seasonal access to farmer’s markets. So why do I bother trying?

5 Tips For Zero-Waste Cleaning at Home

At its core, zero waste challenges individuals to evaluate their lifestyle. To reflect on how our consumerist habits negatively impact the environment and communities. Examinations of how inconvenient our convenience lifestyle presents to our planet. How detrimental cheap plastics and disposable food products are to our planet’s health and our own.

After all, we all reside in the same disposable society. We are disconnected from our personal collective waste steam and have been convinced by the same susceptible marketing that suggests that buying copious amounts of stuff will make us feel worthy as human beings.

For the average person, trash and recycling are picked up from the curb weekly, never seen again. The compartmentalized deluge of our past that keep our landfills overflowing, our oceans littered, and our soil and watersheds teeming with pollutants. Leaving humanity, particularly those in the developing world, left to live amongst the billions of tons of waste that we create daily.

And this isn’t just a planetary dilemma as our consumerist reach has extended into our solar system. As our galaxy is also becoming peppered with inactive, Cold War era satellites. Archaic examples of our need to disavow fellow humans and undermine international global practices different from our own masked as human innovation.

5 Tips For Zero-Waste Cleaning at Home

So, what does all this mean? As a race, we have reached a point where the zero waste movement is necessary to safeguard the future of our ecosystems and our own survival as a species.

As a society, it isn’t too late to change course. But don’t fool yourself, expect to confront hostility, naysayers, and resistance from others. Every step of the way. 

While the zero waste movement isn’t a new lifestyle, it is still considered a fad. Especially in our plastic veneered society. With the 20th century not only ushering in the age of plastics and with it the birth of global warming, widescale wildlife extinction, and massive soil contamination worldwide.

The zero waste movement seeks to combat this disposable mindset by offering the alternative of frugal, sustainable living. With zero wasting living being a long-term journey.

But make no mistake, this is not a perfect journey. As many living a zero-waste lifestyle can attest that the idea of the movement is to strive to be as waste-free as they are able to afford to maintain at home. Whether this means a 1% reduction or a 99% reduction in your personal trash output at home, little bit counts.

While our society may never reach zero, this shouldn’t stop any of us from trying in our own affordably-sourced way to lessen our carbon footprint each day! 

Afterall, the zero waste lifestyle begins with a willingness to change. Everything from our daily consumption habits to investing in community awareness programs, sustainability projects, community gardening projects, demanding consistent environmental policies from politicians, and expecting environmental transparency from the media and their sponsored partners.

With all that said, if you want to be a part of this movement, here are a few easy ways to get started:

Realize you are needed in the zero-waste movement:

Zero-wasting is simple. Its all about aiming to send nothing to a landfill. Reducing what we need, reuse what we can, send few items to be recycled, donate when able, and compost what we cannot otherwise utilize. 

To redefine our personal consumerism. By not waiting for marketing agencies and corporations to redefine the waste system. To not be complacent with being the link between a disposable economy where resources sourced from the earth are extracted, used, and redeposited in the ground.

Demanding that economy mimic nature. Instead of discarding resources, we choose sustainability instead. Which starts when you realize you are needed in the zero-waste movement!

Research:

Get the facts on landfill use. Did you know that the average North American sends 4.4lbs of trash to the landfill every day? Which makes total sense as we live in a disposable society where we don’t value the longevity of our belongings due to mass markets. Leaving not only the earth depleted but ourselves. 

Landfills are also toxic basins responsible for 20% of the methane emissions in the US. Nor are they properly aerated for decomposition of natural materials. With everyday toxins from cleaners small electronics, and outdated tech components steadily leaching caustic chemicals into the soil, groundwater, and eventual ocean contamination.

Not to mention the trash that doesn’t even make it to the landfill. The deluge that litters roadsides, waterways, and watersheds worldwide. Particularly that of disposable food industry plastics.

Plastics, a petroleum byproduct, is especially dangerous to the ocean and marine life. As plastics aren’t biodegraded. They simply photodegrade into tiny molecules which are filtered through micro-plankton in the ocean. It is estimated that there is a ratio of 36:1 micro-plastic pieces to each plankton organism. A phenomenon that is so pervasive that its chemical compounds have been found in upwards of 90% of drinking water. Both from bottled and tap sources worldwide.

And for no other reason that the need for maintaining safe drinking water at home, you should join the zero waste movement! 

What is zero waste living?

Reevaluate your ideas on recycling:

For decades Americans were lead to believe that recycling was a cure-all to environmental blight. Unfortunately, we cannot recycle our way out of this pollution.

There’s simply too much to process and we’re just consuming way too much to meet the demands of various commercial downcycling programs in North America.

Recycling also isn’t a perfect solution. While it plays into the solution, it should never be your first resource in becoming more zero waste at home. As the best way to become more zero waste at home is to lessen our dependence on post-consumer goods from store to home. 

Did you know, only 9% of plastic is actually recycled? And that in many areas of North America glass cannot be recycled at all? 

Which is why there is a reason recycling is LAST resort in the zero-waste mantra:  “Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, then Recycle”

Recycle shouldn’t be your first line of defense, it should your last. Because when you send items to recycled you lose control over their final usage. As most recycling isn’t processed in North America. Recycling is often shipped abroad and in the process utilizes more fossil fuels to transport than it saves in utility. Where it is largely shipped to China where deregulation of environmental policies allows for the futher degredation of the downcycling systems we value domestically. 

Currently, China has put a ban on paper and plastic bales over 1% contamination. Compared to recycling facilities in the United States that are currently operating at 4% contamination level. Meaning that upwards of 60% of what you place in your recycling bins will end up as landfill or marine trash. 

That doesn’t mean you should refrain from recycling. Simply that you should recycle better. Focusing instead on your reusing practices at home.

What is zero waste living?

Rethink what reducing means to you:

One of the best ways to enter the zero waste movement is to reconsider how you can reduce your dependence on products at home. Including many one-use products, packaged foods, and fast fashion. Consider opting for multi-use products, cleaners, small appliances, and investing in multi-seasonal clothing staples instead. By reducing what we think we need you’ll reduce what will be eventually thrown away. 

Another great tip is to wait for one week before making a luxury purchase. Taking time to think about whether or not you truly need it. Then when you do buy something, opt to buy second-hand first. Reusables can not only save the planet but your wallet too! 

What is zero waste living?

Recognize your value:

You may be thinking, will one person really make a difference? Yes! Every day you have the decision to positively impact the planet. From how you commute to work to how you buy your groceries, each action can leave a valuable imprint on your overall personal carbon footprint. Remember, every purchase you make is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.

Because you don’t vote only at the ballot box. You cast a ballot with each purchase you make, with each company you support, and with each marketing campaign, you engage in. 

Going zero waste will also improve your quality of life. Simplified living can help you live a better, safer, healthier, more frugal, debt-free life at home. And what’s better than eating better, feeling better, saving money, having your voice heard, and not having to take out the trash at the same time?

And for those who have already taken the plant-based plunge, you’re not done! Simply cutting out meat and dairy from your diet isn’t enough. To truly want to lower your carbon footprint cutting your plastic consumption from your home is necessary too! Afterall, you may reduce your methane emissions by going plant-based but if the veggies you bring home are plastic-clad, you’re still contributing to global warming and wise-scale marine worldwide! 

What is zero waste living?

Rely on others:

Going zero waste has been such a liberating process for me, I want to share everything I’ve learned with you.

Because with just one step in the right direction, you can change the world. Feel free to check out the blog for sustainability topics on zero waste living, capsule wardrobes, greener living, composting, and minimalism. And if you have specific questions, feel free to drop me a line to nicole@theladyprefers2save.com or theladypreferstosave@gmail.com; I’d love to help you along your path to sustained living at home! 

But if I could offer you one last piece of advice, its to please be realistic. We live in a society obsessed with instant gratification. And going zero waste is not conducive to that mindset.

Being zero waste takes time and patience. Don’t go around beating yourself up for faltering along the way. Instead, give yourself, and others, the grace to grow in your own unique zero waste journey. But no matter what, don’t be a zealot. Give others the same zero waste patience and knowledge that was given to you!

Zero waste living is centered around collective effort. The hope of change. The drive to see change happen. It’s in setting realistic goals that will help you change today and maintain that change at home in the future. 

And, seriously – from the bottom of my heart thank you for trying! Together we can make a difference.

I hope that in our lifetime, we can see not only the amount of waste going into landfills be reduced but more people could choose to become healthier, more fulfilled people in the movement. People who learn to love the zero waste process. We can do this together. 

In the words of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Now, friends, I want to ask, are you considering going zero waste at home? Or have you been a zero waste veteran for some time and can offer other readers advice on making the transition at home? Share your story below. Inspire others! 

What is zero waste living?

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Where to Donate

 

Clothing

Dress for Success
What they do: Provide interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women in over 75 cities worldwide
What they need: Women’s business suits and other professional apparel, footwear, and accessories

Career Gear
What they do: Provide underserved job-seeking men with training, career counseling, interviews, and professional clothing
What they need: Men’s suits, dress shirts, ties, shoes, briefcases, and other interview-appropriate clothing

The Women’s Alliance
What they do: Provide professional attire and career skills training to low-income women and their families seeking self-sufficiency
What they need: Women’s business clothing and professional accessories

Sew Much Comfort
What they do: Provide adaptive clothing to wounded service men and women in military hospitals (specially designed to look like normal attire while accommodating their injuries)
What they need: Basketball shorts, boxers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and PJ bottoms; also twill, flannel, and woven shirting fabric

Clothes4Souls
What they do: Provide clothes to people around the world who are in desperate need
What they need: New or gently-worn clean clothing

Planet Aid
What they do: Provide clothing to people in developing nations, and fund community, health, agricultural, and vocational programs
What they need: Gently-used, unsoiled, functional clothing and shoes

Soles4Souls
What they do: Distribute shoes to people in need in over 125 countries
What they need: All types of new or gently-worn shoes: athletic, running, dress, sandals, pumps, heels, work boots, cleats, dance, and flip flops

Diamonds for Dreams
What they do: Grant wishes for terminal breast cancer patients
What they need: Diamonds, estate jewelry, and other specialty jewelry items

Indigo Rescue
What they do: Assist county animal shelters, and rehabilitate pets and place them in adoptive homes
What they need: Jewelry (for fundraising events)

Animal Guardian Network
What they do: Rescue and place homeless pets with loving families, and assist low-income seniors and financially disadvantaged individuals with their pet care
What they need: Gently-used designer handbags to sell in their ReBag Boutique

Brides Against Breast Cancer
What they do: Advance the awareness of breast cancer, and operate a wish-granting service enabling patients to make special memories with their loved ones
What they need: New and used wedding gowns from 2005 to present

Brides Across America
What they do: Provide wedding gowns to military brides in need
What they need: New or gently-used bridal gowns, not more than three years old

DonateMyDress.org
What they do: Provide special occasion dresses to girls who cannot afford them for prom, sweet 16, quinceañera or formal events
What they need: Prom and special occasion dresses for young women

The Glass Slipper Project
What they do: Collect formal dresses and accessories and provide them, free of charge, to Chicago-area students who are unable to purchase their own prom attire
What they need: New and almost-new prom dresses and accessories

Third Love
What they do: Provide jobs for human trafficking survivors
What they need: Used bras, undergarments, and foundation pieces

 

Household Items

Goodwill 
What they do: Help people with barriers to employment learn the skills to find competitive employment
What they need: Clothing, electronics, appliances, furniture, and more

Salvation Army
What they do: Provide community programs, homeless services, rehabilitation, disaster relief, and other assistance to those in need
What they need: Clothing, furniture, household goods, sporting equipment, books, electronics, and more

Vietnam Veterans of America
What they do: Help Vietnam-era veterans and their families
What they need: Clothing, baby items, housewares, electronics, small appliances, tools, and just about anything else

Volunteers of America
What they do: Support at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions
What they need: Clothing, furniture, toys, and household goods for their thrift stores

Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation
What they do: Provide needed items to the poverty-stricken Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota
What they need: From school, sewing, crafts, sporting, baby, and office supplies, to toiletries, clothing, Christmas gifts, holiday items, bed, bath and kitchen linens, cold weather gear, crayons and more (see website for specific needs)

Operation Give
What they do: Bring hope and solutions to the deprived and disconnected people of the world, in many cases where the US military operates.
What they need: Toys, school supplies, art supplies, sports equipment, and more (Fedex provides FREE shipping from anywhere in the US to their warehouse)

The Help Kenya Project
What they do: Provide Kenya’s students with science and computer skills to break the cycle of poverty
What they need: Used computers, books, clothing, sports equipment, and other supplies

Cause USA
What they do: Send gift packs to wounded military personnel and their families
What they need: Playing cards, handheld electronic games, current magazines, batteries, travel-size toiletries, and more

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach
What they do: Send care packages to deployed soldiers
What they need: Travel-size toiletries, packaged food, flea collars, batteries, tube socks, envelopes, trash bags, and more

 

Children and Expecting Mothers

Project Night Night
What they do: Reduce the trauma of homeless children with Night Night Packages of childhood comforts
What they need: Stuffed animals, blankets, and children’s books

SAFE (Stuffed Animals for Emergencies)
What they do: Collect items to give to children in emotional, traumatic, or stressful situations (like fires, illness, abuse, homelessness, and natural disasters)
What they need: New or gently-used stuffed animals

Hope Village For Children
What they do: Provide a home to children in need
What they need: Any household items or clothing that can be sold; this organization runs a charity thrift shop in Meridian, MS

Loving Hugs
What they do: Send stuffed animals to children living in war zones, refugee camps, orphanages, hospitals, and natural disaster areas
What they need: New or very gently-used stuffed animals

Project Smile
What they do: Provide emergency responders with children’s comfort items, to help ease their pain and fear
What they need: New or gently-used stuffed animals, children’s books, unused coloring books, new crayons

Newborns in Need
What they do: Provide care necessities to local agencies and hospitals serving premature, ill, or impoverished newborns
What they need: Baby clothing, toys, and other items; also fabric, yarn, thread, and other supplies

Touching Little Lives
What they do: Provide necessity items to needy infants in Ohio
What they need: Baby clothing, booties, toys, blankets and other items; also flannel, thread, batting, and yarn

Ronald McDonald House
What they do: Provide a “home-away-from-home” for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost
What they need: New toys, food, and household products; see website for details

 

Electronics

World Computer Exchange
What they do: Provide used computers and technology to schools, libraries, community centers & universities in developing countries
What they need: Computers, laptops, printers, hard drives, peripherals, software, and more

National Cristina Foundation
What they do: Provide computer technology to people with disabilities or economic disadvantages, to enable them to lead more independent and productive lives
What they need: Desktops, notebooks, printers, peripherals, software, and more

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
What they do: Work to eliminate domestic violence, and empower battered women and children
What they need: Used cell phones

Games for Heroes
What they do: Provide emotional support to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
What they need: Handheld video game devices like Gameboys, PSPs, and Nintendo DSs

Get-Well Gamers Foundation
What they do: Bring video game systems to children’s hospitals, for entertainment and pain management
What they need: Video games, systems, controllers, and other accessories

Computer Recycling Center
What they do: Place computers in public charity and community programs through Computers & Education™, and recycle unusable items to keep them out of landfills
What they need: Computers, laptops, home electronics

HopeLine from Verizon
What they do: Provide refurbished phones to local domestic violence organizations
What they need: No-longer-used wireless phones, batteries, and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider

Cell Phones for Soldiers
What they do: Use the money from recycling cell phones to purchase calling cards for troops in need
What they need: Used cell phones

iOS Device Recycling Program
What they do: Bring high technology mobile devices (installed with educational apps) into classrooms
What they need: iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches

Fireside International
What they do: Use mobile devices to advance education in Haiti
What they need: iPods, iPads, iPhones

 

Office and School Supplies

iLoveSchools
What they do: Match America’s school teachers with donations of classroom resources
What they need: A variety of school supplies, materials, and equipment

Swap4Schools
What they do: Match donors’ “haves” with schools’ “wants”
What they need: Books, movies, and other items specifically requested by educators

The GrayMatters Foundation
What they do: Support and empower people impacted by brain tumors through outreach, awareness, and assistance programs
What they need: Stickers, postage stamps, blank or encouragement cards and envelopes

Muscular Dystrophy Association
What they do: Fund worldwide research efforts and nationwide programs to aid those with neuromuscular diseases and their families
What they need: Computers, software, office equipment, furniture, and supplies for use in local offices

Develop Africa
What they do: Provide books, school and teaching supplies, scholarships, and job-related training in Africa
What they need: A wide variety of school and office supplies; see website for details

Pens for Kids
What they do: Send pens to kids in Africa to assist them with getting an education
What they need: New and used pens of every type, color, size, shape, and quantity

 

Books

International Book Project
What they do: Promote education and literacy by sending quality used books overseas
What they need: Textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, vocational books, children’s books, and more

Global Literacy Project
What they do: Foster community-based literacy initiatives throughout the world
What they need: “We are currently most in need of Pre-K to 12th-grade reading books as well as Math and science textbooks.”

Darien Book Aid
What they do: Send books in response to specific requests from Peace Corps volunteers, libraries and schools all over the world
What they need: A variety of new and gently-used books. Please call before shipping, to make sure your donations fit their needs

Books for Africa
What they do: Help create a culture of literacy by shipping books to libraries and classrooms in Africa
What they need: A wide variety of new and gently-used books, generally 15 years old or newer; details on the website

The Bridge of Books Foundation
What they do: Provide books to children in low-income families, particularly through foster family agencies, homeless shelters, underfunded schools, and neighborhood centers
What they need: New and used children’s books, from preschool through high school

Books Through Bars
What they do: Send quality reading and educational material to prisoners, thereby promoting successful community re-integration
What they need: A variety of new and gently-used books; details on the website. Please email prior to shipping.

Little Free Library
What they do: Allow community members to build or donate books to small free public libraries
What they need: A variety of gently-used books; details on the website. 

Books for Soldiers
What they do: Facilitate the direct donation of books to soldiers serving overseas
What they need: Books and magazines (as well as CDs, DVDs, and video games) requested by soldiers

BookEnds.org
What they do: Place books in inner-city schools, youth centers, homeless shelters, family literacy centers, after-school enrichment programs, children’s group homes, and juvenile detention facilities
What they need: Quality, gently-used children’s books appropriate for infants to 18 years of age

Better World Books
What they do: Sell books to help fund literacy programs worldwide
What they need: A wide variety of books; see website for details

 

DVD’s, Language Media, and CDs

Kidflicks.org
What they do: Create movie libraries for children’s hospitals and pediatric wards across the US
What they need: DVDs

DVDs4Vets
What they do: Provide DVDs to VA facilities for veterans in rehabilitation
What they need: DVDs and portable DVD players

DiscsForDogs.org
What they do: Sell used DVDs and CDs, and donate the proceeds to the SPCA
What they need: DVDs and CDs

Musicians On Call
What they do: Provide hospitals with complete CD libraries and players for patient use
What they need: New or gently-used CDs and new, unused personal CD players

 

Arts and Crafts

The CUREchief Foundation
What they do: Bring hope to cancer patients, and people with other conditions that cause hair loss
What they need: Cotton, flannel, or polar fleece fabric

Care Wear
What they do: Provide handmade baby items to premature infants in neonatal intensive care units
What they need: Yarn, flannel, broadcloth, and other fabrics suitable for children’s toys, apparel, and blankets/quilts

A Little Something
What they do: Help refugee women in Denver, CO become self-sufficient through crafting
What they need: Leftover or unwanted beads or jewelry-making supplies, weaving fiber, knitting needles, and natural fiber yarn

Beads of Courage
What they do: Provide arts-in-medicine for children with serious illnesses
What they need: All types of beads, of any color and shape

The Mending Hearts Project
What they do: Assist low-income families, teen and single mothers, and mothers with premature infants in neonatal intensive care units
What they need: “Donations of all handcrafted items, yarn, and sewing supplies are graciously accepted.”

Afghans Etc for Charity
What they do: Brighten the lives of children with cancer and other medical issues
What they need: Crochet and knitting supplies, and handcrafted items

Binky Patrol
What they do: Distribute homemade blankets (sewn, knitted, crocheted, or quilted) to children in need
What they need: Fabric, yarn, batting, and finished blankets

The Knitting Connection
What they do: Distribute supplies to volunteers to make hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, afghans, baby booties, layette sets, and Christmas stockings for needy children
What they need: Yarn, knitting needles, knitting books, and finished knitted/crocheted items

Many Arms Reach You
What they do: Collect and donate knitted, quilted, or crocheted blankets to disadvantaged mothers and their children
What they need: Yarn

The Mother Bear Project
What they do: Provide hand-knit and crocheted bears to children with HIV/AIDS in emerging nations
What they need: Yarn, knitting needles, PolyFil, postage stamps, packing tape

Knots of Love
What they do: Provide crocheted and knitted caps for chemo patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries
What they need: Yarn

Made 4 Aid
What they do: Sell handmade items on Etsy to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders
What they need: A variety of handmade items, as well as arts and crafts materials

Inklude Studio
What they do: Provide a creative environment for adult artists with autism and other developmental challenges
What they need: A variety of fabric, art supplies, photography and computer equipment

ArtBridge Houston
What they do: Provide an arts program for children in homeless shelters
What they need: Art supplies including paper, colored pencils, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, stencils, markers, etc.

Children’s Healing Art Project
What they do: Create art classes for children in Portland’s children’s hospitals
What they need: A variety of art supplies; see website for the current wishlist needs

 

Sports

Sports Gift
What they do: Provide sports programs and equipment to impoverished and disadvantaged children throughout the world
What they need: A wide variety of sports equipment; see website for details

One World Running
What they do: Provide running shoes to those in need in the US and throughout the world
What they need: New and near-new running shoes

Bikes for the World
What they do: Donate bicycles to developing countries, so that individuals can get to work or school, or provide health and education services to low-income rural people
What they need: Any serviceable adult or children’s bicycles, as well as bike parts, tools, and accessories

Bicycles for Humanity
What they do: Send bicycles to developing countries, to empower disadvantaged people through improved access to food and water, employment, healthcare, education and social opportunities
What they need: Bicycles, as well as bike parts, tools, clothing, helmets, tires, and tubes

Opportunity Through Baseball
What they do: Provide baseball equipment to impoverished children in the Dominican Republic and around the world
What they need: Baseballs, gloves, mitts, bats, helmets, and more

PeacePassers
What they do: Distribute soccer supplies to communities in need, to empower youth and maximize hope
What they need: Soccer gear like balls, shoes, jerseys, shorts, and socks

 

Musical Instruments

Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation
What they do: Keep the music alive in our schools and communities by donating musical instruments to under-funded music programs
What they need: Gently-used band and orchestral instruments

Marching Mountains
What they do: Supply public school band programs in distressed counties in Appalachia with donated new and used musical instruments
What they need: Musical instruments in good working condition (mainly for marching and concert bands)

Operation Happy Note
What they do: Send musical instruments to deployed service men and women throughout the world
What they need: New or gently-used guitars, violins, mandolins, banjos, keyboards, horns of any kind, harmonicas, and even bagpipes

Education Through Music
What they do: Promote the integration of music into the curricula of disadvantaged schools in order to enhance students’ academic performance and general development
What they need: A variety of musical instruments; see website for details

 

Eyewear

Unite for Sight
What they do: Support eye care for patients living in extreme poverty in developing countries
What they need: New reading glasses, distance glasses, and sunglasses

One Sight
What they do: Provide free vision care and eyewear to people in need around the world (in some countries, a pair of eyewear costs more than a month’s salary)
What they need: 2 million pairs of gently-used eyewear

New Eyes for the Needy
What they do: Send eyeglasses to medical missions and international charitable organizations for distribution to the poor in developing nations
What they need: Eyeglasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, hearing aids

 

Vehicles

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Cars for Kids’ Sake
What they do: Provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better
What they need: All types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, motorhomes, boats, airplanes, farm equipment, and construction equipment

Habitat for Humanity Cars for Homes
What they do: Build and rehabilitate houses for families in need
What they need: Cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and construction equipment

American Diabetes Association
What they do: Strive to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes
What they need: Cars, trucks, trailers, boats, and RVs

National Kidney Foundation Kidney Cars
What they do: Fund public health and professional education, vital patient and community services, organ donation programs and medical research to prevent kidney disease
What they need: Cars, vans, trucks, and boats

National Foundation for Cancer Research
What they do: Support cancer research and public education relating to prevention, earlier diagnosis, better treatments and ultimately, a cure for cancer.
What they need: Cars, trucks, boats, and SUVs

Purple Heart
What they do: Provide a variety of programs for wounded and disabled veterans and their families
What they need: Cars, trucks, RVs, and boats

 

Miscellaneous

National Furniture Bank
What they do: Provide beds, tables, chairs, and other crucial home furnishings to over 100,000 people in need each year
What they need: Beds, dressers, nightstands, tables, chairs, sofas, lamps, and more

Project C.U.R.E.
What they do: Donate medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics around the world
What they need: New and used medical equipment and supplies, including crutches, wheelchairs, and beds

UNICEF
What they do: Provide humanitarian relief to children around the globe
What they need: Foreign coins and notes

Chemo Angels
What they do: Brighten the lives of those undergoing IV chemo treatment
What they need: Retailer gift cards, valid or expired (can still be used in CA)

TESSA
What they do: Provide safety and counseling to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in El Paso and Teller counties
What they need: Grocery and retailer gift cards and used cell phones

Make-A-Wish Foundation
What they do: Grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions
What they need: Retailer gift cards and gift certificates

St. Jude’s Ranch
What they do: Serve all abused, abandoned, and neglected children and families in a safe, homelike environment
What they need: Used greeting cards

Overseas Coupon Program
What they do: Facilitate the sending of coupons to overseas military personnel and their families
What they need: Manufacturer’s coupons, valid and expired (up to 2 months)

 

General Recycling and Downcycling

Teracycle
What they do: Facilitate the sending of hard to recycle goods to companies and foundations needing your recyclable items
What they need: Various recycled goods; see website for more details; free program

Freecycle
What they do: Facilitate local posting of free goods and bartering opportunities
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Buy Nothing Project
What they do: Facilitate local posting of free goods and bartering opportunities
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Pots & Pans Outlet
What they do: Information provided on recycling metal pots and pans; treated and non-treated products
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Recycle Bank
What they do: Search engine and database for all North American recycling programs & point earning online games for kids
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Earth 911
What they do: Search engine and database for all North American recycling programs
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Recycle Now
What they do: Database for all North American hard-to-recycle item programs
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Stop! Your Lifestyle Is Ruining Your Back!

Sure, you’re doing your best to live a lifestyle that’s both healthy and thrifty. You’re trying to ensure that your body is well looked after, exercised and nourished without it costing a fortune and disrupting your carefully planned family budget but are you really putting your back into it?

Most of us consider our lifestyle healthy (and for the most part, we’re right) but many of us are neglecting one seriously important part of our health, and that’s the health of our spine. Like any other body part, most of us take it for granted and only pay it any attention when it’s not working quite so well as it should.

Of course, like any part of our body, we can only expect it to continue to function properly as we get older by taking good care of it. The trouble is that our increasingly sedentary lifestyle makes us put our spine under pressure that it hasn’t evolved to cope with. Neglecting your back can lead not only to limited flexibility but to a range of serious health conditions.

(Photo Source)

Serious health conditions? Spine-health can’t be that important, can it?

You bet it can! Let’s start with the obvious. Your spine is responsible for most of the mobility that we take for granted. We use it every time we do something that involves bending or twisting your body. Without a healthy spine, we can’t function. It’s really that simple.

We can’t run, lift weights at the gym or even reach over to the coffee table to pick up our phone when it rings. Neglecting your spine could lead to serious mobility problems even with the simple activities like sitting and walking that we rely on every day.

The spine is also the core of your central nervous system. It’s responsible for sending electrical impulses all over your body from your brain. Living a modern lifestyle can cause us to impede these impulses which could lead to a lack of sensation or even paralysis.

Your spine also runs parallel to your esophagus. Damage to your spinal column can press against your esophagus, or even puncture it, impeding your ability to swallow food and water.   

Even if you exercise regularly and eat relatively well (the standard by which we measure a healthy lifestyle today), the truth is that years and years of little things like incorrect lifting technique at the gym or using heavy tools incorrectly at work can slowly but surely lead to deterioration of the spinal column, wearing away at the spinal discs and joints, leading over time to degenerative diseases.

Every day our lifestyle leads us to bad habits that cause us to do our spines more and more harm. Fortunately, fixing these matters needn’t cost a fortune or involve a complete lifestyle change.

The power of posture

There’s a reason when we’re growing up our parents and teachers keep telling us to stand up straight. It’s not just because it makes us look slovenly, it’s because bad posture can lead to a huge range of health problems. It can lead to headaches, neck pain, back and shoulder pain, and even impeded lung and digestive function.

Correcting your posture takes constant diligence but the health benefits don’t take long to present themselves. Check out this guide for some everyday hints that can help you to correct your posture.

At work

Whatever your job and career aspirations, you likely spend a lot of your day sitting. You sit in your car or on the bus or train to work. You spend 8-10 hours a day sitting at your desk while at work, you sit again on the way back home and when you get home, it’s time for another sit.

The trouble is that sitting is not a configuration that our bodies have evolved to spend long periods of time in. Given that we spend around 8-12 hours a day at work (predominantly sitting) before sitting for a little longer at home. At work we’re not only sitting, we’re leaning forward to peer at the screen.

This puts a lot of pressure on our spine not to mention our vital organs. It’s no hyperbole to say that too much sitting can kill you, even if you exercise regularly. If your job requires a lot of sitting, build opportunities into your day to get up and move.

Every 30 minutes go over to grab a glass of water or check something with a colleague. It will take just a few minutes but could do a world of good for your health.

At home

Aside from yet more sitting there are other ways in which we don’t do our spines any favors at home. When we shop for a sofa we tend to go for the most comfortable option, little knowing that comfy sofas can cause back pain.

As important as our sofa is our bed is even more important. Even in a thrifty household, your mattress is not an area in which you should be a penny pincher. The wrong mattress can be disastrous to your health in all sorts of ways. It can prevent you from getting enough sleep and lead to back and neck pain that leads to more serious issues.

Your mattress should be replaced every 10 years. If you’re in the market for a new mattress don’t waste money on an uncomfortable cage sprung mattress. A hybrid mattress is great for spine health and a restful night’s sleep. What are hybrid mattresses? It’s a pocket sprung base interspersed and topped with memory foam. This gives you the perfect balance between comfort and support.

(Photo Source)

At the gym

Whether we’re aware of it or not we put our spinal health at risk when at the gym, particularly when lifting weights, many of us neglect the all-important warm up and cool down to protect our joints and the muscle tissue surrounding them.

Never sacrifice technique for weight as lifting heavier weights with incorrect technique not only compromises your goals in the long term but can lead to inadvertent back injury.

Vigilance and the fixing of a few bad habits are a small price to pay for a healthy and supple back!

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