Tag: Home

Environment, well-being, What is Organic

Creating Hope at Home one Renovation at a Time

Melody Meyer
Home renovation can be eco-friendly
Photo by Margo Brodowicz on Unsplash

I am the opposite of a nomad; despite my voracious travels, I have lived in the same place since 1986. This stationary bent isn’t related to a lack of adventure or acute Agoraphobia; it’s just that I love it here. As time has passed, animals, friends, frolics, and foibles have left the place a bit shoddy around the edges, in need of repair. 

When I look at sprucing the place up a bit, I wonder how it can be done with grace and sustainability. Could my home improvement project be done mindfully to create hope for the planet? 

Here are a few ways to refurbish and rejuvenate without adding to the planet’s woes.

Continue reading “Creating Hope at Home one Renovation at a Time” →
Culinary Delights, Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, well-being, What is Organic

Waste Not Want Not: Granny’s Tips on Reducing Food Waste

Melody Meyer

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Photo by Christian Bowen on Unsplash

My grandmother used the old adage “waste not want not” for good reason. She was a woman who lived during the Great Depression, she grew our family’s food most of her life. Planting, nurturing, harvesting and preserving food was her life—and she didn’t intend to waste any of it!

In the US, we throw away 30-40 percent of our food supply. That’s 219 pounds per person and $1600 per family each year.

Wholesome food that could feed families in need is sent to landfills. Food is the single largest component taking up space inside US landfills.

If that isn’t enough to motivate you, think about the land, water, labor, energy and other inputs used in producing, processing, transporting, preparing, storing, and disposing of discarded food.

For me, you and I, it may be about saving money. For others, it’s about contributing to the environment and doing your part to save the planet.

Whatever your reason is to reduce your food waste, I’m going to give you some hints from my pantry and Granny. Continue reading “Waste Not Want Not: Granny’s Tips on Reducing Food Waste” →

Culinary Delights, Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, What is Organic

Earth Friendly Living is Easier Than You Think. It Begins Right at Home.

Melody Meyer

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Photo by Joshua Ness on Unsplash

Storm clouds may seem to be gathering on multiple fronts these days, but there is hope in many areas. I believe at the root of every human being is a nugget of good—a place where we really want to do the right thing.

The world is becoming a more environmentally conscious place. People recognize that to change the trajectory of degradation to our planet, we must take matters into our own hands.

Change happens at the local level, and no place is more local than home. Click your heels, and you’re there? Not quite, but there are things you can begin doing right now, even as you shelter in place, that can make a difference towards environmental change. Continue reading “Earth Friendly Living is Easier Than You Think. It Begins Right at Home.” →

Culinary Delights, Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, well-being, What is Organic

Cultivating Mental Health is Key to Conquering the Pandemic

Melody Meyer

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Photo by Lauren McConachie on Unsplash

Over the past several months, the world has been stuck in lockdown. Many of us have been self-isolating, hunkering down at home, so we don’t contract or spread the virus.

Life isn’t the same as it was. We cannot do the things we once did, nor can we be with some of the people we love.

It’s enough to make us all feel a bit mad.

These unprecedented times are having consequences, not only for our physical health and our livelihoods, but most importantly, our state of mind.

There are a few secrets I have discovered to keep me sane and centered amidst all the change.  Continue reading “Cultivating Mental Health is Key to Conquering the Pandemic” →

well-being

On the Edge? Here are 5 Simple Ways You Can Learn to Relax

Melody Meyer

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Does your life feel overwhelming these days? Social unrest, political upheaval, texts, newsbytes—it never stops. This Niagara of information that gushes over us can make it seem like we’re living on a constant precipice of stress. One more thing just might push us over the edge.

There are a few lifeboats we can throw ourselves to help reel us back in and help us relax a bit. Here are 5 simple things I do to increase my state of relaxation and peace of mind when I’m on the edge. Continue reading “On the Edge? Here are 5 Simple Ways You Can Learn to Relax” →