By Sara Gibson
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO ECO CONSCIOUS LIVING
Living an eco-conscious lifestyle doesn’t need to be hard or expensive. My intention for this E-book is that it can help you start living a sustainable life effortlessly. By everyone just making a few simple changes in their lives we can bring about radical change and help stop further harming the planet. A bit about me! My name is Sara, I live in WA and I am about to begin my masters in Environmental science & Management, with a research focus on microplastics in our oceans. Soon I will be living in a converted 1996 Toyota Coaster school bus and will travel the country with my partner and our two dogs! I am incredibly passionate about living a sustainable lifestyle and helping others do the same. I believe I have a duty to the planet, to help leave it better than how I came into it, I want this to be my legacy and my life's mission. I truly believe the world needs to have a perception shift, from consume more to creating a more cyclical lifestyle. This guide is going to help you get started, with some easy swaps to begin your eco living journey.
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Index
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o Building a thriving vegetable garden; what to plant in what seasons. Kangen water: sustainability & health.
o Cleaning recipes. Beauty recipes. Steps to becoming a more conscious consumer. Going on a plastic diet.
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Peppermint essential oil: great for disinfecting surfaces.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
Natural ingredients for cleaning:
Tea tree essential oil: has strong antimicrobial action. Many studies have shown Tea Tree to be effective against bacterial, fungal & viral pathogens making it a broad spectrum disinfectant.
essential oil: has antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal & anti-inflammatory properties.
Lemon essential oil: has antibacterial, antiseptic & anti-infectious Lemongrassproperties.
Eucalyptus essential oil: antiseptic & expectorant properties.
If you have a Kangen Machine than use the sanitary water setting usually around pH 2.5, this setting is scientifically proven to have antibacterial properties so is a wonderful eco conscious cleaning product. If you don’t have this machine than you can use normal tap water.
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Kangen water: to ensure there are no impurities in your cleaning
All-purpose cleaning spray: Grab a 500ml spray bottle and add 20 drops of Lemon or Eucalyptus with 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. If you are cleaning a particularly greasy surface than add equal parts white vinegar & water to the essential oil mix. Shake thoroughly.
o Toilet cleaner: Plunge your toilet a couple of time and then add ½ cup of Citric acid to your toilet with hot but not boiling water. Let it sit overnight. Your toilet will be sparkling in the morning! I like to add a couple of drops of lemon essential oil around the bowl after to keep it smelling nice.
o Soap scum remover: Grab a 100ml spray bottle and add 10 drops of tea tree oil & 5 drops of lemon oil, along with a tsp of baking soda. Fill the rest with equal parts vinegar and water. Be careful when adding the vinegar that the reaction with baking soda doesn’t make it overflow. Screw on the lid and shake with care.
o Washing liquid for both kitchen & laundry: 1 ½ cups of washing soda, 1 ½ cups of borax, 1 bar of natural soap (make sure to finely grate it). Alternatively, Zero co makes a great refillable laundry liquid.
o Carpet stain remover: a paste of baking soda & water, scrub on stain with a little bit of water. Leave for 30 minutes and rinse with water, then blot dry. Do not leave it overnight as it will lighten the carpet.
Whiteproducts.vinegar
(optional): The acidic nature of vinegar is so strong it can dissolve mineral deposits, grease & grime.
o Air freshener: ¼ cup of vodka into a spray bottle with ½ cup of water & 20 drops of an essential oil of choice.
o Cloths: always make sure to use bamboo or organic cotton reusable cloths for cleaning. This way they won’t shed microplastics, once you’ve used them I like to pop mine in the washing machine.
o Deodorant: ¼ cup of tapioca flour, 1 tbsp of baking soda, 2 tbsp of coconut oil, 5 drops of an essential oil of choice. Or alternatively if you don’t have time to make your own, I love the brand WooHoo.
Hair: o Shampoo: ½ tsp of olive oil, 15 drops of essential oil of your choosing, ½ cup of water (if you have a kangen machine use beauty water), ½ tsp of xanthium gum & ½ cup of castile soap.
o Conditioner: Coconut oil through only the ends of your hair after you have washed it.
o Dry shampoo: 1/3 cup of tapioca flour mixed with 1 tsp of the following powders depending on your hair colour: ginger (for blondes), cinnamon (for redheads) & cacoa (for brunettes).
Body o Facewash: A Konjac sponge or a small drop of castile soap, 1 drop of tea tree oil & 1 drops of rose hip oil (1 wash). If you have a Kangen machine, make sure to utilize the beauty setting on your machine.
o Face scrub: 1 tsp of coarsely ground tapioca pearls, 2 tsp of honey (preferably locally sourced), 1 2 tsp of hot water.
o Hair dye: when opting for hair dye products, try to go for ones that are low tox and are based on cassia or henna. You can find great ones at health stores.
o Moisturizer: Kakadu plum or finger lime or hemp oil! My favorite brand is Bleum. Coconut oil is great for the body.
BEAUTY PRODUCTS
o Nail polish remover: 80 ml of olive oil, 1 tsp of citrus juice, 1 tbsp of honey, 1 tsp of sea salt, 3 drops of tea tree oil.
Beauty o Makeup: always opt for a cruelty free brand, some great brands are Eye of Horus & Nude by nature.
o Toner: Fill a small pump spray bottle (around 30ml) with witch hazel. Add 1 tsp of Vitamin E oil & 5 drops of rosemary oil. Or if you have a kangen machine use the beauty water setting!
o Buy handmade products or products from businesses that are transparent about how the clothing is produced. Even better if they produce lines in small quantities like Ottoway the Label, as it reduces on waste.
Use the shop ethical app to find brands who have great environmental and social ideologies.
Steps to becoming a more conscious consumer
o Utilize reusable shopping bags, cups, bottles & containers.
o If you’re going to consume animal products, research where you are buying them from. Never go with factory farming or caged! Try to opt for high quality organic meat that is free range.
o Choose produce from regenerative farms, you can usually just google the closest one to you!
o Shop seasonally & locally.
o Try not to buy anything new with clothes opt for shopping on Depop or thrifting from charity stores.
o Opt to buy your foods from local farmers markets. This is a great way to cut down on your plastic consumption.
o Buy fair trade, always look for the little certification on the bottom of packets.
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o Before you do buy a new piece of clothing, think to yourself ‘can I wear this across seasons & for years to come?’ & ‘Will I wear this at least 30 times’.
o Always research before you buy.
o For god sake no more straws!
o Buy toilet paper wrapped in paper so it can be recycled properly with no plastic usage. ‘Who gives a crap’ is the brand I like.
I could go on and on about all the statistics on our global plastic issues and there is plenty of info in my blog in regards to the mass pollution that plastic causes, plus its horrendous health & environmental implications. So here are some ways to put your household on a plastic diet:
o Choose glass containers over plastic, you can find some reasonably priced ones on Amazon.
Go on a plastic diet!
o Buy in bulk from places like Naked wholefood or The Source bulk foods. This means you aren’t buying good prepackaged in plastic.
o Stop using plastic bags all together. Use reusable shopping bags & produce bags.
o Keep your produce fresh by cutting them up and placing them in containers or getting Swag produce bags. This will help to stop excess food wastage & keep your food fresh instead of using plastic.
o Get rid of plastic wrap and opt for bees wax wraps. You can buy them from any health store.
o Buy a set of travelling cutlery and put it in your car or bag, along with your reusable coffee cup.
o Stop buying cleaning products, make them or invest and buy a Kangen machine. You will never need to buy any cleaning products again.
o When you get takeaway food, bring your own container and ask the restaurant use that instead of single use packaging.
o Always go and get your own takeaway and try to opt for places near to you so you aren’t using unnecessary petrol.
o Pick a room and slowly plastic diet each room. For example your bathroom: buy a reusable razor, soap bar, make your own shampoo & conditioner.
HERBS – plant chamomile, comfrey, cress, dill, endives, garlic bulbs, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rocket, sage, sorrel, spring onions and thyme.
FRUIT & VEGETABLES plant beetroot, mini and early-maturing cabbage, onions, radish, carrots, tomato, beans, bok/pak choi, leeks, kale, spinach, silverbeet, lettuce. -Wet & dry tropical (North Queensland, NT & WA)
Growing your own fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to lower your environmental impact, it is also a great way to teach kids about where food comes from and strengthen yours and their relationship to the natural world. I am still very much a rookie in this area, however, one day I hope to have a thriving vegetable garden so my family no longer has to buy produce. I have included in this guide what produce to plant in which season, if you can’t create your own vege garden yet, than this is a great way to know what produce is in season when. Winter planting guide: -Subtropical (south east QLD & Northern NSW):
HERBS plant dill, garlic, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rocket, sage, Thai coriander and FRUITthyme.& VEGETABLES sow beans, bok/pak choi, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, kale, lettuce, peas, potato, pumpkin, radish, silverbeet, spinach, sweet corn and tomato. -Dry Inland (arid or outback areas)
Building a thriving Vegetable Garden
-Temperate (Sydney, coastal NSW & HERBVictoria)plant chamomile, comfrey, coriander, cress, dill, feverfew, garlic bulbs, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, mustard, oregano, parsley, sage, shallots and thyme.
-Mediterranean (Adelaide & Perth) HERBS cress and parsley.
FRUIT & VEGETABLE plant artichoke, asparagus, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, endive, leek, lettuce, onion, peas, snow peas, silverbeet, spinach and radish.
HERBS – plant chives, cress, curry, dill, mint, parsley, sage and thyme.
FRUIT & VEGETABLE asparagus, broad beans, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, rhubarb, spinach and Chinese greens (for example Pak choi).
-Cool & Southern Tablelands (Melbourne, Tasmania & cool highlands)
FRUIT & VEGETABLES plant artichoke, asparagus, broad beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, kale, lettuce, onion, parsnip, pea, potato, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, silverbeet and spinach.
FRUIT & VEGETABLE plant artichoke, asparagus, beets, broad bean, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, English spinach, kale, lettuce, onion, pea and radish.
HERBS sow basil, chives, coriander, dill, min, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.
FRUIT & VEGETABLES – sow beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, chicory, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, melons, mustard, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish, rosella, silver beet, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato (plant seedlings after the last frost has passed) and watermelon.
HERBS – sow basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.
FRUIT & VEGETABLES – Sow beans, beetroot, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, endive, lettuce, melons, okra, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish,
HERBS – Protect plants from heat in late spring. inland areas have a good climate for growing all types of herbs.
-Wet & dry tropical (North Queensland, NT & WA)
-Subtropical (South east QLD & Northern NSW)
FRUIT & VEGETABLES – Stop planting most vegetables by spring, although beans, capsicum, onion, radish and sweet corn can still do well. Harvest by summer. Watch out for fruit flys and control spray lawn weeds.
-Temperate (Sydney, coastal NSW & Victoria)
Spring planting guide:
-Dry Inland (arid or outback areas)
HERBS – plant basil, chilli, chives, dill, ginger, mint, oregano and parsley.
FRUIT & VEGETABLES Plant beetroot, capsicum, carrot, chilli, Chinese Cabbage, choko, corn, cucumber, french beans, eggplant, leek, lettuce, onion, radish, rockmelon, silver beet, spinach, squash, sweet potato, pumpkin, tomato, watermelon and zucchini
HERBS – plant basil, chives, coriander, fennel, gotu kola, heliotrope, lemongrass, mint, parsley, tarragon and winter savoury.
FRUIT & VEGETABLES – plant artichoke, beans, capsicum, celery, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, melons, okra, onion, potato (tubers), rosella, silver beet, spring onion, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato and tomato.
Mediterranean (Adelaide & Perth)
Summer planting guide -Subtropical (South east QLD & Northern NSW)
FRUIT & VEGETABLES – Sow broccoli, carrot, celery, cucumber, lettuce, silver beet, snow pea, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, zucchini and tomato (plant seedlings after the last frost has passed).
-Cool & Southern Tablelands (Melbourne, Tasmania & cool highlands)
HERBS sow basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.
rhubarb, rosella, silverbeet, spring onion, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato (plant seedlings after the last frost has passed) and zucchini.
HERBS sow basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.
FRUIT & VEGETABLES Sow beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, endive, leek, lettuce, onion, pak choi, pea, spinach, spring onion, strawberry, sweet corn, zucchini and tomato (plant seedlings after the last frost has passed).
HERBS plant basil, coriander, lemongrass, mint and tarragon.
Southern Tablelands (Melbourne, Tasmania & cool highlands)
Mediterranean (Adelaide & Perth)
FRUIT & VEGETABLES – Plant tomatoes, zucchini and capsicum by the end of January. Spray apples and pears against codling moth.
HERBS Keep picking the flowers of parsley and basil to prevent them bolting.
HERBS – plant basil, chives, coriander, fennel, gotu kola, heliotrope, lovage, mint, parsley and FRUITtarragon.&VEGETABLES plant beans (dwarf and climbing), beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chicory, chilli, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, endive, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, okra, parsnip, potato (tubers), radish, rhubarb (crowns), shallots, silver beet, spring onion, sweet corn, sweet potato and -zucchini.Cool&
-Temperate (Sydney, coastal NSW & Victoria)
HERBS plant basil, chives, coriander, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon and thyme.
Wet & dry tropical (North Queensland, NT & WA)
-Dry Inland (arid or outback areas) No sowing or planting throughout summer due to hot and dry conditions
FRUIT & VEGETABLES plant beans, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, English spinach, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, onion, parsnip, pumpkin, radish, silver beet, spring squash, swede, sweet corn, tomato, turnip and zucchini
FRUIT & VEGETABLES – plant artichoke, beetroot, capsicum, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, pumpkin, radish, shallots, spring onion and tomato.
FRUIT & VEGETABLES – plant broad beans, broccoli, lettuce, onion, peas, radish, shallots, spinach, spring onion and turnip.
HERBS plant chervil, chives, chicory, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic bulbs, lavender, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, sorrel, rosemary, thyme, winter tarragon and FRUITyarrow.&
-Temperate (Sydney, coastal NSW & Victoria)
-Wet & dry tropical (North Queensland, NT & WA)
HERB – plant coriander, garlic bulbs, marjoram, oregano, parsley, thyme and winter FRUITtarragon.&VEGETABLE
Autumn planting guide
VEGETABLES plant broad beans, broccoli, Brussels sprout, cauliflower, lettuce, onion, peas, radish, shallot, spinach, spring onion, tomato and turnip.
plant broad beans, English spinach, green beans and peas.
HERBS – plant chervil, chicory, coriander, fennel, garlic bulbs, lavender, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rocket, sage, sorrel, rosemary, thyme, winter tarragon and yarrow.
-Subtropical (South east QLD & Northern NSW)
HERBS – plant basil, coriander, garlic, garlic chives, marjoram, oregano, parsley, thyme and winter tarragon.
FRUIT & VEGETABLES – sow beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, melons, mustard, okra, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, radish, rosella, silver beet, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato and zucchini. -Dry Inland (arid or outback areas)
FRUIT & VEGETABLE plant broad bean, beetroot, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, Chinese broccoli, Chinese cabbage, English spinach, leek, lettuce, onion, parsnip, potatoes, silver beet, swede and turnip.
FRUIT & VEGETABLE plant citrus, avocado and olive trees by end of March. Sow broccoli, cabbage, broad beans, cauliflower, celery, English spinach, silver beet, lettuce and peas.
Cool & Southern Tablelands (Melbourne, Tasmania & cool highlands)
HERBS plant chives, coriander, marjoram, oregano, mustard and parsley.
-Mediterranean (Adelaide & Perth)
HERBS plant chives, coriander, garlic, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, shallots, tarragon and thyme.
Kangen Water What is Kangen water?
Kangen water is electrolyzed reduced, pure, hydrogen rich drinking water. The machines were engineered by Japanese scientists in the 1950’s in a successful attempt to mimic natural glacier water. At the time there was research being conducted regarding populations who drank glacier water in multiple different locations in the world, and how they were living healthy lives to 120+ years old, free from disease. The research soon proved that this water had particular properties that the human body required to live a long healthy Kangenlife. machines are gold standard certified medical grade water filtration systems and ionizers (the only kind in the world). They have been used for years in Japanese hospitals and surveys have shown that 1 in every 3 households in Japan have one of these machines. These machines have 60+ uses, the water flows from your tap and passes through the filter and passes through titanium and platinum plates. This is the beginning ionization process which is known as electrolysis, this process
breaks apart the water molecules then restructures them. The system filters out harmful chemicals, heavy metals and fluoride. This machine is a wonderful option for people who are short on time and want to be sustainable. It totally eliminates the need for any cleaning products again, so easily helps households drastically cut there plastic consumption and Thefootprint.water
can be used to remove pesticides which wreak havoc on your health, create natural fertilizer for your vege garden, create natural pesticide, has antibacterial properties, can be used to make cleaning products and can be used to make mouthwash and face products. This machine lasts for 25+ years meaning it is your one stop shop to a sustainable household.
Uses:
o Strong acidic water: anti-bacterial, anti-viral, sanitizer, cleaning & disinfecting. Examples: treating wounds, acne, household cleaning, soaking food & brushing teeth.
o Acidic water: beauty, skin, cleaning. Examples: face wash/toner, hair care, house cleaning.
o Clean water (neutral pH): Safe to drink, use to take medication and prepare baby formula.
o Alkaline water: best for drinking, eliminates acid waster, -ORP values.
o Strong alkaline water: environmentally friendly soak for fruit/veg removes oilbased pesticides which tap water alone cannot do, use as a laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid, removes stains.
If you want to learn more about Kangen water, please reach out to me today on my Instagram Consciouslivin_ or book a call through my website. I love sharing this water with likeminded eco conscious souls.
Contact me Email: OrInstagram:sarassustainability@gmail.comConsciouslivin_throughmywebsite
