Baby led weaning (BLW) is a slightly odd phrase I’ve never gotten over but it basically refers to letting your baby (6 months + but please talk to your pediatrician for individualized recommendations) eat solids right away. You side-step the puree phase. It’s baby-led eating versus a parent using a spoon to feed the baby. For expert advice on this subject, refer to this excellent book … Continue reading Zero Waste Baby Led Weaning
Anyone can be a minimalist. You might not use that word, but you might still be a “minimalist” at heart. Whether you’re on a road to declutter, simplify, streamline, slow down, live sustainably, or spark joy, these book recommendations will educate and inspire. For me paring down and experimenting with minimalism is all about making things easy on myself and my family, freeing up headspace … Continue reading Book Recommendations for Minimalist Parents
In some ways it’s impossible for me to look back at a full 12 months of time passing and distill my zero waste/trash free learnings into black and white words. I am a different person now than I was at the beginning of 2016. My family has completely embraced the changes we’ve made to drastically reduce our household trash, but our journey to understanding and … Continue reading One year of living zero waste
There are aspects of drastically reducing your personal garbage that frankly take some coordination and dedication to the cause. I know that for some, the whole idea of “zero trash” might make you want to stop before you even begin. …Wait! Come back! Instead of starting with the hardest thing for you – I’m sure you can easily conjure up what this is in your life – … Continue reading Tough love: The 5 easiest ways to reduce your waste right now
Here are the most popular posts on MeredithTested.com in 2016 based on your views and feedback! Thanks for your readership, friendship and support. Cheers to a great 2017 filled with more posts about zero waste, minimalism, and eco-friendly living. In many ways, I write this blog for myself. I like to get my thoughts and ideas on paper, and I do refer back to previous posts … Continue reading Most popular posts of 2016
Here’s what I packed and will bring with me to the hospital for my gentle c-section with my second baby. I realize there are a lot of labels on this post (“minimalism” “zero waste” “gentle”), but they all give some insight as to why I packed my bag this way. This list is focused on zero waste or low-waste and being minimal, since that’s my current … Continue reading Minimal and Zero Waste Hospital Birth Bag Packing List: Gentle C-Section Edition
Tis the season for festive fun, parties, spending time with family and friends and trying to bring lots of light and spirit to a dark cold season. It’s also the season to produce more trash than ever! Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Americans (and I’m sure this applies to other countries as well) contribute an astounding amount of trash to landfills. Specifically, during December, the US produces … Continue reading 10 ways to have an eco-friendly, zero waste holiday
*This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own and you guys know I only share the good stuff. Long before I learned about the concept of “zero waste,” I spent a long time slowly trying to eliminate plastic from my family’s home. No easy task in our modern times. Inspired and educated by Beth Terry and her book, and driven by my own … Continue reading Plastic Free Bottles – Pura Stainless Review
I enjoy drinking tea for the ritual, the warmth and the potential health benefits. I recently tried out the Steep Echo brand because their concept and ingredients stood out. Steep Echo teas are made in California using… organic olive leaf! According to the Steep Echo literature, the teas are a blend of organic olive leaf “with selected botanicals to better your body and mind and provide the health … Continue reading Steep Echo All Natural Olive Leaf Tea Review
I recently threw my daughter a small party to celebrate her 2nd birthday. Here are a few details about that party alongside more ideas to help you reduce trash and be more eco-friendly at your next celebration. Aim to do the best you can without getting more stressed than necessary. Sure, push yourself to make great choices but also let it slide if you’re unable … Continue reading Zero Waste Kids’ Birthday Party
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