A Sustainable Lifestyle: Good for you, good for the planet

Something 2020 has taught me is the personal benefits of a simpler and slower paced lifestyle.

Somewhat thrust upon us due to the pandemic, being physically separated from friends and family has forced us to take solace in the smaller and more sustainable things in life. Like a good book, exploring the great outdoors, tending to the garden or spending quality time with loved ones.

In so many ways simple living is a more sustainable lifestyle and so much better for the environment.

Everything we consume has a direct impact on our planet. From skincare to groceries, are your choices the best?

We used to live in a fast paced world of consumerism. Here is hoping that we don’t revert back to all the old ways of the past (although it would be really great to visit those interstate friends again soon!)

What is a sustainable lifestyle?

Now, I don’t proclaim to be a leader in this field by any stretch!

A sustainable lifestyle is as the name suggests – sustainable for the planet and something you can sustain over a long period of time.

For me, it’s all about substituting everyday things for more eco-friendly alternatives:

• Taking reusable bags to the supermarket
• Swapping plastic toothbrushes for biodegradable ones
• Bringing my lunch from home in reusable containers
• Swapping plastic straws for paper or none at all
• Ditching the single use makeup wipes for microfibre reusable cloths

Something else I have recently been embracing is incorporating more plant-based meals into my diet.

It started with meat-free Mondays, then expanded to plant-based lunches. To be honest, with so many exciting plant-based options I don’t think my husband has even noticed.

Plant-based meals

A plant-based meal is any meal that centres on foods derived from plant sources, like vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses, legumes, nuts, seeds, and meat substitutes such as tofu and tempeh. 

When you make the choice to eat plant-based meals, you’re also choosing to reduce your environmental footprint. From saving energy and water, lowering carbon emissions to protecting farmland and supporting biodiversity, eating plants is the smart and sustainable choice.

Did you know?

• Animal farming provides just 18% of calories but takes up 83% of our farmland worldwide,
• Animal agriculture contributes an estimated 18% to total greenhouse gas emissions,
• If every family in the UK removed the meat from just one meal a week, it would have the same environmental impact as taking 16 million cars off the road. Source

Not only does a plant-based diet offer many positive benefits to the environment, but there are a lot of personal benefits too. Rich in antioxidants, dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and micro nutrients, eating plant-based meals regularly has also been linked to lower body fat, cholesterol and risk of diseases like Type 2 diabetes, specific cancers and cardio vascular disease. You will also notice a massive decrease in your weekly grocery bill.

How to start

The best way to start is slowly, with one plant-based day each week. Jump on the meat-free Monday bandwagon, it can still make a world of difference. Or alternatively, you can go all in and swap every meal for a plant-based alternative.

If you are time poor, like everyone is these days, then perhaps the best option is to get delicious meals delivered. No grocery shopping, cooking or clean-up needed!

Soulara is a great option! All their meals are plant-based which means you don’t have to pick through to find the few plant-based options like other subscription meal boxes. All the superfood packed meals are designed by expert chefs and nutritionists, which are both good for you and aligned with your values.

Every meal is and conveniently delivered to your home in 100% recyclable packaging from $8.50 per meal. Soulara has offered the SEEH Skincare community a special offer – use code LIVESOULARA40 for $40 off your first order! And please keep us updated with other suggested sustainable living options you come across.

Much love

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