This past year has been a roller-coaster filled with changes, not only in our world, but for many of us, in our lives and personality. For me I started to become outdoorsy, I was going on small hikes, spending more time outside, learning about the environment and honestly spending way too much time alone. The more time I spent outside and learning our beautiful earth, the more I began to realize I was neglecting her. If I was to love the earth, I had to care for it. I sat down and planned: my first step getting rid of plastic. This has been so hard; plastic is on everything and everywhere. Second step: start using a compost. When you throw food in the trash and it goes to the landfill it is creating methane gas, which in case you didn’t know this is not great for the environment. Third: go plant-based vegan. What finally pushed me over the edge to this lifestyle was the documentary Cowspiracy, which talked about the effects of dairy and meat industry on the environment. While it may seem small, you have so much control over your emissions and your impact. It makes me happy to know I am doing my part, even on such a small scale. With time I want to be able to grow my own food and live sustainably, but that’s a bit hard in college. As of now here are a few ways you can start making small changes that have a big effect.
A short disclaimer, right now there is an idea about white veganism being criticized by media. I quickly want to say my choice to become vegan is my own, I would never want to shame someone to eat a way that is not healthy for them or sustainable. Secondly, many criticize veganism because indigenous people have been hunting animals and using every part of the animal for many years and have had no negative impacts on the environment and I think that is amazing. For me, that is not a possibility, I cannot consume meat or dairy in a way that I find good for the environment or even my own body. I think it is important to recognize there are tons of ways to eat, tons of lifestyles, etc. This is what I have found is best for me and the impact I want to have on the earth. Everyone should live in a way that is fulfilling for them.
- Cut back on your plastic use.
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This one is tough; everything is packaged in plastic. I am still working to eliminate what plastic I still have left, but so far here are some ways I have cut out a lot.
I cannot stress this enough: get re-usable grocery bags. This is so easy, relatively cheap, and gets rid of so much plastic! I’ve collected bags from family members and then bought one for 5$ from target. I also use those cute woven bags from ikea for fruits and vegetables to avoid using a ton of small plastic bags.
Buying in Bulk! Here in West Lafayette, there are still ways to buy in bulk! Check out Fresh Thyme for a pretty good selection of dry goods. You can bring your jars from home and have them weighed when you arrive and then you fill them up with whatever you like. I buy oats, lentils, nuts, chia seeds, sesame seeds, and peanut butter from the bulk section and you save a ton of money doing it this way. Oats are 99 cents per pound! This is a great way to not use plastic and to save some money.
Buy things that are in recyclable packages, so cardboard or canned. When you force yourself to stop buying plastic you are also making yourself buy whole foods, which are often cheaper than the plastic stuff and whole foods are both delicious and filled with nutrients. (Tip: freeze food if you can’t get around to eating it, it will keep for much longer)
For storing food, use re-usable containers or re-usable beeswax is great for storing fruits and veggies. Ditch plastic bags they are terrible for the environment and having to constantly buy more can be costly.
- Food Waste
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COMPOST! COMPOST! COMPOST! Get a bin from target and stab some holes in it. You fill the first layer with some soil and then I use whatever people recycle to mix in to keep the compost dry. My biggest struggle was during hot days, bugs would be everywhere, so it is important to have the proper amount of moisture and make sure you are turning your compost as well. Food waste is leaving a massive carbon footprint, here’s a source about the overwhelming effects of food waste:
https://moveforhunger.org/the-environmental-impact-of-food-waste
When your bin is full take it to 705 S River Rd, West Lafayette, IN 47906! Drop off is so easy just drive up and take your food to the bins and dump it in!
Freezing food is your best friend, don’t let stuff go bad its wasting money and is harmful! Try and make as much as you can yourself and use as much of everything as you can, this can cut back on packaging and plastic use. For example, I make my own oat milk. Dairy and even almond milk have a ton of water waste and emissions, so making your own oat milk is the best way to help fight against this.Here’s how to make your own oat milk:
1 cup of oats, 2 cups of water, and anything you want to add (vanilla, maple syrup, etc.)
Blend up and then use a cheese cloth to collect the oat pulp and strain the milk. (you can wash and re-use cheese cloth as well)
But wait don’t waist anything! With your oat milk pulp combine, 1 mashed banana, ½ cup peanut butter, ½ tbsp cinnamon, vegan chocolate chips and vanilla. Form into cookie shapes and bake in an oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
They taste amazing in the morning.
Imperfect Foods! I have been using this amazing food delivery service for about three months now and I love it. They have a ton of options many of which are cheaper than what you buy in store due to imperfections or over production. What distinguishes them from other grocery delivery is they first don’t use any plastic and their food is what typically goes to waste due to imperfections of size, color, or simply over production. All the food is 100% safe and delicious, for those in West Lafayette they deliver on Fridays and you can either do every week or as often as needed. Sign up here!
https://www.imperfectfoods.com/how-grocery-delivery-service-works
- The Vegan Diet
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Once more, I want to reiterate that everyone should eat what is best for their bodies and I can understand this is not for everyone. However, I would say don’t knock it till you try it! Eating a plant-based diet is not only healthy, but it can be affordable and delicious. Since becoming vegan, I haven’t looked back I don’t feel restricted or like I’m on an impossible diet. This is the first time in my life I have felt happy in what I eat.
As I have stressed throughout this, make your own food. Trying to eat out a lot when on a vegan diet can get pricey and it’s hard. Buying the pre-made vegan food from trader joes is also going to get a bit pricey. Instead opt for buying whole foods it is extremely affordable and making food yourself is a fun and rewarding process both mentally and physically.
Variety!! While personally I am very big on cooking, so I tend to make meals that take hours or use some obscure foods. However, the vegan diet is extremely accessible and when you eat a vegan diet you are making a massive impact on the environment.
Read and learn as much as you can! One of my favorite documentaries on Netflix is Cowspiracy, it is extremely well researched and if you have questions doing your own research is extremely helpful in understanding your own reasons in potentially choosing a vegan.