1 month

It's been about a month since our waste free journey began...

and we have reduced our trash (as a 2 human and one dog household) from 60-80 liters of trash per month to a whopping >1 liter of garbage. GET OUT! I'm so proud of us.

Putting our trash in a jar was mostly about awareness but it surely helped us produce less. Just knowing how much garbage we produced made me more conscious about every decision I was making. Too many times have I made decisions without thinking about my impact; not only environmentally but socially. Humans can be extremely selfish and I'm hoping to reduce these instances in my life.

A few of the things we threw away in april have now been switched out to more sustainable options!

*Compostable toothbrushes-https://www.brushwithbamboo.com/
You guys, everyone go and order one right this minute! These are so awesome. The handle is compostable or better yet, you could upcycle them and the bristles can be recycled at a center. I looked into pig hair bristles (biodegradable option) but decided to go with this one. Goodbye, but not really to my old toothbrushes that will be in the landfill forever and never decompose.

*Homemade toothpaste-which is still a work in progress but currently a combination of coconut oil, xylitol (which was damn hard to find!), baking soda and peppermint oil. I actually really like this toothpaste and Sean does too! It definitely doesn't leave a minty fresh feel but I don't mind that part.

*The best deodorant in the entire world!-Also costs no money. Seriously. My ultimate test for this all in one day was as follows: 2 spritz per armpit; Biked to work hurriedly on a hot day (4 miles one way) and went on 5 mile hike. I smelled my clothes and armpits and it was violets and roses. I will share this magical recipe at a later date.

*Soap bar-it smells so good and is SLS free and I bought it locally with no packaging. Win, win, win. I use this for my hair and body.

Yay for zero waste!

weekly synopsis: episode 7

1. Winding the weekend down with a nice cup of tea.
2. Made 45 napkins for the wedding...still have 100 to go....
3. Had a nice dinner up in Red Feather during a winter snow storm.
4. Did some serious reducing in my bathroom.
5. Biked to work every day except one!
6. Spring has been just lovely (although there is 6 inches of snow outside right this minute)
7. Yogurt and granola work snack!
8. Brunch with Meg at Cafe Aion.
9. Hike up to Bear Peak with Sean (Who now wears glasses!!) and lou lou.

Hope everyone had a wonderful week!

hope for a more sustainable future.

I've recently made a big change in my life that I feel really passionate about!

Living waste free.

This has a lot of sub categories under it but overall trying to produce the least amount of trash as possible. Buying things in bulk, making sure I have containers with me at all times so I don't have to use any one-use items, buying second hand, composting, reducing, reusing, recycling etc.

It's not hard but it is certainly laborious. There are lot of amazing conveniences in this technological world of ours but unfortunately a lot of it ends up in the landfills...

Changes i've made so far:
1) A lot of research and studying up on the subject!
2) Saying no to bottled water, plastic utensils and to-go containers.
3) Along with #3, always have containers, utensils and napkins on hand, just in case!
3) Reducing the amount of things we own.
4) Properly disposing of our already owned plastics and switching over to a more sustainable/lasting glass and/or stainless steel.
5) Visited the bulk store (If you are in the front range: Simply bulk is a dream!)
6) Keep track of our trash!
7) We were already composting but being more diligent about it.

Our trash for the month of April so far-

My friend Meg is the one who pushed me to be more aware of the waste I was producing. So in essence, i'm sharing this so that I could be somebody's Meg. I'm grateful for her. Thanks Meg you've really shaped my life for the better! (Also she introduced me to knitting, so I am literally forever in her debt.) You're amazing, never change.

if you had a twin i would still choose you. love drake.

It is 70 degrees and beautifully sunny right now.

After work I stopped at my favorite bakery and treated myself to an iced coffee and a quiche. They had their garage door wide open and I sat facing it listening to the booming pop music of the young baker manning the store. Rihanna's "werk" came on which I usually cringe at the sound of her lazily pronouncing her words...but this time I couldn't but help jamming a little bit. Maybe it's not a well written song but we cannot deny its most appealing beat. 

Not to get all spiritual with Rihanna in a bakery but sitting there...I felt really good...But how easily I forget these beautiful simple days when a bad one comes along...note to self: need to work on this.

Also took Lou to the river today.

weekly synopsis: episode 6

1. This is the biggest news of all! I went to the airport with Sean last Friday to pick up "Gabe the potential CU grad student" and these two popped out of the airplane! BEST SURPRISE EVER! Actually...ONLY SURPRISE I have ever had in my life, so still the best. Obviously I cried a little bit. I still feel like it was a dream. Love you so much Gabe/Gabby/Katie.
2. Had a 'cookie date' as Sean called it. All of this is new: calling our spending time a 'date' and also Sean helping me make cookies.
3. Recently with the help of my good friend Meg, I have embarked on a waste free life!
4. Oh my gosh...these picked radishes were so delicious.
5. Working on a spring sweater.
6. I mean look at this picture. Just melts my heart. Also Sean has been sick this whole week with the flu. I can't help but think about this video...
7. Coffee/knitting/real talk date with Meg at our favorite coffee shop.
8. So much running! It feels magical to be back in shape!
9. I love these cute goats in our neighborhood!

weekly synopsis: episode 5

1. I've been trying to make bread every week and so far both tries have not risen like I want it too. argh!
2. Hello snowy pup.
3. We had a snow day this week! Well kind of...I worked a half day and s and lou had the whole day off together.
4. I love the moon.
5. I had a terrible, terrible day at work last week. So many dramatic emotions! Knowing that i would most likely die emotionally if I didn't eat something with sugar, Sean bought these before i got home. The best kind of band aid.
6. !New! Trick. I am so excited about this one! Watch out louie! I'm going to put so many misc. items on your head. har har
7. Hiking before the big storm.
8. Oh my gosh, GOLD HILL! I love you so much. What a cool little mining town! I can't wait to visit in the summertime.
9. The beginnings of my sweater!

the end of the year

This was a spectacular year (as is every year).

Every year I try to look back on the past 12 months and reflect. I don't know if there is one standing thing in 2015 but I learned to be happier with what I have and that has been wonderful. Want less, be more grateful, spend less money; these were my 2015 motto's. Here's to another year of life under my belt. 

-January-we woke up at the crack of dawn and saw the sunrise at Rocky Mountain National Park to celebrate it's 100th birthday.

In February-We did a lot of hiking in NCAR, lots of Chataqua Park and Eldorado Springs.

                                                                                                                                                            
  In March-Tomomi came to visit and we had the best time touring around Colorado with my favorite big sister.

In April-We moved to Boulder!

In May-Explored Trail Ridge covered in feet and feet of snow.

In June-Our closest friends Graham and Lucy got married! and they also moved to the Pacific Northwest..COME BACK!

 In July-We took a summer vacation through WY and SD
-My 2 beautiful sister's came to visit!
-Sean and I got ENGAGED!

In August-A very pregnant Mimi came to see us and also a non pregnant Sam.

In September-We took a beautiful fall drive up in the mountains

In October-We spent the month enjoying October activities. Again went to Bartles farm.

 In November-We went to Steamboat Springs for some snowshoeing
-Thanksgiving was spent again here in Colorado (5th year in a row!)

In December-I spent Christmas in Colorado for the first time.

See you never, 2015!