Save time, space and money with a capsule wardrobe

Posted on 6:00pm Tuesday 19th Feb 2019

If you’re always short on time, space in your home and money, then choosing to have a capsule wardrobe could solve all of these things!

Read on for tips on how I manage my capsule wardrobe, as well as how it will help you spend less and become clutter-free in your wardrobe.

Being a minimalist

I’ve shared my story a few times on my blog of how I believe I came to be a minimalist and lover of a capsule wardrobe. To cut a long story short, I moved house several times in my late teens and early twenties which included renting rooms in shared houses and bedsits.

Not only did I not want to lug so many belongings with me for each house move, but I also didn’t have much space at each property. I didn’t need to buy a lot of furniture and home décor as I only had a bedroom to furnish.

Once I settled with my husband I then had more space and belongings did at first begin to grow. They also grew with the arrival of our children who need a lot of things and grow out of things far too quickly! But having lots of stuff makes my head fuzzy!

I’m not one for mess or clutter and even just knowing I have things sat unused in cupboards or attics makes my head feel noisy. I’m definitely a minimalist by nature and so I’m always minimalizing our belongings so we don’t have too many items and only exactly what we need and use.

Ben still has a corner in the attic full of mostly junk which drives me quite insane. I’m sure he keeps it there just to irritate me. Every time I go up to the loft I see if I can find a couple of pieces that I can pass on or recycle. Believe me; he even has empty boxes up there from old electronics!

Stay clutter free in your closet with a capsule wardrobe

One thing I have now got Ben on-board with is a capsule wardrobe. I was already doing it for me and the kids and now he’s reduced his clothing collection too.

I’m forever clearing out the kids’ wardrobes as they outgrow their clothes so quickly. I only keep a small amount of clothes for them. Only what they need.

My own wardrobe is now down to around 50 items. That’s in total, for the whole year. I have a few items hanging – mostly tops, cardigans and a few dresses. Then I have a pile of shorts, trousers and leggings. I wear the trousers in the winter with boots and the summer with flip-flops. I also have a box of underwear and a box of gym clothes and pyjamas. I have two coats and a small selection of shoes – wellies, two pairs of winter boots, two pairs of pumps, one pair of flip-flops, smart flats and smart heels. That’s it. To be fair I could even get rid of the heels as I never wear them!

I wear stuff until it needs replacing or totally goes out of shape, not just a few times until I’m bored of it. This makes me much more careful with my clothing choices when shopping. It has to be something I will wear numerous times before I’ll consider buying it.

I’ve still tried to cut my own wardrobe down even more, but I think I’m now at my minimum! Ben’s clothes take up around half our homemade triple size wardrobe and mine take up around a quarter!

Save money, only buy what you really need

My trick is to layer in the winter and reduce layers in the summer. I pretty much wear the same wardrobe all year round. Only in the summer I won’t wear my boots or fluffy cardigan. Otherwise you’ll see me in the same outfits. In the summer I might wear my trousers with a pair of flip-flops and a vest top. But in the winter I’ll wear both the trousers and vest top, but I’ll add a t-shirt, cardigan, socks and boots.

I don’t see the need to buy specific winter and summer clothes when I can make do with what I have. Most clothes are suitable for all seasons, but it’s a case of layering them up when it’s colder. Even some summer dresses can have a pair of woolly tights or leggings added with a chunky cardigan to make them winter-worthy!

Having one set of clothes, instead of several sets of seasonal clothes, is definitely a much cheaper option.

Be intentional when buying clothes

My actual wardrobe (a couple of outfits are in the wash)

This year, 2019, I am doing a zero spend on clothes for the whole year! I am challenging myself to not buy any clothes for the entire year. I took a good look at my wardrobe and though it’s looking pretty scarce, I believe I have enough to get me through an entire year, all the seasons and beyond.

In recent years I’ve not been a big clothes shopper anyway, but I’d still sometimes splurge on something I spotted at the supermarket or that caught my eye passing a store. It’s usually these unintentional clothing purchases that end up sat in my wardrobe not getting worn very much! They are quick impulse buys for a moment of pleasure and I didn’t ever give them much thought. They were excitable purchases!

So even though I didn’t do it very much, I was still a sucker for quick impulse buys that I didn’t really need.

By stopping this altogether I will definitely save money this year.

I’m also making a promise to be intentional in the future when buying clothes, so I only buy what I set out to buy because I really need it.

Less choice, more time

I tend to wear the same clothes most days. I get stuck on a favourite comfy outfit and I’ll wear it several days in a row. Life is so much easier and quicker like this!

In my late teens I had a huge shopping addiction. I was obsessed with shopping for clothes and had around four rails overflowing with clothes and piles of clothes underneath.

I wasn’t always a minimalist!

It was really ridiculous, but also very overwhelming.

Getting ready took forever. There was so much choice every time I needed to get dressed. I had so many options and so many decisions to make.

I must have wasted hours every week just putting outfits on and off whilst I chopped and changed my mind.

What a waste of time!

Reducing that choice means you’ll have far more time to do other things. Sometimes having less options is better!

Smaller wardrobe, more space

You can now even buy some space-saving and beautifully designed single wardrobes which are perfect for keeping your capsule wardrobes on track. I love the MADE white single wardrobes I found here at Lionshome, but there are even cheaper options too. Or like us, you can make your own wardrobe. They are plenty large enough for all the clothes you really need and if you can’t fit your clothes in, then you’ve got too many!

Not only is a smaller wardrobe a cheaper option than a full size version, but think of the bedroom space you will free up! Large bulky wardrobes can impose on so much of the available space in a bedroom, especially if space is at a premium, so a single slim wardrobe is a much neater solution.

We originally had a regular size wardrobe each and I remember having to persuade Ben that we’d be fine with one triple wardrobe between us instead. I wanted to create more space in our bedroom and this reduced our wardrobe space by around 25%.

Ben was convinced and built us a lovely triple sized wardrobe from old pallet wood which he refurbished. Now I think we could have gone even smaller and saved more space in our bedroom!

Not only have we saved space with a smaller wardrobe to what we originally had, but we have also got rid of a couple of chests of drawers which used to house clothes. Now we just have the wardrobe and need nothing else.

How to save time, money and space with a capsule wardrobe

Having a capsule wardrobe really does suit my lifestyle and make clothing a lot more organised and affordable. I’d definitely recommend it if you are overwhelmed with the amount of clothing you own and want a simpler life.

To finish, here’s a quick look at how a capsule wardrobe is beneficial:

Save time – less time shopping for clothes you don’t need, less time choosing outfits, less time spent laundering, ironing and organising clothes
Save money – Buying less clothes will save money. Needing less storage for the clothes will save money on furniture.
Save space – the less clothes you have, the less storage space you need for them. Reclaim space in your bedroom by choosing a single wardrobe.
Stay organised – clothes washing becomes easier as there is less variety of clothes. Wardrobes stay organised and spacious as there are less clothes in them. Find clothes easier. Less clothes means less clutter and makes it easier to keep wardrobes neat and tidy.

Why you should only buy second hand luxury watches and goods

Posted on 10:00pm Wednesday 6th Feb 2019

Not a day goes by where we aren’t reminded of the damage we are causing to our planet with the words eco-friendly and sustainability all around us. We are the first generation to understand the devastating impact our decisions and lifestyles are having on Earth, the planet we call home. As much as this is shocking and depressing, it should also inspire us to make changes and accept responsibility for our actions.

The world of consumerism is changing

In some ways I really feel like the world is heading to a better place. There has been a huge rise in veganism over the past two years with many changing their diets for environmental reasons. Renewable energy sources are becoming the energy of choice too. There are numerous recycling schemes nowadays with local councils collecting recyclable materials and even food waste from our doorsteps. There’s a focus on minimalism and less so on consumerism which should stop the mass producing of unnecessary goods such as throwaway plastics. We’re becoming more aware of our everyday choices and I believe we are making better decisions.

One area of our modern lifestyles that we are just starting to take notice of is the consequences of fast fashion and accessories. Constantly updating our wardrobes with the latest looks and throwing away perfectly useable clothing causes hundreds of thousands of clothing items to go to landfill every year (300,000 tonnes in 2016). Not only is this terrible, but textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of water after agriculture. Our constant demand for the latest trends at affordable prices is polluting our environment on an enormous scale.

Shifting the future of fashion

Repair, reuse, reduce

We need to stop our love of fast fashion and throwaway trends and move to a more sustainable fashion future. We need to learn to love our clothes and buy pieces that we will not get bored with in a few weeks. We need to start buying better quality clothing and accessories that are built to last and stand the test of time.

The problem with many cheap fast fashion items is that they are made from poor quality materials that aren’t built to last. Instead, we need to move back to perhaps paying higher prices for quality luxury items that will last a lifetime, or can at least be repaired if they do break.

Of course we can’t all afford to buy ourselves a brand new Rolex watch whenever we need a timepiece, which is why to be even more sustainable we should always look into buying second-hand watches and clothing items as our first choice.

Learning to love preloved

Buying quality clothing and accessories for their longevity is one step closer to a more sustainable world, but an even bigger step is to stop the ongoing production of new items when there are so many perfectly good unwanted pre-loved items available to us. We need to stop our desire for only wanting new things and change our opinion on second hand goods.

There has definitely been a rise in the trend of thrift stores, upcycling and vintage goods in the last few years and I hope it’s not just a passing trend, but something that is here to stay and continue.

Here are a few reasons why it’s time to start buying only second-hand luxury items:

· They’ll last longer

Firstly if we start shopping for quality items that are made from high-grade materials then they will last longer. Seeking items that are made with craftsmanship instead of mass produced goods that are churned out of factories for pence will ensure the items are fixable and won’t fall apart in a few weeks. This is true for clothing, accessories and pretty much everything we buy in the household.

· You’ll find something unique

The best thing about preloved stores is you’ll never know what you’ll find. And, when you do find something you love it will probably be the only one. It’s not like buying the latest fashionable jacket from a cheap clothing store and then all your friends buying the same. Finding items in second-hand stores means that you’ll likely find something that none of your friends have or will be able to find. You’ll be unique.

· It’s more affordable

You might never have been able to afford high-quality or luxury goods like Rolex watches when they were new, but buying second-hand means your budget will go further. Those items you never thought you could afford are now at a much more appealing price. Even if you can afford to buy luxury goods brand new, there are plenty of reasons discussed here for why you shouldn’t. Everyone, no matter what their budget, should choose second-hand as the first option for the love of the planet.

· You can support a good cause

Many second-hand stores are charity shops so you’ll be supporting a good cause when you buy from them. Even if the second-hand stores you shop at are not affiliated with a charity, you’ll still be supporting a company that is doing good for the environment by recycling and reusing goods instead of producing more new items constantly. Whether it’s a charity or not, choosing to buy preloved goods is always supporting a worthwhile cause.

· Save the planet

The best reason of all to choose second-hand watches and goods is to help save the planet. The constant over production of mass goods in factories around the world is causing pollution to our air, water and more. Poor quality synthetic fibres are adding to the plastic pollution problem and non-organic cotton farming is killing our wildlife and damaging soils due to chemical pesticides. Clothing production is even causing deforestation. It’s got to stop.

We need to learn to reduce, reuse and recycle more than ever and this can start with making second-hand shopping the norm.

Save money by getting your protein from plant-based sources

Posted on 1:05pm Saturday 2nd Feb 2019

I recently wrote a blog post to answer whether being vegan is expensive in which I said both yes and no! In reality though, the answer is no, being vegan does not have to be expensive. Eating traditional plant-based foods instead of meats and cheeses is actually a much cheaper option. But, like anything in life, you can choose to buy premium, organic and independent brands or you can choose to buy cheaper supermarket-own labels and value labels.

But what about protein? Is it possible to eat cheaply as a vegan and get enough protein?

And the question vegans are probably bombarded with the most – where do vegans get their protein from?

In this blog post I’m going to share with you why choosing to get your protein from plant-based sources is actually a really affordable option.

The difference between animal protein and plant-based protein

One of my favourite responses when meat-eaters ask vegans where they get their protein from is ‘the same place your protein gets its protein from’! It’s so true. Animals get their protein from plants and so can we.

Around 20% of the human body is made of protein. Our body doesn’t store it, so we have to regularly get it from our diet each day. Protein is needed for almost every metabolic process in our body so it’s vital for the overall health of our body.

Protein is broken down into amino acids in our body and there are over 20 different types of amino acids. There are non-essential amino acids that our body can make itself, but there are also essential amino acids that we have to get from our diets.

The difference is meat protein is often called a ‘complete protein’ as it contains a good balance of all the amino acids we need. But eating meat also comes with a lot of negative health consequences.

Most plant proteins only contain some of these amino acids, so to get all the amino acids we need from protein we need to eat a variety of plant-based protein sources. But that’s fine as we should all be eating a variety of healthy plant-based foods anyway.

Going plant-based will probably mean you’ll eat a ton more of the highly nutritious stuff you should have been eating, such as different beans, lentils, and wholegrains, which is fantastic news for your overall health.

Is vegan protein expensive?

If we’re talking basics then no, plant-based sources of protein are not expensive. What is expensive is if you start buying meat alternatives, vegan cheeses and readymade plant milks. These things are readymade or processed foods and they come at a premium. However, they are not needed as part of a healthy plant-based diet and are merely convenience foods, just like readymade snacks and foods based around meat and dairy.

Plant-based protein is actually very cheap indeed. Good protein sources include many whole grains, wild rice, chickpeas, beans, lentils, green vegetables, nuts and seeds. Lentils, beans, rice and grains are some of the cheapest foods in existence. They can be bulk purchased as they can last for ages in their dried forms. They are so versatile too and can be used to create so many meals.

Compare the price of beans, lentils and grains to a pack of meat and you’ll start to realise how much cheaper a vegan diet can be.

How to keep a vegan diet low cost

There are lots of ways to keep a plant-based diet affordable. Below are a few suggestions to get you started.

Buy dried ingredients. Purchasing dried bags of lentils, beans and grains will save the most money compared to buying tins of pulses for example.
Buy in season fruit and vegetables. Buying exotic fruits and vegetables is a luxury, but if they’re not in season then you’ll be paying a premium.
Make your own meals from scratch. This is always the best way to keep costs down as readymade meals are so expensive.
Don’t buy faux meat, vegan cheeses or the like. These are very costly and will really bump your food shopping up.
Make your own plant-based milks, cheese and cheese-sauce. It’s much more affordable than buying readymade. A delicious creamy cheesy sauce can easily be made with homemade oat milk, a few scoops of nutritional yeast and a squirt of mustard. Perfect to serve with cauliflower or pasta.
Make your own snacks too. Chocolate bliss balls are super easy to make with cacao, dates, seeds, oats and nuts whizzed together in a food processor and shaped into bite size snacks. Whilst a pack of raw cacao might seem expensive at first, it’s so rich you only need to use a tiny bit to make plant-based milkshakes, bliss balls and hot chocolate, so a pack will last for ages.
Do everything in bulk. Buy the ingredients you can in bulk to make them as cheap as possible in the long run. Cook in bulk too and freeze/refrigerate portion sizes for the week ahead. This will stop you reaching for the convenient foods as you’ll already have readymade homemade snacks and meals instead.

A list of plant-based sources of protein

There are lots of delicious plant based foods that provide vegans with protein, as well as everyone else too. The foods below are good sources of protein and it’s recommended to eat a variety every day.

Seitan
Lentils
Chickpeas
Garden peas
Beans – black, kidney, pinto, lima, black-eyed, cannellini
Tofu
Tempeh
Edamame beans
Soy milk
Seeds – hemp seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sunflower
Peanut butter (and other nut butters)
Nuts
Buckwheat
Oats
Wild rice
Brown rice
Quinoa
Barely
Spelt
Bulgur wheat
Wheat berries
Lesser known grains such as teff, amaranth, sorghum, freekeh, farro
Asparagus
Avocado
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Artichokes
Kale
Spinach
Sweetcorn
Cauliflower
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Nutritional yeast
Spirulina
Sprouted grain bread

What about protein for working out and building muscle?

Whilst the above plant-based sources of protein will provide enough protein for the majority of us, some people might be looking to up their plant-based protein levels even more if working out, training or trying to build muscle.

There has been a rise of plant-based protein supplements as vegan diets have raised in popularity and examples are pea protein powder, hemp protein powder and rice protein powder. It’s becoming a very competitive market so you’ll be able to find huge tubs or packs of vegan protein powders on offer online, just as you would with animal product protein powders like whey.

Protein supplement brand Scitec Nutrition has shared six tips with me for those looking to transition to a plant-based diet:

1. The number one factor to consider is whether you are getting enough calories. Whether you are bulking up or losing weight, making sure that you are consuming the right amount of calories is key to reaching your goal.

2. Because plants usually contain lower calories than animal products it is important to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Not only will a good mixture of fruit and veg provide your body with a variety of vitamins, it will also provide antioxidants to help keep your immune system strong.

3. Legumes are a great source of protein and eating a range of soy, beans and peas alongside grains such as buckwheat, rice and quinoa help to ensure that you get the essential amino acids your body needs.

4. Make your plates colourful. A good rule of thumb to follow is to make your meals as colourful as possible. A mixture of natural greens such as broccoli and kale, reds from tomatoes and peppers and yellows from sweetcorn and beans complement each other perfectly and provide a good mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats for your body to use.

5. Nuts are a great source of fat and are proven to provide a long-lasting form of energy just when you need it. Eat a handful of nuts before your workout to boost your calories and provide energy, or sprinkle some onto your breakfast to keep you going till lunch.

6. Depending on your goals, your lifestyle and your diet in general you may want to look into supplements to complement your plant-based diet. Tracking what you eat on an app or website will give you a good insight into the vitamins and nutrients that you may be lacking, meaning that you can add more into your diet. Many nutritional supplement manufacturers now offer plant-based proteins, BCAA’s and multi-vitamins to help you reach your nutritional targets.

Not only can you satisfy your body’s protein requirements through a healthy and varied plant-based diet, but you can also save money by eating this way.

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How to lower energy bills on a PAYG tariff

Posted on 9:10pm Wednesday 30th Jan 2019

This blog post is in association with Boost.

It’s that time of year when we’re all feeling the pinch after Christmas and looking for ways to cut back, spend less and save as much money as possible. This can be particularly tricky when it’s also the darkest and coldest time of the year. We’re all using more energy than normal just to see and stay warm. There’s always lots of advice out there for lowering energy bills, but what if you’re on a pay-as-you-go tariff? Is it still possible for you to reduce your energy bills?

Years ago I used to be on a prepayment meter. I was only around 18 or 19 at the time, having moved out of home at age 17, and I had no idea about how to save money whilst using a prepayment meter. I didn’t even have the internet or a laptop as it was 15 years ago and smart phones didn’t exist. I was clueless about the ability to switch suppliers or how to save money when it came to my energy bills.

Luckily times have changed a great deal since then and thanks to the internet and smart technology, there are plenty of ways you can begin to save money on your energy bills if you are on a pay-as-you go tariff today.

What is a PAYG meter?

A prepayment or pay-as-you-go (PAYG) energy meter is exactly as it sounds. Rather than using energy and being billed afterwards for what you’ve used, you instead pay upfront for the energy. You’ll have a PAYG meter installed and you’ll need to top-up a card, key or online in advance of using the energy. Then once the energy runs low you’ll receive a warning and you’ll know it’s time to top up again. It’s a great way of tracking exactly what you’re spending on energy and you’ll be aware each week of how much you are using.

Tips on lowering your energy bill if you’re on a prepayment meter

Here are some actionable tips to help you reduce your energy bills if you’re on a PAYG meter:

1. Compare suppliers

Most energy companies will revise their tariffs once per year, which means you may no longer be on the cheapest tariff for your area after the year is up. It’s always advisable to check a comparison site each year to see which energy company is the best value for you. Don’t think you can’t switch suppliers just because you’re on a prepayment plan, or because you are renting. Most energy suppliers offer a prepayment tariff and if you are responsible for paying the energy bills then you have the right to choose a cheaper supplier. You should always compare different prepayment plans as it could save you hundreds each year!

2. Join Boost. Get up to £30 free credit.

If you switch to dedicated PAYG energy supplier Boost then you’ll get a free smart meter installation as well as up to £30 credit; £15 credit for gas and £15 credit for electric. To get your smart meter installation (& £30 free credit) you just need to click here to go to Boost and a code will be populated for you to save.

All you need to do is 1) sign up to Boost online 2) book a free smart meter installation 3) get installed before 30th April 2019 and they'll apply the credit!

Boost is a part of the trusted OVO energy brand so you know you are in good hands. Boost specialises in PAYG Energy, their whole focus is on giving customers the power to control their energy, the way they want. As part of the OVO group they do everything to ensure the best service possible for PAYG customers.

OVO has been recognised as the uSwitch Energy Supplier of the Year. They were also number one in the 2015 and 2016 Which? energy customer satisfaction surveys, so you can be sure you’re in good hands.

3. Claim your heating benefits

If you are of a certain age, claim certain benefits or meet certain criteria (such as being on a low income and having dependants) then you could qualify for some financial help towards your energy bills during the winter months.

If you were born on or before 5 November 1953 then you could get a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’ of between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills.

There’s also the Warm Home Discount scheme which helps eligible people who are struggling with their energy bills. If you qualify you will receive a one-off £140 payment to go towards your electricity bill.

4. Reduce how much energy you use

Being on a prepayment meter means you are really aware of how much money you are spending on energy each week. Use this knowledge to your advantage to see where you can reduce energy. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Make sure you always switch off appliances when not in use instead of leaving them in standby mode.
Only boil enough water for your cup of tea, instead of boiling a full kettle of water.
Heat only the rooms you are using and not empty rooms.
Only wash a full load of laundry and turn the temperature down.
Eat more healthy plant-based and raw foods to reduce how much you use the oven.
Put on cosy socks and a jumper and cover yourself in a throw before turning the heating up.
Turn the thermostat down slightly, even by 1 degree.
Use draught excluders along the bottom of doors.
Turn off the ligthts when you leave a room.
Use energy-saving lightbulbs.

Hopefully this article will show you that it is possible to make some smarter and money-saving choices with a prepayment meter.

Great blog posts to read next:

How to eat more eco-friendly and save money
How to cut household expenses with renewable energy
15 ways to reduce plastic consumption
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How to eat more eco-friendly and save money

Posted on 12:55pm Wednesday 23rd Jan 2019

There are lots of ways to live an eco-friendlier lifestyle - including changing your diet. Many of the foods we eat are processed in a way that can harm the planet, whilst other foods may use up lots of energy to prepare. Here are just several ways that you start eating more eco-friendly and as a bonus, you’ll save some money too!

Bring your own bag when shopping

By bringing your own bag, you could reduce the need to take home a new plastic bag each time. Plastic bags are having a huge negative impact on the environment – landfill sites are full of them and it could be 1000 years before they degrade. Many supermarkets now sell ‘bags for life’ which are large and durable and can be used as a permanent solution every time you go shopping. Plus, if you do keep buying a plastic bag, they’re now at least 5p each in the UK. This is a great reason to stop using plastic carriers and to invest in a cost-effective long lasting bag instead.

Buy less products with plastic packaging

When it comes to encouraging zero waste living, it could be worth also cutting out products that use plastic packaging. A lot of modern brands are now adopting paper and cardboard – try to opt for these when shopping or at least glass or tin which doesn’t require the use of plastic. Getting an organic vegetable delivery is a great way to totally cut out all plastic packaging on your weekly fruit and veg shop.

Recycle food waste

You should be able to recycle all your food waste with your local council’s food recycling scheme or by using them for gardening purposes. A lot of this food waste can be used as compost, whilst orange peels are a great natural pest repellent. Of course, you can also cut down on food waste by not throwing away leftovers - many leftover foods can be repurposed and put into curries, pasta bakes, soups, stews and sandwiches.

Support local produce

Buying more food that is sourced locally can also help to save the planet. Food that isn’t sourced locally often has to shipped by sea or flown over by air – both of these create lots of carbon emissions. Farmer’s markets are a great place to buy local food. Some supermarkets also have sections for local food.

Go organic

Foods that are non-organic often use chemical pesticides and chemical fertilisers that require industrial processing that is harmful to the environment. By opting for more organic foods, you could help to reduce your carbon footprint. You can find organic food by checking the label. You can also try shopping at organic wholesalers that only sell organic food. Few foods are wholly organic - many are 90% organic and some may only use organic traces. However, these foods are still better for the environment than non-organic foods. Check out their organic credentials and which company is certifying them as organic to have a better understanding of whether they allow any chemicals at all.

Grow your own food

You can also try growing some of your own food. By growing your own food, you’ll be buying less food that has to be transported plus you can ensure that no chemical fertilisers or pesticides are used. You could start a vegetable patch or grow plants in a greenhouse. There are even edible plants that can be grown indoors if you don’t have a garden such as tomatoes, peppers and herbs.

Go plant-based

Industrially farmed meat has a massive negative impact on the environment. This is due to the land, food, water and energy required for raising livestock. That land, food and water could feed us several times more than the meat it produces could! Eating meat has lots of health consequences and is now proven to be bad for the environment. Whether you stop eating meat to save the planet, for your own health or for the animals themselves, there are plenty of reasons to stop.

Eat more raw foods

Cooking food uses up energy that is often produced by burning fossil fuels. By trying more raw foods, you’ll use your oven less. There are lots of foods that can be enjoyed raw. If you don’t enjoy raw foods, you could try cooking less food inside your oven and using the hobs more to fry, steam and boil as hobs use up a lot less energy.

There are lots of ways to start being more eco-conscious when it comes to how we eat, plus some of them will save us money too.