Hi Friend,

In honor of Earth Day, I'm sharing four simple ways to reduce waste around your home. I'm also plugging a few of my favorite brands that go the extra mile in terms of sustainability.

While I love the idea of doing a beach clean up or planting trees this week (please do these things if you're able!!), I really believe it's the small choices we make every day, the example we set for our children, and the companies we $upport that can make a real difference when we all work together. Here's how you can start today:

#1 Composting

In a landfill, organic materials breakdown, releasing CO2 and methane, a greenhouse gas (this is one of the big environmental issues with feedlot beef). However, when these materials are composted and used in agriculture, methane emissions and the need for chemical fertilizers are both reduced. This means healthier soils and higher crop yields. Not sure where to start? Check out Litterless to find composting sites and services near you.

#2 Reusable, compostable wipes

Americans love paper towel and we use almost more than the rest of the world combined! This is an easy place to reduce household waste, and I recommend using these washable, compostable wipes instead. One package easily lasts for a year, which pays for itself compared to what you'd spend on paper towels. Here's a video I made with more info.

#3 Reusable, plastic-free food storage

We ditched plastic wrap, plastic baggies and aluminum foil years ago and have never looked back. I have a whole section on my website here. Some of our favorites are:

• Glass Pyrex containers for leftovers (love that the large ones convert from a baking dish for a one sheet meal into a food storage container that can be popped back into the oven for reheating!).

• Silicone lids that can be used for cooking, keeping food warm (instead of tenting with aluminum foil), and they make an airtight seal on a glass/ceramic/metal bowl to store prepped food and leftovers.

• Silicone bags for storing chopped veggies, leftovers and snacks on-the-go. I use the large ones to store bones in the freezer for bone broth.

• Z Wraps are the best beeswax wraps I've tried.

#4 Vote with you wallet everyday

Plugging some of my favorite brands. Great products, wonderful service, environmentally conscious operations.

Eat: Cooks Venture meats - regenerative agriculture and pasture raised meat is dramatically better for the planet than conventional meat. It's also healthier for you, with superior flavor and texture. Shop through this link for $50 off your first order + free shipping.

Drink: Dry Farm Wines - organically and bi- dynamically grown on small family farms supports healthy soil and healthier wine (a far cry from conventional wines, which use soil depleting practices and chemical pesticides and herbicides, often testing positive for Glyphosate residue). All their wines are also dry-farmed (not irrigated), which saves millions of gallons of water each year and produces lower sugar, lower alcohol wines. Use this link to get an extra bottle for $0.01 with your first order.

Shop: Thrive Market -  sustainability and social responsibility are core values. You'll see it in the brands they carry, in the option to donate a portion of your saving to a family in need, and their operations: carbon-neutral shipping, 100% recyclable packaging and zero waste warehouses. Use this link for 40% off your first order and a free gift up to $50 in value.

Wishing you a wonderful week. Stay well! XO

Jessica