Eco-friendly tips for losing weight and losing the waste
Before You Start:
1) Write a list of why you want to be leaner and greener and keep it in a place where you can look at it regularly. Ask yourself where you want to be a year from now. Do you want to be in the same place you are in now, or do you want to be somewhere else?
2) Set measurable and achievable goals. This gives you something to strive for. Make sure you do beginning measurements so you know when you achieve your goals.
3) Set short term, medium and long term goals so you can celebrate your successes along the way.
4) Keep in mind that you have the power to make your goals happen. You just need to want to achieve them bad enough to actually do it. Don't make excuses for why you cannot.
Your Health
1. Consume less in general.
2. Consume less meat, particularly red meat.
3. Use up what is on hand.
4. Buy food that has the least amount of packaging possible (i.e. less pre-packaged, individually packaged, and more raw foods).
5. Do not use canned items that are lined with BPA.
6. Eat more vegetarian/vegan dishes.
7. Drink more water, and less other beverages such as coffee or tea.
8. Exercise without using electricity (no electric equipment or elevators).
9. Walk or bike to places instead of driving as much as possible.
10. Eat local food as much as possible.
11. Grow your own food.
Greening in Your Kitchen
1. Use energy efficient appliances.
2. Turn off the stove or burner a minute or two before cooking time has ended to save on energy.
3. Use the proper size element for your pot or pan to maximize energy efficiency.
4. Run your dishwasher only when full.
5. When using the stove, try to make several food items at the same time to maximize energy usage.
6. Cook with a sun oven on a sunny day outside.
Food
1. If you have a big meal coming up, exercise beforehand and afterwards to burn off the calories. Fill up on water and vegetables before eating the higher calorie foods.
2. Eat fruits and/or vegetables with every meal.
3. Gradually make small changes to your diet, such as reducing sugar, coffee and meat consumption over time.
4. Spread your food throughout the day so your body doesn't feel it is in starvation mode at any time.
5. Avoid "white" foods such as white bread, white rice and white potatoes. Whole wheat bread, brown rice and sweet potatoes have more fibre and are more filling.
6. Integrate vegetarian and vegan options in to your diet. You may be surprised with how much you actually enjoy them!
7. Eat more soup to fill up (not canned and preferably homemade).
1. Consume less in general.
2. Consume less meat, particularly red meat.
3. Use up what is on hand.
4. Buy food that has the least amount of packaging possible (i.e. less pre-packaged, individually packaged, and more raw foods).
5. Do not use canned items that are lined with BPA.
6. Eat more vegetarian/vegan dishes.
7. Drink more water, and less other beverages such as coffee or tea.
8. Exercise without using electricity (no electric equipment or elevators).
9. Walk or bike to places instead of driving as much as possible.
10. Eat local food as much as possible.
11. Grow your own food.
Greening in Your Kitchen
1. Use energy efficient appliances.
2. Turn off the stove or burner a minute or two before cooking time has ended to save on energy.
3. Use the proper size element for your pot or pan to maximize energy efficiency.
4. Run your dishwasher only when full.
5. When using the stove, try to make several food items at the same time to maximize energy usage.
6. Cook with a sun oven on a sunny day outside.
Food
1. If you have a big meal coming up, exercise beforehand and afterwards to burn off the calories. Fill up on water and vegetables before eating the higher calorie foods.
2. Eat fruits and/or vegetables with every meal.
3. Gradually make small changes to your diet, such as reducing sugar, coffee and meat consumption over time.
4. Spread your food throughout the day so your body doesn't feel it is in starvation mode at any time.
5. Avoid "white" foods such as white bread, white rice and white potatoes. Whole wheat bread, brown rice and sweet potatoes have more fibre and are more filling.
6. Integrate vegetarian and vegan options in to your diet. You may be surprised with how much you actually enjoy them!
7. Eat more soup to fill up (not canned and preferably homemade).
