Adventures in Sustainable Living

There is so much talk these days about going plastic free. Plastics are everywhere and in every part of our lives. It is nearly impossible to get through an entire day without utilizing something made of plastic. But the challenge we now have is that plastic is becoming the bane of our existence.Because plastic production continues to increase and degradation is long-term, microplastics are virtually everywhere. Furthermore, no one really knows the long-term health affects of exposure because this is a relatively new health concern.  One thing is for certain, microplastics are not going away any time soon. Our only option may be to limit exposure. So join me for E235 The Dangers of Microplastics and How to Avoid Them

Many years ago when I decided to live off the grid, everyone around me thought I was crazy. Fast forward 25 years and now everyone wants to know how it is that I do what I do. Living off the grid is now becoming an increasingly common choice for a long-term lifestyle. Just like anything else, it has it's pros and cons but so does living in suburbia. One of the questions I most commonly encounter is whether or not it is legal to do so. I've certainly heard a read about a number of people that have ran into trouble with local authorities for just trying to live a simple life. So join me in this episode where I am going to discuss it it legal to live off the grid. 

Humanity has not always been the best at looking into the future. We tend to do whatever we are going to do and never give a lot of thought to the consequences. But as I always like to say, everything we do has a price. Over time we have always favored development over conservation. We have always framed those two choices as an either/or situation. Because of that we are now paying the price of climate change, environmental degradation and widespread pollution. We are now faced with a choice. Continue as we have always done or focus on conservation. So join me for episode 233 Why Favoring Development Over Conservation is a False Assumption. 

No matter what you do, some day something is going to come along and change your world without your permission. No one is immune to such things. This of course can create a tremendous amount of stress.But this is where our personal resilience comes into play. Our resilience allow us to adapt to change and deal with the unexpected in a healthy way.  But resilience is also directly tied to sustainability. Both concepts are interconnected and often reinforce one another. Both are crucial concepts necessary for balancing our world, our environment and even our day to day lives as well as our personal well being. So join me for E 232 where I am going to give you some constructive tips on Building Resilience and Adapting to Change. 

Just the other day I was sitting on the hillside in the sun enjoying a cup of coffee and thinking about all the time I'd lived at the cabin. My thoughts were centered around all that I had accomplished and the amount of time it had taken. And of course there is always that lingering question of whether or not it had been worth it. Furthermore, after all this time had all my efforts produced a lifestyle that was truly sustainable and environmentally friendly or would it have been better if I had lived in an urban area. After all, there are pros and cons of everything we do. But if I had it all to do over again, what exactly are the pros, cons, and critical considerations? So join me for E 231, where I am going to discuss the finer points of urban versus rural living. 

The condition of our planet is slowly but surely becoming a daily headline. This is both good and bad. But being what it is, at least this type of daily news is getting everyone's attention. It is perhaps pressuring people and businesses to take a more serious stance toward our sustainability efforts. However, there is no one thing, no magic bullet that will save our planet. It is going to require a complete cultural shift, a complete overhaul of our daily habits right down to what we eat. The challenge is that cultural shifts take time. The good news is that is already underway. So, join me for E230 Eleven Sustainability Trends That Will Shape Our Future.

An amazing thing happens when you truly focus on zero food waste. Creativity and ingenuity takes over when you focus on using every little thing.  You start making new dishes, trying new sauces and creating flavors you never thought possible.It is unfortunate that more often than not we throw away certain food items as a matter of habit, never realizing we may have been able to repurpose it into something else. By doing so, we are not only missing out on flavorful dishes we are also just being wasteful. If you want to learn a few tips on how to stretch your budget, and get a little more creative in your kitchen, then listen to this episode on Nine Flavors You Should Never Pour Down the DrainWelcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E229 Nine Flavors You Should Never Pour Down the Drain. 

The challenges we face in our world today are truly unnerving. All we hear about is one bad news story after another. Big governments and big business are still arguing about climate change instead of focusing on actions needed  to build a greener future. All the while, the average person sits back day to day and feels as if our future is uncertain and is completely out of our control. Younger generations in our society also feel the pressure of an unknown future and even experience a certain level of anxiety because they are unsure of what tomorrow will bring. While there may be reason for feeling this way, I want to present a different option, and that is optimistic futurism. So, join me for episode 228. Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E228 Optimistic Futurism for the Environment. 

Chores, chores, chores. Some days on the homestead it seems as if the chores will never end. At times I get discouraged and ask myself if it would not be easier just to skip this whole process. Sometimes simplicity seems difficult. Would it not be easier to do what most other people do and just take full advantage of our modern conveniences and live a life of ease. But in many respects this is exactly the attitude that most people have today and that is one of the reasons that the skills required for self sufficiency are slipping away.If you want to learn how to reverse that, then stick around for some tips on how to level up your self sufficiency. Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E226 Seven Not-so-Obvious Strategies to Level Up Your Self Sufficiency.

There was a time whenever someone mentioned vegetarian or vegan diet that I would just roll my eyes and walk away. But now that seems to have transitioned into something else we hear more frequently and that is “plant-based diet.” For most of us we may think of this as a boring diet with few options and perhaps it even conjures up visions of eating a salad every night. While this is far from the truth, a plant based diet is certainly much different from what most of us focus on eating. But what if I told you a secret? There is something that you can do to look and feel better than 80% of the people in our society. So, if you want to know the connection here then stick around for E226, The Real Scoop on a Plant-Based diet. 

The internet is truly a powerful tool. We have access to thousands of years of information in a matter of seconds. In combination with digital technology this has literally changed how we live and function. It saves us time, work, money, gasoline, and in many ways reduces our impact on the environment. While this all sounds wonderful, what most people do not know is that using the internet actually have a significant impact on the environment. However, for the average consumer, this impact is out of sight, out of mind. If you want to learn more about your personal environmental impact by using the internet and how to reduce that impact, then stick around for E225.Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E225, 8 Tips To Reduce Your Environmental Impact While Using the Internet

New things, the unexpected, circumstances out of our control and any sort of change are all things than can make us a bit uneasy. Perhaps it is nothing more than fear of the unknown. We feel as if we will lose something or maybe we will lose our present lifestyle all together. One thing is certain. Change is always scary. World politics, the climate, price of energy, price of food are all things that change constantly. Advances in technology are also constant. What was top of the line today is obsolete tomorrow. Now we face additional new technology called artificial intelligence. Is this good or bad?  So join me for E224, Can AI Put Us on the Path to Sustainability? 

When we sit in a beautiful, quiet place to watch the sunrise most people are taking in the beauty and perhaps having a meditative moment and appreciating nature. Then we go about our day never really thinking much about the power of the sun. Maybe we're just thankful it comes up everyday. What we never stop to realize is that the sun provides a constant steady stream of energy that is not likely to burn out for the next 5 billion years. What that means is that this incredible source of energy is renewable. Yet most of us have the impression that it is still beyond our reach. I hope I can change your mind because in this episode I am going to discuss how to incorporate renewable energy in your everyday life. 

In today's world most people want everything fast and convenient. That includes the food we eat and especially how we prepare it. Such a desire for convenience is exactly what gave rise to prepackaged and microwave foods. Unfortunately, most of these foods are highly processed and not exactly healthy. However there are multiple healthy homemade alternatives for all of the convenience foods we so frequently consume. With a little practice, you can always have healthy meals with very little prep time which is great when you are having a busy day. Welcome to the world of ready made meals. So join me for E222 Ready Made Meals; A Fresh Convenient Approach to Meal Prep. 

More and more frequently these days we are reaching for ways to reduce and reverse the effects of climate change. Perhaps this is because talks of climate change are becoming increasingly serious. Although we have known about this for over 100 years, the inevitable is finally getting our attention. As citizen action becomes more frequent, I start to question whether or not we are actually focusing on the right things. While recycling, reducing the use of plastic and planting trees all have their part in the big picture, are such activities just a distraction from what really needs to be done?So join me for episode 221 Can We Save the Planet by Planting Trees?

Certainly most of us have looked back on specific accomplishments in our lives and asked the question “If I had to do this all over again, how would I do it differently?, or Knowing what I know today, how would I have done this differently?Having the personality that I do, I am always questioning everything even if I keep it all to myself? But that is my process of re-evaluation, meaning checking in with myself to make sure I am on the right track. That said, I look at what I have done on the homestead and I wonder whether or not it is possible for other people to do this same type of thing in today's world. What if I was the one that had to do it all over again. So join me for E220 My Homestead Do-Over: How Would I Do Things Differently? 

Self sufficiency, tiny homes, sustainability, renewable energy, or simple self reliance, are all things we hear about more and more these days. Personally I am happy to see this level of interest in self reliant living because it is the focus of so much of my life. While its exciting to talk about theses things, for so many people that is exactly where it stops. Nearly 80% of our population now lives in urban areas, and that percentage is increasing every year. If you are one of those people that does not have acreage or you cannot live in a rural area it is still possible to create a small homestead. In todays world, the modern homestead truly needs to be completely redefined. So join me for E219 Redefining the Modern Homestead. 

Certainly we all remember the time in our lives when we were kids and told our parents how we couldn't wait until we were all grown up. We thought all about being independent, making our own decisions, going where we wanted when we wanted. We just couldn't wait to be independent, self reliant, and make our own decisions.  But at that time we were not old enough to even know what we didn't know. And once we were “all grown up” it doesn't take long to realize it's not exactly all it's cracked up to be. Being an adult comes with responsibilities and financial obligations. As it turns out, doing whatever we want and being self reliant requires money. But beyond that, if you want to find out a different path to being self reliant, join me for episode 218. 

Given the world we live in today, you may be having thoughts of living in some remote place to get away from it all. But as romantic as it may sound, running off into the wilderness and living off the land may not be the best option. You simply may not be able to sustain yourself long-term unless you are extremely creative.  But, if that is not an option where could you live and do the same thing? As it turns out, you could actually stay in an urban area. Not only that, it may be easier to have a sustainable life in the city because of the easy availability of resources. But how do you choose the best place? So join me for E217 How to Choose a Sustainable Place to Live. 

How and where we live are some of the biggest and most important choices that we all have to make in our adult lives. When choosing a place to live we have to consider availability of amenities, how far we have to travel for work and school, entertainment options and even the availability of medical care. While location is important for many reasons we also have to consider the impact of our choices on the environment and the planet. Is it better to live in the city or in a more rural area. Which lifestyle has the least impact while also providing a satisfying way to live?  So join me for E216 The Sustainability Question: Rural vs Urban Living

Skipping the plastic straw may make you feel good about yourself, but its not enough. While every small change we make is truly a contribution to the big picture, we need to make substantial changes in how we live and what we do if we are going to truly reduce our personal impact on the planet. While our individual choices for how and where we live is a deeply personal thing, we often take for granted the environmental impact our lifestyles have on a day-to-day basis. But there are a few things we can do that will make a significant difference on how each of us influences the future of our planet. So join me for E215 Eight Lifestyle Changes With the Biggest Impact

There is no doubt that we often find ourselves swimming in a sea of information about the questionable future of our planet. Big business and big government, while suppling us with most of our basic resources, continue to destroy the planet. More and more people want to live sustainably but we are too often at a loss for ways to help the planet that are both meaningful and impactful. At this point it should be no surprise that plastics have become the bane of our existence. Plastic pollution can now be found on very corner of the planet. Furthermore plastic production will likely double by the year 2050.So join me for E214 Twelve Single Use Plastics You Can Eliminate From Your Life Right Now

Public opinion swings back and forth like a pendulum. That is why I never pay attention to it. But occasionally I see something that gets my attention because I get curious as to why people are suddenly so concerned about that one particular thing. This is the case with the plastic straw. Depending on which study you look at, humanity produces approximately 350 to 430 million metric tons of plastic waste annually. Plastic straws only make up two and a half percent of that total waste. So is the anti-plastic straw parade just another distraction? Or should we actually pay attention to it because this campaign produces something of value. So join me for E213 Should We Really Ban Plastic Straws? 

The only chips I purchase on a regular basis is tortilla chips. It is because I make my own salsa. But when I go to the supermarket, there are literally 15 different brands of tortilla chips. But the same is true with so many other things that we deal with everyday.  From supermarket food choices, to menu options, to the clothes we wear, to what insurance to purchase, and even our health care options. There is always an over abundance of choices. But is this a good or a bad thing? Does it improve how we eat? Does it influence how we take care of ourselves? Are we more or less likely to develop good or bad habits because we have so many choices. Does it make us more or less sustainable? So join me for E212 Is Choice Overload the Bane of Our Existence

Like it or not our lives are now a product of globalization. The cost of our fuel, the food on our tables, the clothes we wear, and even our household gadgets are subject to the conditions of the world market. It is now possible for a drought, a natural disaster, a financial crisis or even a conflict in some small country on the other side of the planet to affect our daily lives. While globalization has its obvious benefits, there is also a downside. Among many other things, it has a significant environmental impact. It also increases our vulnerability and diminishes our personal security. But like so many other things, it is possible to be proactive  and protect yourself from the detrimental affects. So join me for E211 Nine Actions You Can Take to Benefit the Global Community. 

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 210Ten Ways to Grow Your Own FoodAs you well know one of my favorite topics is self sufficiency. Most likely this is because I am a strongly independent person and very motivated to take care of myself. I truly do not want to depend too heavily on any societal system to provide me with my personal needs. Additionally I grew up in a rural area where some degree of self sufficiency was necessary. But what I see in our society today is that over 80% of us live in urban areas where everything is easy and convenient. We no longer think about all the simple ways in which we can take care of ourselves and produce a little bit of personal security. So join me for episode 210 Ten Ways to Grow Your Own Food. 

Someone said to me once that you should never forget the power of a good conversation. Yet in our fast-paced hyper-connected world we are losing touch with this vital part of human communication. We are also losing our focus on the things that really matter because we are constantly distracted. We are so inundated with notifications, dings, and beeps that as we are driving to work we can't even remember if we brushed our teeth this morning. Modern technology was supposed to make our lives easier. But in many ways our connectedness results in over stimulation and the clear inability to focus. Without knowing it, we have become trapped in a fast-paced, high stress, very impersonal world that always appears to be falling apart.So join me for E209 Avoiding the Trappings of Modern Society

In today's culture, borrowing money and making purchases on credit is a way of life. It is the only way most of us are able to afford the “big ticket” items. In fact, many of us could not fathom how our lives would function if we were not able to utilize the credit system.  We borrow money, make payments with interest, pay off the loan and thus establish a sound financial history. This then becomes the basis for borrowing more money in the future. But what if this was not necessary? What if there was a different way? Have we become so deluded with our modern way of life that we are now trapped? So join me for E208 Why the 30 Year Mortgage is Not Your Friend.

It can literally be overwhelming when you consider the concept and scope of our current global problems. The far reaching effects of our environmental changes and the challenges we face seem insurmountable. One of the biggest challenges we face of course is climate change. While I do we believe we are beyond the point of easy, I also believe that our climate future has not yet been decided. But what we have to accept is that it is the result of the individual choices of each and everyone of us that got us to this point in the first place. And that is the very reason it is within the grasp of the individual to play a part in the solution. So join me for E207 The Most Sustainable Workplace: Your Home

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 206How to Be the Best Version of YourselfThere are many aspects to the concept of sustainability and having a regenerative lifestyle. As you could most likely guess, the planet would be just fine without people. But without people there is no culture and no economy. However, our modern economy has largely lead us down the wrong path. Consumerism has both consumed our lives and our planet. As we get closer to a true environmental disaster many people feel helpless to do anything about it. But part of a sustainable life is being productive, being mindful of the impact we have and having happy life. The best way to accomplish all of that is to learn how to be the best version of yourself. So join me for E206 How to Be the Best Version of Yourself

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 205Rethinking Society: Are You a Consumer or a Citizen?All the head lines we hear and see these days are about disasters, wars, new diseases, climate change, ecological decline, and anything else that has to do with how the world is coming to an end. And guess what? They are all true. Truly we are facing some rather complex global challenges. But despite how difficult it may be for anyone these days to find peace of mind, I have truly found one particular concept that could change our society, our culture, our economies and bring us back from the brink of disaster. But it has to do with rethinking our entire society. If you want to learn more, then stick around for E 205 Rethinking Society: Are You a Consumer or a Citizen? 

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 204What Can We Do to Phase Out Fossil Fuels? We already know that our planet is in trouble due to the indiscriminate burning of fossil fuels. Climate change is obvious. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Due to warming temperatures Arctic regions are now greening. Shifts in rainfall is even greening massive areas of the Sahara Dessert. The answer to all of this is simple. Stop burning fossil fuels. But the implementation of that strategy has far reaching effects on every aspect of our lives and that makes a lot of people very uncomfortable. But despite knowing what we need to do, the production and use of fossil fuels in still on the rise. Why is that and what can we do as individuals? So join me for episode 204 What Can We Do to Phase Out Fossil Fuels?

Under normal circumstances, life can be over whelming at times. Managing time, money, family, work, the daily commute, and the mortgage, all takes its toll. And on top of that the world seems to be falling apart around us.  But how can we possibly worry about that when the roof needs to be fixed? It is a nice concept to think of working out everyday, taking a walk in the woods on a regular basis,  cooking more at home, and eating the right foods.Zero waste, plastic free, supporting sustainable brands all require time, research and even more effort. But who has time for that when when there are unexpected medical bills? And besides, does it all really matter anyway. If you want to learn more then join me for episode 203 Is the World Worth Saving? 

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 202Change Yourself and Change the WorldBy now it should be no surprise that our world is facing significant challenges. Climate change, widespread pollution, forever chemicals, biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline is just the tip of our melting icebergs. Numerous people from scientists to scholars and even individuals have been sounding the alarm for decades if not longer. Yet as a whole, we continue to operate as if the world is a place of limitless resources. We have long since passed over some planetary boundaries that are important for maintaining the balance that supports life. Nothing less than an total transformation is needed to prevent what could end up being a global disaster. If you want to know more then stick around for episode 202 Change Yourself and Change the World.

Despite the fact that it's been years since I've watched network television, I pursue the new once a week. It is the only way I keep track of what is going on in the world. Over the last year, whenever I sit to review world events, there seems to be yet another food recall in the news. And all of these recalls span a wide variety of products. From Salmonella to E. Coli to Listeria, there seems to always be some sort of pathogen we need to be concerned about. With every recall that I read about I simply told myself that I had no reason to be concerned. But it you want to know why, then listen to this episode on food recalls and how to avoid them.

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 200Sustainability Summit 102After covering quite a variety of topics over the last 100 episodes there are several things that clearly stand out.Sustainability is about people, planet and profits. It  has a lot to do with being mindful about how you live as well as having the right mindset.  I truly think we humans have a moral obligation to treat our planet well. Yet despite the clear need to reduce our use of fossil fuels, we continue to race for additional non-renewable resources. Additionally, we are still trying to use money and technology to solve our problems and it is not working.  So join me for the Sustainability Summit 102 where I will high light some very important points regarding our future on this planet. 

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 199Regenerative Living: A Step Beyond SustainabilityAfter so many years of living at the cabin, installing solar, building the greenhouse, raising chickens and turkeys, and being 100% off the grid, I came to believe that sustainability was the end all be all. Turns out I was wrong. I was missing one very important concept, one vital part of the puzzle to connect all the other pieces to make a complete picture. I actually discovered this a couple of years ago during a casual conversation with an architect. He brought up the concept of regenerative living. I was understandably curious as to how that differed from sustainability. What I learned is that we should be taking one step beyond sustainability. So join me for episode 199, Regenerative Living: A Step Beyond Sustainability 

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastE198Fourteen Things You Can Do to Help Protect Our BiodiversityConsidering all that is going on in our world it is not surprising that the average person feels as if what they do makes no difference. Yet it is the cumulative affect of our individual choices that has produced dramatic changes on our planet. And it is the cumulative affect of our choices that will decide whether humans continue to thrive. Of all the things we have altered, the loss of biodiversity is the most concerning. It is the one thing that maintains healthily ecosystems and it is these ecosystems that keeps things in balance. Everyone of us is dependent on the natural world to provide us with what we need yet we are slowly destroying the very foundation that guarantees our survival. So join me for E198 Fourteen Things You Can Do to Help Protect Biodiversity. 

Most of us are no stranger to talks about climate change. It is in the news almost daily. We sit and watch in awe as we see one devastating event after another.  Most of us likely are asking “Why doesn't someone do something?” But you must understand the choices we make does have an impact on the environment around us. Take those choices times 7 billion people and it affects the entire planet. Of course everyone is quick to look to money and technology to save us. By doing so we easily overlook the one important factor that could save all of humanity, and that is biodiversity. So join me for episode 197 Biodiversity-Our Strongest Defense Against Climate Change. 

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 196Is Going Organic Better for Your Health?Colorado is one of those places that has plenty of grocery outlets for the purchase of organic food. Despite this easily available opportunity, for years I refused to buy organic produce because of the cost. I always questioned whether or not it was actually beneficial. Furthermore, I questioned whether or not there were added nutritional benefits of going organic. And of course I kept right on doing what I was doing and never bothered to actually look into it. I just never took the time to educate myself on this subject.Finally I got around to doing my homework. And what really encouraged me was one particular article I read that was published by the Environmental Working Group. So join me for E196 which is called Is Going Organic  Better for Your Health? 

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 195How to Live Healthy in a Chemical WorldWorking as a practicing veterinarian I commonly have to deal with infectious diseases. For the most part it is something benign. Occasionally I have to deal with things that are potentially of great concern for human health. One such disease is the Bubonic Plague. It is endemic in the prairie dog population in Colorado. Every now and then people get excited about it then the concern fades away. But, it is always there. From my perspective there are so many other things in our world that pose a great threat yet we completely ignore it. One such thing is chemical pollution. I start to question whether it is possible to live healthy in a chemical world. So join me for episode 195 How to Live Healthy in a Chemical World. 

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 194A Sustainable Life May Make You Live LongerDid you know that globally we spend about $170 billion dollars a year on dietary supplements. The cosmetic surgery market is now worth $63 billion annually. We spend nearly $3,000 per year on entertainment. On average we spend 2 to 2 1/2 hours per day on social media. We also eat a diet that is high in calories, fat, added sugars, and low in essential nutrients. Sadly nearly 20% of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes is attributed to poor diet. The incidence of multiple chronic diseases among adults is now 27.2 percent with 51.8% now having at least one chronic disease. What this means is that ultimately many people live shorter lives than what they could. So join me for episode 194 A Sustainable Life May Make You Live Longer. 

Most people think our technology driven world is so much better than how things were in the past. If you have been around long enough to see substantial changes in our society and culture, it truly seems that even 40 years ago we were living in the dark ages. And honestly,  many of the things I do these days would not be possible if it were not for modern technology. But the challenge is that technological advancements and all of these time-saving products and gadgets have produced a life of ease and convenience that has actually robbed us of some very important skills. Most of us no longer have core skills that used to be considered basic everyday knowledge. Furthermore we have no concept of sustainability. What I want to examine in this episode is the integration of core life skills with sustainable living.

Scientists and other experts with ExxonMobile knew about the long-term detrimental affects of burning fossil fuels back in the 1970s. Their predictions of climate change were astonishingly accuracy. Yet we were led to believe there was nothing to worry about. As we continue to see on-going changes in our world directly related to human behavior, we are now told that we should be more conscious about what we eat, what we wear, what and how much we drive, and to even learn to be a minimalist. Such things fall under this big umbrella of conscious consumerism. But some experts say that conscious consumerism is just another lie to distract us from what really needs to be done to produce meaningful change. So, join me for E191 where I examine whether or not conscious consumerism is just a lie.  

Despite the fact that we live in the age of information the average person is still confused about how to start living sustainably. This is somewhat understandable because there is so much information available. Furthermore, it is not helpful that much of the time we are given conflicting views on what to do and the potential value of any action at all.  There is of course a long list of ways to start living a more sustainable life. All you have to do is pick one thing and focus on that until it is a part of your daily life. But if I were to sum things up into one simple concept it would be “become a conscious consumer.” So join me for episode 191 where I am going to discuss how to become a conscious consumer. Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E191 Twelve Tips to Becoming a Conscious Consumer. 

Someone once said to me that the only problem with going plastic free is going plastic free. But the same could be said for having a sustainable lifestyle. It is a process, a choice, a journey instead of an end all be all. But I also think it is the same with going zero waste. We constantly hear talk about a sustainable circular economy but is it all just a dream?  Is going zero waste even achievable for an individual much less an entire society and culture? What I want to examine in this episode is whether or not this is an achievable goal or is zero waste just a myth. So join me for episode 189 Dispelling the Myth of Zero Waste. 

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 188Not in My Backyard: A Critical Review of Environmental RacismSurveys of community needs from around the world show that almost everyone wants the same thing. We all want a safe place to live and even raise a family. We want a healthy, natural environment, access to education, healthy food, housing, clean water, and fair use of land and local resources.How would you feel if you lived in a community where such things did not exist? You lived in the midst of heavy air pollution, environmental contamination, and lack of basic services. And yet these situations are more frequent than most of us recognize. The underlying cause is environmental racism. So join me for episode 188 where we are going to discuss a critical review of environmental racism, what that is, why it exist, and what we can do about it. Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E188 which is called Not in My Backyard: A Critical Review of Environmental Racism

Adventures in Sustainable Living PodcastEpisode 187How to Eat Healthy on a BudgetInflation is taking a toll on just about everyone. But one of the most common areas where we feel the pinch is in the price of food. Food prices have consistently risen over the last 5 years and are expected to go up by several percentage points in 2024. Not only that, if you want to eat healthy and organic, you are going to pay even more at the checkout. To top it off, junk food is manufactured in bulk and full of preservatives to make it shelf stable. Consequently, and on a per-calorie basis, it is typically less expensive than something that is packed with nutrients. So how do we reach for something that is sustainable and strike a balance between budget and eating healthy? So join me for E187 How to Eat Healthy on a Budget.

How would you feel if your neighbor came to your mailbox everyday and opened your mail? How would you feel if someone was always looking over your shoulder to monitor everything you did on the internet? I think most people would say "NO!" And they would say no because such things are an invasion of our privacy. We now live in a very connected world. More and more we depend on the internet for personal services, business purposes, data storage, communication and entertainment. But what most people do not realize is that there is very little privacy in the online world and most of what you do is monitored by someone.  Between hackers, scammers, big tech and big brother, someone is always collecting data on your personal online habits. That data is used to generate an online profile of who you are, what you do, where you go and maybe even if you can be trusted. Additionally that data is  sold and shared and used to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year all without your permission. Maybe you think this is a paranoid way of thinking. But this episode is an interview with privacy expert Glenn Meder. It will open the door for you to a very different world in which there is absolutely no privacy. However, Glenn is going to give us some great tips on how to opt out of this privacy invasion simply because what we do, who we communication with and where we go really should be our personal business. I hope you will join me for this eye-opening episode.  

More and more frequently these days people are looking to live off the grid. Possibly this is because people are growing weary of the perpetual rat race and just want some peace and quiet. Hopefully people are looking to be off grid because they seek sustainability or simplicity or to otherwise have something that lacks any sort of complexity. If off-grid is what you want there are several realistic ways to make that happen. It truly depends on personal preference and of course your budget. Bottom line is that these days such a lifestyle is not at all unrealistic. But everyone has different reasons as to why they want to give it a try. So, if you want to learn about the best reasons to live off grid then stick around for E186. 

Kate Raworth, an English economist with Oxford University, wrote that “Reversing consumerism's financial and cultural dominance in public and private life is set to be one of the twenty-first century's most gripping psychological dramas.” What is obvious is that economic growth is directly tied to resource consumption. Both are hand in hand with environmental degradation and climate change. Despite this obvious trend consumerism continues to be deeply ingrained.  Even though there are communities of people that live simply and offer inspiration for social innovation, the question is whether or not this is possible on a global scale. In this episode I want to examine whether or not we can decouple economic growth from resource consumption. So join me for E 185 which is called “Can We Prosper Without Growth?”