Truly love this video, helps me calm down from the chaotic life where I live. Please need to know how to prepare the pine needle solution for window cleaning. Blessings
I love your videos. They are so calming and thoughtful and they just help me to find myself and to find new little ways to adjust my way of life to a simpler, better way. Please keep it going :)
From India - 1. Neem as a tooth brush /oral hygiene. 2. Husk of coconut as a dishwashing scrub. 3. Reusing old tattered clothes for cleaning purposes. 4. Home remedies. Lots of home remedies. Like using turmeric as an antiseptic,carrom seeds for stomachache and better digestion and there are many more. Namaskar (meaning =divinity within me recognizes divinity within you) 🙏 from this land of india where science meets spirituality. ❤️❤️☺️ Niamhji thank you for existing! I love you all😊❤️
I'm Lilly from Australia- - drying clothes outside always even in winter because it still hot - minimize aircon use if you can - using old containers to put water out for animals who escaped the fire/drought.
Switzerland here :). I've stopped shopping around, only buy what I really need. I get most of my clothes, appliances and books second hand now. We have a place in our community that opens twice a week, where everybody can bring things that they don't need anymore and pick up other things, completely for free! I freeze the plums, apricots and plums from my garden and eat them during the winter. :)
I now buy from second hand stores also. Very nice items! I downsized now that my children are grown. I'm on my second year purging more items I no longer use. I use many herbs to avoid illness and clean with. My newest and best discovery is reishi mushroom. I get sick easily all my life. This prevents it. I put a piece in everything. Coffee, tea, soup, chili. You cannot taste it. Oregano oil (organic) has become popular in my area. It has cured my mother if double lung pneumonia and bronchitis when 2 rounds of antibiotics didn't work. For 15 years I use distilled white vinegar and water (1:1) to sanitize in the kitchen after raw meats. Excellent to prevent cross contamination and chemical free. Cheers from New York!
ThousandTimesBefore where in Switzerland are you? I’m in Bulle- we have a repair cafe, where you can bring items that are broken and they repair them for you. They offer different themed weekends, like one weekend they repair clothes, another weekend electronics, etc
From Turkey- I started watering the plants in my balcony with leftover water from pasta. It has vitamins and nourishes the plants. Sometimes I water with leftover tea too. The other day I had a little candle that has no wick left. Instead of throwing it away I melted it and poured on pencil sharpener leftovers. They made awesome kindle woods. Lasts long! Perfect for camping ^^
Hello 🙋I'm from Virginia, USA. I started a year ago to simplify my life by discarding the tv. I've given away 75% of clothing, shoes and purses. I spend time in prayer and contemplation being grateful for all that I have. I write in my journal my thoughts and concerns, hopes and goals. Currently I'm planning my garden for spring and started my compost bin. The important thing for me is to slow down. I tend to get so excited about my goals, then I can't wait to get started. Patience is my least favorite virtue but it's the one I need most! Hearing your voice calms me and sharing your thoughts makes me feel like a friend has come to visit me. Looking forward to your next visit.😄
@Bee Ragan hello Bee! Isn't the silence wonderful. Do you find yourself more at peace? Now we need to quite the mind from 10,000 useless thoughts a day. I generally hum a tune or pray some little verse. It helps keep me positive as well as peaceful. How do you maintain your peace? I may learn something from you:)
I get suuuuper excited about my goals too but I noticed that if I set a system, it doesn't matter if it's a long or short time goal, it's easier to keep track of if and all I need to do!
from Russia: during the summer we collect a lot of fruits and vegetables in the grandmother’s garden. After that, she makes a huge amount of canned vegetables that we eat in the cold seasons, for example, now, in winter. we store it in a room underground, so it's just fine without a refrigerator we reuse the glass in which it was stored
In Ghana, currently we're in the harmattan season (super dry weather). I take advantage of this to dry my herbs and aloe vera, and make powders out of them.
Hello! I’m originally from Croatia, and now live in New Zealand. As a child, we were taught to drink rosehip tea during winter. Rosehip is rich in Vitamin C, which is great for boosting the immune system against colds. And my nana believed that drinking nettle tea daily cured most ailments. Nettles are a treasure trove of vitamins and minerals, and have been proven to assist with inflammation, such as arthritis (joints), and they even help to regulate levels of glucose (diabetes). So she was quite right. 😁 I was taught to massage my hair with castor oil. Castor oil is amazing for hair growth, and for adding thickness. It is a bit of a bugger to wash off though! If anyone wishes to thicken their eyebrows, or add volume and length to eyelashes, just apply a small amount of castor oil nightly. As Niâmh puts so beautifully, nature provides us with such abundance, if only we take our time to look. Mx
U don't know everytime before watching your video, I make sure that my room is ready with that warm & cozy environment......I never watch your video in any busy or crowdy situation....Because u are the only one person whose video makes me feel relaxed & purify my soul.... 😊😊😊
By the way I live in India & it's a country full of natural resources, we use it so much...But unfortunately in modern days people are forgetting their own resources....I can tell u after finding u I am more attached with nature than before....Thanks a lot for being such a support system...😊😊😊..Love u a lot...
I live in a small town in the Netherlands and made my own 'wonderbag' or slow cooking. You can make it if you have enough old blankets. Just be sure your pan fits in and that it's thick enough to keep the pan warm. You can put the food into the wonderbag to be cooked. Before it goes into the wonderbag: about one minute of cooking on fire, then take the pan off the fire and put the pan into the wonderbag. Your food will get cooked without fire. Different types of food need different slow cooking times. Just try it out what you like most , it will still be tasty -)
Australia - steep eucalyptus or tea tree leaves in white vinegar and then mix with equal parts water for a perfect multipurpose cleaning spray. - shop at weekend markets to get local and seasonal produce - local bakeries are a great place to get your weekly bread (instead of coles or woolies) just take an old pillowcase or reusable cloth bag and they can put the bread in that. - If you eat meat, your local butcher should be able to put the meat directly into glass containers for you so it doesn’t have to be wrapped in plastic. - hang clothes out to dry on the line or inside on a clothes horse during cyclone season - shop for clothes, furniture, books etc at local second hand stores, Facebook marketplace or Gumtree. Let’s give new life to something used so it doesn’t get thrown in landfill. - grow fruit and nut trees (macadamia, mango, avocado and bunya do really well in my part of Queensland) Cook using your produce. Sell the excess at local markets. - use repair shops to fix old worn shoes, tools etc. They’re a dying industry but we need them so we stop throwing things away when they break. - buy coffee and tea at bulk stores like The Source so you can eliminate plastic tea bags and plastic coffee packaging.
Connecticut, USA - retired and started homesteading about two years ago: gardening to canning, taking herbal courses, lectures and retreats. It is my new adventure in life and truly saved the best for last!
Hi! Thank you for your relaxing and cinematic videos! So inspiring and a joy to watch! I live in Greece and sustainable living here is an idea for just a handful of people (at least for now). And I was all the same until channels like yours and other similar you tubers taught me about this simpler more sustainable and fulfilling way of life! Now I try to shop in bulk, persuaded my family to use reusable water bottles and food containers for school and work, make my coffee at home and take it with me at work, and try to find multiple uses of the things I already own. Simplicity and minimalism is happiness. So let’s all soak every moment with gratefulness and stop hoarding stuff! Please continue to share your ideas with us! Hugs!
Girl in Calico Sustainable living Minimalism Pick up limes use any of these key words and you will find some amazing videos like this one...Living a more gentle life with less is a major life changer with no regrets 💜
Fairyland Cottage hope you do! Sunny weather makes everything easier, drying clothes, growing veggies etc. I’m lucky enough to eat fresh veggies from my dads and father’s in law garden. And I avoid eating out of season or exotic fruits and veggies! We don’t have let’s say avocados in Greece so I don’t eat avocados! But we do have lots of other fruits so I have options to buy locally and in bulk! And I think that’s another way of sustainable living.
Hi from Western Canada! Thank you, Niamh, for blessing us with your voice and images from your home every Sunday. One of the things I do is to take denim jeans (friends and neighbours donate theirs to me as well) and sew lap sized quilts to donate to our local Hospice Society. The jeans take on a new life as a comfort to those who are at the ends of their lives. This allows me to show my gratitude to the people who have created this town and are now trusting us left behind to take good care of it. Have a wonderful day everyone. A hug from Canada to each of you.
Love the idea of community sharing. in Canada we are trying to reduce single use plastic legally with no plastic water bottles or plastic grocery bags. big groceries are on the move for zero waste. cities are asking for ideas to reduce waste and improve recycle services. inch by inch.
Cheryl Simmons I wish the United States would follow suit. There are many of us here who want change and ask for change, I have to have faith some good will come of it!
@@billiej1967 I live on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and our various towns have begun to pass such laws. We now can only have paper bags at our local stores which also encourages us to take our own bags. And my town passed a law that we are only allowed these bin liner/trash bags that are biodegradable and break down. We buy them locally and are the only garbage/trash allowed at our local dump/processing center.
It's not a law, but I take the plastic produce bags back to the store and reuse them along with reusable bags. A quick rinse and an air dry and they're good to go!
Hello! I’m from Queensland, Australia. For me, it is about finding small things that I can do that can become a habit, then are done without even thinking about it. For example, using reusable bags and cups. Luckily for me in sunny Queensland, drying clothes is not a problem, even in Winter! I haven’t owned a clothes dryer in over a decade. Like others in Australia have mentioned, I also try to make my garden native animal friendly, especially during our hot Summer days. I only have small space, so I’m trying a Bokashi composting bin that makes it easier for those living in smaller spaces to compost. I hope everyone is having a safe start to the year.
Thank you for your lovely words of encouragement. I am an older woman living on my own in New Mexico in America. For me one simple thing I do is to stop and pause before I do things. I ask myself if I can improve on a habit and make it more sustainable. I often find I can. Please continue your work here. It is so helpful.
I'm in South Wales in the UK. My biggest recommendation of an easy, sustainable swap is to grow your own fresh herbs. You can grow them in small pots on the kitchen windowsill. A pack of seeds only costs 99p and it's so convenient and saves on loads of horrible plastic going in the bin. I like to grow fresh coriander, basil and parsley as some basic staples. All you need is a few pots, some compost, seeds and of course water :)
@@isaz597 What type of herbs are you trying to grow? If you sow parsley and coriander in March on a window sill, they should be okay. They're both quite hardy plants and don't need as much light/warmth to grow. Basil needs more warmth so is better to start off in April/May time when the days are longer :) Having a good compost helps - potted plants use up nutrients more quickly than plants in the ground.
@@rachelbrown9370 hi thanks for replying. I was thinking Basil which I'll start in April as you advised. Plus I wanted to try thyme, mint, sage, oregano (which I've never seen as a plant). I'll try coriander & parsley now like you said. Any further advice on which other herbs & plants are achievable please?
@@isaz597 Chives and Dill also come to mind. Try the 'Real Seeds' website and then the 'Herbs' page - they have lots of varieties to choose from and sell really high quality seed which is harvested from their own plants in the UK.
Likewise, in Massachusetts here, white pine needles abound on my usual forest walk. I'll be foraging and addibg to my sustainable mix. Thanks fir this!
I live in SE Minnesota. It’s so inspiring to learn more about sustainable changes. One tip I use in my cold climate is the art of opening and closing curtains to allow the sun to warm parts of my home, but then draw curtains, especially at night to keep in the warmth. My home was built in 1874 and has many of the original windows. They can be drafty, but also allow the sun’s warmth to penetrate better.
I’m from the mountains of western North Carolina. We are blessed to be able to buy much of our produce from local farmers and are able to preserve much of that for the winter months. I love your channel. It speaks to my heart.
Australia. I keep a couple of bags and baskets in the car to collect kindling. I collect fallen eucalyptus twigs and small branches which are great for starting the fire, and also pine cones. I have been saving leftover bits of beeswax from candles and tea lights and will dip the pine cones in melted wax to make fire starters. I have also been peeling lemons and drying the peel, as per your suggestion, to use as fire starters. When combined with the twigs it works brilliantly and means I am not using toxic, shop-bought fire starters. It is brilliant watching our kindling baskets grow full, and knowing we will be ready when it gets cold in Autumn. Happy New Year xx Madeleine PS as we are in severe drought, we shower standing in a large tub. The water from the tub is then bucketed onto the fruit trees. As we have had a bit of rain lately, we use the water to flush the toilet on days the garden is not too dry. I will be making cloths to do the 'family cloth' (for number ones only!) and this will also mean a lot less flushing of the loo. Of course, we do not flush every time we do a wee, even with grey water, as every drop is precious!
Hi Niamh! As you know already I live in Italy, more precisely in the beautiful sardinian countryside and we have pine trees too here, but I mostly use lavender vinegar which I use to clean the house, my dogs' fur and to rinse my hair after the shampoo. My old jumpers become blankets for my dogs and cats and for animal shelters, I brush my teeth with green clay powder mixed with some essential oils and a pinch of baking soda. I wash my face with rice starch mixed with dried lavender, there's plenty here, and dried chamomile flowers. We have loads of mediterranean herbs here, and I pick when the period's right to use them for my personal hygiene and my house, among them Juniper, Elychrisum, Lavender, Cipress, Oregan, Rosemary etc. It's wonderful to be able to make my own products with what Mother Earth gives me through Nature, and I'll always respect it and make sure my impact is very low. Lots o' love ❤❤
Pacific Northwest of the USA. I have been teaching myself to sew. Learning to care properly for clothes, mending, investing in classic pieces and not chasing trends, using natural fibers, are things that all persons can learn to do. I have heard that in some Scandanavian countries both girls and boys are taught to sew. I think when you know these skills then you are much more mindful.
Greetings Fairy and other dear ones: Northern Arizona USA. Chilly with snow on the mountains right now, but in summer my small apartment patio faces the afternoon 100F deg. sun and heat. I use one of my half-gallon Mason jars (purchased at a thrift store) and make (sun tea). Also, I use torn cotton T-Shirts for cleaning instead of paper towels. For cleaning: vinegar, baking soda, and make my own laundry detergent. Blessings to all of us!♥
I’m from the US and in a relatively small town. The sad thing is, many homeowners rake up their leaves, place them in bags, and leave them at the curb for trash pickup. Then all of this gets dumped in land fills. Similar to this, a friend told me she recently shredded a lot of documents and complained about having to heft them to the landfill. I told her I would take them for my compost bin. I’m now the happy owner of two very large trash bags of recyclable paper! I can’t wait for Spring to come when I can turn one of my bins, and place the shredded paper in the empty one!
Adore the idea of community and sharing with each other! I'm from Russia :) And very few people care about ecology and nature here unfortunately! I always carry ecobags, a coffee cup and a water bottle with me, try not to use much plastic, reuse old clothes for cleaning needs. I also would like to grow smth on my windowsill, but winters in Russia are long, dark and cold so I'll try to start in summer Thank you so much for your videos! It's pleasure to watch!
I'm in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. (Maryland). I live in a townhouse development with a hyperactive and hypervigilant homeowners' association so some easy-to-do, sensible things are actually not allowed, but I keep trying. Some of what I *am* doing includes... - using only reusable (mainly cloth) bags for shopping (began shortly before they added a per-bag tax); - slowly weaning myself from using a ridiculous number of paper towels on a daily basis; - using an old-school reel mower (the old push kind) for my yard instead of a power mower; - experimenting with composting (have to be careful because it may be against neighborhood rules); - using natural fertilizers on houseplants & in the yard; - using old clothing for rags; - clean clothes using cold water washes and low heat or outside air for drying; - using local stones and locally-made mulch made from the electric co's tree cutting for my landscaping; - buying more carefully to generate less waste (both in terms of packaging & wasted food); - making my own glass cleaner from alcohol & white vinegar; - combining errands & mapping out my routes to minimize the amount of driving I have to do; and - actively taking advantage of all the local recycling programs (and urging others to do the same). I've known about many uses for pine needles (and pine tar) for a long time but somehow never actually tried any, despite having Eastern White Pine literally everywhere I look -- so I'll give that a shot, too!
I’m from America, the Soutwest region. I have a lemon tree in my yard. When I use the lemons I save the skins and place them in a large glass jar. Fill the jar with 1/2 white vinegar, 1/2 filtered water. Secure lid, place in a cool cabinet for at least 30-40 days. Strain into a spray bottle and use to clean my countertops, etc. I have dogs and this is safe, environmentally friendly, and I get several uses out of the lemon instead of just the juice.
We can be surprised at how fulfilling it can be if we take our time with our daily obligations. Put forth the effort where it counts and then we will notice we can smell the flowers again. 🌻🌹
Brooder85 I totally agree. In our age, one of the biggest lies is that housework, cooking and taking care of what you have are lesser to paid work and leisure. It’s something that you cram into as small a timeframe as possible so that you can do other things (often sitting by some kind of screen). However, those daily obligations are so fulfilling if you let them. We, humans, are after all built to take care of ourselves and our families, not to work to consume and/or be still. I love housework and find it a relaxing, fulfilling part of my day. With a few things I take my time letting my little child help me (though I’d do it faster by myself) and enjoy the time spent together. My husband does the same. It’s a slower pace of life and once you try it you realise it’s what’s in the human nature, and that it makes us so much happier.
I live within the USA, a special place called Hawaii. My Irish roots brought me here. I treasure my heritage. I love the earth 🌎 and very sad to have watched desecration. You inspire me to keep moving forward I will continue what I know to do to preserve I'm already there. The sea has changed yet I have found my favorite tree. An owl flew over me and I understood it's message. Grateful you choose to be practical and simple. May the greatest joy be yours through the blessing of the earth 🌎 🎉❤❤ .
@@ITSMEndez1970 hi x I soak 2 or 3 lemons in a jar of vinegar and after 2-3 weeks I empty out the lemons and make the spray with 3 parts water & 1 part vinegar
Hi! I’m from Central NC in the US. Some of my sustainable tips are: ~Use Rent the Runway for holiday dresses you normally wear one time ~Shop Thred Up for 2nd hand name brand clothing (I have a hard time finding my size in local thrift shops) ~Make my own cleaning supplies with essential oils ~Take reusable bags everywhere I go ~I carry a reusable straw in my purse 👜 ~And using chick pea flour shampoo has been amazing! Love this channel and so grateful for it! 🙏
happy new year fairy land cottage. im from germany. i make my own apple vinegar and apple juice, i have walnuts and hazels in my garden, also wine and grapes. i grow mint tea and rosmary and lavender in my backyard. i also have a fire place and a sustainable slowliving less shopping life. right now im drinking fair trade coffee made with a no energy using coffee maker, and also i knit and crochet my clothes. i dont often buy some, and if i do i go for sustainable brands and ways. im lucky to have a unpacked store in my very little town and lots of farmers here. im actually downsizing aswell and i absolutly love your calm videos.
A very little tip from Italy: let dry your coffee grounds from the moka (the coffee maker) and use it like a wounderfull scrub for body and face...all natural....love your channel
Hello from Northern Illinois, USA. I watch your videos to soothe my spirit and shut out the clatter and clutter of modern life. I abhor the witless consumerism, and throw-away lifestyle here. The good news is that there is a definite trend toward simple living by many people here. I have adopted your mantra, "use what you have". Thank you for your lovely channel when we need respite.
I live in the United States. I forgot to say earlier that I buy most of my clothes and some household items at thrift stores and consignment shops. I sell items I no longer want or need at a consignment shop in our small town here in Virginia. I also donate clothing and household items to the Goodwill. Thank you for sharing with the world. Your videos are so calming and restful--a real respite from the everyday hustle and bustle.
In Australia - it is summer here at the moment, so taking advantage of the summer days to dry clothes and linen naturally. Also having our lemons grow again as well :) :)
Wise words, and alot of common sense! ♥😊👍 Loved the calming music, by the way.🎼🎶😊 Thank you! ♥💐 Im from England, and l love using water and vinger on my windows too! Works great.👍👍👍 I do my house work, before l go to bed! It's a bit of a discipline, but its well worth it!😊👍👍👍 I love the feeling of coming down stairs in the morning! Seeing everything nice and clean!!! 😊😊😊💃No pots in the sink, no clutter no toys! Just me, and my cuppa! Heavenly! 😊😊😊 All the best, by the way to everyone for 20/20 health, and happiness to you all.🍻😊 Moira From England.
Another pleasant video to start my day here in Maine. With a good cup of tea as well. Prepairing food at home and ahead of time is how I produce less waist and enjoy my time in the house during the long winters here. Bird feeders are a great way to make the indoors feel more outdoors. Taking photo's from inside of my feathered friends makes me happy. Have a wonderful day everyone. ☀✨🎉
I'm in coastal MA so we have such varying Winters. This year it's been more mild, yesterday was a crazy wind storm (we are on the sea) but then quick as you like it stopped the wind died the sun came out and it was 60F, However, I always keep my bird feeders full this time of the year. We also get to watch the gulls and shore birds eat daily, so that is some sustainable and free entertainment (like nature channel with No commercials) ;)
In The Netherlands, where I’m from, it’s easy to grow your own herbs. There are some workshops available throughout the country on bushcrafting, that’s taught me how to make rope out of nettle. It’s amazing as well as it’s fun to do. Some bee keepers sell blocks of bees wax that you can use for making those bees wax cloths. Just put some pieces on a square cut out of sn old shirt, put baking paper on top and underneath and iron! I love your videos and all the tips you share with us. It inspires me every Sunday! Thanks so much :-)
I make those beeswax wraps too! They're brilliant - I've made some with 50:50 grated beeswax & coconut oil and they work just fine. My son enjoys the fact that I try to make my own version of almost everything at home but I'm sure he thinks I'm nuts too!
I would love to visit a bushcrafting shop in the Netherlands . Would you kindly tell me a webpage where I can book a class. Thank you from America. I am searching it right now but most of these classes are not in my language. Your aid is appreciated.
I dont understand about what do you speak, can you please explain to me? What kind of wax product can we make? I am all about DIY and self sufficient living, would love to learn more,, i didnt really get it, sorry
From Belgium! - Making elderflower syrup in summer and elderberry syrup in autumn to prevent colds - Drying lavender flowers for baking, teas.... - Making acorn flour in autumn to put in bread for a wonderfully full taste
@@todrapayne Really not that hard! There are many many types of acorns though, the slim long ones are easiest to use because the shell isn't too hard. If you use acorns with very sturdy shells it'll be hard to break them. Also only use the ones that don't have holes in them (you don't want insects in your acorn flour) First roast them 10 minutes on 200C°. Let them cool and then put them in a big pot with water. Boil them for 5 minutes and discard the water. The water will be brown because the tannin in the acorns is leaving (which is good because tannin is toxic). Boil them again with fresh water for 5 minutes, discard the water again. Boil them for one last time with fresh water for 10 minutes. Then put the acorns aside in cold water overnight. This to get rid of any last toxins. The next day you can dry them with a towel (your towel will get brown, so don't use the fanciest one you have) and you can easily peel them. You can also use a knife of course. Roast them again for 10 minutes at 200C°. Let them cool again and blend them until you have fine powder. I suggest to roast the powder again on a low heat for a few hours, because mine started to get mouldy after a week. With roasting the powder again you should be able to keep it longer in an airtight container. Hope this helps!
I love how she’s living in a place other than the tropics. Most of the videos you see are young people who have moved to Hawaii, New Zealand, etc. She is an established adult with a home and living in Ireland. Still using the land and living a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle is so refreshing to hear for those who don’t live in tropical environments. Thanks for a great video!
loved to see how you live. I am from u.s.a. I live in a warm climate, and beach town, I have lived in northern Maine in. the past so very cold! So there I began to get interested in making my own resources, now I have interest in minimizing my household and I am a big tea drinker and would like some new tips on how to spice up tea naturally. anythingyou have for suggestions I am fond of. love your channel! God bless!
Gabi Grace from the Sonoran desert here -drying clothes outside year round because of the heat -and the dry heat is also nice for drying out fruit to eat as snacks I wish I lived somewhere I could have a garden though that didn’t require so many resources like water I love your videos by the way❤️❤️❤️
I vote for candidates with strong environmental platforms. I write my representatives and urge them to pass stronger policies to limit greenhouse gasses, fight climate change, and protect our wildlife and public lands. I live in a house which is 190 years old in Alexandria, VA in the USA.
From California, USA. Love your channel! Old t-shirts get cut up to use when removing makeup or w/rose & witch hazel toner, old bath towels become car washing towels, purchasing bulk pantry goods to avoid added packaging, not letting the shower water run the entire time -- rather, turning off & on to rinse as needed, LED lightbulbs, re-useable grocery bags & switching to homemade household cleaners. To all those who truly care for this amazing planet we live on, may you live in peace & health.
Athlone Ireland here ... I found doing/changing one thing at time over the last year as a family of 4 we have cut down are waste by 60% slowly but surely will get there we can all only do what we can and its important to know that not stress over what the next person is doing .. this year we are going g to focus on food waste .. not only wasting less food but also finding an alternative to putting food waste on the bin as we don't have a garden to compost we love any ideas 🙂
Michelle free boyd What you have set for a goal is really wonderful! For the composting you can use worms, check out this video, I hope it can somehow help☺🌻 ruclips.net/video/JH8QiSdBHR4/видео.html
nice job you have all being doing in the family... food waste is tricky if you don't have compost.... have you heard of the brown bin scheme.... I think you can apply to the council for one... its for food waste... Another thing I do is freeze all my scraps and make stock...
You can compost for houseplants, as well. There's a lady here on RUclips who did a series on "Eating on $2 a Day." She's got great ideas for using up every scrap of food!
I'm from Australia. currently I am feeding the birds and keeping water out for the birds and animals that need it due to the extreme heat we are having. I can not afford air conditioning. However I have planted native trees that are small. They don;t get bigger then the height of the house. They have fine needles for leaves. I hose those trees in the heat and leave the windows open. The wind passes through the trees and gives a cool breeze for a while. I also live out of town and I have a septic system(not sewage). This means I have been able to recycle my water from the house out onto the ground around my house. This is a HUGE saving to the environment. We get very little rain. I would not be allowed to water the trees from the town water. So having the recycle water is amazing. During winter I also use the fireplace as you do.
Watching from the east coast of Australia. Your videos are my favourite online. It seems weird to say it, but watching them helps me feel more connected to my Irish ancestors from the early 1800s...I think it's the simple life you live and your beautiful home and surroundings. Your lifestyle and serenity ooze beauty and inspiration. One thing I like to do is grow my own luffah sponges. Wonderful for use on the body and in the kitchen. They grow like a cucumber but you leave them to completely dry on the vine and then peel the outer skin. I find it rather magical. All the best to you! And thank you for making my journey more joyful.
thank you for the lovely message.... very magical indeed to grow luffah. I think our climate here is too damp and wet and cold for that but I would love to be able to grow!
From California's Central Coast: 1) use our year-round gardening abilities towards your non-toxic cleaning efforts! Unused citrus peels and juice - add to your homemade cleaner instead of essential oils (even though I passionately use essential oils myself!); use all "winter" cuttings: Rosemary, Tea Tree (Melaleuca), Savory, Mint, etc and incorporate them into your homemade cleaning products (Pinterest has LOADS of ideas!); cut back and create air within all leftover late-producing edibles (I am even harvesting eggplants and cherry tomatoes as we speak, in late December/and January! - simply b/c I've taken the time to aerate the bushes in order to create more growth! Cut suckers that aren't producing flowers so all positive energy works towards those branches that ARE producing!); turn over soil with ANY attempt at homemade compost! 2) CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: remember to take the FEW seconds it takes to appropriately dispose of your waste! Remember to look up the rules and guidelines in our county in order to efficiently put what is CORRECT in your Recyclables! For clarification, see: www.calrecycle.ca.gov/publiced/earthday/what 3) We are now only purchasing about 98% of our clothes from Goodwill. I'm serious: it is AHMAZING what you can find there!!!! Try it! We also donate everything appropriately (see link above in #2) AND we re-use any clothing items deemed for the trash as dusting/cleaning wipes! 4) Ferment Food, y'all!!!! It is THE BEST way to ensure your food lasts AND is loaded with probiotics! Win-Win!!!! 5) Eat Out Less: meal plan like crazy. Everyone says it - most eye-roll at it. But YOU GUYS: it's a THING for a reason.....it makes your life sooooooooo much easier!!!! 6) GROW YOUR OWN: I'm lucky in that I can grow my own food year-round. But even if you can't, grow your own! Grow whatever you can, WHENEVER you can!!!! 7) Support ethically-minded companies: Azure Standard for online groceries, ethically-minded clothing companies OR used clothing shops (Goodwill, Thrift Stores, Vintage Shops, etc), and ALWAYS trying to buy in bulk WHILE bringing your own reusable bags is SOOOOO important! 8) Buy ORGANIC - like, with EVERYTHING: just MAKE THE RULE: you buy NOTHING unless it's sustainable or organic. To the best of your knowledge. I know this is a TOUGH area, esp in America....just know that even if you're buying something organic versus NOT organic - your dollars are SPEAKING LOUDER THAN BOMBS. 9) Carpool when you can! Reminder!!!!! 10) RE-USE WHAT YA GOT: not enough people do this, but SERIOUSLY: find beauty in what you already have! Thanks, Niamh - we adore you! xoxo
I wish i can live in a house like urs... living in town areas is getting way difficult now... though everything is at convenience but urbanization is going from bad to worse....
Love from India::: Tips:: Ash - used for washing utensils Lemon + Salt + Utensils washing powder - to clean Copper utensils Khakhra tree Leaves - used for packaging purpose specially Paan and other products..and in so many other Creative ways..
Happy Sunday, and greetings from balmy Tennessee! I appreciate the "baby steps" suggestion, and all the ways that you've pointed out that I'm already being more sustainable: I hang up our clothes after washing them, too. It's a habit I've had for the last 10 years, and the clothes will typically dry overnight. They last longer in better shape that way. We're experiencing a very mild winter - it got up to 70° F yesterday, and we've decided to hold off on replacing our upstairs heating/cooling unit until absolutely necessary. It's actually made the upstairs a more comfortable temperature for sleeping! One of my "resolutions" for the new year is to buy a LOT less, use what I have (which is astonishingly abundant, once you take note!), and finish projects that I've already started. I'm also very interested in starting to grow our own food. We support our local farmers at the markets, but it would be nice to supplement with our own vegetable and fruit patch. I'll have to get creative, as we live on the edge of an extensive wooded area, and I'd like to eat the food myself instead of watching the rabbits, squirrels, deer and chipmunks eat all my vegetables! Thank you for your lovely and warming videos. It's so nice to be a part of this community!
yes use what you have really does show you how much you have doesn't it! veggie growing sounds great... the animals will eat everything unless it is covered with chicken wire... need to dig the hole deep around the bed because they can also burrow down under!
I live in the southern United States, and I enjoy cleaning with vinegar and lemon. I made my daughter cleaning cloths for Christmas using your pattern. One tip I have....this past summer I was in Scotland and bought all my souvenirs for my family and me at charity shops. I saved money and met lovely people. Thank you for your ideas and kindness.
hiya, noah from germany here :) over the past months i have severely cut down on plastic, buy zero waste from local shops and farmers markets and have managed to make my bathroom supplies 100% zero waste and sustainable. i also eat more in-season fruit now and grow my herbs on the windowsill. living sustainably in the city can sometimes be discouraging and there isn't a week that goes by without me missing the feeling of burying my hands in the soil, but with baby steps, we can make greater things happen together! ♥️ take care
I wouldn’t miss one of your visits to us. I think I saw briefly that your post was 11 minutes ago! I am in Montana Sunday morning 5:20 am. Just read my Bible, as I do each day. Today in preparation for my favorite outing of the week-church. Love the idea of mixing pine needles in vinegar. We are surrounded by pine trees as well. Till next time, stay well.
Dear Cathy, Thank you for your good comment. I wanted to acknowledge it and let you know that the Lord has just convicted my heart by your sweet words. I love the Lord with all my heart but I surely didn't show Him this morning like you did by getting up and reading His word and spending time with Him. Instead, while having full intentions of reading my Bible in a bit and spending time with my Heavenly Father, I got my coffee and turned on RUclips first. Just goes to show how God will use all sorts of things and, of course, His children to get our attention and minister to us. Love to you sister from your neighbor down in Colorado. Deborah Mcginnis 😊
@@deborahmcginnis8307 Dear Deborah, it is so easy to turn on RUclips first rather than putting your morning time with the Lord ahead of everything else. I did that too, once upon a time. Now, the very first thing I do is to read my Bible, pray, and read several short devotionals. My day is so much better when I do that. I read the Bible in a year last year for the first time. There are a lot of reading plans on the the Internet to help you with that. I'm sure Cathy appreciates your comment and I do too. Diane in NC
With the COVID virus keeping us home here in West Virginia in the U.S., I've had time to reassess my priorities in terms of simplifying my life. Your videos help so much with your gentle encouragement. Thank you! 🤗 I'm being gentle on myself and,when I weary from too much organizing and scrubbing, I pop on one of your videos and have a cup of tea to get inspired. I am shredding paper household waste and using it as mulch in my vegetable garden. And in general I am buying much less and producing much less trash. I feel badly as I barely have a small bag full for the trash pickup. So I walk along my lane and pick up rubbish that motorist fling out as they drive by. That way I'm helping my community and supporting my local trash company.
Hi. I am from a small town in Germany. I live in a very old house which has bad insulation. When I moved in there where wooden stoves or heaters in the kitchen, living room and in one downstairs room. The other rooms had no heating. There was a huge electric boiler in the bathroom and 2 small electric boilers in the kitchen upstairs and in the kitchen downstairs which I use as a laundry room. I used to work the wooden heaters/stoves for 3 years, but it was such a huge task and cost me a lot of money and work. It was not only the wood that was expensive but also the coal. Someone had to constantly tend the fire or use so much coal to sustain the fire. Then there was the constant cleaning and the problem of where to put the ashes. The trash was already limited because we can only afford a small trashcan. Then a new law came out and we where told, that we needed three new wooden stoves. This I coulnd`t afford anymore. I am a widow and only have a limited amount of money. So this is what worked for me. I bought myself an electric heater, a brand new model which heats two rooms, my living room and my bedroom. There are also electric heaters in the boys bedrooms and in the kitchen there is none. Also in my sewing room there is none. If I want to sew in the colder months, I use a small electric heater which can be moved around. I also use that one in the toilet room. In the kitchen it gets warm all by itself when using the stove or oven. Sometimes though, when it is really cold, I also have a whee little electric heater I use there. My electric bill is high, but when I look at it all together, like in a year, it is cheaper now then when I had to buy wood and coal. And I have less work with cleaning and stacking and carrying wood and coal. I am using an eco energy provider which is a local provider. So electricity is the best solution for me. By and by I tend to improving the insulation of my little house too. Huggs, Christina ...... you are right: many little steps together will make a huge difference after a while. It goes for everything in life. :-)
From Australia, basically the opposite of Ireland.. Pine needles never crossed my mind! There’s pine trees across the road from my apartment building. I always use lemons but I never actually eat citrus fruits so I always put off making more because I don’t want to waste them
I use lemon juice in cooking and making jam. Then I place the lemon halves in a bowl with a little water and heat in the microwave for 5 minutes. I remove them and put them down the garbage disposal for a nice fresh smell. Take a damp cloth and wipe out the microwave and it will be clean and sweet-smelling! No wasting of the lemons. 😀🍋
From Western Canada - recently I organized a pay-what-you-want indigo dye workshop to teach about natural dyeing and to support people bringing new life to the clothing they already have
USA...no more single use plastic water bottles, cut back on plastic bags & use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins or paper towels. I LOVE your videos. So soothing & calm in this crazy loud world. Much love from the states! ❤️🇺🇸
Minnesota, USA. My family makes all of our cleaners at home (vinegar, water, dish soap, baking soda). We also buy clothes second hand. Lastly, we try to utilize recycling programs to make sure whatever we can't reuse doesnt just end up in a landfill. I would love to see the states drastically reduce packaging. Everything here is wrapped in plastic, so we try to avoid that. I loved reading everyone else's comments from all over the world. There is hope for a better future. 💙 And thanks for the great videos.
Hello and thank you for your inspiring videos. I only discovered this channel a few days ago and already I’m learning so many tips to living a more sustainable lifestyle. I live in the the North West of England and it rains a lot here. I use clothes maidens to dry my clothes as you do. I do love the dry and windy days so I can put them out on the line but at the moment we don’t get many of those days. I would love to have a wood burner as we have central heating in rented accommodation at the moment. I want to learn as much as possible about zero waste. Have a lovely Sunday everyone 😌💚
Delighted you discovered the channel :-) thats the thing with rented... just being grateful for what we have and make use of it the best way we can... we too rent. just lucky to get a stove :-)
I'm from India. Just last week my father visited me from another city in India...which is my hometown. I asked him to bring me soapnuts from the local market there. They sell in bulk. I am looking forward to using it for my hair. Soapnuts were used extensively in India for the hair. It can cause uneasiness if it enters your eyes... Quite a bit of uneasiness infact but I am told it is a cleansing agent and when it eventually stops bothering your eyes, which it does in just a few minutes, it leaves your eyes relaxed and fresh! I experienced this as a child when my grandmother gave me baths. :)
I'm from Canada and I use soapnuts to clean my home. I boil them in water in a little cloth sack, then I take that out and put the soapy water into a spray bottle. =)
@@emmamacgregor731 boil the soapnuts in water, simmer and keep stirring to get the juices out. Then use a seive to extract just the water... Apply small quantities on the scalp and begin to rub gently. Repeat. It takes time for the lather to build up. It does work well with removing cocunut oil. I usually use them over the weekend or a holiday when I have enough time. It's worth the effort :)
Watching your channel washes my soul. I feel so at peace and cleansed from all the nonsense that exists in this world after watching! Warmth and love from the beaches of Florida ☀️
From central Florida, USA... Thank you Niamh for all the lovely inspiration to live a calmer and more graceful life. Sometimes we forget how wondrous life truly is.
Dia dhuit Niamh! I am Katie, I married a wonderful fella from Dublin, and we live in Seattle (USA). I have started making my own skin care and cleaning products. We are also committing to repair or upcycle our clothes, and not purchase anything new this year. Thank you for all your videos!!! Sláinte!!
Like some others, I’m from Australia as well. One thing we can do in these trying times is put water out for the bees when it is really dry. I was in the Blue Mountains during the worst of the fires there and had a bottle of drinking water outside on a table while clearing flammables from the garden, and bees were butting at the bottle trying to get to the water. They can smell it! So I put out a dish for them and they all gathered around immediately. Sometimes it’s the little things. And the little creatures.
United States here and I live just outside New York City. I find city life incredibly draining sometimes but I try to remind myself to enjoy the crowds, lights, hustle and bustle. It’s not always achievable but when the weather cooperates I walk across town instead of taking the subway, I bring a packed lunch and carry my water bottle. Small steps!
Ontario, Canada - I use whatever dehumidifier water I have to water indoor plants and put in laundry. - purchased a local woman's organic herbal bar soap and shampoo bar - cut up old towels for rags - gave bamboo toothbrushes and stainless steel razors for Christmas - bought reusable silicone freezer/snack bags for bulk meats etc. - bought beeswax wraps to replace plastic wrap - linen shopping and produce bags - wash and keep jars for storage - bought reusable wool dryer balls to replace dryer sheets - bought stainless steel water bottles and straws, and a brita filter water jug. A company called Terracycle pays for you to ship the filters to them to recycle. - compost everything but meats It's just been a couple of months and I still have a ways to go but I'm trying. I just discovered your channel a couple of days ago and know I'm going to learn so much more
I live in Eureka, a small town in northern California....the Redwood forests are nearby and I can see the Pacific Ocean from my front porch. Regardless where we reside in the world, we can all do little things to live more sustainably....bring our own bags when shopping, hang out laundry when the weather allows (I also use an indoor drying rack), take reusable water bottles when out and about, use glass jars instead of plastic for kitchen storage, wear warm socks and a sweater instead of turning up the heat, use paper scraps or mailings for grocery/to-do lists, shop thrift stores for quality clothing. Little things do, indeed, add up and one something is better than many nothings. Happy Sunday!
Hello from Newfoundland Canada! Although we live in a small city we still have our own chickens for fresh eggs. My husband also has a garden and greenhouse where we grow our own vegetables. I love to use simple homemade cleaning solutions. I also buy a lot of clothes and other things secondhand, reusing and not buying new whenever possible. Love your channel!
Heart of Kentucky. Greetings! I've been upside down about three years, and am diligently working at a good routine to follow. So, at this time, all I can say is I am a good friend. I do think it is good to read. Katie.
Hello, I am from Utah, USA. I love watching your video. They calm me, inspire me and give me so much good information. I use quilting squares for making cloth napkins, and use canning jars for storing left overs, pantry items such as beans, lentils and cereals. I am glad we are all working to make this planet sustainable.
This community is already an important part of my life and I'm very glad I found you and your videos, that show a healthy way of living I keep forgetting from time to time. I'm from Germany, fortunately there's a zero-waste-shop in my town and two more "normal" ones that sell organic products. I ride by bike whenever I can, smelling the fresh air, hearing the close-by river and feeling the wind feels just great. Best wishes and a happy Sunday for everyone
Hi there, I live in Somerset UK in a park home (static caravan) and my service bills are very low. The shops are a half hour walk away and I usually walk instead of drive, and carry my groceries home on my back . I try to avoid plastic and I bought a old-fashioned metal push along lawn mower to cut the grass. I buy most of my clothes in charity shops ( there are 6 of them in the small town I walk to). I have decluttered my life quite radically, I moved into this home last year with one small carload of possessions, it was already furnished with , I felt, too much furniture, so I donated a lot of it. I’m loving my new life here, and I am also loving your vlog; you live in such a beautiful home!
From the northern United States, it’s not always easy to find eco friendly stuff; however, I’ve done the following: 1) Swapped paper towels and napkins for washable cotton versions. 2) Make my own hand wash in reusable bottles. 3) Make my own air freshener in reusable bottles. 4) Repurpose any bottles I receive. I love all of your ideas and plan to implement more!!
Seeing the little birds flitting around in the garden made me smile. You move through your life with such grace and ease. I want the same sort of peace in my own life.
I’m from Canada 🇨🇦 I have a 10 month old son and love your natural cleaning tips, please keep them coming. I would have never thought to use pine and vinegar, such a great idea . Sending love to all of you 🙏🏼❤️
I hand wash a lot and hang the clothes on an expandable rod above the bathtub to dry overnight. I put washed clothes in a towel which I roll up, leave about 30 mins before hanging. They dry overnight out of sight. Love all the comments below the video, get great ideas, thanks.
We live in northern Ontario it was -40C here a few days ago.....my husband actually installs wood stoves for a living so we have one in our living room.....we fill up our kettle every evening and place it on the back of the stove....our water is always warm when we get up so only takes a minute to warm up when we renew the fire....all day in the winter we are cooking or warming something up on the wood stove.....we love it
Hi from New Zealand :) I've recently purchased a bread maker to make all our bread (I no longer have time to make from scratch like I used too) It's a small thing but it has eliminated several plastic bread bags per week and I love knowing exactly what goes into our bread. I'll never buy store brought again. I make all our cleaning products, including washing powder, the raw ingredients I buy from a local bulk store than allows you to take your own containers in and refill. I also make my own deodorant, soap, lotion etc. We keep a well stocked veggie garden (in fact, this season I had a bumper crop of raspberries so have enough to make jam that will last all year) The excess, I freeze and make preserves with. I bake our cakes, biscuits, and make all our meals from scratch. I keep a worm farm and a compost bin, all our scraps go into it and I use that on the garden. I am working on removing as much plastic from our life as possible...I wish they'd bring back milk in glass bottles! I can't get away from plastic with that.
I live in the mountains of Southwestern France and I love your channel. As I live in the countryside, I buy my fruits and veggies from my neighbors. I use rosemary soaked in vinegar for all purpose cleaning solution and as I’m now retired I try to live a slow and peaceful life. 🙂
I cook 95% of my food at home, I bought stainless steel bottles for me and my boyfriend so that we never have to buy plastic, we have a big compost bin, cloth towels for the kitchen and we try to buy as less as possible, in general. Love your channel and your message!
Florida, USA here. Your tone of voice and the way you put words together is just magical...until the point there is no other choice to follow your advise... Thank you !!! is just amazing
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Happy Sunday to you all! Keep sharing your tips and the country you live in so we can all help one another live sustainably. Sharing is caring :-)
Truly love this video, helps me calm down from the chaotic life where I live. Please need to know how to prepare the pine needle solution for window cleaning. Blessings
I love your videos. They are so calming and thoughtful and they just help me to find myself and to find new little ways to adjust my way of life to a simpler, better way. Please keep it going :)
Love ur videos, want you to share more relaxing videos for busy kids moms how to manage whole home chores with kids from India
How long do you steep the pine needles in the vinegar? Thanks
From India -
1. Neem as a tooth brush /oral hygiene.
2. Husk of coconut as a dishwashing scrub.
3. Reusing old tattered clothes for cleaning purposes.
4. Home remedies. Lots of home remedies. Like using turmeric as an antiseptic,carrom seeds for stomachache and better digestion and there are many more.
Namaskar (meaning =divinity within me recognizes divinity within you) 🙏 from this land of india where science meets spirituality. ❤️❤️☺️
Niamhji thank you for existing! I love you all😊❤️
Love the meaning of „Namaskar“. What’s the difference to „Namaste“?
Wonderful examples of living simple....❤
@@salvia17 namaste means I bow down to u /salutations. Namaskar holds a deeper meaning ❤️😊
S you're correct
komal m Thank you very much! Didn't know that (greetings from Germany!)
I'm Lilly from Australia-
- drying clothes outside always even in winter because it still hot
- minimize aircon use if you can
- using old containers to put water out for animals who escaped the fire/drought.
My heart is with those of you in Australia and all the animals
thats so thoughtful of you to put water out for animals who survived the fire... ❤ thank you
The world weeps with you Australia.
Prayers for you all. God bless you for helping the animals. 💜
Lilly wratten another lily from Australia! Just spelt a bit different
Switzerland here :). I've stopped shopping around, only buy what I really need. I get most of my clothes, appliances and books second hand now. We have a place in our community that opens twice a week, where everybody can bring things that they don't need anymore and pick up other things, completely for free! I freeze the plums, apricots and plums from my garden and eat them during the winter. :)
I now buy from second hand stores also. Very nice items! I downsized now that my children are grown. I'm on my second year purging more items I no longer use. I use many herbs to avoid illness and clean with. My newest and best discovery is reishi mushroom. I get sick easily all my life. This prevents it. I put a piece in everything. Coffee, tea, soup, chili. You cannot taste it. Oregano oil (organic) has become popular in my area. It has cured my mother if double lung pneumonia and bronchitis when 2 rounds of antibiotics didn't work. For 15 years I use distilled white vinegar and water (1:1) to sanitize in the kitchen after raw meats. Excellent to prevent cross contamination and chemical free. Cheers from New York!
ThousandTimesBefore where in Switzerland are you? I’m in Bulle- we have a repair cafe, where you can bring items that are broken and they repair them for you. They offer different themed weekends, like one weekend they repair clothes, another weekend electronics, etc
Super! Nöd di einzig vo dr schwiiz!
From Turkey-
I started watering the plants in my balcony with leftover water from pasta. It has vitamins and nourishes the plants. Sometimes I water with leftover tea too.
The other day I had a little candle that has no wick left. Instead of throwing it away I melted it and poured on pencil sharpener leftovers. They made awesome kindle woods. Lasts long! Perfect for camping ^^
Nur Ozata pasta water and tea....I had no idea I’m going to try that with my plants I’m trying to grow! it just might work in the Arctic🙂
What a wonderful idea!
I put some leftover candle in a wax warmer and honestly it's last me longer than the full candle!
I love your idea of watering my houseplants with leftover water from pasta. I had not thought of doing that. Thank you for sharing:)
Hello 🙋I'm from Virginia, USA. I started a year ago to simplify my life by discarding the tv. I've given away 75% of clothing, shoes and purses. I spend time in prayer and contemplation being grateful for all that I have. I write in my journal my thoughts and concerns, hopes and goals. Currently I'm planning my garden for spring and started my compost bin. The important thing for me is to slow down. I tend to get so excited about my goals, then I can't wait to get started. Patience is my least favorite virtue but it's the one I need most! Hearing your voice calms me and sharing your thoughts makes me feel like a friend has come to visit me. Looking forward to your next visit.😄
@Bee Ragan hello Bee! Isn't the silence wonderful. Do you find yourself more at peace? Now we need to quite the mind from 10,000 useless thoughts a day. I generally hum a tune or pray some little verse. It helps keep me positive as well as peaceful. How do you maintain your peace? I may learn something from you:)
I get suuuuper excited about my goals too but I noticed that if I set a system, it doesn't matter if it's a long or short time goal, it's easier to keep track of if and all I need to do!
from Russia:
during the summer we collect a lot of fruits and vegetables in the grandmother’s garden. After that, she makes a huge amount of canned vegetables that we eat in the cold seasons, for example, now, in winter.
we store it in a room underground, so it's just fine without a refrigerator
we reuse the glass in which it was stored
Greetings from America, Wudgla!! I long to come to beautiful Russia. Such a wonder for me. Peace, happiness, & good health to you.
In Ghana, currently we're in the harmattan season (super dry weather). I take advantage of this to dry my herbs and aloe vera, and make powders out of them.
I'd like to hear about preserving your aloe vera?
Lois Frempong ,tell us more about the aloe vera powder, please 😊
That's really cool :)
Hello!
I’m originally from Croatia, and now live in New Zealand.
As a child, we were taught to drink rosehip tea during winter. Rosehip is rich in Vitamin C, which is great for boosting the immune system against colds. And my nana believed that drinking nettle tea daily cured most ailments. Nettles are a treasure trove of vitamins and minerals, and have been proven to assist with inflammation, such as arthritis (joints), and they even help to regulate levels of glucose (diabetes). So she was quite right. 😁
I was taught to massage my hair with castor oil. Castor oil is amazing for hair growth, and for adding thickness. It is a bit of a bugger to wash off though! If anyone wishes to thicken their eyebrows, or add volume and length to eyelashes, just apply a small amount of castor oil nightly.
As Niâmh puts so beautifully, nature provides us with such abundance, if only we take our time to look.
Mx
U don't know everytime before watching your video, I make sure that my room is ready with that warm & cozy environment......I never watch your video in any busy or crowdy situation....Because u are the only one person whose video makes me feel relaxed & purify my soul.... 😊😊😊
By the way I live in India & it's a country full of natural resources, we use it so much...But unfortunately in modern days people are forgetting their own resources....I can tell u after finding u I am more attached with nature than before....Thanks a lot for being such a support system...😊😊😊..Love u a lot...
sometimes we don't appreciate what we have in front of us... its good that you are an inspiration there in India....
@@FairylandCottage thanks a lot for your kind words dear😄
I live in a small town in the Netherlands and made my own 'wonderbag' or slow cooking. You can make it if you have enough old blankets. Just be sure your pan fits in and that it's thick enough to keep the pan warm.
You can put the food into the wonderbag to be cooked. Before it goes into the wonderbag: about one minute of cooking on fire, then take the pan off the fire and put the pan into the wonderbag. Your food will get cooked without fire. Different types of food need different slow cooking times. Just try it out what you like most , it will still be tasty -)
Australia
- steep eucalyptus or tea tree leaves in white vinegar and then mix with equal parts water for a perfect multipurpose cleaning spray.
- shop at weekend markets to get local and seasonal produce
- local bakeries are a great place to get your weekly bread (instead of coles or woolies) just take an old pillowcase or reusable cloth bag and they can put the bread in that.
- If you eat meat, your local butcher should be able to put the meat directly into glass containers for you so it doesn’t have to be wrapped in plastic.
- hang clothes out to dry on the line or inside on a clothes horse during cyclone season
- shop for clothes, furniture, books etc at local second hand stores, Facebook marketplace or Gumtree. Let’s give new life to something used so it doesn’t get thrown in landfill.
- grow fruit and nut trees (macadamia, mango, avocado and bunya do really well in my part of Queensland) Cook using your produce. Sell the excess at local markets.
- use repair shops to fix old worn shoes, tools etc. They’re a dying industry but we need them so we stop throwing things away when they break.
- buy coffee and tea at bulk stores like The Source so you can eliminate plastic tea bags and plastic coffee packaging.
Connecticut, USA - retired and started homesteading about two years ago: gardening to canning, taking herbal courses, lectures and retreats. It is my new adventure in life and truly saved the best for last!
Hi! Thank you for your relaxing and cinematic videos! So inspiring and a joy to watch! I live in Greece and sustainable living here is an idea for just a handful of people (at least for now). And I was all the same until channels like yours and other similar you tubers taught me about this simpler more sustainable and fulfilling way of life! Now I try to shop in bulk, persuaded my family to use reusable water bottles and food containers for school and work, make my coffee at home and take it with me at work, and try to find multiple uses of the things I already own. Simplicity and minimalism is happiness. So let’s all soak every moment with gratefulness and stop hoarding stuff! Please continue to share your ideas with us! Hugs!
Girl in Calico
Sustainable living
Minimalism
Pick up limes
use any of these key words and you will find some amazing videos like this one...Living a more gentle life with less is a major life changer with no regrets 💜
Wonderful sunny country you live in... some day I may get to visit :-) hugs to you too x
Fairyland Cottage hope you do! Sunny weather makes everything easier, drying clothes, growing veggies etc. I’m lucky enough to eat fresh veggies from my dads and father’s in law garden. And I avoid eating out of season or exotic fruits and veggies! We don’t have let’s say avocados in Greece so I don’t eat avocados! But we do have lots of other fruits so I have options to buy locally and in bulk! And I think that’s another way of sustainable living.
Your videos are legit therapy ❤️
Haha thanks.... and much cheaper ;-)
Right?!
Right? I actually canceled my plans for therapy after I found this channel. I’ve never felt so calm in my life
Hi from Western Canada!
Thank you, Niamh, for blessing us with your voice and images from your home every Sunday. One of the things I do is to take denim jeans (friends and neighbours donate theirs to me as well) and sew lap sized quilts to donate to our local Hospice Society. The jeans take on a new life as a comfort to those who are at the ends of their lives. This allows me to show my gratitude to the people who have created this town and are now trusting us left behind to take good care of it.
Have a wonderful day everyone. A hug from Canada to each of you.
God bless you. 💜
@@eileenlester3313 Hi Eileen. Your message meant the world to me. God Bless you too.
@@lorifontaine 💜
@@lorifontaine that's wonderful❤
Love the idea of community sharing. in Canada we are trying to reduce single use plastic legally with no plastic water bottles or plastic grocery bags. big groceries are on the move for zero waste. cities are asking for ideas to reduce waste and improve recycle services. inch by inch.
Cheryl Simmons I wish the United States would follow suit. There are many of us here who want change and ask for change, I have to have faith some good will come of it!
@@billiej1967 I live on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and our various towns have begun to pass such laws. We now can only have paper bags at our local stores which also encourages us to take our own bags. And my town passed a law that we are only allowed these bin liner/trash bags that are biodegradable and break down. We buy them locally and are the only garbage/trash allowed at our local dump/processing center.
It's not a law, but I take the plastic produce bags back to the store and reuse them along with reusable bags. A quick rinse and an air dry and they're good to go!
Wish we in Canada could buy our milk in recyclable jugs rather than plastic bags.
In Maine, starting in April, we will no longer be using single use shopping bags.
Hello! I’m from Queensland, Australia. For me, it is about finding small things that I can do that can become a habit, then are done without even thinking about it. For example, using reusable bags and cups. Luckily for me in sunny Queensland, drying clothes is not a problem, even in Winter! I haven’t owned a clothes dryer in over a decade. Like others in Australia have mentioned, I also try to make my garden native animal friendly, especially during our hot Summer days. I only have small space, so I’m trying a Bokashi composting bin that makes it easier for those living in smaller spaces to compost. I hope everyone is having a safe start to the year.
Thank you for your lovely words of encouragement. I am an older woman living on my own in New Mexico in America. For me one simple thing I do is to stop and pause before I do things. I ask myself if I can improve on a habit and make it more sustainable. I often find I can. Please continue your work here. It is so helpful.
That is very brilliant. Well done! If only we would pause and think more often. D. in Nevada
lovely way to see things....
Wow! I too must do this...what a wonderful piece of wisdom....Namaskar...!
I'm in South Wales in the UK. My biggest recommendation of an easy, sustainable swap is to grow your own fresh herbs. You can grow them in small pots on the kitchen windowsill. A pack of seeds only costs 99p and it's so convenient and saves on loads of horrible plastic going in the bin. I like to grow fresh coriander, basil and parsley as some basic staples. All you need is a few pots, some compost, seeds and of course water :)
I struggle to grow herbs at home in North West England. Is there any advice you can give me please?
@@isaz597 What type of herbs are you trying to grow? If you sow parsley and coriander in March on a window sill, they should be okay. They're both quite hardy plants and don't need as much light/warmth to grow. Basil needs more warmth so is better to start off in April/May time when the days are longer :) Having a good compost helps - potted plants use up nutrients more quickly than plants in the ground.
@@rachelbrown9370 hi thanks for replying. I was thinking Basil which I'll start in April as you advised. Plus I wanted to try thyme, mint, sage, oregano (which I've never seen as a plant). I'll try coriander & parsley now like you said. Any further advice on which other herbs & plants are achievable please?
@@isaz597 Chives and Dill also come to mind. Try the 'Real Seeds' website and then the 'Herbs' page - they have lots of varieties to choose from and sell really high quality seed which is harvested from their own plants in the UK.
@@rachelbrown9370 thanks Rachel you're a 🌟. Are they organic seeds? I can't wait to try this. I'm very excited that for once I might succeed
In Quebec, the winters make it challenging to live sutainably, but we definitely have pine needles! Thank you for the idea, I will try this :)
Likewise, in Massachusetts here, white pine needles abound on my usual forest walk. I'll be foraging and addibg to my sustainable mix. Thanks fir this!
Pine needles tea is good source of vitamin c
Hello to an other Québécois :)
I live in the Italian Alps! lots of pine needles here too😊thank you for the idea! Donatella. I also use wood to warm my house😊
@@ShiningOak LOL. Thanks "fir" this ... good one
I live in SE Minnesota. It’s so inspiring to learn more about sustainable changes. One tip I use in my cold climate is the art of opening and closing curtains to allow the sun to warm parts of my home, but then draw curtains, especially at night to keep in the warmth. My home was built in 1874 and has many of the original windows. They can be drafty, but also allow the sun’s warmth to penetrate better.
What a lovely home you are living in?Nice to hear.
wonderful use of the natures resources
Interacting with nature is integral to being human xox
I’m from the mountains of western North Carolina. We are blessed to be able to buy much of our produce from local farmers and are able to preserve much of that for the winter months. I love your channel. It speaks to my heart.
Ton Tay I’m from raleigh! I have the State Farmers market just a couple of miles away
wonderful to hear... I have friends in the Raleigh/Durham area... I've stayed many times and I always have a lovely time :-)
Fairyland Cottage oh that’s amazing! I love it here. Perhaps I’ll run into you sometime!
Lauren Wagstaff hehe! :-)
Woo North Carolina peeps! I’m in the Greensboro area, but I went to NC State!
Australia. I keep a couple of bags and baskets in the car to collect kindling. I collect fallen eucalyptus twigs and small branches which are great for starting the fire, and also pine cones. I have been saving leftover bits of beeswax from candles and tea lights and will dip the pine cones in melted wax to make fire starters. I have also been peeling lemons and drying the peel, as per your suggestion, to use as fire starters. When combined with the twigs it works brilliantly and means I am not using toxic, shop-bought fire starters. It is brilliant watching our kindling baskets grow full, and knowing we will be ready when it gets cold in Autumn.
Happy New Year xx
Madeleine
PS as we are in severe drought, we shower standing in a large tub. The water from the tub is then bucketed onto the fruit trees. As we have had a bit of rain lately, we use the water to flush the toilet on days the garden is not too dry. I will be making cloths to do the 'family cloth' (for number ones only!) and this will also mean a lot less flushing of the loo. Of course, we do not flush every time we do a wee, even with grey water, as every drop is precious!
Hi Niamh! As you know already I live in Italy, more precisely in the beautiful sardinian countryside and we have pine trees too here, but I mostly use lavender vinegar which I use to clean the house, my dogs' fur and to rinse my hair after the shampoo. My old jumpers become blankets for my dogs and cats and for animal shelters, I brush my teeth with green clay powder mixed with some essential oils and a pinch of baking soda. I wash my face with rice starch mixed with dried lavender, there's plenty here, and dried chamomile flowers. We have loads of mediterranean herbs here, and I pick when the period's right to use them for my personal hygiene and my house, among them Juniper, Elychrisum, Lavender, Cipress, Oregan, Rosemary etc. It's wonderful to be able to make my own products with what Mother Earth gives me through Nature, and I'll always respect it and make sure my impact is very low. Lots o' love ❤❤
Pacific Northwest of the USA. I have been teaching myself to sew. Learning to care properly for clothes, mending, investing in classic pieces and not chasing trends, using natural fibers, are things that all persons can learn to do. I have heard that in some Scandanavian countries both girls and boys are taught to sew. I think when you know these skills then you are much more mindful.
Greetings Fairy and other dear ones: Northern Arizona USA. Chilly with snow on the mountains right now, but in summer my small apartment patio faces the afternoon 100F deg. sun and heat. I use one of my half-gallon Mason jars (purchased at a thrift store) and make (sun tea). Also, I use torn cotton T-Shirts for cleaning instead of paper towels. For cleaning: vinegar, baking soda, and make my own laundry detergent. Blessings to all of us!♥
I’m from the US and in a relatively small town. The sad thing is, many homeowners rake up their leaves, place them in bags, and leave them at the curb for trash pickup. Then all of this gets dumped in land fills. Similar to this, a friend told me she recently shredded a lot of documents and complained about having to heft them to the landfill. I told her I would take them for my compost bin. I’m now the happy owner of two very large trash bags of recyclable paper! I can’t wait for Spring to come when I can turn one of my bins, and place the shredded paper in the empty one!
I live in Boston, MA U.S.A. I enjoy supporting small sustainable shops and sellers and keeping my life simple.
I live in Springfield MO and I do that as well. Life feels simpler that way ❤
Adore the idea of community and sharing with each other! I'm from Russia :) And very few people care about ecology and nature here unfortunately!
I always carry ecobags, a coffee cup and a water bottle with me, try not to use much plastic, reuse old clothes for cleaning needs.
I also would like to grow smth on my windowsill, but winters in Russia are long, dark and cold so I'll try to start in summer
Thank you so much for your videos! It's pleasure to watch!
I'm in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. (Maryland). I live in a townhouse development with a hyperactive and hypervigilant homeowners' association so some easy-to-do, sensible things are actually not allowed, but I keep trying. Some of what I *am* doing includes...
- using only reusable (mainly cloth) bags for shopping (began shortly before they added a per-bag tax);
- slowly weaning myself from using a ridiculous number of paper towels on a daily basis;
- using an old-school reel mower (the old push kind) for my yard instead of a power mower;
- experimenting with composting (have to be careful because it may be against neighborhood rules);
- using natural fertilizers on houseplants & in the yard;
- using old clothing for rags;
- clean clothes using cold water washes and low heat or outside air for drying;
- using local stones and locally-made mulch made from the electric co's tree cutting for my landscaping;
- buying more carefully to generate less waste (both in terms of packaging & wasted food);
- making my own glass cleaner from alcohol & white vinegar;
- combining errands & mapping out my routes to minimize the amount of driving I have to do; and
- actively taking advantage of all the local recycling programs (and urging others to do the same).
I've known about many uses for pine needles (and pine tar) for a long time but somehow never actually tried any, despite having Eastern White Pine literally everywhere I look -- so I'll give that a shot, too!
I’m from America, the Soutwest region. I have a lemon tree in my yard. When I use the lemons I save the skins and place them in a large glass jar. Fill the jar with 1/2 white vinegar, 1/2 filtered water. Secure lid, place in a cool cabinet for at least 30-40 days. Strain into a spray bottle and use to clean my countertops, etc. I have dogs and this is safe, environmentally friendly, and I get several uses out of the lemon instead of just the juice.
We can be surprised at how fulfilling it can be if we take our time with our daily obligations. Put forth the effort where it counts and then we will notice we can smell the flowers again. 🌻🌹
Brooder85 I totally agree. In our age, one of the biggest lies is that housework, cooking and taking care of what you have are lesser to paid work and leisure. It’s something that you cram into as small a timeframe as possible so that you can do other things (often sitting by some kind of screen). However, those daily obligations are so fulfilling if you let them. We, humans, are after all built to take care of ourselves and our families, not to work to consume and/or be still. I love housework and find it a relaxing, fulfilling part of my day. With a few things I take my time letting my little child help me (though I’d do it faster by myself) and enjoy the time spent together. My husband does the same. It’s a slower pace of life and once you try it you realise it’s what’s in the human nature, and that it makes us so much happier.
Brooder85 that’s beautifully said! 😊
I so agree with you! I believe it is a form of gratitude when we care for what has been given us.
So sos true and nicely said
What a lovely comment, thank you. I aim to do exactly that this year 💐
I live within the USA, a special place called Hawaii. My Irish roots brought me here. I treasure my heritage. I love the earth 🌎 and very sad to have watched desecration. You inspire me to keep moving forward I will continue what I know to do to preserve I'm already there. The sea has changed yet I have found my favorite tree. An owl flew over me and I understood it's message. Grateful you choose to be practical and simple. May the greatest joy be yours through the blessing of the earth 🌎
🎉❤❤
.
You’re exactly right, I live in Spain and have a huge lemon tree and use lots of lemons in my own cleaning products 🇪🇸🧼🍋
Could share your recipe, please?
@@ITSMEndez1970 hi x I soak 2 or 3 lemons in a jar of vinegar and after 2-3 weeks I empty out the lemons and make the spray with 3 parts water & 1 part vinegar
@@cuteandseksybabe Hi Emily! the whole lemon or just the peels?? thanks u in advance!
@@estitxug.d.6335 I usually cut up a whole lemon (peel and fruit) but just peels works perfectly too x
Hi! I’m from Central NC in the US. Some of my sustainable tips are:
~Use Rent the Runway for holiday dresses you normally wear one time
~Shop Thred Up for 2nd hand name brand clothing (I have a hard time finding my size in local thrift shops)
~Make my own cleaning supplies with essential oils
~Take reusable bags everywhere I go
~I carry a reusable straw in my purse 👜
~And using chick pea flour shampoo has been amazing!
Love this channel and so grateful for it! 🙏
I use Threadup too!
happy new year fairy land cottage. im from germany.
i make my own apple vinegar and apple juice, i have walnuts and hazels in my garden, also wine and grapes. i grow mint tea and rosmary and lavender in my backyard. i also have a fire place and a sustainable slowliving less shopping life. right now im drinking fair trade coffee made with a no energy using coffee maker, and also i knit and crochet my clothes. i dont often buy some, and if i do i go for sustainable brands and ways. im lucky to have a unpacked store in my very little town and lots of farmers here. im actually downsizing aswell and i absolutly love your calm videos.
Lovely to hear.So many ways to be sustainable if we properly look at our surrounding.
Happy New Year to you too.
Wonderful things you do... just be great to have walnuts and such in your garden... very special ...
Ich wohne auch in einer "kleineren" Gemeinde aber für einen unverpackt Laden muss ich eine halbe Stunde fahren.. :/
A very little tip from Italy: let dry your coffee grounds from the moka (the coffee maker) and use it like a wounderfull scrub for body and face...all natural....love your channel
Hello from Northern Illinois, USA. I watch your videos to soothe my spirit and shut out the clatter and clutter of modern life. I abhor the witless consumerism, and throw-away lifestyle here. The good news is that there is a definite trend toward simple living by many people here. I have adopted your mantra, "use what you have". Thank you for your lovely channel when we need respite.
I live in the United States. I forgot to say earlier that I buy most of my clothes and some household items at thrift stores and consignment shops. I sell items I no longer want or need at a consignment shop in our small town here in Virginia. I also donate clothing and household items to the Goodwill.
Thank you for sharing with the world. Your videos are so calming and restful--a real respite from the everyday hustle and bustle.
In Australia - it is summer here at the moment, so taking advantage of the summer days to dry clothes and linen naturally. Also having our lemons grow again as well :) :)
I hope you and your loved ones are safe. Sending prayers from Canada.
@@emmamacgregor731 what a kind soul you are! Much love from india ❤️😊
Kay Jays Stay safe in the fires dear one! Blessings from USA
@@littlefairy9286 Thank you. :) What a lovely comment!
Clothes will dry if frozen. Sublimation! No need to ever have a dryer!
Wise words, and alot of common sense! ♥😊👍
Loved the calming music, by the way.🎼🎶😊
Thank you! ♥💐
Im from England, and l love using water and vinger on my windows too! Works great.👍👍👍
I do my house work, before l go to bed! It's a bit of a discipline, but its well worth it!😊👍👍👍
I love the feeling of coming down stairs in the morning! Seeing everything nice and clean!!! 😊😊😊💃No pots in the sink, no clutter no toys!
Just me, and my cuppa! Heavenly! 😊😊😊
All the best, by the way to everyone for 20/20 health, and happiness to you all.🍻😊
Moira
From England.
Another pleasant video to start my day here in Maine. With a good cup of tea as well. Prepairing food at home and ahead of time is how I produce less waist and enjoy my time in the house during the long winters here. Bird feeders are a great way to make the indoors feel more outdoors. Taking photo's from inside of my feathered friends makes me happy.
Have a wonderful day everyone. ☀✨🎉
prep work is key isn't it!
@@FairylandCottage Indeed it is! But it makes for the most enjoyable relaxing times because you've earned it!
@Skjeren Kristjenson awww I love this. I must get s bird feeder4my wash line I'll hang it! I could look out at them!💖🙏🕊
I'm in coastal MA so we have such varying Winters. This year it's been more mild, yesterday was a crazy wind storm (we are on the sea) but then quick as you like it stopped the wind died the sun came out and it was 60F, However, I always keep my bird feeders full this time of the year. We also get to watch the gulls and shore birds eat daily, so that is some sustainable and free entertainment (like nature channel with No commercials) ;)
I am also from Maine. It's always nice to see a fellow Mainah on RUclips 😊
In The Netherlands, where I’m from, it’s easy to grow your own herbs. There are some workshops available throughout the country on bushcrafting, that’s taught me how to make rope out of nettle. It’s amazing as well as it’s fun to do. Some bee keepers sell blocks of bees wax that you can use for making those bees wax cloths. Just put some pieces on a square cut out of sn old shirt, put baking paper on top and underneath and iron!
I love your videos and all the tips you share with us. It inspires me every Sunday! Thanks so much :-)
I make those beeswax wraps too! They're brilliant - I've made some with 50:50 grated beeswax & coconut oil and they work just fine. My son enjoys the fact that I try to make my own version of almost everything at home but I'm sure he thinks I'm nuts too!
wonderful about the beeswax and nettles... I have seen that they use to make clothing from nettles... so cool!
I would love to visit a bushcrafting shop in the Netherlands . Would you kindly tell me a webpage where I can book a class. Thank you from America.
I am searching it right now but most of these classes are not in my language. Your aid is appreciated.
@@personwho4742 Hi, I had a workshop through bosbeweging.nl/ and I loved it! Hope they'll be able to help you.
I dont understand about what do you speak, can you please explain to me? What kind of wax product can we make? I am all about DIY and self sufficient living, would love to learn more,, i didnt really get it, sorry
From Belgium!
- Making elderflower syrup in summer and elderberry syrup in autumn to prevent colds
- Drying lavender flowers for baking, teas....
- Making acorn flour in autumn to put in bread for a wonderfully full taste
acorn bread sounds amazing!
How do you make acorn flour, please?
@@todrapayne Really not that hard! There are many many types of acorns though, the slim long ones are easiest to use because the shell isn't too hard. If you use acorns with very sturdy shells it'll be hard to break them. Also only use the ones that don't have holes in them (you don't want insects in your acorn flour)
First roast them 10 minutes on 200C°. Let them cool and then put them in a big pot with water. Boil them for 5 minutes and discard the water. The water will be brown because the tannin in the acorns is leaving (which is good because tannin is toxic). Boil them again with fresh water for 5 minutes, discard the water again. Boil them for one last time with fresh water for 10 minutes. Then put the acorns aside in cold water overnight. This to get rid of any last toxins.
The next day you can dry them with a towel (your towel will get brown, so don't use the fanciest one you have) and you can easily peel them. You can also use a knife of course. Roast them again for 10 minutes at 200C°. Let them cool again and blend them until you have fine powder. I suggest to roast the powder again on a low heat for a few hours, because mine started to get mouldy after a week. With roasting the powder again you should be able to keep it longer in an airtight container.
Hope this helps!
I love how she’s living in a place other than the tropics. Most of the videos you see are young people who have moved to Hawaii, New Zealand, etc. She is an established adult with a home and living in Ireland. Still using the land and living a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle is so refreshing to hear for those who don’t live in tropical environments. Thanks for a great video!
Hi, I'm from Italy...for me it's useful to collect water in sinks with bowls and reuse it in many ways...
loved to see how you live. I am from u.s.a. I live in a warm climate, and beach town, I have lived in northern Maine in. the past so very cold! So there I began to get interested in making my own resources, now I have interest in minimizing my household and I am a big tea drinker and would like some new tips on how to spice up tea naturally. anythingyou have for suggestions I am fond of. love your channel! God bless!
Gabi Grace from the Sonoran desert here
-drying clothes outside year round because of the heat
-and the dry heat is also nice for drying out fruit to eat as snacks
I wish I lived somewhere I could have a garden though that didn’t require so many resources like water
I love your videos by the way❤️❤️❤️
You are my favourite and most relaxing channel to watch :)
wonderful to hear... thank you my friend
Same here! So soothing.
I vote for candidates with strong environmental platforms. I write my representatives and urge them to pass stronger policies to limit greenhouse gasses, fight climate change, and protect our wildlife and public lands. I live in a house which is 190 years old in Alexandria, VA in the USA.
Sustainability is NOT just on the individual's level. Representatives should represent us 🌻🌳🌎
You inspire me to live better. To live sustainably. To enjoy and appreciate every moment of every day. I am truly grateful to you. 🙏🏻💕
From California, USA. Love your channel! Old t-shirts get cut up to use when removing makeup or w/rose & witch hazel toner, old bath towels become car washing towels, purchasing bulk pantry goods to avoid added packaging, not letting the shower water run the entire time -- rather, turning off & on to rinse as needed, LED lightbulbs, re-useable grocery bags & switching to homemade household cleaners. To all those who truly care for this amazing planet we live on, may you live in peace & health.
Athlone Ireland here ... I found doing/changing one thing at time over the last year as a family of 4 we have cut down are waste by 60% slowly but surely will get there we can all only do what we can and its important to know that not stress over what the next person is doing .. this year we are going g to focus on food waste .. not only wasting less food but also finding an alternative to putting food waste on the bin as we don't have a garden to compost we love any ideas 🙂
Michelle free boyd What you have set for a goal is really wonderful! For the composting you can use worms, check out this video, I hope it can somehow help☺🌻
ruclips.net/video/JH8QiSdBHR4/видео.html
nice job you have all being doing in the family...
food waste is tricky if you don't have compost.... have you heard of the brown bin scheme.... I think you can apply to the council for one... its for food waste...
Another thing I do is freeze all my scraps and make stock...
Never thought of ringing the council I thought those bins where just a dublin thing will get on that first thing 🙂
Michelle free boyd they are suppose to be an EU thing...
You can compost for houseplants, as well. There's a lady here on RUclips who did a series on "Eating on $2 a Day." She's got great ideas for using up every scrap of food!
I'm from Australia. currently I am feeding the birds and keeping water out for the birds and animals that need it due to the extreme heat we are having. I can not afford air conditioning. However I have planted native trees that are small. They don;t get bigger then the height of the house. They have fine needles for leaves. I hose those trees in the heat and leave the windows open. The wind passes through the trees and gives a cool breeze for a while. I also live out of town and I have a septic system(not sewage). This means I have been able to recycle my water from the house out onto the ground around my house. This is a HUGE saving to the environment. We get very little rain. I would not be allowed to water the trees from the town water. So having the recycle water is amazing. During winter I also use the fireplace as you do.
Watching from the east coast of Australia. Your videos are my favourite online. It seems weird to say it, but watching them helps me feel more connected to my Irish ancestors from the early 1800s...I think it's the simple life you live and your beautiful home and surroundings. Your lifestyle and serenity ooze beauty and inspiration. One thing I like to do is grow my own luffah sponges. Wonderful for use on the body and in the kitchen. They grow like a cucumber but you leave them to completely dry on the vine and then peel the outer skin. I find it rather magical. All the best to you! And thank you for making my journey more joyful.
skhand4 remember, young luffa gourds can be picked and used like zucchini. Never tried the flowers, but I've been told you can eat those too.
Hello. From Australia too. My mum grow loofahs too. Love them. So interesting and easy to grow. You've inspired me to try myself.
thank you for the lovely message.... very magical indeed to grow luffah. I think our climate here is too damp and wet and cold for that but I would love to be able to grow!
From California's Central Coast:
1) use our year-round gardening abilities towards your non-toxic cleaning efforts! Unused citrus peels and juice - add to your homemade cleaner instead of essential oils (even though I passionately use essential oils myself!); use all "winter" cuttings: Rosemary, Tea Tree (Melaleuca), Savory, Mint, etc and incorporate them into your homemade cleaning products (Pinterest has LOADS of ideas!); cut back and create air within all leftover late-producing edibles (I am even harvesting eggplants and cherry tomatoes as we speak, in late December/and January! - simply b/c I've taken the time to aerate the bushes in order to create more growth! Cut suckers that aren't producing flowers so all positive energy works towards those branches that ARE producing!); turn over soil with ANY attempt at homemade compost!
2) CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: remember to take the FEW seconds it takes to appropriately dispose of your waste! Remember to look up the rules and guidelines in our county in order to efficiently put what is CORRECT in your Recyclables! For clarification, see: www.calrecycle.ca.gov/publiced/earthday/what
3) We are now only purchasing about 98% of our clothes from Goodwill. I'm serious: it is AHMAZING what you can find there!!!! Try it! We also donate everything appropriately (see link above in #2) AND we re-use any clothing items deemed for the trash as dusting/cleaning wipes!
4) Ferment Food, y'all!!!! It is THE BEST way to ensure your food lasts AND is loaded with probiotics! Win-Win!!!!
5) Eat Out Less: meal plan like crazy. Everyone says it - most eye-roll at it. But YOU GUYS: it's a THING for a reason.....it makes your life sooooooooo much easier!!!!
6) GROW YOUR OWN: I'm lucky in that I can grow my own food year-round. But even if you can't, grow your own! Grow whatever you can, WHENEVER you can!!!!
7) Support ethically-minded companies: Azure Standard for online groceries, ethically-minded clothing companies OR used clothing shops (Goodwill, Thrift Stores, Vintage Shops, etc), and ALWAYS trying to buy in bulk WHILE bringing your own reusable bags is SOOOOO important!
8) Buy ORGANIC - like, with EVERYTHING: just MAKE THE RULE: you buy NOTHING unless it's sustainable or organic. To the best of your knowledge. I know this is a TOUGH area, esp in America....just know that even if you're buying something organic versus NOT organic - your dollars are SPEAKING LOUDER THAN BOMBS.
9) Carpool when you can! Reminder!!!!!
10) RE-USE WHAT YA GOT: not enough people do this, but SERIOUSLY: find beauty in what you already have!
Thanks, Niamh - we adore you! xoxo
I wish i can live in a house like urs... living in town areas is getting way difficult now... though everything is at convenience but urbanization is going from bad to worse....
Love from India:::
Tips::
Ash - used for washing utensils
Lemon + Salt + Utensils washing powder - to clean Copper utensils
Khakhra tree Leaves - used for packaging purpose specially Paan and other products..and in so many other Creative ways..
Happy Sunday, and greetings from balmy Tennessee! I appreciate the "baby steps" suggestion, and all the ways that you've pointed out that I'm already being more sustainable: I hang up our clothes after washing them, too. It's a habit I've had for the last 10 years, and the clothes will typically dry overnight. They last longer in better shape that way.
We're experiencing a very mild winter - it got up to 70° F yesterday, and we've decided to hold off on replacing our upstairs heating/cooling unit until absolutely necessary. It's actually made the upstairs a more comfortable temperature for sleeping!
One of my "resolutions" for the new year is to buy a LOT less, use what I have (which is astonishingly abundant, once you take note!), and finish projects that I've already started.
I'm also very interested in starting to grow our own food. We support our local farmers at the markets, but it would be nice to supplement with our own vegetable and fruit patch. I'll have to get creative, as we live on the edge of an extensive wooded area, and I'd like to eat the food myself instead of watching the rabbits, squirrels, deer and chipmunks eat all my vegetables!
Thank you for your lovely and warming videos. It's so nice to be a part of this community!
Also fro TN. Where I live reminds me of Ireland.
yes use what you have really does show you how much you have doesn't it!
veggie growing sounds great... the animals will eat everything unless it is covered with chicken wire... need to dig the hole deep around the bed because they can also burrow down under!
I live in the southern United States, and I enjoy cleaning with vinegar and lemon. I made my daughter cleaning cloths for Christmas using your pattern. One tip I have....this past summer I was in Scotland and bought all my souvenirs for my family and me at charity shops. I saved money and met lovely people. Thank you for your ideas and kindness.
hiya, noah from germany here :) over the past months i have severely cut down on plastic, buy zero waste from local shops and farmers markets and have managed to make my bathroom supplies 100% zero waste and sustainable. i also eat more in-season fruit now and grow my herbs on the windowsill. living sustainably in the city can sometimes be discouraging and there isn't a week that goes by without me missing the feeling of burying my hands in the soil, but with baby steps, we can make greater things happen together! ♥️ take care
I wouldn’t miss one of your visits to us. I think I saw briefly that your post was 11 minutes ago! I am in Montana Sunday morning 5:20 am. Just read my Bible, as I do each day. Today in preparation for my favorite outing of the week-church. Love the idea of mixing pine needles in vinegar. We are surrounded by pine trees as well. Till next time, stay well.
cathy phegley - Hi. I’m from the Big Sky Country also. Happy Blessings this Sunday morning.
Dear Cathy,
Thank you for your good comment. I wanted to acknowledge it and let you know that the Lord has just convicted my heart by your sweet words.
I love the Lord with all my heart but I surely didn't show Him this morning like you did by getting up and reading His word and spending time with Him. Instead, while having full intentions of reading my Bible in a bit and spending time with my Heavenly Father, I got my coffee and turned on RUclips first.
Just goes to show how God will use all sorts of things and, of course, His children to get our attention and minister to us.
Love to you sister from your neighbor down in Colorado.
Deborah Mcginnis 😊
@@deborahmcginnis8307 Dear Deborah, it is so easy to turn on RUclips first rather than putting your morning time with the Lord ahead of everything else. I did that too, once upon a time. Now, the very first thing I do is to read my Bible, pray, and read several short devotionals. My day is so much better when I do that. I read the Bible in a year last year for the first time. There are a lot of reading plans on the the Internet to help you with that. I'm sure Cathy appreciates your comment and I do too. Diane in NC
I love hearing that you read your Bible each morning...I do the same thing. It make a big difference in how your day goes, doesn't it? Diane in NC
thank you my dear... you stay well too and see you next week :-)
Hello! From the USA 🇺🇸 I love all of the great comments so interesting ❤️ I also use pine needles to infuse vinegar for cleaning
With the COVID virus keeping us home here in West Virginia in the U.S., I've had time to reassess my priorities in terms of simplifying my life. Your videos help so much with your gentle encouragement.
Thank you! 🤗
I'm being gentle on myself and,when I weary from too much organizing and scrubbing, I pop on one of your videos and have a cup of tea to get inspired.
I am shredding paper household waste and using it as mulch in my vegetable garden. And in general I am buying much less and producing much less trash. I feel badly as I barely have a small bag full for the trash pickup. So I walk along my lane and pick up rubbish that motorist fling out as they drive by. That way I'm helping my community and supporting my local trash company.
Hi. I am from a small town in Germany. I live in a very old house which has bad insulation. When I moved in there where wooden stoves or heaters in the kitchen, living room and in one downstairs room. The other rooms had no heating. There was a huge electric boiler in the bathroom and 2 small electric boilers in the kitchen upstairs and in the kitchen downstairs which I use as a laundry room. I used to work the wooden heaters/stoves for 3 years, but it was such a huge task and cost me a lot of money and work. It was not only the wood that was expensive but also the coal. Someone had to constantly tend the fire or use so much coal to sustain the fire. Then there was the constant cleaning and the problem of where to put the ashes. The trash was already limited because we can only afford a small trashcan. Then a new law came out and we where told, that we needed three new wooden stoves. This I coulnd`t afford anymore. I am a widow and only have a limited amount of money. So this is what worked for me. I bought myself an electric heater, a brand new model which heats two rooms, my living room and my bedroom. There are also electric heaters in the boys bedrooms and in the kitchen there is none. Also in my sewing room there is none. If I want to sew in the colder months, I use a small electric heater which can be moved around. I also use that one in the toilet room. In the kitchen it gets warm all by itself when using the stove or oven. Sometimes though, when it is really cold, I also have a whee little electric heater I use there. My electric bill is high, but when I look at it all together, like in a year, it is cheaper now then when I had to buy wood and coal. And I have less work with cleaning and stacking and carrying wood and coal. I am using an eco energy provider which is a local provider. So electricity is the best solution for me. By and by I tend to improving the insulation of my little house too. Huggs, Christina ...... you are right: many little steps together will make a huge difference after a while. It goes for everything in life. :-)
so so true my friend... everyones situation is so different... I hope you are cosy and warm in your house... happy sewing to you :-)
Am from India.Tamarind pulp is excellent for cleaning utensils specially the brass and copper ones..it gives an excellent shine
From Australia, basically the opposite of Ireland..
Pine needles never crossed my mind! There’s pine trees across the road from my apartment building. I always use lemons but I never actually eat citrus fruits so I always put off making more because I don’t want to waste them
I use lemon juice in cooking and making jam. Then I place the lemon halves in a bowl with a little water and heat in the microwave for 5 minutes. I remove them and put them down the garbage disposal for a nice fresh smell. Take a damp cloth and wipe out the microwave and it will be clean and sweet-smelling! No wasting of the lemons. 😀🍋
@@eileenlester3313 great, but microwave I read, is very poisoning 4 us!
@@muktofreedom www.healthline.com/nutrition/microwave-ovens-and-health#harmful-compounds
From Western Canada - recently I organized a pay-what-you-want indigo dye workshop to teach about natural dyeing and to support people bringing new life to the clothing they already have
USA...no more single use plastic water bottles, cut back on plastic bags & use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins or paper towels. I LOVE your videos. So soothing & calm in this crazy loud world. Much love from the states! ❤️🇺🇸
Minnesota, USA.
My family makes all of our cleaners at home (vinegar, water, dish soap, baking soda). We also buy clothes second hand. Lastly, we try to utilize recycling programs to make sure whatever we can't reuse doesnt just end up in a landfill. I would love to see the states drastically reduce packaging. Everything here is wrapped in plastic, so we try to avoid that.
I loved reading everyone else's comments from all over the world. There is hope for a better future. 💙 And thanks for the great videos.
Hello and thank you for your inspiring videos. I only discovered this channel a few days ago and already I’m learning so many tips to living a more sustainable lifestyle.
I live in the the North West of England and it rains a lot here. I use clothes maidens to dry my clothes as you do. I do love the dry and windy days so I can put them out on the line but at the moment we don’t get many of those days.
I would love to have a wood burner as we have central heating in rented accommodation at the moment.
I want to learn as much as possible about zero waste.
Have a lovely Sunday everyone 😌💚
Delighted you discovered the channel :-) thats the thing with rented... just being grateful for what we have and make use of it the best way we can... we too rent. just lucky to get a stove :-)
Fairyland Cottage that’s great and yes it’s important to be grateful for what we have 😊 I look forward to seeing more videos 💚
I'm from India. Just last week my father visited me from another city in India...which is my hometown. I asked him to bring me soapnuts from the local market there. They sell in bulk. I am looking forward to using it for my hair. Soapnuts were used extensively in India for the hair. It can cause uneasiness if it enters your eyes... Quite a bit of uneasiness infact but I am told it is a cleansing agent and when it eventually stops bothering your eyes, which it does in just a few minutes, it leaves your eyes relaxed and fresh! I experienced this as a child when my grandmother gave me baths. :)
I'm from Canada and I use soapnuts to clean my home. I boil them in water in a little cloth sack, then I take that out and put the soapy water into a spray bottle. =)
May I ask how you use them for shampoo? What do you do, please? Also, will they wash out coconut oil from the hair? Thanks! :)
Akhila Sudhakar interesting to know about soap nuts & how they can be used. I don't know if we have them in the uk
@@emmamacgregor731 boil the soapnuts in water, simmer and keep stirring to get the juices out. Then use a seive to extract just the water... Apply small quantities on the scalp and begin to rub gently. Repeat. It takes time for the lather to build up. It does work well with removing cocunut oil. I usually use them over the weekend or a holiday when I have enough time. It's worth the effort :)
@@kerryirving2949 I am in Canada and ordered organic soap nuts online from iHerb.
Watching your channel washes my soul. I feel so at peace and cleansed from all the nonsense that exists in this world after watching! Warmth and love from the beaches of Florida ☀️
From central Florida, USA... Thank you Niamh for all the lovely inspiration to live a calmer and more graceful life. Sometimes we forget how wondrous life truly is.
Dia dhuit Niamh! I am Katie, I married a wonderful fella from Dublin, and we live in Seattle (USA). I have started making my own skin care and cleaning products. We are also committing to repair or upcycle our clothes, and not purchase anything new this year.
Thank you for all your videos!!!
Sláinte!!
Like some others, I’m from Australia as well. One thing we can do in these trying times is put water out for the bees when it is really dry. I was in the Blue Mountains during the worst of the fires there and had a bottle of drinking water outside on a table while clearing flammables from the garden, and bees were butting at the bottle trying to get to the water. They can smell it! So I put out a dish for them and they all gathered around immediately. Sometimes it’s the little things. And the little creatures.
How lovely of you to think of the bee's💕 They are so important for our planet!
Sending love and prayers to all you guys from the UK 🙏💜🖐
And you warm our hearts everytime you upload! I always feel warm and at ease after watching any of your videos. Thank you for being you 💚
Awh thanks Amanda... very sweet message to receive.
You're truly an inspiration. Hope you're having a lovely new year so far!
United States here and I live just outside New York City. I find city life incredibly draining sometimes but I try to remind myself to enjoy the crowds, lights, hustle and bustle. It’s not always achievable but when the weather cooperates I walk across town instead of taking the subway, I bring a packed lunch and carry my water bottle. Small steps!
Ontario, Canada
- I use whatever dehumidifier water I have to water indoor plants and put in laundry.
- purchased a local woman's organic herbal bar soap and shampoo bar
- cut up old towels for rags
- gave bamboo toothbrushes and stainless steel razors for Christmas
- bought reusable silicone freezer/snack bags for bulk meats etc.
- bought beeswax wraps to replace plastic wrap
- linen shopping and produce bags
- wash and keep jars for storage
- bought reusable wool dryer balls to replace dryer sheets
- bought stainless steel water bottles and straws, and a brita filter water jug. A company called Terracycle pays for you to ship the filters to them to recycle.
- compost everything but meats
It's just been a couple of months and I still have a ways to go but I'm trying. I just discovered your channel a couple of days ago and know I'm going to learn so much more
I live in Eureka, a small town in northern California....the Redwood forests are nearby and I can see the Pacific Ocean from my front porch. Regardless where we reside in the world, we can all do little things to live more sustainably....bring our own bags when shopping, hang out laundry when the weather allows (I also use an indoor drying rack), take reusable water bottles when out and about, use glass jars instead of plastic for kitchen storage, wear warm socks and a sweater instead of turning up the heat, use paper scraps or mailings for grocery/to-do lists, shop thrift stores for quality clothing. Little things do, indeed, add up and one something is better than many nothings. Happy Sunday!
Hello from Newfoundland Canada! Although we live in a small city we still have our own chickens for fresh eggs. My husband also has a garden and greenhouse where we grow our own vegetables. I love to use simple homemade cleaning solutions. I also buy a lot of clothes and other things secondhand, reusing and not buying new whenever possible. Love your channel!
I live in Croatia and I do similar things like fire and drying clothes in this winter time. Small and simple things make changes,I agree with you. ❤
I only want to say THANK YOU. You warm my heart with every video, feels so cosy. Greatings from East Frisia🍀
Heart of Kentucky. Greetings! I've been upside down about three years, and am diligently working at a good routine to follow. So, at this time, all I can say is I am a good friend. I do think it is good to read. Katie.
Use your voice for kindness, your ears for compassion, your hands for charity, your mind for truth, and your heart for love.
Hello, I am from Utah, USA. I love watching your video. They calm me, inspire me and give me so much good information. I use quilting squares for making cloth napkins, and use canning jars for storing left overs, pantry items such as beans, lentils and cereals. I am glad we are all working to make this planet sustainable.
This community is already an important part of my life and I'm very glad I found you and your videos, that show a healthy way of living I keep forgetting from time to time.
I'm from Germany, fortunately there's a zero-waste-shop in my town and two more "normal" ones that sell organic products. I ride by bike whenever I can, smelling the fresh air, hearing the close-by river and feeling the wind feels just great.
Best wishes and a happy Sunday for everyone
thank you for contributing to this community... best wishes to you too x
Hi there, I live in Somerset UK in a park home (static caravan) and my service bills are very low. The shops are a half hour walk away and I usually walk instead of drive, and carry my groceries home on my back . I try to avoid plastic and I bought a old-fashioned metal push along lawn mower to cut the grass. I buy most of my clothes in charity shops ( there are 6 of them in the small town I walk to). I have decluttered my life quite radically, I moved into this home last year with one small carload of possessions, it was already furnished with , I felt, too much furniture, so I donated a lot of it. I’m loving my new life here, and I am also loving your vlog; you live in such a beautiful home!
From the northern United States, it’s not always easy to find eco friendly stuff; however, I’ve done the following:
1) Swapped paper towels and napkins for washable cotton versions.
2) Make my own hand wash in reusable bottles.
3) Make my own air freshener in reusable bottles.
4) Repurpose any bottles I receive.
I love all of your ideas and plan to implement more!!
Seeing the little birds flitting around in the garden made me smile. You move through your life with such grace and ease. I want the same sort of peace in my own life.
I’m from Canada 🇨🇦 I have a 10 month old son and love your natural cleaning tips, please keep them coming. I would have never thought to use pine and vinegar, such a great idea . Sending love to all of you 🙏🏼❤️
I hand wash a lot and hang the clothes on an expandable rod above the bathtub to dry overnight. I put washed clothes in a towel which I roll up, leave about 30 mins before hanging. They dry overnight out of sight. Love all the comments below the video, get great ideas, thanks.
I am from Michigan usa , I like to grow herbs inside in the winter . I use the herbs in cooking and the plants make my house smell good as well.
We live in northern Ontario it was -40C here a few days ago.....my husband actually installs wood stoves for a living so we have one in our living room.....we fill up our kettle every evening and place it on the back of the stove....our water is always warm when we get up so only takes a minute to warm up when we renew the fire....all day in the winter we are cooking or warming something up on the wood stove.....we love it
Hi from New Zealand :) I've recently purchased a bread maker to make all our bread (I no longer have time to make from scratch like I used too) It's a small thing but it has eliminated several plastic bread bags per week and I love knowing exactly what goes into our bread. I'll never buy store brought again. I make all our cleaning products, including washing powder, the raw ingredients I buy from a local bulk store than allows you to take your own containers in and refill. I also make my own deodorant, soap, lotion etc. We keep a well stocked veggie garden (in fact, this season I had a bumper crop of raspberries so have enough to make jam that will last all year) The excess, I freeze and make preserves with. I bake our cakes, biscuits, and make all our meals from scratch. I keep a worm farm and a compost bin, all our scraps go into it and I use that on the garden. I am working on removing as much plastic from our life as possible...I wish they'd bring back milk in glass bottles! I can't get away from plastic with that.
I live in the mountains of Southwestern France and I love your channel. As I live in the countryside, I buy my fruits and veggies from my neighbors. I use rosemary soaked in vinegar for all purpose cleaning solution and as I’m now retired I try to live a slow and peaceful life. 🙂
I cook 95% of my food at home, I bought stainless steel bottles for me and my boyfriend so that we never have to buy plastic, we have a big compost bin, cloth towels for the kitchen and we try to buy as less as possible, in general. Love your channel and your message!
Florida, USA here. Your tone of voice and the way you put words together is just magical...until the point there is no other choice to follow your advise... Thank you !!! is just amazing