Sustainable living can seem like an overwhelming endeavor, but it's not an all-or-nothing idea! Small actions add up in a big way over time, and we can all start incorporating them into our lives. Start with these simple sustainability tips and feel good knowing you're doing something positive for the planet we share!
Show Your Reusable Water Bottle and Coffee Mug Some Love
Don't contribute to the 60 million plastic water bottles and millions more paper and foam cups that are thrown away every day in the United States. Instead, fill a reusable bottle at home and take it on the go rather than buying a single-use paper cup or plastic bottle.
In addition to helping the planet, you can also save money by making coffee at home—and you don't have to give up your go-to beverages! Try making your favorite coffee shop classics in your kitchen, like our Chocolate Almond Hot Cocoa or a Spiced Pumpkin Latte.
Kick Food Waste to the Curb
Meal prepping is a great way to reduce food waste as it forces you to actually use the food you buy (buh-bye, rotted produce). Plan out a few meals for the week, like our Roasted Butternut Squash, Chickpea, and Kale Salad or a protein with a side of Pressure Cooker Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes (made with Birds Eye® Cauliflower Florets, of course). You can make several servings of the protein and freeze them in individual packages for later use.
Leftover butternut squash? Don't toss it! You can actually use it instead of pumpkin in treats like our Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Brown Sugar Icing or our Pumpkin Cookies.
Stock your freezer with convenient meals to suit everyone in the family. Vegans and vegetarians will love these Healthy Choice® Power Bowls®, such as their Buddha Bowl, which packs in a hearty amount of veggies, quinoa, and beans.
For dinner, Birds Eye Veggie Spirals can help you bring a meal together in minutes. Simply take your favorite pasta meals, like our Chick'n Parmesan Pasta, and swap out the noodles for veggie goodness!
Powered by Plants
You might not think the vegetarian lifestyle is for you, but you don't have to give up meat entirely to make an impact on the planet! Plant-based eating is better for the planet because it takes fewer resources to grow plants than it does to raise livestock. Start with our ideas for a Meatless Monday—there are so many easy meat-free meals out there! You can also browse our mouthwatering vegetarian recipes for some “flexitarian” inspiration.
For bold meaty flavor without the actual meat, try these fun collaborations from Healthy Choice and Gardein™, like the Chipotle Chick’n Power Bowl or the Be’f & Vegetable Stir Fry Power Bowl. Marie Callender’s® Plant-Based Protein Pot Pies are another quick and easy option. You could also warm up on a chilly day with a soothing plant-based soup, like Chick’n Noodl‘ Soup or Saus’ge Gumbo.
For a wholesome dinner side, check out this hearty selection of Birds Eye Power Blends, like their Southwest Style blend, complete with whole grains, black beans, and a zesty sauce, or their Hawaiian Style blend made with edamame and pineapple (bonus: they both boast 16 grams of protein per serving!). Birds Eye Skillets with Gardein Plant-Based Protein have your back when you need a comforting meal after a long day. Even your snacking can go plant-based with Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Jerky!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (and Reward Yourself For Being Awesome)
We've been repeating the three r's for a long time, but it's still great advice! Here are a few ways to put them into practice and start living more sustainably:
- Buy a reusable straw. You can choose from metal, bamboo, or hard plastic. And don't forget your straw brush for easy cleaning! With a straw container, you can take it on the go.
- Take your own reusable bags to the grocery store.
- Scout garage sales for a new-to-you coffee table or other gently used items.
- Borrow a power saw for that DIY project instead of buying one.
- Donate instead of tossing your unwanted items.
- Host a clothing swap so your old favorites get new life with someone else—and you can add a treasure to your closet.
- Recycle! Check with your local recycler to see which items can be recycled.
- Start composting. It's OK if you don't have a yard—there are small compost bins designed for indoor use.
- Buy baking supplies, nuts, seeds, cereals, and other items that have a long shelf life in bulk. You can store dry items in sustainable glass containers, which makes it easy to see what's inside, and reuse freezer bags to preserve items that can be frozen even longer.
- Look for greener packaging. Healthy Choice uses packaging made from plant-based fiber for its Power Bowls. That simple switch reduced their use of plastic used for trays by 1 million pounds!
Sustainable living means sustainable for the planet and for you. Don't turn it into a chore. Start with these simple sustainability tips and expand upon them as you're ready. You don't have to give up convenience or delicious, hearty meals. With a little planning and intention, you can help out the environment and enjoy your favorite foods. Every small sustainable step is a positive one for the planet!
