ETA: forgot you also asked about meat.. We've cut down but hubby would be reluctant to do without and we both enjoy eating it (sorry animals but you taste too good). We eat chicken or beef about 3 main meals a week, fish 1 or 2 meals and veggo 2 or 3. Veggo is normally lentil or rice based as chickpeas and beans make my guts balloon.
Have you considered quinoa? One of my favorite meals is quinoa with pico de gallo. Yum! Also, do you consider eggs meat? One of my favorite quick meals is to beat an egg or two, mix in some chopped cheese, veggies, and / or mushrooms, then fry it into a "pancake". Similar to a fritatta, but cooked stovetop instead of the oven. Ooey gooey and YUM. My favorite shroom to use for this is oyster. Meaty and snappy with a delicious spicy flavor. I eat a lot of nuts, eggs, cheese, and mushrooms. Avocado makes for a fantastic veggie sandwich. Couscous with roasted pine nuts, minced garlic and cubed parmesian is also yum (though in the US, a lot of cheese comes wrapped in plastic...)
Things to deal with at some point:
- Toothbrush - could buy a bamboo one
- Drinking coffee - the beans come in a non-recyclable bag...need to find a better source (must also be good beans!)
Avoided waste by:
- Drinking loose leaf tea
- Using a lime slice as deodorant instead of buying a new roll on*
* The jury is still out on this one. Today was quite cool so I'm not sure if this is effective or not. I got lime pulp all over my pits so it may not be all that practical. Will continue and see what happens.
Sounds like DAY1 is off to a fantastic start! I've been interested in trying a bamboo toothbrush too, if you try it I'd love to know how it goes! I also read that they're naturally anti-bacterial? Great for a germophobe like me. As for the coffee, have you tried getting some from Costa Rica? I'm not a coffee drinker, yet I'm even tempted by their coffee -- it smells like candy! When I was in Costa Rica, that was the only time I ever seriously considered trying it (though I didn't which I regret, even years later!). I vacationed in Costa Rica without knowing anything about their country -- it's one of the greenest countries, has no military, and is very eco-friendly. The people are incredibly accepting and laid back. I didn't want to leave! Also, one of the coffee capitals of the world.
Also, have you heard of lotion bars? Maybe you could modge-podge the formula into a deodorant bar? Or, how about squeezing the lime juice onto a face towel, or wrapping the lime in a face towel (like a soap bar)?
lotion bar recipeIt'll be interesting to see how recycling goes with the China-plastic ban:
"It leaves recyclers such as Visy with nowhere to send waste, even as homeowners keep doing the right thing and filling up their yellow bins." You've provided great insight and changed my view on recycling. IMHO, the right thing do is to become more aware and mindful, and reduce at the source. You couldn't have had more perfect timing. Good luck as we press on with February!