Sustainability Made Simple {A Growing a Green Family Giveaway}

**Product received for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

Sustainability.

We hear a lot of chatter around this word, but what does it mean? Let's take a quick look at the definition:

sus·tain·a·bil·i·tysəˌstānəˈbilədē/
noun
noun: sustainability
-the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
-avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance

Let's be honest... we waste a whole lot more than we need to, don't we? Paper towels, paper plates, disposable diapers, bottled water... that's a whole lot paper and plastic heading straight to the garbage isn't it? And it's not just those disposable goods, but think about everything else we buy and the packaging it comes in. Have you opened a toy lately!? The amount of packaging is insane. Water, power... we use all these resources at rates that cannot possibly be kept up with long term.

This is why sustainability is so important!

Now, I'll be honest, I'm far from perfect on this either. While there are many changes we have made to live a more sustainable life, I certainly have room for improvement, but I also believe that even the smallest of changes can add up to make a huge difference.

What are some ways that my family has sought sustainability?

• Cloth Diapers Over Disposable. When my daughter was still in diapers this was a HUGE change we made. Think of how many diapers we would have went through in the three years she was in them!
• Reusable Kitchen Towels Over Paper Towels. Admittedly we keep a roll of paper towels on hand for 'emergencies' (pet messes, for example), but 99% of the time, we clean up messes with a dish towel. 
• Reusable Kitchen Storage Containers Over Ziplocs. Skip the zipper bags and go with plastic/glass/silicone containers instead. You can find many great options for ALL your food storage needs- freezer, fridge, even lunchbox sandwich bags! 
• Reuseable Shopping Bags. Take your own bags when you shop to reduce plastic waste. (Forget? Opt for paper OR save those plastic bags for bathroom trash, etc...)
• Use Cold Water for Laundry. Cold water uses less energy and still gets your clothes just as clean! 

These are just a few simple changes we've made but what are some other ways you can live a more sustainable life? Today I'm excited to introduce you to a new book that well help you do just that- Sustainability: Made Simple-

Sustainability Made Simple is an introduction to sustainability and sustainable living that explores the relationship between everyday life and the intricate global environmental issues of today, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and climate change. Rosaly Byrd and Laurèn DeMates offer an optimistic yet realistic perspective on our impact on the environment, giving much needed guidance to those who are interested in finding new and relatively easy ways to incorporate sustainability into daily life. 

An excellent resource for those who are interested in learning what sustainability is about and picking up habits to be more sustainable, Sustainability Made Simple shows that adopting a sustainable lifestyle doesn’t require “going off the grid” or making drastic life changes that take time and cost money. Instead, Byrd and DeMates focus on the advantages and transformative changes associated with sustainability, demonstrating that although society is facing unprecedented environmental challenges, working towards sustainability is an opportunity to do things differently and do things better, enhancing aspects of life, such as health, work and community. 

This book is fantastic! It is packed full of facts and science, but also full of practical tips to cut out waste, save energy and live a more sustainable lifestyle. Having been on this journey for a few years, there was much that I did know and tips that I had put into place in my home already, but there were many more that I had never thought of. It's broken down into all different areas to make it easy to follow too. When I've talked to people about making the change, I've often suggested to start in one area and move on from there rather than trying to do it all at once. I find for myself, that makes the transition a little easier and you won't fall back on old habits if it becomes too much to keep up with. For that reason, I really liked that the book was broken up like that! From home to work to school, this book will have you looking at changes big and small you can make for YOUR family!

You can find out more and connect at the links below:

* Sustainability Made Simple can be purchased here: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781442269095/Sustainability-Made-Simple-Small-Changes-for-Big-Impact

*Lauren and Rosaly’s blog: https://thesustainabilitycooperative.net/

* Please follow Lauren and Rosalyn on Twitter: @sustain_cooptve

* Please follow Rosaly and Lauren on Instagram: @sustainability_cooperative

And one very lucky reader is going to win a  “Growing a Green Family" Prize Pack, which is comprised of  Sustainability Made Simple and a large reusable Baggu tote bag that is perfect for trips to the grocery store, the mall or even the beach.  The cherry print is just too cute and these bags last forever and are machine washable.   ARV $50. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Winner will be contacted via e-mail after giveaway ends, and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. One entry per household, winning entry will be verified. Odds of winning depend on valid entries received. A Modern Day Fairy Tale is not responsible for prize delivery.