Eden Jade Grey

7 Easy & Cheap Ways To Live a More Sustainable Lifestyle

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It’s no secret that the planet is suffering right now. Being environmentally conscious has always been one of my deepest core values, and I am constantly looking for new ways to live more sustainably.

Over the past few years, I have noticed an eco-friendly “movement” unfolding; companies everywhere are coming up with new innovative ways to make the things we love less harmful to the environment. The best thing about transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle is that in most cases, you end up saving money too. Human pollution on Earth is largely due to waste; the funny thing about waste is that once you stop wasting stuff, you also stop wasting money! Today I thought I would share 7 easy adjustments you can make to your daily routine to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

1. Start bringing your own shopping and produce bags to the store

Lately I’ve seen more people than ever bringing reusable bags to the grocery store, but we still have a long way to go. You can purchase cute ones, or use any tote bag you have lying around. This is such an easy way to reduce your plastic consumption. It’s easy to forget reusable bags at home or in the car, but keeping them in the passenger seat so you always see them makes a huge difference. There are also brands out there that make tote bags so small that you can keep them in your purse or pocket; Paguro’s Reusable To-Go Kits, or “Crab Bags,” make it very easy to keep your bags with you all the time.

Paguro is a wonderful small business to support, and their kits come with everything you need to make essential transitions towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Their kits come with compact, cute reusable shopping bags (I keep one in my purse at all times), reusable produce bags and a utensil kit. Here’s a little more about Paguro:

Named for one of nature’s top reusers, Paguro (‘hermit crab’ in Italian) was formed by two best friends who wanted to reduce their own plastic use and make it easy for others to do the same. With reusable essentials designed to help you cut back on single-use plastic consumption, each kit is convenient, stylish and practical. With Paguro kits you can feel good about being a ready and responsible consumer and finally be free from the plastic trap! 

https://www.pagurokits.com/

2. Use a reusable makeup pad instead of makeup wipes

I mentioned Face Halo before in my All-Natural Skincare Routine, and I will mention them again here. This is the best invention in the history of beauty! It actually removes makeup better, penetrating deeper into the pores than a traditional makeup wipe. I clean mine with a bar of antibacterial soap to keep it fresh, and put it in the washing machine once a week for a deeper clean. I’ve gifted them to all of my friends, and they love them as well! Makeup wipes are extremely wasteful, and expensive. This is an easy way to save money and reduce your waste simultaneously.

3. Reuse your zip-lock bags

This “hack” is very beneficial to both the environment and your wallet as well. Zip-lock bags can be washed and reused over and over again, yet so many people throw them away after just one use. Of course, it can be really annoying to try and prop washed zip-lock bags open to dry after washing them. However, growing up my parents had this zip-lock bag drying rack that made it really easy to keep them upright and separated while drying. I use one in my own home, and it really is a game changer. Behold, the drying tree! This contraption not only keeps all the bags together, but also speeds up dry time. Win, win, win!

4. Start recycling at your home

I always thought that recycling was a nation-wide standard until I moved to Idaho. Many of my fellow Portland natives might laugh at me for this one, but you’d be surprised how many places in the United States don’t even encourage recycling for their residents. Where I live, barley anybody has recycling at their home; it’s very uncommon to see anything but the trash out on garbage day (and no, we don’t have a separate recycling day).

Once I looked into getting recycling services at my home, it was very easy and inexpensive to set up. If you’re not sure where to start, but want to set up recycling at your home, do this:

  1. Google: “your county’s name + garbage.” The local disposal company for your area should come up right away.
  2. From there, simply call them and ask to set up recycling services at your home. I was able to set mine up in a matter of minutes, and it only increased our garbage bill by about $5 per week.

5. Support sustainable brands

I want to start this section by discussing the the main company I have been purchasing almost all of my household items through for years, Grove Collaborative. They make shopping green easy, as they only sell products that are eco-friendly on their website. In addition to selling products from many sustainable brands, their own brand is also super affordable and aesthetically pleasing (which we all know I’m a sucker for). The last few green ideas I have for you are all products that can be found on the Grove Collaborative website!

Supporting brands that offer natural alternatives to everyday household necessities is a no-brainer hack. However, you’d be surprised how many people I know that don’t shop sustainably because they aren’t sure which brands are good to support, and/or where to find the products they sell. This is another reason why I love Grove Collaborative. Their website has only natural and eco-friendly brands, making it simple to shop green. 

6. Stop using so many paper towels and use European Dish Cloths instead

This was a Grove Collaborative discovery that is too good not to share. Behold, the European Dishcloth. These things are amazing. All you do is get them damp and then use them just like a paper towel. They last forever and work better than regular paper for cleaning.

7. Swap single use-plastic cleaners for refillable glass cleaner bottles & cleaning concentrate

I will never go back to buying single-use plastic cleaning products after discovering Grove’s line of glass spray bottles and cleaner concentrates. You can get a set of 3 cleaner concentrates for $8.95 on the Grove Collaborative website, which costs less than two bottles of regular cleaner in single-use plastic bottles.

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Updated Planning Routine: What Planners & Software I Use to Manage Life

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All right, everyone, here it is. An updated planning routine. This was the top-requested topic by people who responded to my Instagram Poll, so without further ado.…

Many of you may remember the extensive “Plan With Me” series that I posted on weekly before redoing edenjadegrey.com. Back then, I used stickers purchased on Etsy to decorate and organize my Erin Condren Life Planner. Over the years, I filled three planners cover to cover with stickers and decorations. Now, these planners serve as scrap books that I enjoy looking back on from time to time. While this was a very fun and therapeutic way of planning, it wasn’t the most practical use of my time, and was also expensive to keep up with. 

Since then, I have completely changed the way I plan. Instead of one all-encompassing planner, I use several tools to keep track of the various aspects of my life. I use one system for homework and deadlines, another for projects, actions and to-do’s, and yet another for tracking work, appointments, and events such as Birthdays. I have found that this combination of tools saves me time and energy, while helping me stay organized. Besides these more practical planning methods, I also use the Happiness Planner for tracking my personal development and doing guided journaling. The Happy Planner is where I now sticker and decorate (when I have time).

The tools I use & how I use them: 

1. OMNI Focus // The “Getting Things Done” Method 

First off, I want to talk about a book that has changed my life for the better: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. Wow. What a book, what a method.

I have read this book three times through, and still find new, valuable information every single time. This book presents a method of capturing and organizing every thought that crosses your mind. It enables you to get stuff out of your head, clearing the way for more ideas. It’s essentially a mind-decluttering/organization tool.

To summarize the main idea of the GTD method, here’s a passage from the book that does so beautifully:

First of all, if it’s on your mind, your mind isn’t clear. Anything you consider unfinished in any way must be captured in a trusted system outside your mind, or what I call a collection tool, that you know you’ll come back to regularly and sort through.

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

Learning to use this system has a compound effect on your success. As you continually come back to your “trusted system,” your mind becomes clearer and clearer, making you more productive and focused. It takes time to learn this method through and through, but man is it worth it!

The “trusted system” that I use to “capture” is OMNI Focus. This software allows you to capture information into an inbox, and organize that information into folders, projects and tasks. I review this inbox regularly, sorting my various thoughts into categories that make the most sense to me. At the end of each week, I use the “review” feature and look through everything in my database. Doing the weekly review ensures that I don’t plan something out that needs to be done in the future and then forget about it – that would defeat the purpose of the GTD Method.

I love how customizable OMNI Focus is. The software really allows you to organize things in as much detail as you see fit and provides a framework that works perfectly in conjunction with the GTD Method (If you read the book you’ll see what I’m talking about).

This is a screenshot of my personal-OMNI Focus system in-action. Organized on the left are folders and projects; within each project are actions that can be “checked off.” Further left there are tools such as the weekly review tab and a forecast tab that shows upcoming deadlines.

Besides using computer software, I also have a physical “in tray” that allows me to essentially do the same thing. I put things that need review (such as mail or important paperwork) in the inbox and then go through them regularly. My weekly review (which I usually do on Sundays) is a cherished time that gives me control over my life and allows me to feel confident that I am not forgetting anything big or small. 

I am still working on integrating this method fully into my life, but the more I practice, the easier (and more effective) it becomes.

2. Apple Calendars

This one is pretty self explanatory. I use the basic Apple Calendar app on my phone and laptop for reminders about things that are concrete. Birthdays, appointments, events and big exams are things that I would put into this calendar. If you read Getting Things Done, you’ll find that this is another component of the GTD method.

3. Simple Paper Planner

This is the method I use for organizing homework deadlines. My paper planner is dedicated solely to school. Every two weeks I write every deadline in and then make a to-do list based on those deadlines for the respective week. I love this particular planner because the dates and months are left blank. This means that I can skip weeks that I don’t have school without wasting pages that would usually already be dedicated to specific dates. 

4. The Happiness Planner

Guys… I know that guided journaling isn’t for everyone, but man do I love this planner. It really is so much fun (and this is NOT a sponsored post). Here’s a link to the one I have specifically: My Happy Planner.

Before the start of each year, it prompts you to reflect on your life overall, goals, dreams and habits, and set intentions for the following year. After that, they break the planner up into months and days. Each month, you set a goal and can track that goal. Each day, you can track your habits, do gratitude journaling, write out mini to-do’s and so much more!

The Happiness Planner website has many inserts you can purchase to customize your planner with. My favorite insert right now is the Self-Care Insert! When I have time, I decorate this planner with colorful pens and stickers the way I did with my Erin Condren Life Planner. Instead of feeling stressed out if I don’t have time to do it though, I decorate when I have time and feel like it

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My All-Natural Skincare Routine

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Dear Eminence,

I love you.

Haha okay no but really… Eminence’s products are a game changer. Yes, they are pricey. In this case though, you really do get what you pay for. Each product lasts forever, and helps your skin look and feels it’s best.

They even have one of those fun skincare quizzes to help you find products that best suit your skin’s needs.

Over the years, my skincare collection has grown… One might even say it has become a bit excessive. However, I do use all of these products, and I love them all equally.

First, a bit about my skin.

I by NO means have perfect skin, and I can’t even say I know exactly what “type” of skin I have because I swear it’s always changing on me. However, my skin is predominantly normal/dry and I tend to breakout from hormone fluctuations and stress (like many women in their 20s). Other than that though, my skin is pretty easy.

I know that a simple skincare routine is “all the rage” right now, and some people will give me s*** for how many different products I use, but this is what works for me:

Morning:

Evening:

Two Times Per Week:

Something fun I recently discovered is this (very bougie) skincare fridge. I was disappointed to find out that keeping my Eminence masques in the fridge would damage the products. Instead I keep sheet masques, my jade roller, and spot treatment in it. This particular mini fridge can also heat things up, so sometimes I like to clean it out and put a few damp towels in to give myself a facial with.

Comment below if you would enjoy watching a YouTube video going into detail about my skincare routine and how I do an at-home facial/spa night.

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How I Straightened My Teeth CHEAP – A Honest Review of Smile Direct Club

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This post is intended to be a summary of the Smile Direct Club series I did on my blog a few years ago. Some of you may remember monthly posts, as I tracked my smile-straightening journey. Since starting edenjadegrey.com over from scratch, I wanted to summarize those posts and share my end results with you guys!

Unlike most people, I got “braces” when I was in my 20s.

Thankfully, it wasn’t as awkward as you might be picturing right now…

For the longest time, I searched for a way to straighten my smile without “breaking the bank.”

Ever heard of Invisalign? Yeah. That stuff is anywhere from $3-6,000… We all know how expensive the orthodontist can be, and it was never something I could swing financially.

Smile Direct Club offers invisible aligners for a fraction of the cost. Not only did I save thousands of dollars going through them, but I never had to see an orthodontist. Not. Even. Once! Overall, my experience was fantastic. I finished my treatment on schedule, and I never ran into any major issues along the way. 

Here’s How It Works:

  • First, they sent me a starter kit to take impressions of my teeth. It was super straightforward and easy to follow. The kit comes with a return label and instructions for sending the impressions back.
  • After I sent them back I waited for a few weeks as they put together my treatment plan. Your personal online account allows you to see how your teeth will move over time (which is super cool for nerds like myself…)
This image shows my teeth before starting my treatment.
This one shows my teeth after the entire treatment was completed.
  • After about a month, I received my first set of aligners. Every month they sent me three sets of invisible aligners; you wear the first two sets for one week each, and the third set for the last two weeks of each month. 
  • It took 7 months start to finish, and cost me under $2000.
  • When I did my treatment (over 2 years ago) they offered a payment plan of $99/month. Now, their payment plan is $85/month for 24 months, or you can pay $1895 upfront (not to mention they have tons of discounts and promotions going on all the time – see below for $100 off).

Click HERE for $100 off of your purchase

Tips & Tricks:

  • If you want results, you really have to wear the aligners every single day, 22 hours per day. I finished my treatment on schedule because I wore my aligners religiously. Your treatment will take longer, and be more painful the less consistent you are.
  • I recommend brushing your teeth every time you eat, before putting your aligners back on. I literally brought a tooth brush with me everywhere, and would brush my teeth on the go all the time. This ensures that your teeth and aligners don’t stain.
  • The aligners sometimes aren’t shaped exactly right. They include a few emery boards in every package, use them if the aligners are uncomfortable sitting on your gums.
  • Their customer service is awesome! Use it! There was one month during my treatment that they forgot to send me my aligners. When I called and told them about it, they apologetically sent me the aligners the next day, and took $100 off my treatment for the inconvenience.

The before and after….

The “before” photo was taken when I was a teenager (there are very few photos of me smiling with my teeth from back then because I was pretty self conscious about it). The “after” photo was taken today! I couldn’t be happier with the results – and the photos speak for themselves. I still can’t believe it only took 7 months to complete!

How To Stay Sane During Social Distancing – Advice From a Homebody

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Hello hello! 

The world is in a weird place right now. I think we all are, really. Social distancing requires a huge shift in routine for some people, and the pandemic situation is causing worldwide stress. Because I am a homebody, isolating myself comes relatively easy. That being said, there are some days that being confined to the house still feels limiting and uncomfortable. More than anything, I am feeling disrupt in my routine, which makes everything feel a little whacky!

I have found that creating a new routine tailored to fit the current circumstances is making things feel much less overwhelming. In hard times like these, it’s important to focus on what you have control over. Use this time to connect with your loved ones, take control of your home and lifestyle, and focus on your self-care. 

Things I am doing to add some healthy routine to my day include:

  • A 30 minute workout.
  • 20 to 40 minute yoga class.
  • Daily meditation
  • Cleaning/organization projects.

Exercise

Exercise has an incredible impact on your physical and emotional wellness. It’s so easy to feel depressed and helpless in times like these, and sometimes all you want to do is lay there and not do anything at all. While sometimes that is fine, and maybe even exactly what you need, exercising can instantly shift your mood. 

Every day that I do my workout, my day is more productive, and I am in a way better mood. I have been loving the 21 Day Fix program from my Beach Body On Demand app. Every workout is 30 minutes long and can be done right at home. I have noticed such a huge improvement in my energy and mood since doing these high intensity, short workouts. Every single program on the Beach Body on Demand app comes with a tailored nutrition plan. There are also yummy superfood shakes that I take every day, which provide my body with all the nutrients it needs to fuel my healthy lifestyle. 

Team Beach Body offers many workout programs, and I am incredibly excited to start 80 Day Obsession with my challenge group when I am done with 21 Day Fix. Besides being a super effective and fun workout program, I also get to be a part of an amazing group of women (i.e. my challenge group) who hold me accountable and push me to be my best self every day. 

To get started, visit the Team Beach Body website and subscribe to the Beach On Demand app. By signing up with the link above you will have access to hundreds of workouts, as well as me as your accountability coach. I will work with you one-one-one to find the perfect workout program, tailored to your personal fitness goals.

While you don’t need any equipment to start your fitness journey, I personally use a yoga mat, dumbbells (I currently have 5lbs and 10lbs, but plan to buy a full set eventually), and resistance bands. I purchased all of my equipment on Amazon for less than $50! 

Yoga

Yoga is another daily practice that helps to center my mind and release stress.

I use glo.com to stream classes in the comfort of my home. Glo offers hundreds of classes, and allows you to filter your searches based on the style, focus, and duration you prefer. To support my at-home practice, I use the same yoga mat as I do when I workout, as well as two blocks and a strap. Yoga is a wonderful way to slow down and stay present in the moment. Slowing down and being mindful of what your body needs is just as important as staying active. 

It’s all about balance. 

Meditation

Meditation has been an integral part of my self-care for years, and I continue to practice for at least ten minutes every single day. 

To date, I have meditated 105 hours using the Headspace app, which has consistently managed my anxiety better than any other tool I have tried. Learning to control the mind by allowing thoughts to come and go without losing yourself in each one is an incredible tool. 

Cleaning/Organization Projects 

I am a cleaning and organization junkie. Whether you enjoy cleaning or hate it, doing projects around the house is a great way to stay productive and feel motivated while you are self-quarantining. Pick one project, big or small, each day. By the time this is all over you’ll have the most decluttered and organized house around. 

My first project since self-quarantining was to purge and clean my linen closet. It was a big job, but was so satisfying to complete. Next I plan clean the inside of my car – something I have a tendency to neglect. Whatever area of your life needs a revamp, pick it, and do it. I promise you will feel accomplished when you’re done, and will experience stress relief through the process. 

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