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Lately I’ve been really interested in living a reduced waste lifestyle, this all started when I read the book, Zero Waste Home. Have you read it?? I loved it! I learned more about how the lives we lead, and the waste we produce, really has such an impact on our environment. And with global warming and our consumerist society, I want to help to my part to provide the best kind of earth for my kids, and my kids, kids. Over the last couple of months we’ve made so much progress in reducing our waste. I don’t imagine we’ll ever be a completely zero waste home, but every small change counts.

If you’re interested, here are 5 tips to get started:

1. Cook most of your food at home– from ingredients you’ve found through shopping “the perimeter” of the grocery store, mostly fresh produce, bulk bin items, and things without packaging etc. Meal plan, so you have just what you need, to reduce food waste.
2. Reduce your use of disposable goods– bags at the grocery store, produce bags, paper towels, napkins, plastic wrap, ziplock bags, disposable plates and cups, lysol wipes, make-up wipes, etc.  We’ve opted for more eco-friendly versions of these items, such as: reusable bags and produce bags (held by Jay in the photo above), dish cloths, cloth napkins, beeswax wrap, mason jars, reusable make up remover pads, etc.
3. Live a Minimalist lifestyle-needing less “stuff” has made me and my family so much happier. We have so much more mental space for life. I wrote a post on Minimalism, with a reference to a Minimalist book I love here, if you’re interested. It’s also helped us produce a lot less waste. 
4. Repair things instead of getting rid of them- Taking the time to fix a button on a shirt is so much better for the environment (and your pocket book) than ditching the shirt, and buying a new one. This seems silly, but I’ve been here so many times.
5. Buy things used-when you need/want to consume things, try to buy things used. Our kids Christmas presents and stockings stuffers this year (other than the puppy! sh!) were all bought used.

*Bonus tip: Start composting– we haven’t yet incorporated this into our home, but I’m eager to! Food waste doesn’t have room to break down properly in landfills, and as a result, produces methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas. Composting is the perfect solution for getting rid of food waste it in a healthy way, while creating awesome soil for a garden.

Have you tried any of these things? Do you have other ways that your family tries to decrease waste?

With all of the butternut squash popping up in farmer’s markets and on sale in the grocery store, I’ve rounded up 5 butternut squash recipes to help embrace the yummiest winter squash. The first three are recipes that are tried and true in the Pass household, and the last two I’m dying to try out soon.

Warm Butternut Squash and Chickpea Salad-One of my favorite lunches to have on hand. The lemony tahini dressing is seriously so amazing.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup -I’ve shared this soup recipe on here before, if you didn’t make it then, make it now! Its the yummiest butternut squash soup, creamy, and perfect for a wintery cold day. And the best part, its super simple to make.

Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Galette– The most delicious flavors! And it’ll last you a few meals. Everyone in my family is so in love with this one.

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash -a yummy butternut squash side. How could you go wrong with cinnamon, maple and rosemary on roasted butternut squash??

Healthy Mac and Cheese -the sneakiest way to get yourself or your kids to eat your veggies! This Mac and cheese looks so great.

Do you have any butternut squash recipes that you love? I’d love to know!