Sustainable Living, Featured

In California Vineyards, Owls are Replacing Toxic Chemicals to Help Protect Vines

Wine cultivated in the top California vineyards tastes excellent, beyond doubt. However, have you ever thought about who or what safeguards the vineyards from rodents and pests? The winemakers are particular about each aspect of the process, from cultivating the grapes all the way through to production and bottling. They have to be especially careful ...

Armin Auctor

Clusters of wine grapes are on the vine ready for harvest in Napa Valley.

7 Awesome Health Benefits of Activated Charcoal

Sometimes, we do not pay heed to things deemed apparently trivial, but those things can actually help us in many ways. One such example is activated charcoal. It is a black powder without any smell that is used a lot in emergency rooms for dealing with overdoses. It has proven toxin-absorbing properties. The powder is ...

Raven Montmorency

Activated charcoal powder.

How to Make Decisions That Are Right for You

When you make decisions in your life, you go through a mental dance of toing and froing, trying to weigh up which direction is best for you. But in this process, how can you know which thoughts to listen to? Many people rely on their intuition. Intuition is sometimes called your ‘gut instinct,’ or heart. ...

Emma Lu

Double exposure portrait of a woman meditating outdoors with eyes closed, combined with a photograph of sunrise or sunset.

2 Easy Methods to Wash Your Fruits and Vegetables

I never used to worry too much about washing my fruits and vegetables thoroughly myself, just a quick rinse under running water and a polish on my shirt is all the care I would give to my apple before munching on it. Then, I learned about the risks of consuming pesticides that are used on common fruits and ...

Raven Montmorency

A woman washing radishes in the sink.

Simple Laundry Hacks You Should Know

I’m all for working smarter, not harder. When I learn a new tip that makes life’s chores simpler, easier, and cheaper, I like to share it with my friends so they too can benefit, such as these simple laundry hacks. This Buzzfeed video offers some good ideas for when you next decide to attack your laundry: Some ...

Emma Lu

A baby boy sits on the floor in the laundry room under clothes hung on a clothesline.

Japan’s 5 Longevity Secrets

Among the world’s developed countries, Japan has the highest life expectancy. What accounts for this known fact, you may ask. There are several reasons for the longevity of Japan’s citizens. These include one’s genetic inheritance, the overall improvement of living standards, engaging daily in healthy eating habits, and maintaining a realistic balance between work schedules ...

Emma Lu

Elderly Japanese man sitting outside in Kyoto and painting the architecture.

4 Steps to Start the Practice of Self-Compassion

It’s important to recognize self-compassion, but we often avoid doing so because we’re afraid that it will be too hard. This is a misconception as self-care can actually give us more energy and help us feel better about ourselves! 4 easy steps to self-compassion 1. Remind yourself that you are not alone One of the ...

Emma Lu

Meditation silhouette at sunset.

Claire Wineland: When You Pity Sick People, You Disempower Them

Probably many of you have not heard of Claire Wineland. She was a cystic fibrosis activist who passed away at the tender age of just 21 years. A sufferer of cystic fibrosis herself, the young girl inspired millions of people in the world through her short but very strong messages. In this message, she inspires ...

Armin Auctor

Claire Wineland smiling.

Try This Simple Free Method to Help Relax

When you are relaxed, have you ever noticed your breathing? It is slow, gentle, and usually you don’t notice that you are breathing. Breathing exercises are a great, quick way to help relax, and that’s because when you slow your breathing, you help relax your whole body. Take time to notice how you feel next time you ...

Wilma Oakes

Young Asian woman with her eyes closed, face turned up to the sun, hands raised, and arms outstretched standing on a beach.