Powerful Affirmations to Live More Sustainably this Summer

 

Woman lying on the ground to practice "earthing." She is grounding, making a connection to Mother Earth Energy.

Research published by the American Psychological Association states, “Even brief, low-cost self-affirmation exercises can yield significant psychological benefits in terms of enhancing personal and social well-being. My life experience and research backs this up.

 

 

One of my main goals this summer is to enjoy my free time fully, while still being mindful to protect, conserve, reuse, reduce, and recycle natural resources. I do not want to contribute to further depletion of the finite resources of fossil fuels and metal ores, or those including forests (wood, animals, and vegetation) that may become extinct or take several human lifetimes to regenerate, Read an environmental definition for finite resource with examples now.

Writing “Affirmations for a Sustainable Summer” has helped me shift my perspective, provide motivation to take actions that help our environment and living creatures thrive, and do my share to only use as much water, soil, wood, gas, a/c, food, and materials as necessary.

 

Tip : For those who may not know or understand what sustainable living is see “What Sustainable Living Means and Key-Practices.”

 

Whenever I create and recite affirmations aloud, it works to align my thoughts, feelings, values, and actions with nature. I find ways to save energy, reduce waste, and enjoy this beautiful season, yet continue to respect people and the planet.

Please Consider Reciting the

Affirmations that Have Meaning

For You

 

1. I take part in community clean-up events to protect our natural spaces.

 2. I educate myself and others about sustainability practices to inspire change.

 

 

3. Every tiny step I take to live more sustainably contributes to the healing and longevity of all living creatures and our planet.

 

 

4. I choose to purchase locally grown and seasonal produce to reduce my carbon footprint, and I shop with reusable bags, bottles, and containers to minimize plastic waste and pollution.

 

 

5. I choose to eat organic vegan foods, because they are kinder to animals, my body, and the planet than conventional foods. 

Consider adding sustainable practices described in “A Plant-Based Diet: Eating for the Environment,” from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine website.

 

 

6. If possible, I opt for public transport to get around, and also bike, share rides, and walk to do my errands to lower carbon emissions.

 

 

7. I conserve water by taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and not running water at full force when I brush and floss my teeth.

Read Water Conservation Tips to Save Money and Green Daily Living

 

 

8. I frolic and relax outdoors early or late in the day, to avoid peak heat and sun over-dosing.

 

 

9. I use passive and active methods to cool and ventilate my home. 

For more on this topic read “How to Save Money This Summer By Conserving Energy at Home.”

 

 

10. I reuse storage containers and avoid using one-time use water and other beverage containers or plastic shopping bags. I resist impulse shopping to conserve money and prevent overconsumption. 

See “Kick off the New Year More Sustainably” for additional ideas.

 

11. I support eco-friendly brands and businesses, and communicate my appreciation for their efforts to help the planet survive.

12. I love our earth and my eco-choices show my children and grandchildren (and myself) that I believe in tomorrow.

 

 

“The Science Behind Self-Affirmations” by Tara Well Ph.D. that appears on the Psychology Today blog, indicates that self-affirmation produces significant, albeit modest, improvements in multiple aspects of well-being. These include stronger self-perception, enhanced general and social well-being, and reduced psychological barriers like anxiety and negative mood. 

Have you ever composed and/or recited affirmations to shift your perspective? Please explain in the comments section below.

Do any of the affirmations provided in this post validate ideas, thoughts, or values you hold dear? Please share which ones have meaning for you.

What efforts are you making to conserve energy and materials, reduce pollution, recycle whatever you can, and protect natural resources and live more sustainably? What things will you try to add to your efforts? Share that too.

 

 

 

Winning Food Prep Tips to Enhance Meals

 

Most of us live busy lives, and want food prep and cooking to be as easy as possible. Take the stress out of hectic weeknights or weekends by simplifying your routine. Discover winning food prep tips to make preparing meals more appealing, and put the love back into nourishment where it belongs.

Post updated 7/18/2026

 

1. Meal plan before you shop by reading recipes you want to make completely before writing down ingredients you need.  Don't forget to check the pantry and refrigerator before you set off to food shop. Simple steps like these prevent you from making food that's too time consuming or overbuying. Be a smart consumer and guard against food waste. Read "Food Waste not Want Checklist" for additional ideas. 

 

2. Purchase organic produce whenever possible. Look for fruits and vegetables that have an organic label with five numbers, starting with the number nine. When you see a USDA organic seal on produce, it means that food was produced according to strict federal regulations. These standards prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, sewage sludge, and ionizing radiation, among others. 

3. Practice being a savvy, mindful food shopper. See “Frugal Food Shopping Ideas to Improve Health on a Budget” for tips.

4. When you feel relaxed and have ample time to make a meal, assemble all ingredients on the kitchen counter in individual bowls or containers. Use a prep technique called Mise en Place (French culinary term). It means "everything in its place," and refers to the practice of measuring, cutting, and arranging all your ingredients and tools before you start cooking. Here’s a guide to help you understand how to organize with Mise en Place.

  

One example of Mise en Place ( ingredients for vegan minestrone soup recipe)

5. Fresh, flavorful herbs bring a depth of flavor to foods, but if herbs are left untouched in the fridge, the will quickly wither away. There are a few simple ways to keep herbs better. Grow them in small pots and keep them on the kitchen windowsill to use as needed. If you buy herbs in the market, wrap hardy ones such as rosemary, thyme, and sage in damp paper towels. Refrigerate herbs in a plastic bag to help retain vibrancy. Keep tender herbs like cilantro, parsley, and dill fresh by storing them upright in water, like flowers. You can also freeze herbs for soups and stews or dry them in a microwave for more concentrated dusts and rubs.

Fresh dill is stored in water and used to make Baby Butter Lettuce and Fennel Spring Salad with Dill  

6. Review the recipe again. Can you chop once, use twice? If you are chopping an onion, chop two! Batch preparation/cooking utilizes a simple meal prep shortcut. Cut back on overall time spent on your meal routine and you are a winner. [1, 3]

 

7. Once you finish preparing a delicious meal, portion it out and serve. If there are any leftovers, it's economical and efficient to refrigerate them and serve the dish the next day. If your schedule doesn't allow for that, freeze leftovers immediately in an airtight container for later use. Remember to defrost the meal in the refrigerator the day before you want to eat it. Add a different sauce or gravy than the one you used the first time. One example is that instead of serving pasta primavera with tomato sauce, serve those spring veggies with a soy sauce-ginger marinade and brown rice.

Careful menu planning, efficient grocery shopping, strategic use of the freezer, and simple meal choices can help the process, making healthful, appetizing eating achievable, despite a demanding schedule.

No matter if you're a beginner or even an extremely experienced cook, there's always room to enhance food prep know-how. Are you open to learning new things? Please comment below.

Do you carry a shopping list, reuseable bags, and have a meal plan in mind when you go food shopping, and why or why not?

Do you gather all ingredients and cooking tools before you begin to cook? Do you think it's a good idea?

Please explain below, and if you care to, share what recipe or type of food is your favorite and why.

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Have You Heard of Three Sisters Gardening?

Here’s the Inside Scoop with Salad Recipe

 

Three Sisters Gardening is a Native American companion planting method (originally coming from the Indigenous peoples of North and Central America). This ancient method of companion planting corn, beans, and squash together in the same or nearby mound, creates a self-sustaining ecosystem where each benefits the others.

Corn (maize) is planted first and acts as a natural trellis for the beans to grown on, climbing (pole) beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, and squash spreads out on the ground as living mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Read “How to Grow a Three Sisters Garden: Corn, Beans, and Squash” for detailed planting information or look below for the shortened version.

Planting Method

Corn: Plant in mounds or hills in late spring, spaced to allow room to plant beans and squash. See 10 Indigenous Corn Cultivars to see the most popular varieties.

Beans: Plant climbing/pole beans near corn after corn has sprouted; beans climb up corn stalks and offer support. Pole beans are climbing legumes categorized by how they are eaten: snap beans (tender pods eaten whole), shelling beans (harvested for the plump seeds inside), and dry beans. They require a trellis to grow and generally produce over a much longer season than bush beans. [1, 2]

Squash: Plant between mounds; the squash plant leaves act as living mulch and offer shade to the earth and deterrent to weeds. Zucchini, yellow crookneck, and patty pan squash are in-season in summer, and are most popular.

An ideal garden plot is at least 10 by 10 feet, receives full sunlight, and has soil pH between 5.5 and 7. Heirloom varieties of seeds are preferred for traditional compatibility. See How to grow a three sisters garden for additional information.

 

Benefits

 

Three Sisters Gardening benefits both crops and the land. The Indigenous ways of knowing that were used to develop and maintain these complex cropping systems can also guide modern farming practices as we try to steer agriculture toward more sustainable outcomes. 

Modern Application

 

The Three Sisters method continues to be practiced and revived in Indigenous food sovereignty movements. It is also used in sustainable gardening and permaculture for its ecological and nutritional benefits. See more at HISTORY.COM.

 🥗On to the food 🥗

Nan's Vegan Three Sisters Salad

Three Sisters Salad celebrates the Native American historic trio of squash, corn, and beans. I modernized this recipe to feature the freshest in-season ingredients available for a colorful side dish or light lunch that’s simple to assemble and highly customizable.

 Salad Ingredients:

1 6 oz. package fresh snap peas or 1 15 oz. can of any variety of pole beans (rinsed and drained)

1 lb. frozen organic corn kernels or organic corn kernels from 2 or 3 ears of corn on the cob

2 zucchini squash or 1 zucchini and 1 yellow summer squash

1 small organic red pepper cut into small pieces

1 small organic onion or small bunch organic scallions diced (cut off roots and peel if it is an onion, prep and use white and green parts of scallions)

1 small handful of fresh parsley or other fresh or dried herb on hand

1 handful of roasted pumpkin seeds or roasted sunflower seeds 

Optional salad ingredients: 1 T smoked paprika (use if you're not charring corn and zucchini), 2 T fresh parsley, basil, or sage or 1 T of dried herbs, plus any optional veggies or beans you enjoy.

Salad Dressing Ingredients:

3 T extra virgin olive oil

1 T apple cider vinegar

2 T fresh squeezed lemon juice or 2T fresh squeezed lime juice

1 T Dijon mustard

1 T maple syrup

1T garlic powder

1T fresh oregano, plus optional herbs or spices you enjoy

salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

What to Do:

Cook fresh organic corn on the cob by broiling it in the oven, or grilling corn outdoors, until it is lightly browned. Remove from heat, place on a dish, and let it rest for a few moments. Then use an oven glove to hold the cob vertically and use a sharp knife to remove/strip corn kernels off. Put corn kernels on a plate, to cool. If you want to reduce prep time, use a pound of organic frozen corn kernels that has been thawed and add that to a large chilled salad bowl.

Do the same prep for fresh zucchini and yellow summer squash (please do not peel squash as skin is edible and healthy). Add squash to the salad bowl.

Note: For the boldest flavor, I broil or grill my corn and squash before adding them to the salad. That little bit of char adds a smoky sweetness that takes Three Sisters Salad to the next level!

Prep other veggies and add herbs and spices, red pepper, and any optional veggies and herbs you enjoy. As I mentioned, this recipe is versatile. I like to add a can of garbanzos (chick peas), black beans, or other bean I already have in my pantry. I always rinse and drain a can of beans before adding it, as I want to keep my meals as low in sodium as possible. For a garnish add toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds and a few sprinkles of fresh herbs. Just remember if you add extra veggies, adjust the salad dressing and seasonings accordingly. 

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the salad dressing ingredients listed above together, and pour on salad right before serving. 

Once salad is combined, serve immediately. I added a bed of mixed greens under my salad veggies as dark green leafy salad veggies add crunch and nutrients. You may prefer to serve your salad on a bed of ancient grains, or with crackers, or artisan whole grain bread.

If you have any left-overs, refrigerate them in an airtight container and eat them within 3 days. The lemon juice and apple cider vinegar will make salad ingredients soften, the longer they are refrigerated. Flavor will be heightened.

Have you ever heard of or seen Three Sisters Gardening? Please comment below. 

Would you like to try your hand at planting a Three Sisters Garden or use the combo of corn, pole beans, and squash in a salad, soup, stew, or casserole? 

I'd love for you to comment below. 

I welcome and appreciate all comments, but cannot publish those that contain links. Thanks for understanding. 

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