Nourished by Motion

Are you a first time parent looking to build a lifestyle that is healthy for both your loved ones and our environment? It can be hard to know where to start and what to do, especially when you are on a budget. I’ll share 6 simple tips to help you begin a healthier, more environmentally conscious, and budget-friendly lifestyle.

Shop Local

Shopping local can be more friendly to our Earth and your wallet. Shopping for local produce helps to support your local farmers and helps to connect you to the community. In many cases, buying your produce at a farmer’s market can be a cheaper option because local farmers don’t have to pay for long-distance transportation and sell straight to the consumer in a wholesale fashion. It is beneficial for our environment because it reduces transportation emissions, avoids unnecessary plastic packaging and promotes a way of farming that often uses more sustainable practices. Plus locally grown food is more fresh and has a much longer shelf life!

Buy Fruits and Vegetables In-Season

Buying fruits and vegetables in season is a simple yet impactful way to live more sustainably. Similar to shopping locally, it reduces transportation emissions since the produce doesn’t have to travel as far to reach your community, lowering its overall carbon footprint. Additionally, seasonal produce requires fewer preservatives and chemicals to maintain freshness, making it a healthier choice. As a bonus, eating in-season fruits and vegetables may even support your immune system and help with seasonal allergies.

Buying Second Hand Clothes

The fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment, with fast fashion being the biggest culprit. This industry promotes cheaply made clothing that is shipped over seas and often discarded after only a few wears, contributing to massive waste. Buying secondhand clothing is an excellent way to be more environmentally conscious—it helps reduce waste, conserve energy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize water consumption.

Cloth Diapering

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that around 20 billion disposable diapers are thrown away each year. This accounts for about 4.1 million tons of the waste that we produce in the US each year. Cloth diapers offer a great way to decrease your overall environmental impact becasue they are reusable, contribute to less landfill waste, and lower material and chemical demand. It can also be a much cheaper option as parents in the United States typically spend between $840 to $1000 per year on disposable diapers (even more if you opt for “eco-friendly” options).

Overall, the most important thing to remember is that living more sustainably doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. It all starts with small, intentional changes—whether it’s choosing reusable products, shopping secondhand, reducing waste, or opting for eco-friendly alternatives. Over time, these small shifts add up, creating a meaningful impact not just on the environment but also on your family’s health and well-being. By making conscious choices, you’re setting a positive example for your children, teaching them the value of caring for the planet. Sustainable living is a journey, and every step you take—no matter how small—moves us all toward a healthier, greener future.

Thank you for choosing to live sustainably. 🙂

What are some simple ways your family incorporates eco-friendly habits into daily life?