365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge

I wish you a Merry Christmas, a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year! After 2,5 years sharing daily posts I've decided to take a break too to recharge my batteries. I'll be back on January 10th. Love you all and I look forward to seeing you again next year! ❤️

Imagine a beautiful day and a comfortable chair to sit in. Next to it a little book shelf with books for you to read and take home. That's made possible in this public garden. I like the opportunity to enjoy nature, and reuse books.

This is a great idea by Tony Hussein, who uses and old pen holder to put his toiletries in. It saves him from buying a new holder and trowing away the unused pen holder. Great!

This drone reminds me of a robot lawn mower! It's a hardworking and loyal worker. Good job! And your daily advent surprise: https://healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar #sustainableLiving #pollutionfree #cleanup Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: This drone eats trash to clean up our oceans. #plasticfree #saveourocean #beachcleanup #savetheoceans #eco #ecofriendly #saveourseas #zerowaste #cleanenergy #ecofriendlyproducts #sustainability #sustainabilitymatters #gogreen

I have heard others talking about leaving the tap on whilst brushing their teeth. I can’t remember ever having done so, but I do remember brushing my teeth under the shower, which is similar. So I now consciously don’t do that anymore to save water.

These goats have a great life! Look at their view, but even more interesting: they were not living in an enclosure. They were free to go wherever they want and chose to stay.

Now this is great! They made this statue from bananas, which were all eaten afterwards, so that no food was wasted! Wonderful and clever! Your daily advent surprise: https://healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar #zerowaste #stopfoodwaste #sustainableLiving #SDG2 Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Creativity at its best 👌 #EcoFriendly Lord Ganesha built from 1 million Banana on #GaneshChaturthi All Bananas got distributed among the devotees and poor after they dismantled it. So there was Zero wastage of food

To prevent my bike chain for wearing off unnecessarily, I make sure I oil it every now and then. This way, there is less friction so that the chain lasts longer. 

Do you notice anything special in this picture? When I saw the picture, I didn't so I forgot why I took it! But suddenly I remembered that the roof is covered with solar panels. So neatly, that they are hardly distinguishable. Very clever and environmentally friendly.

Sometimes I can hardly believe this is real. So beautiful! Can you imagine doing something that would put this beauty in danger? I can't, that's why I share easy ways to live more #environmentallyFriendly. And your daily advent surprise: https://healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar #naturelovers Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: It's amazing 😍😍😍 #birds #wildlifephotography #wildlife #naturelovers #nature #NaturePhotography #blackbird #underwaterphotography #birding #birdwatching

One of my friends has exchanged her contact lenses for glasses (#150).  As she does not need the bag for the contact lenses anymore, we decided to bring it back to the shop. They can give it to the next customer and save waste.

How can we ensure that we buy high quality ingredients or food? Catherine Polet answers this question in this video. And she explains how you can recognize from a bought egg whether the chickens had a good life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRMuhF-5HH4

During my workshop about sustainability at the workplace, I noticed that I didn't close one of the markers properly. To make sure it doesn't dry out and they have to buy a new one sooner, I corrected this by pressing the cover tight.

What a nice piece of clothing! Of course it’s not meant for wearing. Instead, it is designed by Asja Radakovic to make the gap between fashion and nature smaller. It is her way to stress the importance of clean and ethical slow fashion.

In this video you can see you some clever #recycling: the result looks very strong. And what I love is that it doesn't take long, they need little equipment and no electricity. Way to go! And your daily advent calendar surprise: https://healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar #sustainableLiving Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: 1 मिनट के अंदर, पुरानी साड़ी को रस्सी में #Recycle कर दिया सिर्फ 50रु में. Recyling, Rural Entrepreneurship & Innovation की अनोखी मिसाल..

The washable toilet paper I create (#197) works perfectly well too for blowing my nose.

Do you know what urban mining is? It is extracting materials from old buildings and use them for new ones. This makes it possible to save a lot of resources including materials, production time, and energy. It's way more environmentally friendly than starting from scratch!

This is an old tweet, but contains a rather accurate prediction! These hydrogen powered trains are already used in one area of Germany and 41 further trains will be available in 2022 to replace less #environmentallyFriendly petrol trains. #sustainableLiving #renewableenergy Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Germany 🇩🇪 is launching the most environmentally friendly trains in the world. They are powered by hydrogen and oxygen. The only waste they produce is water. #Innovation #ecofriendly #Germany #Railways #tech #renewables #sustainability

During my workshop about sustainability at the work place, I did not only teach how to do things more environmentally friendly: I also put it into practice during the workshop. For example: I used the flipchart paper on both sides, so that I only needed one sheet.

When thinking about sustainable living or diets, it is common to think that this means restricting yourself. In this video, you will learn why is more effective to stop restricting yourself   and focus on what you do want.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXlwJyMuKIM

This picture is a great example for me, how worthy trees are. Trees are here for us: they can live without us, but we not without them. And your daily advent surprise: https://healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar #naturelovers #naturelover #sustainableLiving #deforestation Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: #NaturePhotography ..💛💛💚💚💚

I have been thinking how I can reduce the amount of water that is flushed by my toilet. I was thinking about putting stones in the reservoir. But then I found out that you can actually change the settings of the toilet. Much easier!

What can you do with old stewardesses clothes? I guess no second hand shop would want them. So why not create new fibers from them? That's what this open source machine does. The blue fibers are from KLM (Dutch airlines) outfits. The technique needs improvement, but they're on their way!

"One thread a day makes a sleeve in a year" This is a Dutch saying meaning that whatever goal you want to achieve, take one step at a time and keep going as they do add up. You daily advent surprise: https://www.healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar #sustainableLiving #mentalHealth #naturelover Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: The Architect who never goes to school .😍❤️ #birds #NaturePhotography

 This bike is a memorial for a lady who died there on December 18th, 2020.  She was a cyclist, so upcycling this old bike feels very appropriate and reduces waste.

Wow, wow, wow! I would not imagine a bird on our beautiful planet to look and sound like this one. #Nature continue to impress me and is so worth respecting and protecting! #naturelovers #sustainableLiving #biodiversity Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: The Urutau, or Ghost Bird, is known for its hauntingly beautiful sound, and is rarely seen during the day. Populations of this nocturnal beauty have declined due to deforestation. #NatureBeauty #nature 🌿

I try to keep the door closed when I have the heating on.  My reasoning: the more heat leaves the room, the more heating I need to make the room warmer.

When I go for a run, will I be more or less hungry afterwards? You may expect more, but the opposite is true: movement decreases appetite by changing the hormone level that causes hunger. This helps to only eat what I need. Today's advent surprise:  https://www.healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar

Wow, a walking fish! #Nature never stops surprising me. And allowing this special creature to walk around on a #plasticfree bottom of the sea is another good reason for me to live #environmentallyFriendly! #naturelovers #naturelover #sustainableLiving Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Hairy Striated frogfish 😀🐟🐡🐬 #nature #NaturePhotography #naturelovers

Tidying up my house gave me a great feeling. And it helped going through some drawers and see what I still have. I forgot about certain things, so by being reminded, I can make sure I don't buy it again.

Trial and error is often my friend, as it teaches me a lot. E.g., my partner wanted to use unused notepads, instead of buying paper, but needed holes in unusual places. I liked his idea to drill the holes, but that didn't work. In the end, we succeeded with a hole puncher.

For breakfast, I usually eat bread. As I eat all breadcrumbs from my plate (#179), I have decided to reuse my plate several times. This saves plates in the dishwasher, so that it has to run less often.

Do you have an equivalent in your language for the Dutch saying "after rain comes sunshine"? And what's fascinating: depending on how we deal with the situation we can even conjure up the sunshine. Here's today's advent surprise for you: https://healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar #naturelover Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Better things are coming. #nature #photography #naturelovers

Tony Hussein shared this great idea, to switch off the mains when going on a holiday. I already shared about switching off the fridge (#24), but there might be other devices that still use electricity, such as the clock on the oven. This way, I can switch off - and on again when I get back - all at once and not miss anything.

Do you want your voice to be heard? Then I have good news: you can so do daily, as spending money, or not, is like voting (see video). You can e.g. vote for sustainable living by gifting someone the printed 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge book: https://amzn.to/31Hs70S

I love Damilice's honesty: that it wasn't easy to take this beautiful close-up. Because on social media, we often see the (perfect) end-result not realizing how much work was put into it to get to this result. So thank you @DamilicePhoto for your effort! #sustainableLiving Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: This little guy has been a challenge to photograph. After a year of visiting Colombia, I finally got a close-up of the Rainbow Bearded Thornbill. @ThePhotoHour #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #NaturePhotography #TwitterNatureCommunity #Colombia

As hair can be used as fertilizer, we decided to give my boyfriends’ beard hairs after shaving to my plant. I hope my plant likes it :).

Biodiversity at home. When I walked past this house, I was happily surprised by the many different types of trees in their garden! It proves that each of us can improve biodiversity and it's beautiful! And access your daily advent surprise at https://www.healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar

What a great picture! It makes me think of the importance of having joy in life. What is it that you'll enjoy today? I'll be chatting with a friend again after not having the chance to talk for a few weeks. #naturelover #naturelovers #sustainableLiving Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: My dad captured the absolute joy of a robin hopping into a birdbath today! #birds #TwitterNatureCommunityShow this thread

I walked past this fence and was impressed by how natural leftovers were used in such a great way! It not only helps to reduce waste, it also saves the owner from buying new materials!

What do you want for Christmas? I’ve been asked this recently and have been wondering as I don’t want stuff. I realized it's financial support, so I can keep my work for you up. Do you want to give me a present too? You can do so at https://www.erlijn.nl/paypal.htm Thank you!❤️

This is so right! We might just be looking in the wrong direction. That's why focus is so important: whatever it is, we will be looking in that direction. So, I prefer looking at what I want instead of what not. And here is today's advent surprise: https://www.healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Sometimes the thing you're searching for your whole life, it's right there by your side all along. #birds #nature #photos #photooftheday #naturephotography #LovelyBirdsInChina

I have to admit that I don’t drink coffee. But I have been asked on Twitter to add this item. And it’s true, using this cups generates a lot of waste, as one is needed for every cup.

I've been testing ways to open pumpkin seeds. My quickest result so far: let them dry for one week and open them in the way as shown in the video. This way, no food is wasted. I love to hear when you have an even better tactic! Daily advent surprise: https://www.healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar

Aww, I can't stop myself from sharing so much love with you! And when looking at them, I see again that we have so much more in common with other animals than we often realize. #love #kindnessmatters #animalJustice #sustainableLiving Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: ※※※ This cute family hug 🤗💝😘 #wildlifephotography #wildearth

I found a nice recipe to create vegan body scrub. https://wiewowasistgut.com/zitronen-zucker-peeling-wellness-wochen-mit-paydirekt/ It is really easy to make, as it basically involves chopping the lemon up, mixing it with the rest and storing it cool. 1 lemon 30 g olive oil 40 g coconut oil 300 g sugar I love the oily feeling after having used the scrub.  

This is now obligatory in The Netherlands: whenever something is built, such as a road or a house, and trees around it could be hurt by for example a truck, they have to be protected as you can see here. I love this as trees are precious!

Not everyone has access to clean #water. Did you know that 2% dehydration already affects us? We have less energy, possible head aches, brain fog, ... Enough reasons to stay hydrated and make it available to all. And today's surprise: https://www.healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar #SDG6 #gogreen Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Water is the driving force of all nature 🧡🍂🦌 have a lovely Friday 😌 #daughterpic #nature #beauty #NaturePhotography #photooftheday #photo #fridaymorning

Making my salad (#78), I used some oil for the sauce. But as I was thinking about my Challenge, I didn’t pay attention. So I poured in too much oil. I decided to pour it back in the original container, so that I didn’t have to throw it away.

Sometimes I forget how much certain activities recharge me. For example yesterday, I did a jigsaw puzzle, which a very mindful activity: it emptied my mind of thoughts for hours. Have a mindful Sunday too and check out your daily advent surprise at https://www.healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar

This beautiful picture reminds me of butter. Butter? Yes, butter also has the tendency to hide right in front of my eyes. 🤣 We'll see whether my coconut oil does this too, which I've started eating instead to reduce dairy. #sustainableLiving #naturelovers #veganism Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Great Grey Owl - British Columbia, Canada. Hiding in plain sight

When I have old clothes that also someone else can't wear anymore, it makes sense to keep the parts that I can still use. So, I appreciate this idea by @BluePati to keep the elastics and use them to make other clothes fit better.  

This is a lovely present: I received it for being self-employed for one year. When I opened it, I felt that the paper was different: a little rough instead of smooth. After reading the congratulation message, I understood why: the paper contains seeds for a fruitful future.

Often in life, we know what to do, and what is good for us, but we're still not doing it. Such as resting/moving more, drinking less alcohol, stop smoking, etc. What is it for you? I'll be resting today. And check out your daily advent surprise at https://healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: One of the many highlights of our tours in wildlife packed #CostaRica tent bats! Tiny and so so cute! Come and join us

Apart from reusing my cup to reduce dishes (#67), I decided to share my glass. Instead of having two glasses for washing up, I only had one.

As a child, each year I got an advent calendar as present. It contained chocolate. This year, Catherine Polet and I have created one for you, which is environmentally friendly. Click here to access your daily surprise: https://healthyyouhealthyplanet.earth/advent-calendar

Imagine to have all these beautiful guests on your balcony! As they don't live where I live, I'm fascinated and love this peek in other parts of the world; the beautiful planet which conservation I support daily. #naturelover #naturelovers #sustainableLiving Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: lorikeets are any of 53 species of exceptionally colourful parrots of Australia and New Guinea that feed on pollen and nectar and small insects and are important pollinators of many trees, including coconut palms.Show this thread

I read in one of my magazines (Happy Way) how I can regrow spring onions. It is very easy: I kept about 5 cm (2 inches) from the bottom and put it into an old pizza glass with a little water. Then only exchange the water every three days and after a few weeks, I have a new spring onion.  

A baby is born. What do you gift? Many buy new clothes where I live, but the children can't wear these often. So, I've decided to give a more sustainable present: I sawed these letters and painted them. They will bring joy for many years and I had to buy nothing.

Great moves lovely bird! I love dancing too. It's a great way to empty my mind. #nature #naturelovers #naturelover Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Beautiful Birds

Sometimes during cooking, I let something fall on the ground.  Instead of throwing it away, I wash it. I’m glad when I don’t have to throw away any food.

This is so smart: as you can see from the name of this shop, you can normally buy ice cream here. But as in winter no one wants to buy this, they sell warm hats and socks instead. That's making good use of facilities, reducing costs and other resources.

When we do what we really love, we can work on it for a long time even when the fruits aren’t there yet. So, the other way around: when I don't love what I do because there are no fruits yet, I can ask myself whether this is really my passion. #sustainableLiving Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: My dragon fruit plant is growning well in the greenhouse. This dragonfruit plant was grown from seed. I know it may take up to two years to bear fruit, but what can i do gardening is my passion!😀👨‍🌾

You may think "yak, using a mask you found"! But don't worry, this mask was still sealed in its original wrapping. When I opened it, it was indeed brand new, so perfectly hygienic.