I always say that living sustainably doesnt have to involve becoming an eco-warrior overnight; growing your own food, making your own clothes and living in an eco (or tree) house. It simply means making a conscious effort to live a little greener, doing as much or as little as you can. Whether its making a switch to natural cleaning products, having a little less meat and buying less stuff, or going completely plastic free and vegan. It doesn’t have to be a stressful process, it should be easy and fun!

So, to demonstrate the varied and fun ways you can live a greener life, I wanted to interview a few inspiring people who have done just that. And so “your Green Life” is born; quizing people on what green living means to them, their insider advice on doing it the lazy way and, more importantly, what inspires them to keep it up!

First up is the lovely Bianca Scartabello from the fabulous lifestyle blog, The Friendly Fig…

 

“The Friendly Fig is a space for happy, healthy humans. As a writer, I have always wanted to start my own blog, but could never find the motivation or inspiration. Once I adopted a vegan lifestyle earlier in the year, I knew instantly that this is what I want to share with the world. I want to show people that going vegan is not a restrictive! It has allowed me to be creative in the kitchen, and I enjoy food much more. I truly want people to see how easy and enjoyable a plant-based lifestyle can be!

Of course, there is also other factors, because I am a lover of music, fashion, inspiration, and just a general adoration for life in itself. So there is plenty more than just vegan recipes and tips!

My best friend and blogging partner, Sara Day, has been interested in veganism for a while. She lives in PA, so she visits when she can. When she came over about a month ago, I made her a vegan feast, and it really kickstarted her to begin a plant-based journey. With her help and voice, our site appeals to both vegans and those who are flirting with a plant-based diet. I really love that we have this balance. We hope to inspire vegans, vegetarians, and happy humans alike.”

What does green living mean to you, and how do you incorporate it into your life?

To me, green living means that you do what you can to protect our beautiful Earth. You not only have your own healthy in mind, but the world around you. Life is so much more beautiful when you can do things that benefit the greater good.

I believe I incorporate green living into my own life, first and foremost, by being vegan. Veganism, of course, benefits animals. But aside from that, Veganism is also a major benefit when it comes to the environment.  From climate change to pollution, you can minimize your carbon footprint on this beautiful Earth by eating plant-based.

Oh, and I am also one of those people who LOVE  to make their own cleaning products. I am so proud of this!! And they smell way better than that store-bought crap!! My favorite and easiest solution is just 3 parts warm water, 1 part white vinegar, juice from 1 lemon.

Why do you think it’s important to live a sustainable lifestyle?

You need to do your part to maintain the beauty of Earth, our home. Plain and simple!  You don’t trash your house, do you?

What have you found the easiest thing to implement?

The easiest for me has been revamping my entire diet and sticking with it. Honestly, I thought it would be tough at first but I took baby steps. Then I watched the documentaries and it was an easy yes. I’ve never looked back.

What habits have you found tricky to get started or maintain?

The hardest for me is to drive less. I have a 40 minute commute to work every morning, and that pains me! I really would love a day where I drive minimally. That is in part as to why I am trying to jumpstart blogging as my career. Not only do I love it with all my heart, but I could stay home most days. If I need some inspiration, I can take a walk! I live in a beautiful neighborhood with a park close by and town just down the road. I also want to ride my bicycle more!

Favourite idea or tip for living green without costing too much time or money?

Do your research. Head on over to Pinterest! Look at green living recipes for household cleaners. Figure out which stores around you are inexpensive for the products you are buying. Support your local farmers – they are fresh AND cheap! If you currently eat meat, start to incorporate more fruits and veggies, and over time, it will be easier to back away from. As long as you do a little bit of research, you can turn your life around – whether you simply want to live greener or give veganism a go. The internet, people… it is a beautiful thing 🙂

Who or what keeps you inspired?

I find inspiration in a lot of places, from my life at home with my boyfriend & our calico kitty to my Pinterest boards! Hehe. I take a walk outside, and there is inspiration ALL AROUND! Now that it is autumn, I am feeling more inspired than ever. I love the colors and foliage in New England. Most recently, I completed my first YA novel and that was keeping me inspired. As long as I am inspired, I will continue to write (and I hope that will never change!)

Keep up with the fantatsic Friendly Fig ladies:

• Facebook: http://facebook.com/thefriendlyfig
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/thefriendlyfig
• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bscartabello
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/biancascart
• Google +: http://plus.google.com/+biancascartabello23