The Green Leaf Diaries

Since 2017, sustainability enthusiasts around the world have joined the Plastic Free Foundation on Social Media to promote " plastic free July ." Think, Whole30 elimination diet, but with plastic. So this July, challenge yourself to limit the amount of plastic you use and purchase. We're not all perfect (even I have my weaknesses... cough. berries), but if we all at least tried to reduce our plastic, we could make quite a difference. In case you don't know where to start, here are a few easy ways to say no to plastic this July. You've probably read this before, or not, but either way give it a shot! 1. Carry a water bottle. EVERYWHERE. Swell water bottle and Miir coffee mug. This is one of those suggestions you see all the time, and the first thing I started doing. You will NEVER find me without my trusty (and quite banged up)  Swell Bottle . My criteria were simply for an insulated, steel bottle with a screw on lid. The latter was because I neede...

If anyone is truly interested in taking on this challenge of reducing the amount of waste you create, I highly recommend it. Over the last six weeks that I’ve been transitioning to zero-waste, I’ve experienced a number of new things. It has been challenging and incredibly exciting to work it all out, not to mention it makes for a great conversation starter! So I thought I’d share with you some of the highlights: Your friends will be curious. Probably my favorite aspect of my zero-waste mission has been talking to people about it. People at the grocery store, my friends and family, even my co-workers. Everyone wants to know how you do it, and some might even take up the cause as well. So keep on keeping on! Cooking. You will start cooking AND (gasp!) meal-prepping (AKA strategically packaging leftovers for the week). For me, cooking for one sadly wasn't something I did very often. Not that I didn't like to cook, I just didn't make it a priority. Now I have star...

So, I'm going to be completely honest, shopping clean and package-free requires a bit of preparation. There's a learning curve, and it is much easier to slowly ease into the process instead of diving right in. Check out my previous post for the story of my first grocery trip trying to go package-free... to say the least, I was NOT prepared. I have a really bad habit of going list free and just buying whatever looks good. That being said, you are going to want to have a sort of meal plan in mind as going package-free means you will be cooking your meals and snacks. I'm a big snacker and my first week trying this was a bit of a challenge because all my usual snacks were packaged in plastic or some other form of questionable packaging. Bye bye Belvita snacks and fruit snacks. Time to learn to make my own! On the bright side, this is a whole new way to approach healthy eating since most of the bad stuff comes in packaging! Go figure! THINGS YOU WILL NEED: Reusable...

It has been 7 days... SEVEN WHOLE DAYS since I started intentionally avoiding plastic. Have you ever stopped to take a look at everything around you that is plastic? Let me save you the trouble and just tell you that it is pretty much everything. According to a recent article from Thrive Global , "an estimated 500 million plastic straws are used every day in the US alone... Every minute one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into the ocean and by 2050, scientists project that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight." My poor boyfriend had the pleasure of being on the phone with me on my way to the grocery store for my first shopping experience sans plastic. It might have gone something like this... Me: Seriously reconsidering my decisions here, I think I'm only going to be able to buy produce. Him: I'm sure you'll figure something out. Me: But I'm really craving cookies and I can't buy them! Him: Could you make them? ...

It's been quite some time since I've felt inspired to write and publish a blog, but guess what?!? I have found inspiration! And a CHALLENGE. Do you remember the girl from several years ago who was in the news because of the minuscule amount of trash she produced in 5 years? The one that all of our eyes bug out because we make 10x that amount of trash in just one day? This girl? Well her name is Lauren Singer, and I want to be her when I grow up. She has an awesome blog, Trash is for Tossers , and business, Package Free Shop , which have both inspired me to try going trash free! So I'm going to give it the old college try. I know that I can't make an immediate change, but I can take small, intentional steps in the right direction. All it takes is seeing video clips like this one to make me seriously reconsider my purchasing habits: I feel like I need to save those penguins! I'd say they could move in with me, but I don't do well in the cold ...

I  know that there always comes a point in ones life/travels where it is time for them to move on. Time to close this chapter. Time to take on the next adventure that lies just around the corner. But honestly, right now I just want to freeze time.  Sloth inside La Ruka Hostel .  I want to capture all those special little moments I've had with my friends here so that I can keep them forever.  Pirate Trivia - Tasty Waves Cantina I want to be able to go back to those nights I tore up the dance floor at The Lazy Mon , rocked an air band rendition of Journey's epic anthem Don't Stop Believing at Tasty Waves , or just spent my afternoons with the best of friends out at Playa Cocles.   Karaoke Night - Tasty Waves Cantina There have been so many times I've said, "Remember this moment" in the back of my mind. Like the times I would see my friends after a long time apart and get the biggest hug and kiss on the cheek you could imagine. Like...

Hopefully up to now, you have gotten a pretty good idea about Costa Rica and what I am doing down here for the time being. And even further, I hope that you are strongly considering a trip to this beautiful paradise I have been blessed to call home for the last year. Whatever your situation, I hope to provide you with some honest information regarding travel in Costa Rica and experiences with the Tico culture. First of all, Costa Rica isn’t necessarily cheap. Yes, some things such as fresh produce are much cheaper, but the luxuries are not. Gas is quite expensive and clothes and beauty products are comparable, if not more, than you would pay in the States. For accommodation, you can generally stay somewhere as cheap as $10 per night (depending on where you are) or as expensive as $300+ per night. My suggestion is that if you plan on doing excursions and having cultural experiences just get a cheap room or stay at a hostel because, let’s be honest, you won’t be spending that much t...

Since I have been down here I have had a lot (and I mean A LOT) of time to read. So far I've blown through almost 4 books, and I've only been back for about 5 weeks.. That's a lot of reading. A friend had suggested I read the book The Art of Non-Conformity  by Chris Guillebeau. The tag line alone reads "Set your own rules, live the life you want and change the world." Sounds like my kind of book. And no, it's not one of those annoying self-help books, I'd say it is more inspirational and empowering.. I've been into books like this lately. This book really made me stop and think what would truly make me happy. Since moving to Costa Rica last year I have constantly been worried about what I will do after I graduate. Will I be able to find a job? What do I actually want to do? Where do I want to live? All of these questions have been piling up in the back of my head and stressing me out. And I've been updating my LinkedIn profile and apply...

Dating. It's complex and crazy. Add someone who travels into the mix and you are playing in a whole new ball game. I recently came across two fantastic articles on dating men and women who travel. Though I still have yet to travel much, I have this intense desire to see the world in any way I can. We who travel have seen poverty, lived frugally, and even stood on top of mountains. Our hearts long for more and we have become addicted to the thrill of visiting a new place and meeting new people. We are different, and therefore difficult to date.. Date a Boy Who Travels  by Lena Desmond Date A Boy Who Travels Date a boy who travels. Date a boy who treasures experience over toys, a hand-woven bracelet over a Rolex. Date the boy who scoffs when he hears the words, “vacation”, “all-inclusive” or “resort”. Date a boy who travels because he’s not blinded by a single goal but enlivened by many. You might find him in an airport or at a book store browsing the travel guides – alt...

I live in paradise. I don't think I've ever been this happy in my life. And no, I haven't found love down here (insert eye roll).. Unless you consider my love for this place and the friends I have found in it. Because, that I have found. I don't know what I did right in my life, but somehow I ended up in one of the most beautiful and friendly communities in Central America. I feel so unbelievably blessed I cannot even put it into words.  There are many ups and downs to this place though. Yes, the natural beauty and vibes are intoxicating. But life here is not for the faint at heart. Spending a short time here may not seem like enough, but an extended period can be too much for some people. It is very easy to just get lost in the everyday parties and celebrations and completely forget about work and sleeping. This I have learned from experience.  Managing time and sleep is extremely important. The people who call this place home have it down to an art. ...

I have found bliss. Family. Friends. And the most incredible energy and feeling of love in this place. La Ruka Hostel in Puerto Viejo is truly a gem. The people. The atmosphere. The energy. You simply can't leave this place without longing to come back. I'm one to talk. I've stayed there almost every free weekend I've had since being down here. And trust me... that's a lot! Even now that I have my own place, I still find a reason to stop by and hang out. Here I have found some of the most incredible people who welcome me home every time I walk through the gates. The hugs and kisses are in abundance. These people are truly enlightened and empowered and share their love with everyone. I have had the opportunity to celebrate the full moon with the Mayan traditional Chocolate Ceremony. They have random jam sessions and family dinners. Not to mention everyone is happy to go out on the town with you and dance like crazy! So if you are ever in Puerto Viejo,...

It is now 2014. I still can’t believe it. As I sit in my new “Jungle House,” completely disconnected, I really cannot believe this is my life right now.. Out here I have no wi-fi, no A/C, no hot water, yes I do have electricity and running water, though other so-called luxuries are lacking. But frankly, it’s not that bad. And I have to say… I kind of like it. Honestly, I was quite nervous the first night. Up until now, I have never even lived by myself in the states, and now I’m out in the jungle of Costa Rica on my own. Talk about a challenge. The first night was kind of hard for me because I’m used to at least being able to watch Netflix or check Facebook when I got bored, but out here it’s only me and my thoughts. Let’s just say I’ve already finished one book… and I only brought 5. It really is nice though. The property is absolutely beautiful. Very secluded. Many people today are afraid to be left alone with their own thoughts. And it is kind of scary at first, but af...

I'm going to miss this place. As much as we complained about this town over the last 6 months and tried to get out every weekend we could, it really was a great place to live. I'm going to miss the Central Valley rain. The afternoon downpours that made for the perfect nap. Seeing the Turrialba Volcano puffing smoke on a clear day. Smelling the scent of fresh cut grass and rain. Even the lights from the houses in the mountains sparkling like Christmas lights at night. I'm going to miss being surrounded by beautiful mountains and landscapes that literally take your breath away. All these things made for perfect bike rides to the grocery store, walks or runs around campus, and even bus rides in and out of town. Turri Town may occasionally be referred to as "Terrible," but I do have to say that it is a perfect, quiet, safe, country town. So the night life isn't all that great, who cares? The people are absolutely incredible. And you are surrounded by natural...

I will apologize now, this one is a little more personal.. I feel like so much has happened in the last few weeks. It is different when you are living in paradise and surrounded by natural beauty and wonderful people. You don't really want to think about the sad things. I knew coming into this program that I was signing up to be an international professional, but I never thought it would be hard being this far away from home. A few weeks ago I got news that my grandmother had passed away. I had no idea I would take it as hard as I did, but being so far away from your family in such times is much harder than you can ever imagine. Fortunately I was able to make it home for the funeral and some spend much needed time with my family, but I am beginning to understand that I may not always be so lucky. Today, my dance teacher of 15 years, and her husband passed away. She was an inspiration to me and so many other young girls. She was tough and unrelenting, but she taught us how to ...