An Easy, Three-Step Guide to Sustainable Shopping

When going shopping, there are three easy things you can do to make your experience more sustainable for the earth. And who doesn't want that?

1) Do Your Research

It's one thing to make your shopping list, but another to know who and what's behind what you're buying. Do your research! What companies are you supporting? Do their values align with yours? Can you find a local alternative? Shopping locally keeps money in your own communities. Take the time to get to know the workers and small business owners. Conversations go a long way. Not only will you find that they're likely your neighbors, but that they're willing to do just about anything to help you get what you need! If they don't have it, they probably know someone who does. And give what they have in stock a chance. Perhaps you don't really need to have that certain color? Smaller shops can't support the large inventories of major companies, but think about it, a blue water bottle works just as well as a purple one, right?

2) Plan Ahead

Optimize your shopping trip by planning your route ahead of time. No need to drive back and forth; if you map out your stops you'll be more efficient and save on gas (and therefore lower your carbon footprint)! Alternately, you could do all your shopping downtown. Parking and/or walking (or biking) to shops is the most earth-friendly way and I guarantee the fresh air and movement will do your body and spirits some good.

3) Be Prepared

Inevitably you'll need a bag to carry your purchases and, of course, someone will get hungry. Here are some key items to bring with you to insure happiness levels stay in check. Oh, and they'll keep you from needing to use disposable paper/plastic goods while you're out! Win!

• Reusable Snack Bag: Ditch those plastic bags for a cuter, reusable option! Easy to clean, you can just throw these snack-sized bags in the dish washer. Did I mention that they also come in sandwich bag size?

• Badger Lip Balm: My current favorite is the Tea Tree & Lemon flavor. The primary ingredients are cocoa butter, olive oil, and beeswax. Plus, the Badger Company is right here in NH! Their Hardworking Hands balm is awesome too...

• Stainless Steel Insulated Tumbler: Keep your hot beverages warm for hours AND avoid adding yet another disposable cup to some landfill. Coffee shops will often give you a discount for bringing your own mug...

• Stainless Steel Water Bottle: How is it that plastic water bottles are still a thing? Bring your own water bottle and fill it up for free. It's a no-brainer. 

• Reusable Napkin: People Towels makes some super cute, organic cotton towels that are small enough to fit in a purse. Use that instead of a paper napkin or towel, throw it in the wash after a few uses, and repeat! 

• Bamboo Utensils: Purchased lunch while you were out? Use your own reusable utensils instead of the plastic ones offered. Think about how much less waste we'd create if everyone did this!

• Chico Bag: Reusable shopping bags are the way to go. Clip this one to your coat pocket or purse and you'll never forget it "in the back of the car." 

• Hemp Backpack: Hemp is awesome because it's easily grown without the use of harmful/toxic pesticides, and among other beneficial factors, it's one of the strongest/most insulating/absorbent of the naturally occurring fibers. 

A post shared by Bona Fide Green Goods (@bonafidegreengoods) on Jan 19, 2017 at 4:14pm PST

Rainbow in My Own Backyard

"Congrats Newlyweds Pam & Maddie"
marquee at the Capitol Center for the Arts 

At 1:33pm on the 15^th of January 2017, I was officially pronounced married to my best friend, Pam. We wed on the State House lawn in the cold of winter, because following the November election we worried we might not have the privilege to marry in the future. But also because we wanted a reason to bring people together. Concord has been a welcoming home to us. It' the supportive community where I began my first business venture. And, having grown up in the neighboring town of Bow, its a place full of meaningful lifelong connections. So Pam and I put our heads together to quickly reimagine the local wedding of our dreams, inviting everyone with whom we were acquainted. We called it our “Big Nasty Lesbian Jewish Wedding.” Here’s what we wrote on the public Facebook invitation:

Don we now our gay (warmest) apparel! Pam and Maddie are getting married on the NH State House Lawn! We invite you all to join us for our BIG NASTY LESBIAN JEWISH WEDDING! Come bearing rainbow flags, peaceful signs, and most importantly, GLITTER!

Come one! Come all - family, friends, neighbors, and community members alike! We welcome you to join us for this public ceremony of love, commitment, and community. Why get married in the dead of winter, you may ask? We never pictured our wedding in the winter, but we never pictured a lot of things that happened this year. In light of recent events, we decided we all needed a reason to come together in love, not hatred. If you, or someone you know, needs a reason to celebrate, we welcome you! If you, or someone you know, feels scared or isolated, we welcome you! If you, or someone you know, wants to attend the gayest of gay weddings, we welcome you! If you, or someone you know, has nothing better to do on January 15th, 2017, we welcome you! So please, know us or not, join us on this beautiful day! All we ask is that you RSVP to this Facebook event so we can plan for enough food/beverages. 

Married under the chuppah
at the NH State House

Reflecting on this day, I am warmed by all the love and support. People from all walks of life came together. Rabbi Robin Nafshi and Cantor Shira Nafshi from our Temple Beth Jacob community officiated our ceremony under the chuppah while many in the congregation held rainbow signs. Our chuppah was decorated with beautiful greens from Hannah Roberts at Sorella Flower Company in Hopkinton. She also provided the much gawked at bridal bouquet later in the evening. My Granite State Roller Derby community could not be missed with their sparkle, love and cheers. Former teachers, current business associates, family, and even my mother’s book group came in support. What an outpouring!

After the ceremony Pam and I walked down Main Street, past my shop, to the Capitol Center for the Arts where we held our community reception. Guests followed along and cheered amid supportive “honks” from passing cars and random congratulatory shouts from strangers.

"I can't keep a straight face"
and "love is love" signs

Paula Dill, event planner for the Capitol Center, greeted our party. From the moment we contacted her through the actual wedding day, she created a seamless, beautiful reception. The young at heart and the young of age took turns in the photo booth provided by Katie Baca Photography and Crust and Crumb desserts were gobbled up by all.

After our community reception, we continued the celebration in the Kimball House, the victorian “mansion” attached to the Capitol Center. There we were well fed by caterers of The Granite restaurant and Sarah, the bartender at the Capitol Center, who handled one hundred people without even breaking a sweat.

My sister, Becky sang for us the timeless classic, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. Her crisp and melodious voice stirred a sense of harmony in my heart. I feel grateful for my community, and this simple life Pam and I have built. Like Dorothy waking from a dream, I think "if I ever go looking for my hearts desire, I won’t look any further than my own back yard, because if it isn’t there, then I never really lost it to begin with."