You’ll Bug Out Over the Next Big Food Trend

30 Sustainability Challenges For April

• Use stainless steel straws: Instead of throwing away plastic straws, invest in a set of stainless steel straws. That way, you can use, wash, and repeat!
• Shop with a reusable bag: Bring your own tote bag to the grocery store instead of taking home a paper or plastic bag.
• Text yourself receipts: At coffee shops and boutiques, pick the "text me" option to prevent yourself from throwing away a paper receipt.
• Read a sustainability book by a WOC: Learn about sustainability from an expert or someone who lives a zero-waste lifestyle.
• Wash on the cold water cycle: Cold water in the washing machine uses up less energy, and it's actually better for delicates and dark colors than hot water.
• Shop second-hand: Grabbing something another person has already used prevents those items from ending up in a landfill *and* cuts down on fast fashion production. Check out our Beginner's Guide To Thrift Stores for more inspo!

• Choose sustainable fashion: If you do want to grab something new, instead of shopping from fast fashion retailers, purchase any items you may need from a sustainable fashion brand like Sézane, Reformation, MATE the Label, Marine Layer, Girlfriend Collective, or others.
• Buy seasonal produce: Buying produce in season means you're cutting down on the energy costs of long-distance shipping. There's a good chance it'll be cheaper *and* you'll be supporting local farmers.
• Get a reusable water bottle: Ditch the single-use plastic bottles in favor of a reusable bottle that will last you at least a few years.
• DIY oat milk in a glass bottle: Oat milk is surprisingly simple to make. DIY it yourself and store it in a glass bottle to cut down on your trash.
• Follow a sustainability activist: If you're active on social media, find a sustainability activist that will offer some inspo and tips + tricks every time you get on your phone.
• Buy a menstrual cup/reusable period products: There are tons of reusable period products to pick from, from menstrual cups to period underwear. In addition to being kinder to your body, they're more sustainable and way cheaper in the long run.

• DIY beauty products: Make DIY face mask or sprinkle a mix of cocoa powder and corn starch on your roots in lieu of dry shampoo.
• Shop in store: While online shopping from the comfort of your couch is easy, head to the store to save yourself from dealing with the paper, tape, and cardboard boxes your shipments will come in.
• Upcycle out-of-style clothing: Cut the ankles of your skinny jeans and add printed fabric for one-of-a-kind upcycled wide-leg pants. Embroider a top to make it feel more you, or make a quilt out of all the old camp shirts you don't wear but can't part with.
• Go on an experience date: Instead of getting takeout or grabbing coffee, go on a walk or browse a museum with one of our Affordable Date Ideas.
• Grocery shop in bulk: Products like nuts, frozen foods, and canned goods can be bought in bulk, which is both cheaper in the long run and less wasteful than a bunch of pre-packaged bags.
• Turn off the A/C and cool your home passively: Cut down on your electric bill by using passive methods to cool a room. All you have to is close your curtains during hours of bright sunlight to avoid heating the air inside your space. Then open up your windows at night to let the cool air in!

You'll Love These Sustainability Hacks For 2024

• Use empty candle jars as decor: Candles these days are so cute — turn the jars into decor to store your makeup brushes or even Hershey kisses!
• Turn the lights off: When you leave a room, turn the lights off to prevent unnecessary waste. You can also try and keep the lights off until the sun sets. Your wallet will thank you!
• Carpool: Hop in the car with a friend or family member to save gas money, take up less room in a parking lot, and cut down on gas emissions.
• Use reusable utensils: Besides the fact that reusable utensils cut down on waste, you can also get them in super cute colors. That's a win-win in our book.
• Bike or walk around town: If you're able, ditch your car entirely and bike or walk all over town instead! Work out and run errands at the same time.
• Compost food scraps: Everyone can compost, even if you live in a tiny apartment! Compost egg shells, banana peels, and coffee grounds. They'll breakdown naturally instead of sitting in landfill and they make for a great addition to garden soil. If you live in a big city, chances are there's a composting service you can sign up for to take away your scraps at the end of each week.

• Use Tupperware/silicone baggies: With alternatives like glass storage containers and silicone bags, you'll never need to throw away a plastic bag again.
• Sew worn-out clothes: Just because your toe is peeking through your sock or you have a hole in your shirt doesn't mean you have to get rid of it! Check out our online sewing class or Google a few beginner's tips to fix them yourself.
• Get a library card: Instead of ordering books from Amazon, get a library card! Plus, you won't have to find a place to keep all your books.
• Go vegetarian/vegan: A vegan or vegetarian diet uses up a lot less water than a meat-eating diet. Even making two vegan recipes a week can help the environment, and might just have a positive effect on your health too!
• Save all your errands for one drive: Instead of driving out multiple times in a few days, figure out all of the places you need to go, figure out the best route, and do it in one go.
• Get shampoo bars:Shampoo bars are a way to cut down on shampoo plastic bottles while still keeping your hair clean.

Twice-Baked Sweet Potato Egg Boat

Roasted sweet potatoes, eggs, and the toppings of your choice (bacon and avocado, for example) create a hearty base for your day. Plus the flavor combo of the sweet potatoes with the salty bacon and savory eggs will have you coming back for seconds. (via Brit + Co)

Hashbrown Egg Cups

Hashbrown Egg Cups

The less-than-great news? Opt for only shredded sweet potatoes in this dish to keep it paleo and GF. The definitely-great news? You can still stuff with all your favorite veggies, meats, and seasonings. (via Siriously Deliciousby Siri Daly / Time Inc., Books)

Baked Eggs in Avocado

Aside from the fact that avocados are just downright tasty, once you take the pit out, they have the perfect space for an egg to fit right in. Top with tomatoes, salt and pepper, and herbs for an easy — and healthy — breakfast in bed. (via Feel Good Foodie)

3-Ingredient Protein Pancakes

Use a paleo-friendly protein powder with an egg-white or collagen base, beaten eggs, and a banana to form a stack of these paleo pancakes. Garnish with a slather or coconut cream and arrange some berries on top with a pretty pattern. (via Brit + Co)

Pressure-Cooked Ramekin Eggs

Swap out heavy cream for coconut cream, and you can pressure cook your way to an indulgent egg breakfast loaded with mushrooms. Serve it alongside some paleo toast, of course. (via Brit + Co)

Green Egg Shakshuka

Getting a balanced selection of veggies and eggs on the table has never been easier. Keep it paleo and GF by cooking the greens in ghee over butter and serving it with toasted paleo bread. (via Brit + Co)

Spring Chicken Salad

Chicken, potatoes, and greens are always a choice grouping, no matter the occasion. Here, the addition of a pesto dressing transforms them into a vibrantly flavored dish that's unlike anything you've tasted. (via Brit + Co)

Halibut en Papillote

Made with halibut, shiitake mushrooms, and a touch of sesame oil, this homemade fish dish is sure to delight. (via The Clean Plate: Eat, Reset, Heal/by Gwyneth Paltrow)

Pesto Zucchini Noodles

Arugula-laced pesto is nestled inside delightful zoodles (click here for our zoodle how-to!), but it doesn’t stop there. Asparagus makes this Easter brunch idea a true celebration of spring. (via Brit + Co)

Paleo Waffles

Don’t forget the nest of bacon and “cotton” poached egg to complete your adorable bunny-shaped paleo waffles. (via Brit + Co)

Paleo Shepherd’s Pie

No white potatoes, no problem. Get the taste and “feel” of mashed potatoes using cauliflower! (via Brit + Co)

Hash Brown Egg Nests

You can make some nests at the same time that the birds are making theirs! All you need to make this recipe is potatoes (we're swapping for sweet potatoes to keep it paleo), eggs, and cheese. Those happen to be three of our favorite foods anyway, so putting them together makes this dish even tastier! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Paleo Almond Joys

Don’t let being paleo suck the joy out of a candy-laden holiday. Serve a big batch of these for a crowd. (via Brit + Co)

Salmon Avocado Salad

You might be shocked by just how fast this sumptuous salad comes together. Serve it over butter lettuce cups. (via The Whole Smiths Good Food Cookbookby Michelle Smith)

Millet Breakfast Cereal

Some people are divided about whether or not pseudo-grains like millet (which is technically a seed) should be consumed on a paleo diet. However, this gluten-free ingredient can be steamed up like rice for a comforting hot cereal option. (via Brit + Co)

Here's How Often You Should Cut Your Hair, According To Professionals

I’ll admit it — it had been eight months since my last haircut. My hair had lost its shape, my layers were nowhere to be found, and my ends were begging for mercy. Life got busy over the last few months and I was neglecting my haircare like never before.

My hairdresser could immediately see that I was beyond due for a cut and said I needed to get more taken off than I was hoping. I was definitely disappointed — I'd been working on growing out my hair for a while now, and it just felt like my hard work had completely gone to waste. He explained that getting consistent haircuts is the key to growing out healthy and strong hair, rather than letting it grow and grow until it eventually breaks. So let's dig into the top three things you can do to avoid this scenario!

1. Just Get The Dang Haircut

Also avoiding a haircut like I was? You might want to schedule one at your nearest salon. Like my stylist said, when you wait too long between trims like I did, you risk your hair becoming heavy, dull, and lifeless. When the hair is dry or even dead, it’s nearly impossible for it to hold a curl or style, essentially collapsing on you and taking on more and more heat damage all the while. I know the pain of spending time on a blowout only for it to fall minutes later — it’s the worst.

According to Jack, getting a haircut every 10-12 weeks is the best time frame or your ends will pay the price. Between blow-drying, curling, straightening, sun, and weather, our ends get dry and start to break without the proper care. Getting consistent haircuts allows hair to bounce back, shine, and perform the way we want in a healthy way.

2. Leave-In Conditioners Are Your Friend

His top piece of advice to keep your hair looking and feeling hydrated between trims? Invest in conditioning treatments. Jack swears by the Olaplex conditioning system, specifically the No 3 Hair Perfector. Made with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, this conditioning treatment repairs and prevents damage in as little as three minutes. No 3 promises to reduce breakage and visibly strengthen hair, so it’s the perfect assistance to keep ends fresh between cuts. Another conditioning treatments I’ve used and loved for years is the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, which is designed to restore moisture, elasticity, and shine to dry hair.

3. Switch Up Your Shampoos

Switching shampoos frequently is a pretty hot tip that I honestly hadn't thought of. Our hair gets used to the same products and grows tired of them, resulting in lackluster locks. Jack’s advice is to switch brands after finishing every bottle of shampoo to bring life back to your hair. Have two brands that you’re loyal to? Even switching back and forth between them after every bottle should make a big difference in your hair. I’m a huge fan of the R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo, which makes my hair look thick and full, as well as the Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo, which is so hydrating and gives so much shine.

In the end, navigating your back-and-forth relationship with haircuts often feels like a rollercoaster ride between wanting that fresh look and cringing at the receipt. Luckily, by using conditioning treatments and switching up your products,, you can keep your locks healthy, shiny, and full of life between trims. But take a newly learned lesson out of my book: don't let your ends pay the price for procrastination and just book the haircut.