3 Ways Reducing Waste Will Shrink Your Waist

1. Add vodka to your dishwasher instead of your glass.

Here is why.  If you look at the calorie breakdown of where we get our energy you'll see that alcohol can definitely impact your weight.  I don't know about you, but I'd rather get my calories from solid food instead of liquids.  Food makes you feel more satisfied than liquid when restricting calories during weight loss.

Carbohydrate (carbs) 4 kcal/gram
Protein 4 kcal/gram
Alcohol 7 kcal/gram
Fat 9 kcal/gram

So why put vodka in the dishwasher?  Well, to replace the expensive, mystery chemicals that you are currently using as rinse agent in your dishwasher.  About 2 years ago I became irritated enough with cleaning product companies not putting ingredients lists on their labels that I did my own research and concocted my own solution. I wanted the last thing that touches my dishes to be something edible just in case there are traces of it left on my dinnerware.

Vodka is a mild surfactant which means it creates a sheeting action to help the water off the surface of the dishes.  You can find vodka very cheap and we know that it is edible however it isn't something I recommend consuming on purpose.  If you need a drink, try a glass of wine... one glass.  More on surfactants here.

Besides the surfactant, rinse agents typically also have ingredients to remove mineral buildup and limescale. Vinegar is known to do this very well and is also a food grade ingredient.  Add a little to your dishwasher and then make a vinaigrette.  More on the chemistry of vinegar here.

*Disclaimer: I've been using this solution for approximately 2 years in my dishwasher with great results however, I have not spoken with dishwasher manufacturers to make sure this solution is safe for dishwashers.  I will not be responsible for any dishwasher malfunctions etc. if you decide to try this recipe.

2. Eat Outside The Box

This one seems simple but can be the most difficult to maintain with a busy lifestyle.  Eating less boxed or packaged foods often means more food prep, meal assembly, and cooking.  It also means less garbage (and recycling if you recycle) leaving your home for the landfill each week.  Eating less packaged foods will likely buy you a healthier diet by naturally decreasing the amount of food additives, preservatives, trans fat, and sodium you consume in a day.  I'd recommend shopping for, preparing, and eating:

• fresh fruits and vegetables - no bag or box necessary (you could even bring your own from home)
  
• meats, poultry, and fish - limited packaging
  
• beans and legumes
  
• nuts, seeds, and oils
• whole grains (such as oats instead of cheerios)
• dairy products
• herbs and spices

Most of these foods are easily found in bulk food sections.  You can bring your own (clean) container and weigh it before you fill it at many stores.

More reasons to avoid packaged food... to avoid all the marketing shenanigans.  If you're eating fresh, whole foods you're less likely to need to decipher confusing health claims too.  There are some interesting studies being done in this area like this one from Brian Wansink and his team at the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University.

3. Consume Less & Move More

In order to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight you've got to eat well and move often.  You can lose weight by dieting and you can lose weight by exercising.  I recommend a combination of both for optimal health benefits.  It's often easier for people to change the quality of food they eat rather than the quantity for many reasons.  If you want to learn more, read the book Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink and/or find a qualified dietitian/nutritionist to help you.

Consuming less food = less waist.  Consuming less stuff/food = less waste.

Many people drive places when they could easily walk or bike.  It's easier to make the decision to walk to your destination if you think of that time you spend walking as exercise and a happy pill instead of lost time.  Exercise makes us feel good by releasing hormones that improve mood.  Exercise also makes us stronger and healthier.  People who are more physically active score higher on the scale for quality of life.

Move more = less waist.  Move more = consuming less (gas to power your car etc.)

So there you have it.
3 tips to help you reduce your waste and shrink your waste all at the same time!
1. Add vodka to your dishwasher instead of your glass.
2. Eat Outside The Box
3. Consume Less & Move More

Happy Earth Day!
(a few minutes late)