I learned that "use by" dates indicate the last day a product is safe to consume, while "expiration" or "best before" dates refer to the period during which a product maintains its optimal quality and flavor. After the "use by" date, there's a higher risk of food spoilage and potential illness. "Best before" dates, on the other hand, are a guideline for peak quality, but the food may still be safe to eat after that date if stored properly. By making a menu each week, I can leverage produce purchased in other recipes that week, reducing waste.

I've been using my reusable cup when I purchase coffee and I get a discount for doing so. Bonus!!

What works for me is putting my phone away after dinner. Watching a show, talking a walk, or enjoying music before bed has been a game changer.

I've been doing a lot of walking lately, along with enjoying live local music. It has really helped me stay grounded and leave the stresses of life behind.

It is amazing to me that most people will walk right by litter, some even stepping over it, without a thought to pick it up and dispose of it. Most of the items I find on the hospital grounds are masks, gloves, and wrappers from medical supplies. When I'm out in my community, the items vary widely. I use my dog's poo bags to pick up items when I'm out walking him and always carry a small vial of hand sanitizer for times when I don't have a bag readily available. I am very cautious about items that are typically utilized for illicit drug use (i.e., aluminum foil, soda cans) and will not pick those up unless I have a bag.

We are moving from Lynnwood to Bothell and I really enjoy buying fresh produce and locally-made items from farmer markets. I'm on the hunt for any Bothell and surrounding area weekend markets. If you are aware of any, please let me know!

Since I started composting, I've noticed that I'm throwing away less food and the majority are peels and discarded portions of vegetable and fruits. I have a small compost collection bin in my kitchen, which I empty once per week into my yard/compost waste bin. By actively recycling and composting, I've been able to reduce my trash container to the smallest offered by Waste Management.

I support the Perioperative team in my role and was impressed with their holistic approach to sustainability - from waste audits (below pic) to education on what qualifies as recyclable. I was very surprised by how much OR waste ends up in landfills. ORs produce over 30% of hospital waste and it is estimated that just one surgical procedure produces between 146 and 232 kg of CO2.