Low Impact Living

By Vanelis Rivera

A new year invites more than personal resolutions – it calls for mindful choices that benefit the world around us. This guide explores simple, local ways Northeast Louisianans can live more sustainably and help create a healthier future for generations to come.

We are told every New Year is an opportunity to reflect. Perhaps, we go through the past year sifting through the highs and lows, mentally logging them like items to be shelved. Some of us may revel in resolutions, betterment and improvement on our minds enthusiastically signaling us into a semblance of change. Though we know every second of our lives can be a figurative “new year,” there is something about a transition period, a collective celebration urging us to unfold our best self. But renewal is not always self-seeking. What else can be improved in our lives besides us? If we allow ourselves to turn our attention to the world around us, we may find that betterment and improvement can be (should be) collective. In a time when the Big—big cars, big homes, big parties, big dreams, big meals—crowds around us, perhaps we can seek balance by making conscientious choices that contribute to a healthier environment. After all, a healthier planet can only guarantee that every New Year moving forward holds the promise of a sustainable future for us and our loved ones.

The following guide offers small and simple steps that can help conserve and keep the marvelous environment that we call home in Northeast Louisiana.

Eat More Veggies!

Most of us grew up hearing that we should eat our veggies from a parent, grandparent, or well-meaning auntie. But this healthy shift can also significantly impact the environment. Each of the steps in the food production process, such as growth, processing, transport, and distribution of food creates greenhouse gases. These gases trap the sun’s heat, consequently contributing to dire changes in our climate. According to the United Nations, close to “a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions is linked to food.” The main food responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions is, unfortunately, animal-based foods, “especially red meat, dairy, and farmed shrimp.” 

The contributing variables to such high emissions include tree cutting for grassland creation, the emission of methane from cattle, and nitrous oxide emitting from cattle waste. To put it into perspective, 1 kilogram of beef produces 70.6 kilograms of greenhouse gases; meanwhile, 1 kilogram of vegetables produces 0.7 kilograms of greenhouse gases. Diminishing our meat consumption and adding more color on our plates is a small kindness we can impart to ourselves and our ecosystem.

Dana Milford, owner of For His Temple Family Foods, wants us to know that we do not have to forgo animal fats or protein (including protein rich veggies like legumes) at any meal. “Our bodies need balance and that means some of all of it. Having healthy animal fats help us digest and absorb the nutrients.” Milford prepares her veggies with some “good healthy animal fat” like butter, ghee, or bacon grease. “The classic southern style of preparation works for so many veggies,” she says, naming green beans, rutabaga, carrots, and sweet potatoes. To prepare, chop some bacon, render it until partially cooked, then add chopped onion and cook until it softens. Finally, add your veggie or veggies of choice, seasoning, and voilà! Feel free to add a “splash” of homemade chicken or vegetable stock! “So simple. So tasty. So nutritious.”  

“Nothing beats a fresh veggie pulled from the garden and cooked for supper,” says Milford, who currently grows a variety of vegetables at home including swiss chard, tomatoes, yellow squash, and okra.” For those interested in home gardening, the key is to, “Start small, but just get started,” she says. “You’ve got nothing to lose but a few seeds and everything to gain.” We are fortunate to live in a climate that eases the growth of a variety of produce per season. “Tray a new plant each season,” Milford suggests. You may find a veggie that surprises you in its flavor and versatility, as Milford did with bell peppers. “As a child and most of my adult life I was never a fan. The flavor was too strong, in my opinion.” But when she began cooking with a variety of bell peppers—red, yellow, and orange—she began to appreciate them. Now, she has expanded her pepper  selections to all kinds, such as sweet minis, Bullhorn, Cubanelle, and Shishitos!

Support Local Farmers

Convenience comes at a cost—economically, environmentally, and socially. And while the movement to support local farmers and opting for locally grown products is gaining traction, it can surely become a better integrated norm. There are many ways to tap into regional growers—visit farmer’s markets or ask your local organic grocer about their regional offerings. By turning to those in our community offering more nutritious alternatives than big food systems, we can better ensure sustainability for our region. 

One such local farm is located in the hilly woods of Downsville, Louisiana. The Underwood family of six, own and operate 3 Board FArm, a first-generation regenerative farm that sells pasture raised meat products! “All of our animals are raised on pasture and move around the farm strategically to benefit the animals and the soil,” informs Taylor Underwood. Their feed is locally milled from O’Neal’s Feed Store in Ruston and their animals are humanely processed at local processors. A common misconception of regionally sourced meat is that it tastes similar to grocery store products; however, Underwood informs that, “If the meat is raised properly, the taste will be tremendously better and much more nutrient dense for your health.” Interested consumers can find their meat products—pork, chicken, beef, eggs, and raw milk—at their farm store in Downsville, Fiesta On Eighteenth, For His Temple Family Foods, and Warsaw General Store in Delhi.

“Local farmers are the backbone of America,” says Underwood, “Our food system is very volatile and local farmers will help secure their local communities with food in case there is ever another disruption in our food system.” 

Consider Second Hand

We are consumers, no doubt about it. But that doesn’t mean we cannot be mindful of how and what we purchase. We live in a world of excess; yet, so many people cannot purchase or access basic necessities. Our planet is also gravely impacted. A 2020 article published by the Columbia Climate School noted that Americans produce “25 percent more waste than usual between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.” In fact, a 2015 study published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology, “found that the production and use of household goods and services was responsible for 60 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.” These stark realities should force us to pause and evaluate our spending habits, carefully considering, once again, the cost of convenience. Thankfully, Northeast Louisiana offers a plethora of quaint and whimsical thrift stops, from the carefully curated to the delightfully diverse. 

Adrienne LaFrance-Wells, Downtown Main Street Director at City of West Monroe, is a proud steward and advocate for Downtown West Monroe, commonly referred to as Antique Alley. This strip of shops boasts over 80 small businesses including antique shops, boutiques, restaurants, and specialty shops. “Our downtown has continuously grown and evolved over the years while keeping true to the nostalgic charm and character. Browsing the district is always such a joy because every visit feels a little different. There’s a wonderful blend of diverse offerings to discover.” Each shop has its own personality, and some days LaFrance-Wells can go from “flipping through vintage treasures” to “discovering a handcrafted item that was made right here in Louisiana.” Recently, she purchased three suits downtown that originally came from Saks Fifth Avenue. “One was from the brand Escada and two were St. John suits,” she says, adding, “The designer quality of those pieces is timeless and the discovery of finding those pieces was truly thrilling.” Whether it’s vintage clothing, antique furniture, or repurposed décor, LaFrance-Wells finds second hand shopping not only environmentally responsible, but an “incredibly meaningful way to shop,” particularly because every item carries a story. “You’re giving those pieces a new life, keeping them out of landfills and reducing the environmental footprint that comes with the manufacturing of new products.”

Hartley Waldrop Arendsen, owner of The Good Daze, seconds many of these sentiments. Her appreciation for second-hand clothing began at a young age when she would thrift with her mom, and from there began selling vintage clothes in high school, which blossomed into her current business. What began as a hobby swiftly turned into a unique and fun personal style which she now carefully curates in her store. “Fashion is your personality,” she says, and as a unique and creative person she considers piecing vintage clothing together an artform. “Buying second hand helps me put a twist on things.” Through her style and the clothing offerings at her store, she hopes to dismantle misconceptions about vintage clothes, that they are “grandma” or “not trendy and not cute.” Waldrop Arendsen knows her audience and what you’ll find on her clothing racks are fun, vibrant, and nostalgic pieces that stand out from the crowd. 

Ultimately, shopping second hand is also shopping “small,” as LaFrance-Wells says, adding, when you shop at any locally-owned business, “…your dollars are recirculated in our communities. This supports local families, creates jobs, and ensures the sales tax from those goods stays right here for our community’s benefit.”

Ditch Plastic

Plastic permeates most of our lives, and for years we have been warned of the plastic waste problem that has overwhelmed landfills, oceans, and even our bodies (by way of microplastics). Understandably, this colossal problem seems impossible to overcome. However, there are practical changes that we can make in order to reduce our reliance on plastic materials and help promote a world beyond plastic.

A 2024 study published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS) revealed that, “…water from single-use plastic bottles can contain from 10 to 100 times more nano-plastics than previously estimated.” Just as concerning are the findings from a 2023 report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, that found, “one million plastic bottles of water are sold every minute globally.” That resulted in 25 million tons of plastic waste in 2021. That’s to say, go grab a reusable water bottle, cup, and to-go container wherever you can find them. 

Of course, shop local first. At the Muffin Tin, customers can choose from an array of brands, styles, and sizes. With Swig Life insulated drinkware, you’ll find fun, funky designs in a holder-friendly shape. Double-walled, vacuum-sealed, and copper-plated means that your cold or warm drink will be maintained to your liking for hours. Saying goodbye to plastic bottles never looked sleeker than choosing a Corkcicle canteen-style water bottle. Each is designed with easy-grip flat sides and leak-proof, screw on lid. There is also a Corkcicle “hybrid canteen” made of allergen free glass and surrounded by an insulated steel base. My Bougie Bottle collection is also delightfully stylish, bottles featuring an easy one-hand Flip ‘n’ Sip Lid, two bottle-length BPA-free straws, and a durable pipe cleaner.

At Material Things, look for the Bloomingville spoon set. This set of serving spoons showcases, “intricately carved horn with a dark finish in a printed drawstring bag.” Perfect for parties and gatherings! In the spirit of reusability, this shop offers a few products with such intricate containers that are begging to find other uses. For instance, Traditions de France artisanal candy comes in charming glassware and decorative tins, perfect for storage, display, or gifting vessels. The same can be said about the store’s collection of Trudon candles. Many candles can be reused. It’s as easy as placing a glass vessel with residue wax in the freezer, and once the wax hardens it’s easy to pluck out with any utensil. But Trudon glass, well, it’s not only hand-crafted in Tuscany, but also shaped like champagne buckets. In other words, do not toss out. Once again, repurpose these stunning jars to propagate plants, as decorative lighting (think twinkle lights), or to hold shareable snacks. 

More involved, but worthwhile, repurposing projects to diminish plastic arrive during the holidays and special events by way of decoration making. Katherine Elizabeth Ashley, owner of The Makery, has created a space that promotes and inspires a variety of workshops and art classes. Not only does crafting your own decorations allow you to express your creativity, it is also an opportunity to foster special moments between you and your family or friends. Ashley has been crafting for as long as she can remember. “I have always enjoyed making something out of anything I could find. Ever since opening, it has helped me come up with fun and creative workshops for people to attend to try new things,” she says. Some of her main projects include decorating shop windows for downtown events. In the past, she has used Italian crepe paper to make DIY floral arrangements. “I personally love to go to thrift stores to find something to create out of.” Many of her ideas have come from upcycling books, and one of her go-tos is Nifty Gifty: Mini Crafts with Major Charm by Alexa Pedrero. Scrap materials abound, probably right in your closet, so lean into your sense of fun and allow yourself to carve out some creative time. “Also do it with others. Invite some friends over or make crafts with your kids,” recommends Ashley, whose favorite quote is, “The act of creating something is always more important than the result.”