🌎 Farmington Mom Shares 10 Easy Ways to Live More Sustainably

Hi Farmington friends! I’m Kimberly, a local mom and founder of The Carbon Emissions Project. My mission is simple but big: to make sustainability easy, approachable, and family-focused - one small step at a time.

If we all started adopting just a few new eco-friendly habits, our collective impact could be huge. Here are 10 simple things I practiced this week to live more sustainably - maybe you’ll spot a few you can try too! 🌿

1️⃣ A Vegan Thanksgiving Preview

Okay, it’s not Thanksgiving yet - but I couldn’t resist a test run! I made a Vegan Wellington filled with carrots, celery, and lentils, and it was so delicious. I’m planning to bring it to our family celebration, and I’ll share the recipe soon so you can try it too.

Preparing a plant-based dish is one of the easiest ways to make your holiday table a little more sustainable. Eating more plants (even one day a week) reduces your food-related emissions and supports a healthier planet. 🥕🌽

2️⃣ Made My Own Plant-Based Milk

I used my Almond Cow milk maker, and honestly - life-changing! I now make two kinds of milk each week: oat milk for my husband and a cashew-coconut blend for me.

By skipping dairy and avoiding single-use milk cartons, I get a double sustainability win - less packaging waste and lower emissions from animal agriculture. 🥛✨

3️⃣ Spent Time in Nature

This might sound simple, but it’s so powerful. I made a point to spend intentional time outdoors - walking through the woods, breathing in the forest air, and reconnecting with the natural world.

When you slow down and really notice nature, it strengthens your connection and reinforces the why behind your sustainable lifestyle choices. Nature time reminds us that the planet isn’t just a cause - it’s home. And being deep in the woods away from air pollution lets me feel like I can cleanse my lungs. 🌳💚

4️⃣ Joined a Clean Energy Seminar

Learning is part of sustainable living too! This week, I joined an online seminar hosted by CT Green Bank about battery backup storage and renewable energy. I have ground mounted solar panels on my property to service my house, but I do not know that much about energy production when the sun isn’t shining.

Staying informed helps me make smarter eco choices and feel more confident about supporting the transition to clean energy. Knowledge empowers us to take meaningful action - whether that’s choosing solar, investing in energy efficiency, or just understanding how systems work. ⚡🌞

5️⃣ Drove “Dora,” My Electric Mini Cooper

Yes, she has a name! Meet Dora, my all-electric Mini Cooper. She gets about 114 miles per charge, which is perfect for my local errands. Even better - I charge her at home using solar power!

Driving electric has been one of the most fun and rewarding steps in my sustainable living journey. Every mile feels like a tiny climate victory. I would love to utilize public transit – which we did a lot of when we lived in Denmark – but here in the USA it seems a bit more challenging to use public transportation – at least in the suburbs where I live.

6️⃣ Chose FSC-Certified Paper

This week I made sure the paper I bought was FSC Certified (Forest Stewardship Council). That means it comes from responsibly managed forests that protect biodiversity and support local communities.

You can look for the FSC logo on everything from notebooks to tissues to toilet paper — small choices that make a big difference for forests worldwide. It is so important to protect our natural resources! 🌲📄

7️⃣ Shopped Package-Free

While delivering books to Birch & Twine, a new local refillery, I picked up coconut sugar and shredded coconut - no plastic packaging required. ♻️

8️⃣ Used My Reusable Grocery Bags

It’s a small but mighty habit - and one that makes me smile every time I skip the plastic or paper bag. Keeping reusable totes in my car and by the door helps me remember them for every shopping trip.

Reusable bags are one of the simplest eco-friendly swaps anyone can make - proof that living sustainably can start with something as easy as remembering your bag. And honestly, when I do forget (or make an unplanned shopping stop), I just skip the bag altogether and load the car directly with my items. It’s a little less convenient - and sometimes a bit funny - but it makes me happy because it’s the right thing to do. 🛍️

9️⃣ Turned Down the Thermostat

I’ve been keeping the thermostat low and cozying up in socks, slippers, and a sweater instead.

Until I can upgrade my heating system, conserving energy this way feels like an easy, mindful step toward a lower energy bill and a smaller carbon footprint. It’s also a great reminder that comfort doesn’t always have to come from consumption. ❄️🧦

🔟 Swapped Paper Towels for Reusables

This morning, I used reusable paper towels to rinse my daughter’s fruit. I keep a small stack right next to the old paper towel holder, and after use, they go straight into the wash.

It’s one of the simplest zero-waste swaps I’ve made - and it saves money too! Little changes like this create lasting impact when practiced consistently. 🍓💧

💚 Small Steps, Big Impact

Sustainable living isn’t about being perfect - it’s about being intentional. Every small step adds up, and when we move together, our actions multiply.

Let’s make eco-friendly habits part of everyday life here in our community. Together, we can turn small changes into a big difference. 🌿✨

Learn more at www.thecarbonemissionsproject.com Get the book: A Kid’s Guide to Climate Activism

About the Author: Kimberly Haidinger is the debut author of A Kid’s Guide to Climate Activism, the first book in The Climate Action Vocabulary Series, a nonfiction collection created to empower middle-grade readers with the language and tools to change the world. When she’s not writing or working on her next book, Kimberly shares ideas for climate-friendly living on her blog, The Carbon Emissions Project. She is passionate about inspiring change - one small step, one reader, and one powerful word at a time.

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