Earth-Friendly Swaps

I recently had the opportunity to join the host of ciLiving, Jaclyn Friedlander, to discuss easy swaps and healthy snacks for a special Earth Day episode of the show. 

Rabbit Trail: This was my third appearance on ciLiving and I finally saw Meteorologist Jacob Dickey! If you know you know!

Earth Day is a great reminder that living more sustainably doesn’t have to mean completely changing your lifestyle—it starts with simple choices in your home, kitchen, and daily routines.

During the segment, we talked about reducing waste, making smarter snack choices, and swapping disposable products for reusable ones that are better for both your family and the planet.

Reducing Food Waste Starts at Home

One of the biggest areas where we can make a difference is food waste. So much food gets thrown away simply because we forget what we have or don’t know how to repurpose leftovers.

Simple ideas like turning leftover taco night ingredients into a quick taco salad for lunch, using mason jars for meal prep, or making homemade snack bars instead of buying individually wrapped snacks can help reduce both waste and unnecessary spending.

Homemade options like protein bars, fruit and veggie snack packs, or even classic “ants on a log” snacks are healthier, budget-friendly, and eco-conscious.

Reusable Products That Make Life Easier

We also highlighted some easy reusable swaps that work especially well for busy moms and families:

• Mason jars for meal prep and leftovers

• Beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap

• Reusable snack bags for school lunches

• Reusable grocery bags for shopping trips

• Refillable water bottles and coffee cups

These small changes help reduce plastic waste while also saving money over time.

Clothes Waste is a Problem Too

We initially discussed how to incorporate the problem of clothing waste, but live TV isn’t exactly the long format you always hope it can be. So, I didn’t want to let it get skipped here. Clothing waste and fast fashion contributes heavily to unnecessary landfill waste. One fun way we highlighted this was by wearing secondhand outfits for the show to show that sustainable fashion can still be stylish, affordable, and practical. Even if it didn’t make it onto air.

Shopping secondhand, rewearing pieces you already own, and choosing quality over quantity are simple ways to reduce waste while making more intentional choices for both your wardrobe and the environment.

My top was found at Thrifty Findz in Charleston for $1! My jeans were from a Sister Swap. So the event is where lots of moms bring clothes their families don’t wear anymore. Then we get to choose items we want. What is left after everyone is done is taken to donation centers. Giving all the clothes new life.

Sustainability Should Feel Simple

One of the biggest takeaways I wanted viewers to have is that sustainability should feel doable—not overwhelming.

You do not need to be perfect.

You just need to start.

Whether it’s bringing your own grocery bags, prepping snacks at home, wasting less food, or choosing reusable products, every small step counts.

Earth Day is not just one day on the calendar—it’s an opportunity to build better habits all year long.

I’m so grateful for the chance to be part of this conversation on TV and help encourage families to make healthier choices for themselves and for the planet.

Sometimes the smallest habits create the biggest impact.

What’s one simple swap you can choose today?