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on July 14, 2020 in

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@carbonfreefamily

Building a waste free, sustainable life through minimalist, nature based & homesteading principles.

This is the best Christmas present I’ve ever received.

As we get thrown into the holiday shopping season, I’m here to remind myself (and you too) to take a moment and reflect on what we really wish for.

I’m willing to bet your deepest wishes, like mine, can’t be bought from a store.

Let’s hang onto these thoughts as marketers (who are damn good at their job) try to convince us to buy All. The. Things.

📷: a note from Santa that says:
“Dear Mr and Mrs Augustine,

I wanted to drop you a note this year and let you know that you ARE on the nice list. You may have noticed that you did not receive many gifts this year… After a double and triple check of our wish list we noticed you already had everything you asked for right here.

We are looking forward to another great year and lots of “nice” behavior.

While I did not deliver them for you today , I hope you are able to enjoy the “beautiful family” and “quality time together” that you asked for this year.”

#blackfriday #santa #bestgiftever #thebestthingsinlifearefree #familytime #priorities #qualitytime #slowholidays #slowdown #slowliving #slowlife #slowlifestyle #simplelife #simpleliving #simplicity #simplify #simplifylife #simplifyyourlife #bepresent #intentionalliving #bepresentnow #bepresentinthemoment #progressnotperfection #bravenotperfect

@carbonfreefamily

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This is the best Christmas present I’ve ever received. As we get thrown into the holiday shopping season, I’m here to remind myself (and you too) to take a moment and reflect on what we really wish for. I’m willing to bet your deepest wishes, like mine, can’t be bought from a store. Let’s hang onto these thoughts as marketers (who are damn good at their job) try to convince us to buy All. The. Things. 📷: a note from Santa that says: “Dear Mr and Mrs Augustine, I wanted to drop you a note this year and let you know that you ARE on the nice list. You may have noticed that you did not receive many gifts this year… After a double and triple check of our wish list we noticed you already had everything you asked for right here. We are looking forward to another great year and lots of “nice” behavior. While I did not deliver them for you today , I hope you are able to enjoy the “beautiful family” and “quality time together” that you asked for this year.” #blackfriday #santa #bestgiftever #thebestthingsinlifearefree #familytime #priorities #qualitytime #slowholidays #slowdown #slowliving #slowlife #slowlifestyle #simplelife #simpleliving #simplicity #simplify #simplifylife #simplifyyourlife #bepresent #intentionalliving #bepresentnow #bepresentinthemoment #progressnotperfection #bravenotperfect

2 weeks ago

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1/8

Ok, friends. I need a break! It might be a week. It might be forever. I’m not sure, but I know that social media isn’t helping me live my best life right now, so I’m honoring that and signing off for awhile.

Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of this amazing place we call earth.

#digitaldetox #52daysunplugged #unplugged #screenfree #selfcare #screenfreesaturday #phonefree #familytime #priorities #slowdown #slowliving #slowlife #slowlifestyle #simplelife #simpleliving #simplicity #simplify #simplifylife #simplifyyourlife #bepresent #intentionalliving #bepresentnow #bepresentinthemoment #progressnotperfection #bravenotperfect

@carbonfreefamily

•

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Ok, friends. I need a break! It might be a week. It might be forever. I’m not sure, but I know that social media isn’t helping me live my best life right now, so I’m honoring that and signing off for awhile. Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of this amazing place we call earth. #digitaldetox #52daysunplugged #unplugged #screenfree #selfcare #screenfreesaturday #phonefree #familytime #priorities #slowdown #slowliving #slowlife #slowlifestyle #simplelife #simpleliving #simplicity #simplify #simplifylife #simplifyyourlife #bepresent #intentionalliving #bepresentnow #bepresentinthemoment #progressnotperfection #bravenotperfect

8 months ago

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2/8

Another spring milestone: first bike ride to the grocery store of 2022!

We have a grocery store less than a mile from our house, so it’s the perfect bike adventure-exercise-errand combo. Especially on a Monday night when we need a quick dinner!

I almost wrote that we’re “lucky” to have a grocery store less than a mile from our house, but it’s not “luck”… we designed our life that way when we bought our house almost 4 years ago.

Because we want our life to be walkable and bikeable, we plotted important things, like the @kentdistrictlibrary public library, grocery store, elementary and middle schools, restaurants, @sweetlandcandies coffee shop and the @therockfordcheeseshop , on a map and hunted for a house in the few blocks that were located within a mile of all these things.

If you could wave your magic wand, what would you move closer to your home so you could walk/bike more?
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#optoutside #spring #springsimpleliving #springfever #springishere #carbonfree #bicycle #rideyourbike #justbikeit #walk #walking #walkmore #driveless #walkmoredriveless #willbikeforgroceries #getoutdoors #bethechange #sustainableliving #sustainablelifestyle #intentionalliving #ecofriendly #simpleliving #simplelife #slowliving #slowlife #intentionallife #wastefree #reusable #reusablebags #progressnotperfection

@carbonfreefamily

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Another spring milestone: first bike ride to the grocery store of 2022! We have a grocery store less than a mile from our house, so it’s the perfect bike adventure-exercise-errand combo. Especially on a Monday night when we need a quick dinner! I almost wrote that we’re “lucky” to have a grocery store less than a mile from our house, but it’s not “luck”… we designed our life that way when we bought our house almost 4 years ago. Because we want our life to be walkable and bikeable, we plotted important things, like the @kentdistrictlibrary public library, grocery store, elementary and middle schools, restaurants, @sweetlandcandies coffee shop and the @therockfordcheeseshop , on a map and hunted for a house in the few blocks that were located within a mile of all these things. If you could wave your magic wand, what would you move closer to your home so you could walk/bike more? . . . . . #optoutside #spring #springsimpleliving #springfever #springishere #carbonfree #bicycle #rideyourbike #justbikeit #walk #walking #walkmore #driveless #walkmoredriveless #willbikeforgroceries #getoutdoors #bethechange #sustainableliving #sustainablelifestyle #intentionalliving #ecofriendly #simpleliving #simplelife #slowliving #slowlife #intentionallife #wastefree #reusable #reusablebags #progressnotperfection

9 months ago

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3/8

Last call for the spring Simple Living Collection!

We planted tulip bulbs yesterday to celebrate the equinox! It was a gorgeous moment. I made dinner while Robbie and the girls soaked in the last rays of weekend sunshine.

We LOVE flower and vegetable gardening as a family!

If this seems overwhelming to you, there’s a great article about Family Flower Gardening from Ginny @1000hoursoutside in this spring collection.

It’s just one of the 40+ articles, tutorials, recipes, and more! All designed to take the guesswork out of slow, simple, seasonal living.

None of us do it perfectly. All of us are working towards our best life. And I learn something new each season, from each and every contributor!

The collection is yours to keep forever (as on emagazine or a downloadable PDF), but the sale ends TONIGHT (Monday, March 21st). There’s a link in my bio for more information and to buy your copy.

Consider it an equinox treat for yourself! Or a Mothers Day gift. Or a pick-me-up for the friend you know could use it!

Happy equinox, my friends!

#equinox #springequinox #springsimpleliving #springfever #springishere #springiscoming #springlivingcollection #simplelivingcollective #simpleliving #simplelivingcollective #simplelife #simplehappylife #slowliving #slowlife #sustainable #sustainability #optoutside #1000hoursoutside #flowergarden #plantmoreflowers #familytime

@carbonfreefamily

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Last call for the spring Simple Living Collection! We planted tulip bulbs yesterday to celebrate the equinox! It was a gorgeous moment. I made dinner while Robbie and the girls soaked in the last rays of weekend sunshine. We LOVE flower and vegetable gardening as a family! If this seems overwhelming to you, there’s a great article about Family Flower Gardening from Ginny @1000hoursoutside in this spring collection. It’s just one of the 40+ articles, tutorials, recipes, and more! All designed to take the guesswork out of slow, simple, seasonal living. None of us do it perfectly. All of us are working towards our best life. And I learn something new each season, from each and every contributor! The collection is yours to keep forever (as on emagazine or a downloadable PDF), but the sale ends TONIGHT (Monday, March 21st). There’s a link in my bio for more information and to buy your copy. Consider it an equinox treat for yourself! Or a Mothers Day gift. Or a pick-me-up for the friend you know could use it! Happy equinox, my friends! #equinox #springequinox #springsimpleliving #springfever #springishere #springiscoming #springlivingcollection #simplelivingcollective #simpleliving #simplelivingcollective #simplelife #simplehappylife #slowliving #slowlife #sustainable #sustainability #optoutside #1000hoursoutside #flowergarden #plantmoreflowers #familytime

9 months ago

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4/8

@carbonfreefamily

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Sneak peek of the spring Simple Living Collection… can you find my piece on local food in the middle of the video? I contributed an article to help you more easily navigate the world of local food, including tips on 1) finding the best farmers markets, CSAs, and upick farms, 2) talking to the farmers to better understand if their farming practices match your values, and 3) coming home with as little garbage as possible… just that delicious and nutritious local food for you and your family! You’re going to love the new magazine format! New format, same amazing collection of resources to help you incorporate a bit of slowness and seasonal living into your busy life. Once purchased, the collection is yours to keep and reference forever, but it’s only on sale until Monday. Learn more and get your copy at the link in my bio. . . . . . #slowliving #simpleliving #simplify #slowlife #simplelife #seasonalliving #springfever #spring #intentionalliving #springiscoming #springishere #sustainability #sustainble #sustainableliving #sustainablelifestyle #sustainablehome #localfood #knowyourfarmer #farmersmarket #upick #csa #communitysupportedagriculture #buildcommunity

9 months ago

View on Instagram |

5/8

In April 2020, I was furloughed from my job (that means laid off with a job to come back to). Given that I’m the sole financial provider for my family, it was a scary moment.

Once I got over the fear and shame, something magical happened during those four months. I had time to PLAY with my children. And the three of us went ALL IN on local food adventures.

We picked strawberries at our local Upick farm! We foraged for ramps, watercress, and mushrooms. We discovered new recipes for the herbs and veggies growing in our backyard garden.

And in the process, I learned SO MUCH about how to find local farmers and other sources for delicious, healthy, and more sustainable LOCAL FOOD.

I put many of these learnings into the article I wrote for the spring Simple Living Collection.

What’s the Simple Living Collection, you ask?

It’s a wonderful collection of articles, tutorials, and recipes, from more than 40 contributors, all designed to help you embrace a slower and more simple life.

It’s 160+ pages, in a online magazine format (also downloadable as a PDF) that’s yours to keep forever.

It’s released once per season to help you ground and root your slow living routines into the natural flow of the seasons.

It’s $25 and on sale until Monday, March 21st via the link in my bio.

I’ll continue to share my favorite bits and pieces from this spring’s collection in my stories and posts.

#springlivingcollection #springliving #slowlivingthroughtheseasons #slowliving #simpleliving #simplelivingcollective #intentionalliving #seasonalliving #simplelivingcollection #localfood #farmer #farmersmarket #knowyourfarmer #upick #farmstand #slowlife #simplelife #slowdown

@carbonfreefamily

•

Follow

In April 2020, I was furloughed from my job (that means laid off with a job to come back to). Given that I’m the sole financial provider for my family, it was a scary moment. Once I got over the fear and shame, something magical happened during those four months. I had time to PLAY with my children. And the three of us went ALL IN on local food adventures. We picked strawberries at our local Upick farm! We foraged for ramps, watercress, and mushrooms. We discovered new recipes for the herbs and veggies growing in our backyard garden. And in the process, I learned SO MUCH about how to find local farmers and other sources for delicious, healthy, and more sustainable LOCAL FOOD. I put many of these learnings into the article I wrote for the spring Simple Living Collection. What’s the Simple Living Collection, you ask? It’s a wonderful collection of articles, tutorials, and recipes, from more than 40 contributors, all designed to help you embrace a slower and more simple life. It’s 160+ pages, in a online magazine format (also downloadable as a PDF) that’s yours to keep forever. It’s released once per season to help you ground and root your slow living routines into the natural flow of the seasons. It’s $25 and on sale until Monday, March 21st via the link in my bio. I’ll continue to share my favorite bits and pieces from this spring’s collection in my stories and posts. #springlivingcollection #springliving #slowlivingthroughtheseasons #slowliving #simpleliving #simplelivingcollective #intentionalliving #seasonalliving #simplelivingcollection #localfood #farmer #farmersmarket #knowyourfarmer #upick #farmstand #slowlife #simplelife #slowdown

9 months ago

View on Instagram |

6/8

Spring is coming! And the spring Simple Living Collection is already here! 🌱Get your copy via the link in my bio

I often think of the slow, simple and sustainable life I’m trying to build as taking all the good elements of my grandmothers’ life and bringing them forth into today’s world.

The Simple Living Collection feels like a gift from more than 40 grandmothers, all here to support me in my journey to make this life the best possible version for me and my family.

This year’s spring collection contains more than 160 pages (in a new magazine style format!) of delightful resources to help you slow down and embrace the spring season.

Including more than 5 pieces of inspiration to help me use the beautiful dandelion and violets that are sure to grow in my yard in a few months (this photo is from a batch we picked last spring). See my stories for more details.

I’ll be sharing my favorites throughout the week, including my own contribution… a guide to help you eat more local food this spring and summer!

The collection is $25 and on sale through Monday, March 21st. Learn more and buy your copy using the link in my bio!

Have questions? Ask me anything you want in the comments or send me a message. I’m more than happy to talk about this lovely collection with you!
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#springlivingcollection #simplelivingcollective #springfever #springiscoming #springishere #simpleliving #slowliving #simplelife #slowlife #slowdown #sustainable #sustainability #sustainableliving #ecofriendly #ecofriendlyliving #eco #intentionalliving #progressnotperfection #bethechange

@carbonfreefamily

•

Follow

Spring is coming! And the spring Simple Living Collection is already here! 🌱Get your copy via the link in my bio I often think of the slow, simple and sustainable life I’m trying to build as taking all the good elements of my grandmothers’ life and bringing them forth into today’s world. The Simple Living Collection feels like a gift from more than 40 grandmothers, all here to support me in my journey to make this life the best possible version for me and my family. This year’s spring collection contains more than 160 pages (in a new magazine style format!) of delightful resources to help you slow down and embrace the spring season. Including more than 5 pieces of inspiration to help me use the beautiful dandelion and violets that are sure to grow in my yard in a few months (this photo is from a batch we picked last spring). See my stories for more details. I’ll be sharing my favorites throughout the week, including my own contribution… a guide to help you eat more local food this spring and summer! The collection is $25 and on sale through Monday, March 21st. Learn more and buy your copy using the link in my bio! Have questions? Ask me anything you want in the comments or send me a message. I’m more than happy to talk about this lovely collection with you! . . . . . #springlivingcollection #simplelivingcollective #springfever #springiscoming #springishere #simpleliving #slowliving #simplelife #slowlife #slowdown #sustainable #sustainability #sustainableliving #ecofriendly #ecofriendlyliving #eco #intentionalliving #progressnotperfection #bethechange

9 months ago

View on Instagram |

7/8

It’s cold and snowing here today and I’m SO over it!

Good thing we’re having a seed party with grandma tonight! Planning our veggie garden and watching grandma start our seeds is an important milestone in my journey from winter towards spring.

During another particularly cold weekend in January, we decorated our seed storage box… isn’t it cute??

How do you mark the seasonal journey this time of year? What are your important signs of spring?
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#springfever #seeds #gardenplanning #growwhatyoueat #urbanfarmer #growwhereyouareplanted #localfood #farmer #knowyourfarmer #backyard #backyardgarden #urbangarden #homegrown #growfoodnotlawns #growyourown #growyourownfood #veggies #garden #gardening #gardener #homestead #homesteading #urbanhomestead #optoutside #getoutdoors #abeautifulmess

@carbonfreefamily

•

Follow

It’s cold and snowing here today and I’m SO over it! Good thing we’re having a seed party with grandma tonight! Planning our veggie garden and watching grandma start our seeds is an important milestone in my journey from winter towards spring. During another particularly cold weekend in January, we decorated our seed storage box… isn’t it cute?? How do you mark the seasonal journey this time of year? What are your important signs of spring? . . . . . #springfever #seeds #gardenplanning #growwhatyoueat #urbanfarmer #growwhereyouareplanted #localfood #farmer #knowyourfarmer #backyard #backyardgarden #urbangarden #homegrown #growfoodnotlawns #growyourown #growyourownfood #veggies #garden #gardening #gardener #homestead #homesteading #urbanhomestead #optoutside #getoutdoors #abeautifulmess

9 months ago

View on Instagram |

8/8

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