There’s something about the rhythm of city life that’s got a pull stronger than the moon. Perhaps it’s the vibrant cultural diversity, and the fact that there’s always something exciting going on at any hour of the day or night. Or maybe it’s the world class cuisine, museums, theater, art, and music. Whatever the reasons, those of us who live in the city wouldn’t have it any other way. 

If you love both the city and our precious planet, however, you may have realized that living a green life in the city is not always a simple thing—and can sometimes seem downright overwhelming. 

So how can we balance all the benefits of city living with our growing environmental awareness?  Here are our top Sari Foods tips: 

Take recycling to the next level. 

Almost every city has its own recycling system, and you’re probably already recycling materials like glass, cardboard, and metal. You can take things a step further if you have a small garden or roof terrace by making your own compost from raw vegetable peels, tea bags, and paper. All you need is a compost bin, which you can buy (or make, if you’re DIY inclined). Use the compost you create on your own plants to help them grow strong and healthy, knowing that you’re also cutting down on the volume of trash going into landfills.

Get into gardening. 

Apartment living can leave you craving the greenery that cleans the air, soothes the soul, and cools the planet. Thankfully there are lots of ways to create a green area in your home, even with very limited space.

One of the easiest ways to garden indoors is to grow edible herbs—and cooking with fresh basil, parsley, or thyme is unbeatable. Creating a hanging space for your herb garden is a great way to save space, and gives you  easy access to all your plants. 

Looking for something really low maintenance? Why not convert a half used bookshelf into a mini succulent and cactus garden? These desert plants are almost effortless to keep since they don’t need much water, and they bring a sophisticated beauty to any space.

If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony or a courtyard, you could even plant a few of your own vegetables outdoors. Tomatoes, lettuce, zucchini, and peas are excellent choices for beginners, and your local plant center can offer valuable support. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try planting seeds from store bought vegetables and fruits, but starting from established seedlings is a safer bet.

Finally, when planning your indoor or outdoor city garden, don’t forget the flowers! Whether you prefer hanging pots or window boxes, their bright blossoms will add color, life, and sweetness to your days.

Upcycle. 

Upcycling is one of our favorite urban-friendly green trends, and we think you’ll love it too. To get started, simply go through your home and identify the clothes, furniture, and electronics that are no longer useful or bringing you joy. You may want to salvage some of these things by giving them a DIY facelift—or instead, pass them on to others who could make better use of them. By checking out consignment shops and online sharing communities, your (gently used) “trash” can become someone else’s treasure—and vice-versa! Whether you decide to fix things up or pass them along, upcycling provides a wonderful way to give new life to unwanted clothing and household items, keeping them out of landfills and easing the burden of waste on our planet.

Try and add a vegetarian or vegan day to your week. 

Animal foods come with a huge carbon footprint, so the less of them we eat, the better it is for our fragile earth. Even if “going veg” isn’t for you, eliminating meat and/or other animal products from your diet once a week can still significantly help our planet breathe easier. Your body will thank you as well, since plant foods are chock full of healthy fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Pick a day of the week and have fun experimenting with a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. And remember, vegan superfoods are a great way to add flavor and nutrition to meatless dishes. Check out our blog for recipe ideas.

Make time for outdoor adventures. 

Finally, no matter how much you love the city, time spent in nature still does wonders for the body and spirit. So whether you play in the surf, hike in the woods, or just picnic in a local park, be sure your green city life includes some regular fun time under the sun and stars. Frequent outdoor adventures will recharge your batteries and help you fully enjoy all that city life has to offer.

We hope these tips will help you find the inspiration to bring some much needed green goodness into your life. Peace, love, and green living from the Sari Foods family.