Raising Eco Minimalists

Laura Durenberger

A community for those raising kids who care about the wellbeing of their mind, body, community, & the earth. Living a low waste and minimalist lifestyle can often feel like going against the grain of society. And when you throw kids into the mix? Finding a community of like-minded individuals to learn from, support, find encouragement, and overall who share the same values - at a similar level - can be challenging. This podcast is that community. Join me, your host, a self-described anxious eco-minimalist, every other week as I dive deep into issues and topics related to living an eco-friendly and minimalist lifestyle with kids. But above all, form a community that raises kids who care about the wellbeing of their own minds, bodies, and our earth (and everything that calls it home.) Be sure to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. read less
Kids & FamilyKids & Family

Episodes

How to raise a global citizen with Jess and Jen - ep. 26
Apr 20 2022
How to raise a global citizen with Jess and Jen - ep. 26
Jess Purcell of Thoughtfully Sustainable (episode 5) and Jen Panaro of Honestly Modern (episode 11) are back to talk about two new projects they've been working on. Find the full written episode transcript here. The first is a new book for everyone raising an eco-minimalist called "How to Raise a Global Citizen: For the parents of children who will save the world", which is a multi-author compilation of resources, amazing content, and tips from parent bloggers around the world. Their second joint venture is their website Raising Global Kidizens which acts as a resource for those raising responsible global citizens. Raising Global Kidizens provides content that aligns with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to create an equitable world for all.  Resources mentioned in this episode: Coloring posterWhere to find Jen and Jess:Jen: Honestly Modern & WasteWellJess: Thoughtfully Sustainable Let's connect!Email me: Laura@raisingecominimalists.comBlog (Reduce, Reuse, Renew)Instagram (@raisingecominimalistspodcast or @reducereuserenewblog)Support the Show Leave a review on Apple and/or Spotify Support the showLet's connect!Sign up and receive the eco-activity book with over 15 activities for kids. Email me: Laura@raisingecominimalists.com Blog (Reduce, Reuse, Renew) Instagram (@raisingecominimalistspodcast or @reducereuserenewblog) Support the Show Leave a review on Apple and/or Spotify
How to reduce food waste at home (with kids) - Alison of ends & stems - ep. 21
Feb 9 2022
How to reduce food waste at home (with kids) - Alison of ends & stems - ep. 21
Got food waste? Over 30-40% of all food is wasted. Yet, we have people in our own communities and elsewhere that are going hungry. We know composting is important, but reducing food waste first is the goal. However, when we throw kids into the mix, it can feel completely out of our control and overwhelming. In this episode, I'm talking with Alison Mountford of ends & stems - a professional chef who has a focus on helping busy families get food on the table without the stress, drama, and overwhelm, with the added bonus of reducing food waste. Yes, even if you have CHOOSEY eaters!Complete episode transcript. Here are the questions we answer and topics covered:Issue with food wasteHow to tackle home-packed school lunchesWays we can talk to kids about food wasteHow to incorporate reducing food waste into your family valuesHow to address food waste at home with choosy eatersHow to avoid making separate meals for kids who don’t like what’s being servedHow to get dinner on the table for your family with less stress and less drama and less food wasteResources mentioned in this episode (some links may contain affiliate links, which helps support our amazing guests and this podcast):Bento BoxEpisode 11 - How to compost at home with kidsFamily values episodes (Ep 17 with Lindsay & Episode 2 with Stephanie)Gardening with kids ep. 4Where to find Alison & ends & stems:ends & stemsrecipe finderInstagramLet's connect!Email me: Laura@raisingecominimalists.comBlog (Reduce, Reuse, Renew)Instagram (@raisingecominimalistspodcast or @reducereuserenewblog)Support the Show LSupport the showLet's connect!Sign up and receive the eco-activity book with over 15 activities for kids. Email me: Laura@raisingecominimalists.com Blog (Reduce, Reuse, Renew) Instagram (@raisingecominimalistspodcast or @reducereuserenewblog) Support the Show Leave a review on Apple and/or Spotify
A Low (zero) Waste Halloween with Kids - Ep. 018
Sep 29 2021
A Low (zero) Waste Halloween with Kids - Ep. 018
Americans spend BILLIONs of dollars a year on Halloween celebrations. The amount of waste that goes into the items we buy is a lot. Not to mention, expensive! I even give lots of ideas to the common question: what do I hand out to trick or treaters that's eco-friendly and low waste?This episode talks about how to have an eco-friendly Halloween with kids. Here are the questions I answer and topics covered:-frightening Halloween statistics-what to give trick-or-treaters (non-candy and candy ideas)-the Teal Pumpkin Project-what to do with all those candy wrappers-what to do with leftover Halloween candy-eco friendly Halloween costumes-where to rent Halloween costumes-how to keep pumpkin carving eco-friendly-what to do with your pumpkin after HalloweenResources mentioned in this episode (some links may contain affiliate links, which helps support our amazing guests and this podcast):-teal pumpkin map-terra cycle candy wrapper recycling box-Kidizen App-ToyCycle-Rent-a-Romper-HalloweenCostumes.com-Episode Six with Addie on Thrifting Kids Items-Episode 11 with Jen on Composting with Kids-ShareWasteBuy Nothing Project GroupFreecycle.orgNextdoor Facebook MarketplaceLet's connect!Email me: Laura@raisingecominimalists.comBlog (Reduce, Reuse, Renew)Instagram (@raisingecominimalistspodcast or @reducereuserenewblog)Facebook Raising Eco Minimalist Community GroupSupport the showLet's connect!Sign up and receive the eco-activity book with over 15 activities for kids. Email me: Laura@raisingecominimalists.com Blog (Reduce, Reuse, Renew) Instagram (@raisingecominimalistspodcast or @reducereuserenewblog) Support the Show Leave a review on Apple and/or Spotify
Boundaries & Simply Sustainable Parenting with Lindsay Short - Ep. 17
Sep 15 2021
Boundaries & Simply Sustainable Parenting with Lindsay Short - Ep. 17
In this episode, I'm talking with Lindsay Short of Simply Sustainable Parenting. Lindsay and I cover a variety of topics, but the meat of the episode is focused on something I think many of us struggle with - setting boundaries. Here are the questions we answer and topics covered:Lindsay’s definition of sustainability (and how it’s different than the traditional meaning)How mindfulness and mental health play into the sustainability movementHow we can incorporate mindfulness, mental health, and sustainability into our familyHow to create a family mission statement (and what it is)How we can set boundaries for ourselvesHow we can set boundaries for our kids How we can teach our kids to set boundaries for themselves How to address pushback from others in regards to boundaries What a simple playroom is and how to maintain itSome benefits of having fewer toys for kidsResources mentioned in this episode (some links may contain affiliate links, which helps support our amazing guests and this podcast):Mission statement worksheetEpisode 2 with Stephanie Sefarian Boundary setting around gift giving workshopConscious parenting book clubWhere to find Lindsay:InstagramBlogLet's connect!Email me: Laura@raisingecominimalists.comBlog (Reduce, Reuse, Renew)Instagram (@raisingecominimalistspodcast or @reducereuserenewblog)Facebook Raising Eco Minimalist Community GroupBecome a podcast member (and help support the show!)Support the showLet's connect!Sign up and receive the eco-activity book with over 15 activities for kids. Email me: Laura@raisingecominimalists.com Blog (Reduce, Reuse, Renew) Instagram (@raisingecominimalistspodcast or @reducereuserenewblog) Support the Show Leave a review on Apple and/or Spotify
How to Stop Overscheduling - Ep. 16
Aug 18 2021
How to Stop Overscheduling - Ep. 16
Research shows that kids who are overscheduled don't eat as well, sleep as well, or make friends as well as kids who aren't overscheduled. Additionally, overscheduling kids when they're younger can lead to things like anxiety, depression, and hamper their ability to solve problems and make good decisions. As parents/guardians, we are probably well-intentioned by signing our kids up for all the things. But it can not only be detrimental to their wellbeing, but ours too. Here are the questions we answer and topics covered:How overscheduling can be a detriment to our kids (and us)What research shows about this topicWhy we may overscheduleFive ways to stop overscheduling Resources mentioned in this episode (some links may contain affiliate links, which helps support our amazing guests and this podcast):Free workshop: Seeds for changeEpisode 2: Eco Minimalism and Kids with Stephanie Sefarian The Overscheduled Child by Alvin Rosenfeld, MDThe Hurried Child by David Elkind Let's connect!Email me: Laura@raisingecominimalists.comBlog (Reduce, Reuse, Renew)Instagram (@raisingecominimalistspodcast or @reducereuserenewblog)Facebook Raising Eco Minimalist Community GroupBecome a podcast member (and help support the show!)Support the showLet's connect!Sign up and receive the eco-activity book with over 15 activities for kids. Email me: Laura@raisingecominimalists.com Blog (Reduce, Reuse, Renew) Instagram (@raisingecominimalistspodcast or @reducereuserenewblog) Support the Show Leave a review on Apple and/or Spotify