If you are a coffee aficionado, you are living at the peak of human history. Imagine, just a few centuries ago, people boiled whole raw coffee beans and drank THAT. And now, you can drink a venti pumpkin latte with a dash of vanilla, made from coconut milk, on every corner of the street. But have you ever wondered where and how coffee grows? Or why is it better to drink organic coffee when compared to the regular one? Or what exactly is in your cup of organic jamoke?

5 benefits of organic coffee

Photo by Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

Our friends from USDA have a strict point of view. To them, organic coffee has to be grown without using almost any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Few of them are allowed, but only in small quantities.

If your coffee is labeled organic, then it has passed a thorough checking from planting the bean to brewing your cup of joe. Organic coffee is the best of the best.

So, let’s take a look at all the benefits of consuming organic coffee.

Free of pesticides

Organic coffee is grown using traditional methods. So, almost no pesticides are allowed. Most of the industrial coffee types are heavily treated with pesticides because it increases the yield. However, organic coffee is grown with health in mind.

Has more nutrients

Coffee is not exactly a vitamin bomb, to be honest. But, it contains some essential nutrients, like vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B5. And let’s not forget minerals like magnesium and potassium. But the biggest perk of organic coffee, compared to the regular one, is the number of antioxidants. Any plant grown by traditional, natural methods is rich in antioxidants, and coffee is no exception. When your coffee is grown on clean soil, sun and rain, it is as healthy as it can be.

Photo by Katya Austin on Unsplash

Eco-friendly

Pesticides and synthetic fertilizers don’t just ruin our health. No, sir. They are killing nature. Don’t forget that most of the coffee farms are in undeveloped countries. So, excessive usage of pesticides poisons the soil, and eventually, the sources of drinking water. Not to mention the damage it can cause to the wildlife. But, organic farms are simply part of nature. So, no pesticides, no chemicals, and no harm.

Affordable preservation of nature

Organic coffee is always just a bit more expensive than the regular one. But, it also means you are doing your part in preserving our planet. Moreover, you are helping coffee farmers living a decent life. Growing organic coffee is not easy. It is much easier just to shower the coffee with pesticides. But, paying perhaps a few dollars more for every bag means you helped keep our planet clean, and that’s a small price to pay.

Coffee farm in Brasil, Photo by Nguyen Tong Hai Van on Unsplash

A healthier choice for everyone

The bottom line is this: organic food is healthies. For who, you ask? Everyone who is involved in the coffee cycle. It is healthier for the farmers, as they don’t have to breathe in the chemicals or drink them from the river. Healthier for the roasters, as they don’t get in touch with pesticides while roasting. And in the end, healthier for the end buyer. Drinking organic coffee means you will be consuming the best, 100% natural beans diluted in water. Nothing more.

photo via unsplash

Short conclusion

Although regular coffee has its perks, our money is on organic coffee. And it is not just a fashion statement. Caring for the planet is the responsibility of every person living on Earth. And if that means drinking even tastier coffee, we say it is a win-win situation. If you still haven’t, try a cup of organic coffee. You will be surprised how good does it taste.

Cover image: Photo by Gian Cescon on Unsplash

The article Benefits of consuming organic coffee was originally posted on Ecobnb.

Choosing to remodel or renovate your home instead of building another house with scratch is one of the most incredible choices you will make to make an impact on your community and those around you positively.

Traditionally, remodeling means making changes in the existing structure of the house to upscale it. On the other hand, eco-friendly remodeling simply means reusing the materials that you already possess instead of purchasing new ones.

This can have several benefits like preventing negatively impacting the environment by:

• Using waste materials
• Increasing energy and water waste
• Toxic greenhouse gas emissions
• Amplifying debris caused by demolition

However, preventing these side effects is only possible if you choose to remodel them in an eco-friendly manner. This may prove to be time-taking and hectic initially, but any cons in the short run will never outweigh the pros in the long run. And after you’re done, your home won’t only look aesthetically pleasing, but it will also be environment friendly.

Moreover, by designing your indoor and outdoor exterior keeping sustainability in mind, you can manage your household’s energy and water consumption effectively, this will reduce your utility bills and make the ultimate financial savings dream a reality.

Therefore, in this article, we will be discussing some useful tricks and tips to make your home environmentally friendly for better and sustainable living. So, if you’re in for an interesting read, keep on scrolling.

1. Reuse Instead of Replace

Photo by Unsplash

Home remodeling is a long process. However, make sure you start with the most important step: Recycling. This will not only keep you from purchasing unnecessary items for your home but also have a positive impact on the environment by saving depleting natural resources and reducing toxic gas emissions from transportation and manufacturing of new items.

2. Get a Home Energy Audit Performed by a Professional

A home energy audit is a service done by a professional that evaluates the energy efficiency of a house and also suggests better ways to improve energy efficiency in heating and cooling the house. This provides homeowners with a baseline of their present situation and assists them in taking better steps to improve their home’s energy efficiency and sustainability.

Moreover, when you bring the suggestions into action by reducing your energy consumption or taking other suitable alternates, you’ll be saving plenty of unnecessary expenses on your utility bills and can save some big bucks in the long run.

3. Ensure Gas Safety

Photo by John-Mark Smith on Unsplash

Every single home today has plenty of gas appliances that they may not be willing to replace, which is understandable to some extent considering some gas appliances may be more expensive if you replace them with electric appliances. If that proves to be out of your budget, make sure to ensure to conduct a gas safety check by a registered gas safe engineer in your area.

A professional will inspect all the gas appliances in your home for gas leaks such as carbon monoxide. This will not only prevent a safety hazard but also make sure the environment and those around you stay protected. After the check has been conducted, make sure you obtain a gas safety certificate from the gas safe engineer. Gas safety certificates are a necessity by law if you’re a resident of the UK!

4. Recheck How You Throw Away Trash

While renovating your home is fun and exciting, it does result in accumulated trash no matter how hard you try and prevent it. But throwing away all the trash may not be a wise option. There’s no doubt that some items have to be disposed of through a trash collection service.

However, there are other options to consider that prove to be efficient to the environment and community. This can be done by donating items that could be used by other people such as the underprivileged.

So, if you don’t like that chandelier hanging in your lounge or that old chair in your dining room, take it to Goodwill or a consignment shop instead of just tossing it! This way, you won’t only be protecting your environment but also be giving back to your community.

5. Design Your Bathrooms to Conserve Water

Photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash

A significant percentage of household water is consumed in the bathroom with most of it wasted. Switching to high-efficiency plumbing fixtures can help you save water, money, and energy. This can be done by installing high-efficiency water-saving toilets, showers, and faucets.

6. Choose VOC-Free Paint

Photo by Hendrik Will on Unsplash

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are chemicals that are found in several items we use in home remodeling or maintaining such as paints. However, once these chemicals are used in the form of painting your house or other activities, they off-gas into the air and can cause a health hazard. Therefore, by choosing to go for VOC-free paint when you remodel your home, you will be doing a great favor to not only the environment but also every resident of your home.

7. Go Solar

Photo by Andreas Gücklhorn on Unsplash

There are plenty of reasons as to why so many homeowners have been switching to solar panels these days but doing good for the environment while also reducing energy bills remains at the top. The sun is a renewable energy source and full advantage should be taken of that fact.

Collecting the sun’s power through solar panels can give you the energy to last the whole night or even day. And in the end, you will be getting a great return on your investment through reducing or even eliminating your energy bills. Moreover, it may also increase the value of your property. So, we consider it a win-win.

8. Visit Consignment or Antique Shops

Photo by Diego Catto on Unsplash

Antique and consignment shops are a great option to purchase household items such as decorations items, doorknobs, and lamps. Not only will they help you stay within your budget but also give your house that aesthetically pleasing look you’ve always wanted!

Eco-Friendly Home Remodeling Tips for Homeowners in 2021

Choosing to remodel your home while keeping sustainability in mind does not only help you protect the environment, but it also results in you saving up tons of money while simultaneously giving back to your community. We hope our tips help you out when you choose to opt for sustainable living!

Cover image by: Outsite Co, via unsplash

Author Bio: Shoaib provides ghostwriting and copywriting services. His educational background in the technical field and business studies helps him in tackling topics ranging from career and business productivity to web development and digital marketing. He occasionally writes articles for Gas Safety Certs.

The article Eco-Friendly Home Remodeling Tips for Sustainable Living was originally posted on Ecobnb.

The islands in Croatia have always had a fascinating and relaxing vibe. Hvar, Brač, and Korčula are very popular islands in Dalmatia, well known for travelers, but also for Croatian citizens. However, there are also many other less known islands in Croatia with unique characteristics, where you can find autochthonous species, impressive maritime landscapes, and exceptional history. If your aim is to escape far from the madding crowd, peaceful Rava island is perfect for you.

Rava is a small island in the Zadar archipelago, sited between the islands of Iž and Dugi Otok. It can be reached by catamaran or ferry from Zadar, which sails almost every day and the journey takes 2.5 hours. It features lush forest reflecting in crystal clear waters, the sound of cicadas, and the smell of pine and salt.

Rava island is also a safe haven for boaters. It has thirteen wonderful and sheltered bays and over 15km of coastline. The surface area of the island is only 3.5 square km, mainly planted with olive and pine trees. It is a great place to relax, hang your hammock, enjoy long walks, gaze at romantic sunsets, and jump into the amazingly clean and clear sea.

On the island, you will find two small villages called Mala Rava and Vela Rava with about 100 inhabitants. Here you can experience a sustainable lifestyle in its most authentic way.  Residents know they need to depend on each other in times of trouble, such as when the ferry isn’t running due to strong wind. They value living simply and rely on their creativity and a love of nature.

Here you will come back to your senses and experience the abundance of nature in various ways. From the purest sea and air to picking fig-trees, grapes, and pomegranates along your way to the beach.

Emphasis is placed on hand-made products and local produce.  By planting their own organic garden, they are assuring themselves the best possible fruits and vegetables. Therefore, inject your money into this small local economy while experiencing peak relaxation.

Engage with friendly locals and listen to their stories. Wake up early and buy fresh fish, caught by the local fishermen. If you are tired of cooking, it is known that the best recommendation on where to eat locally caught fish can be given by fishermen since they know best which restaurants buy their catches.

Taste traditional dishes in a charming local tavern that supports local fishermen and has a collection of native crafts. Numerous fishermen and agricultural tools, accessories, and vintage decor are displayed there. Enjoy your meal on the sea view outdoor terrace amongst the olive trees, prepared on an open wood-burning barbecue.

Photo: Trattoria mala Rava

Live more simply and in tune with not only the natural world but your own creative muse. Rava island is also ideal for artists as the local scenery inspires creativity. Choose this hidden gem for your next sustainable vacation and enjoy mindful moments that will really add value to your life!

Photo credit: Photo collection from the author

The article Rava: Beautiful secret island in Croatia you’ve never heard of was originally posted on Ecobnb.