Sustainable Lives Through Frugal Dimes

[frugallythriving]

Welcome

Welcome to my blog.

To live sustainably is something I take seriously. It is a lifestyle, a mindset, and sometimes not a choice. I am grateful for all that I have, and all that I have accomplished. I am especially proud of my parents and what they have accomplished. Many of the things we do may be looked down upon or may take more dedication, creative thinking, or being happy with what you have.

The goal of this blog is to promote environmental consciousness in everyday living. Sustainability is generally seen as somewhat of a luxury, and though this may be true to some degree, frugality is inherently sustainable. In this blog, I want to promote ways that people can be environmentally conscious, without having to spend copious amounts of money, and by instead focussing on maintaining, repairing, repurposing, and being creative.

I hope this set of blog posts may shed some light onto how my family and I live sustainably, and how others can too.

Thank you for joining me in being conscious of my everyday actions and how they impact the planet.

[frugallythriving]

Supporting Local Fauna by Flora

"Pileated Woodpecker (26378150815)" by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

In my childhood home, my parents were able to create a wonderful ecosystem of plants and animals. A wide variety of wildlife can be found on the land, particularly among birds and insects. The bird species present include blue jays, downy and pileated woodpeckers, hummingbirds (which migrate every year and are supported by the sustained environment we maintain) peregrine falcons, robins, magpies, barn swallows, burrowing owls, doves, sparrows, pigeons, ravens, and American redstarts.

"Monarch Butterfly" by docentjoyce is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

In addition to birdlife, there is also a diverse population of insects, including bumble bees, honey bees, a variety of spiders including cat face spiders, tippy bugs, and various butterflies such as monarchs, as well as multiple species of moths and ladybugs. This range of species reflects a healthy and supported ecosystem.

The way my family was able to help support these birds and insects is through landscaping, planting perennials, and planting and over wintering annuals.

The land itself had a mature oak canopy when it was bought. My family since then has planted an ash tree, cherry trees, a choke cherry tree, an apple tree, a butterfly bush, lilac bushes, honeysuckle bushes, and carraganas.

Extensive landscaping was done for the purpose to benefit airflow and sheltering to the house. This included creating burms to reduce noise from traffic as well as shield the plants from salt from the road.

The land currently has many different perennials, some of which were present when it was bought, but most of which have been planted since then. The list includes hydrangeas (which do not require watering more than rain), azaleas, sedums, a wild rose bush, day lilies, lilly of the valley, tiger lilies, siberian lilies, multiple varieties of irises, tulips, astilbes, multiple hostas, hyssops, virginia creepers, russian sage, crocus, columbine, bleeding hearts, spireas, bishop weeds, peonies, blue strife, saliva, multiple varieties of ferns, and mint (hardy to -40 Winnipeg winters).

"Snow-on-the-mountain" by USFWS Headquarters is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

In addition to perennials, there are multiple annuals too: Pansies, canna lillies, snow on the mountain, marigolds, zinnias, bachelor buttons, petunias, german ivy, begonias, wandering “dude”. All are overwintered or harvested for seeds.

There are no bird feeders. Despite being located within city limits, the plantings have provided a viable micro ecosystem to sustain the birds and insects which frequent the land.

Many city dwellers can achieve this same assortment of plants which enable the ecosystem of birds and insects to thrive. Simply planning and planting an assortment of Winnipeg hardy trees and perennials will greatly help, but overwintering and harvesting seeds of annuals may be a little more difficult.

An easy way to get into having repeat annuals is to start small. Marigolds are a perfect gateway annual.

"Marigold" by Jim, the Photographer is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

How to harvest marigolds for seeds:

What you will need:

A marigold plant

Scissors, a knife, or long finger nails

A baking sheet or flat surface able to be located in a lit, dry area

Containers to hold the seeds

A cool, dry place to keep the containers

How to do it:

When your marigold flowers, the flower will last for a week or so.

"Collecting the marigold seeds to plant next summer" by planeta is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Once the flower becomes dry and shrivelled up, you do what's called 'deadheading'. This simply means that you cut off the dead flower (with either the scissors, knife, or your nail).

Then you will put the flowers heads on the flat surface or baking tray, and wait for them to dry further. This may take several days.

By the time the flower heads are dried, they will be much more muted colours and brittle to the touch. At this point, you can pull the petals out of what is called the sepal (the previously green, now brown portion which attached the flower head to the stem). When you pull out the petals, the seeds will follow as the two are attached together. If there are seeds inside the sepal even with all the petals removed, simply roll the sepal between your fingers to dislodge them.

"Married to the Gold" by FeatheredTar is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The seeds (the black and white needle-like in appearance portion) should be separated from the petals. The petals can be used fresh or completely dried as tea, or you can compost them.

The seeds should then be stored once they are completely dry in any container of your choosing. My family puts our seeds in used plastic or glass containers.

You then want to store those seeds in a cool, dry place until you are ready to replant them.

For efficiency, instead of doing this process every time you see a flower is ready to be processed, simply continually dead head the flowers and store them on your tray or flat surface, and remove the seeds from all of them at the end of the plant's flowering period.

Although plants like canna lillies, snow on the mountain, petunias, and vines have different overwintering and seed harvesting methods, similar steps to those of marigolds can be followed for zinnias and bachelor buttons.

[frugallythriving]

Energy

"Energy" by mripp is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Reducing energy consumption at home does not always require major changes or expensive upgrades. In many cases, small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference. By being more mindful of how and when we use electricity and heating or cooling, we can lower our environmental impact while also saving on energy costs.

Some everyday habits to keep in mind include turning off lights when they are not in use and unplugging cords or small appliances when they are not needed. Using timers on things like car plugs can also help avoid unnecessary energy use and ensure devices are only running when required.

Seasonal adjustments can further improve efficiency. In the winter, closing vents and doors to rooms that do not need heat helps concentrate warmth where it is needed most. Closing doors promptly prevents heat from escaping, and keeping the thermostat on a lower setting with a timer can reduce excess energy use. Wearing layers indoors can also reduce the need for higher temperatures, and using the oven more often can contribute a small amount of additional heat to the home.

"OPEN WINDOW, GATHERS THE BREEZE" by marc falardeau is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

In the summer, simple changes can help keep your home cool without over-relying on air conditioning. Opening windows allows for natural airflow, while closing blinds helps block out heat from the sun. Setting air conditioning on a timer ensures it is only used when necessary, and using the oven less helps prevent additional indoor heat.

Overall, these small adjustments can add up to significant energy savings over time. By building these habits into your daily routine, you can create a more sustainable home while maintaining comfort throughout the year.

[frugallythriving]

Showering

"shower-head" by Spring Dew is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Showering is something we all do on a regular basis, yet despite how ingrained it is in our everyday lives, many people do not consider how their habits impact the environment. With a bit more awareness, showering can become an opportunity to support a more sustainable lifestyle rather than just a regular routine.

By being mindful of water use, energy consumption, and the products we choose, we can reduce waste and limit unnecessary environmental impact. Small changes can make a meaningful difference over time, especially when they become consistent habits.

Some aspects of an environmentally conscious shower include:

Using a tepid temperature to avoid excessive hot water use

Keeping showers to 10 to 15 minutes to reduce water consumption

Showering every second day to limit overall water use

Using a metal safety razor instead of disposable or plastic alternatives

Using a pumice stone instead of a loofah

Using shampoo about once a month and washing hair with intention rather than passively

Using homemade soap to avoid harsh chemicals and excessive packaging

Using oils on your hair before or after showering instead of relying on conditioner, which reduces how often you need to purchase packaged products

These simple adjustments can help align everyday habits with a more environmentally conscious way of living.

How to wash your hair by using little to no shampoo:

What you will need:

Water

Ideally at least one hand

How to do it:

Wet your entire head of hair.

While the water is hitting your hair (specifically your scalp), gently but firmly massage your entire scalp working in small sections starting from the crown of your head to the nape of your neck. Personally, I start right at my crown and the work my way to my ears. Then I will go a couple of inches further back and repeat the same process until I get to the nape of my neck. Have the water follow where you are massaging to ensure you are actually cleaning your hair (tilt your head back and forth, side to side).

Make sure you are using your finger tips and make direct contact with your scalp. By massaging your entire scalp, this can help improve your blood flow and is generally relaxing.

"Kleiner Junge beim Duschen, Wasser fließt über sein Gesicht" by Ivan Radic is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Once you have finished working through you scalp, then you can gently wash the rest of your hair.

Do this every time you shower even if you are not using shampoo.

Other ways you can be sustainable while using shampoo and conditioner include:

Buying shampoo and conditioner in bulk and refilling the same smaller container. This limits the amount of packaging that is used per amount of shampoo or conditioner.

Buying shampoo and conditioner from a refill center. This nearly eliminates buying packaging to throw away every time you buy shampoo.

Making your own shampoo and conditioner. This would limit the amount of packaging per amount of shampoo and conditioner, and would give you control over the exact ingredients that are being used in your hair products.

How to Shave Sustainably

What you will need:

Soap

2 Water dishes

Pumice stone

Safety razor

How to do it:

You do not need to have the shower running for this. You can fill your water dishes and turn of the shower. Use one water dish as your clean dish, and your other for dirty.

Wet the area with the clean water, then use soap to create a lather.

Next, exfoliate with the pumice stone.

Once you have a lather, you are ready to start shaving. Safety razor blades are extremely sharp. You do not want to use pressure to shave when using a safety razor. Instead, start with a moderate angle of the blade and gently pull the razor across your skin. Because safety razors have two sides, once you have used one side, switch to the other.

In between each stroke of each side of the razor, rinse the razor in your dirty water dish (swish it around in the water to clean it).

Repeat this process until you are finished shaving.

Now you can turn the shower back on and rinse off.

Once your razor blade becomes dull, replace it with a new one and discard the used one into a mason jar.

Once the mason jar is full, take it to the appropriate recycling facility.

How is this sustainable?

By turning off the shower, you save on using water

By using a pumice stone, you can avoid using and throwing away plastic loofahs

By using a safety razor, you avoid plastics and can recycle the waste

In conclusion, showering more consciously is a simple but meaningful way to reduce your environmental impact. Small adjustments such as using tepid water, shortening shower time, and showering every second day all help reduce water and energy consumption. Over time, these habits add up and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle without requiring major sacrifice.

Being intentional about how you care for your hair also plays an important role. Washing your hair with purpose, whether that means using shampoo less frequently or relying more on natural oils, reduces unnecessary product use and limits packaging waste. Similarly, choosing alternatives like oils instead of conditioner can help reduce consumption and the environmental costs associated with producing and transporting bottled products.

Even everyday grooming choices like shaving can be made more sustainable. Using a safety razor instead of disposable plastic razors significantly reduces waste, since the handle is built to last for years and only the small blades need replacing. This shift away from single-use products helps cut down on plastic pollution while still maintaining an effective routine.

Overall, these mindful changes show that sustainability does not require drastic lifestyle changes. Instead, it comes from small, consistent choices that reduce waste, conserve resources, and align everyday habits with a more environmentally responsible way of living.

[frugallythriving]

Repurposing

Repurposing is a key component of living more sustainably. Instead of throwing items away once they have served their original purpose, repurposing allows you to extend their life, reduce waste, and avoid the need to constantly buy new products. You also learn to indulge in the creativity of designing new ways to use old things.

This practice is inherently sustainable and has become an ingrained part of how I live. Whenever possible, I try to repurpose items in ways that are both functional and resourceful. It is a simple but effective way to reduce consumption and make better use of what is already available.

Below is a list of items, along with pictures, that I or my family have repurposed.

Altoids container as mini sewing kit

Mints container as pencil sharpener and eraser container

Mason jars used as containers

Used metal, wood, faucets and plumbing for making outdoor kitchen

Old pavers into fire pit

Old plates as water saucers for overwintering plants

Old playstructure into picnic table

Used plastic bags for garbage

Dryer lint and pencil shavings as fire starter

Baby food formula containers now used to house screws, hardware, and work pens&pencils

15 year old stump from fallen tree repurposed as lawn ornament

Old fence made into planters

Steeped teas leaves into homemade soap additives

Cardboard boxes into storage bins

Old Christmas tree into Christmas wreath using 15 Year old ornaments

Here is another list of things that I would like to do to be more sustainable:

Using sawdust to make into a tailor's ham

Using silica gel packets for clothing storage

Reloading ammunition

Living off grid

Having a self sustaining lifestyle

[frugallythriving]

Sharpening Tools

Knives, scissors, axes, shears, and machetes are all incredibly useful tools, but with regular use, their efficiency naturally declines as their blades become dull. Instead of replacing them, sharpening and maintaining these tools is a simple and effective way to restore their performance and extend their lifespan.

By taking the time to sharpen your tools, you are actively choosing not to buy new items when they are not needed. This is a more environmentally conscious approach, as it focuses on repairing and maintaining what you already have rather than contributing to additional production and waste. While different types of metal may require slightly different care, all quality metal tools can be maintained in ways that promote their longevity.

Sharpening is not just about keeping tools functional, it also helps ensure cleaner, safer, and more efficient cuts. Metal is inherently strong and durable, and with proper care, your tools can last a lifetime. Embracing this practice supports both sustainability and better performance in your everyday tasks.

In this blog post, I will walk you through step by step how to properly sharpen a kitchen knife.

Things you will need:

A kitchen knife

A sharpening stone

A container that can hold the sharpening stone and water

A piece of cloth to keep the sharpening stone in place

The Process:

First you need to soak the stone. I am using an old ice cube tray to soak my stone. There are many different grits or roughness of stone. For this knife, I am using a dual grit, 100 and 240 grit stone. You want to soak the stone in water for 5-10 mins.

Let the stone sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes. When first submerging the stone, you will notice air bubbles coming out of it.

Once the stone has been fully saturated with water, place down some fabric on a flat surface where it is easy for you to reach, or at about waist height. The fabric is to help avoid having the stone move while you use it. The fabric I am using is from an old pair of work pants. Place the stone fine grit side down. For this stone, the finer grit is 240.

Before you start sharpening, use your hand to pour some water over the stone. If you notice the water being sucked up by the stone, add more. You want to have a small puddle of water where you will be sharpening the blade.

Alternatively, you can also use a sharpening oil, however in the interest of simplicity and frugality, water will do the job.

Next, you must hold the knife blade away from you. With the knife in one hand, put your other hand on the dull side of the tip of the blade. The hand on the handle will be the one holding most of the knife. The hand on the dull side of the tip of the blade is there to help guide your hand.

For sharpening many types of knives, you will need to hold the blade at about a 15 degree angle to the stone. Over time, you will be able to feel this angle and it will come naturally.

To start sharpening, with both hands in position, place the tip of the blade at the end of the stone closest to you. Maintain the 15 degree angle while you do this.

Stand far enough away from the whetstone so you can use your whole arm for the movement. Using a smooth, forwards motion, guide the blade along the whetstone, moving from the point to the handle.

You do not want to be adding pressure to the blade against the whetstone. Instead, you want to let it glide smoothly across the stone. If as you are sharpening, the stone soaks up the water, you can simple add more from the original tub of water where you soaked the stone.

Use this same process until you are content with the sharpness of the one side of the blade.

Next, you want to repeat the exact same method on the other side of the blade by flipping it over.

If you want to achieve a sharper edge, you can use a finer grit in the same way after you have sharpened using the coarser one.

Once the blade is sharp to your content, you must strop it. Stropping is essentially when you pull the length of the blade in the opposite direction to when you were sharpening it. This is done to remove any burrs you may have made when sharpening.

You can use a piece of leather or wood for this, but in a pinch you can also fold the fabric you were using for keeping the stone in place by folding it overtop of the stone.

Start at the furthest point with the part of the blade closest to the handle, and then drag it towards you working towards the point.

The same as for sharpening the knife, you want to strop it on either side. Repeat this on the other side.

You have now a sharpened knife.

This sharpening process can be used for pocket knives, kitchen knives, hunting knives, for scissors (some shears or scissors actually can be taken apart to sharpen easier if they have a screw holding the two sides together), machetes, axes or hatchets. For some tools, it also pays to oil the blades. For example, for the outdoors tools (axes, hatchets, bushcraft knives, etc.) you can simply apply an oil such as gun oil before placing it back in its sheath.

For larger items or stronger steels, you may need to use a stone with a lower grit initially. These metals take longer to do by hand, but can be done. I did so with this tomahawk. Thankfully, for the size, I did not need to take off the head of the tomahawk, but if you are doing an axe, you may need to take the head off.

Below are some of the other tools I sharpened by using the same method as above, and using an arrangement of grit sizes ranging from 100 to 1000.

Sharpening your tools not only improves their effectiveness but also significantly extends their lifespan. By choosing to maintain and care for what you already own, you reduce the need to continually purchase new tools. This simple practice supports a more sustainable way of living: one that values longevity, reduces waste, and makes the most of the resources you already have.

[frugallythriving]

Reconditioning Leather

Leather is a durable material used in many different types of items, from clothing and footwear to bags and accessories. One of its key strengths is its longevity. With proper care, leather can last for many years and even improve in appearance and flexibility over time. Maintaining leather involves regular cleaning, conditioning, and sealing, which does require time and effort, but ultimately helps extend the life of the product.

From a sustainability perspective, investing in high-quality leather goods can be more responsible than frequently replacing lower-quality items that wear out quickly or cannot be repaired. Choosing durable products reduces overall consumption and helps minimize waste over time.

Although leather is a natural material that comes from animals, it can still play a role in a more sustainable lifestyle when it is used thoughtfully. Most of the leather items I personally buy are second hand, and I also pay attention to the quality of the leather, such as whether it is full grain, as well as the overall construction of the item. By doing this, I aim to invest in long-term purchases that can be repaired, maintained, and used for years rather than replaced frequently.

In this blog post, I will explain how to properly maintain a pair of leather boots.

Things you will need:

A pair of leather boots

Leather conditioner

Leather sealant

Beeswax or other wax (optional)

The process:

Firstly, remove the laces of your shoes and any inserts or soles.

As an aside, if your laces break, you can always use spare ribbon to replace them as I have done for my dress shoes here.

Once the laces and the like are off of the shoes, then you can wash them with soapy water and a rag. It is important that for this step you completely clean the shoes. This can be especially difficult in winter due to the wetness and salt from the roads, but it is absolutely necessary for the oiling and conditioning.

Once the shoe is cleaned, make sure that you dry it with a clean cloth and then let it air dry for about 5 minutes. For the next step, you need the shoe completely dry.

Once the shoe is dry, you can apply your leather conditioner. There are many different conditioners that you can use for this. Some examples are shoe specific leather conditioners or oils such as coconut oil or olive oil. If you are unsure of how the conditioner may discolour your shoe, test out using the conditioner on an inconspicuous portion of the leather before you do the whole shoe.

You can use either a clean hand, a clean rag, or the applicator that comes with the leather conditioner to apply the conditioner. Be careful not to use too much conditioner as this can weaken the fibers of the leather and cause premature wear. Enough conditioner to cover the whole shoe when you buff it in will suffice. When applying the conditioner, try to apply reasonable pressure and speed in circular motions to increase the temperature of the conditioner and allow it to better penetrate the leather. At this point, ensure that you reach every nook and cranny of the shoe including the tongue and in between the eyelets.

Now, let the conditioner soak into the shoe for 2 to 5 minutes.

Once the conditioner is absorbed into the shoe, you can apply your sealant. Sealants are good for providing an extra layer of protection against the weather and debris. There are many types of sealants. In a pinch you can use shoe polish, but if you want a more long lasting or waterproofing solution, beeswax or beeswax based sealant will work best.

To apply the sealant, you need to make sure that it is heated up sufficiently. I always use a clean hand to warm up the sealant and apply it to the shoe. You use the same method as for the conditioner; apply small amounts and work it in using pressure and speed to maintain a warmer temperature for the sealant.

Make sure that as you are working the sealant onto the shoe that you pay special focus on wear points and damaged areas. For example, the creases of the leather where your foot flexes and the toe and outside of the foot are common wear points.

Now you are finished conditioning and sealing your shoe. If you have any sections of the shoe that are ripped or more noticeably damaged, you can always use melted wax to repair the damage.

For example, this shoe has a rip in the leather. You can use wax and or a flexible glue to keep the tear from getting bigger, and then apply your sealant overtop of it.

Now that you have repaired, conditioned, and sealed your shoes, all that is left is to lace them back up.

You can use the same care process for anything made out of leather, including leather jackets, furniture, gloves, bags, belts, wallets, and even tools. It is very important to take proper care of your leather items, especially because leather is an animal product, and maintaining it is a way of respecting the animal it came from.

By regularly conditioning, sealing, and maintaining leather, you can significantly prolong its lifespan and improve its durability. This reduces the need to frequently replace items and instead encourages repairing and caring for the products you already own. In doing so, you lower overall consumption and waste, making leather care a more environmentally conscious practice.

[frugallythriving]

Oiling Wooden kitchen utensils

When you use wooden cutting boards, spatulas, tongs, or spoons, you can feel a little closer to living a more sustainable lifestyle. In my own experience, my family has relied on wooden utensils for as long as I can remember. Aside from a few stone cutting boards and some metal tools, wood has always been the standard in our kitchen. Choosing wood over plastic is not just a personal or nostalgic preference, it also comes with real environmental and health benefits.

Plastic production has become a massive industry, replacing many items that were traditionally made from wood, metal, or stone. By choosing wooden utensils, you can avoid introducing synthetic materials into your food and reduce your support of plastic manufacturing and its negative environmental impacts. Wood is a natural material, and when properly cared for, a single utensil can last for generations, making it a far more sustainable long-term option.

However, maintaining wooden kitchen tools does require some care. To keep them durable, safe, and long-lasting, regular maintenance is essential. One of the most important steps in caring for wooden utensils is properly oiling them.

In this blog post, I will walk you through step by step on how to properly oil a wooden cutting board.

What you will need:

A wooden cutting board

Mineral oil

Soap and water

A clean rag

The Process:

Start with cleaning the wood with soapy water

Once the cutting board is clean, remove any excess water on the wood by hand using a cloth.

Next, let the cutting board completely air dry. It is important that for this section you provide the most amount of air flow possible to the wood. You do not want to lay the cutting board down on the drying mat flat, instead have it leaning where air can reach either side of it.

Once the cutting board is completely dry, you should be able to see that it is a much drier colour. The wood may appear dull, and should be completely dry to the touch. This step is vital to oiling the cutting board as if it is still wet, the oils can trap in that moisture and cause damage to the cutting board. When I am planning on oiling the boards I have, I always let them sit for several hours or even overnight before I apply any oils.

When your cutting board is completely dry, you will take your cutting board, mineral oil, and clean rag to a clean area to start oiling. Apply some mineral oil to the clean rag or drop some of the oil directly onto the cutting board. The rag I am using is an old cotton t-shirt I cut up to use as a rag.

Next, you want to completely saturate the cutting board with oil. Pay special attention to anywhere on the board you may see any cracks or damage. You should be using your clean rag at this point to work in the direction of the wood grain.

Normally, if I have a cutting board that is starting to snag when I wipe the oil on with the rag, at the next time it is due for an oiling, I will sand it down to smooth the surface. You may need to do this when you have used the cutting board for many years and there are many knife marks in the wood.

Once the cutting board is fully saturated with oil, you will notice that the visual appeal of the board has changed. The oil will bring out the colours of the wood and make it appear much more vibrant. The oil helps in preserving the wood and its appearance as well as keeps it hydrated to prevent cracks or splits in the wood.

I was also oiling some wooden spatulas at this time, and you can see from this image the difference in the colours of the wood from before oiling to after oiling.

Wipe off any excess oil from the wood, and lay it in a similar manner to when you initially dried it. If you are laying your items down flat, ensure that you return to flip them periodically to maximize air flow. The oil needs to sit on the wood ideally anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. At this point, you can continue on to your next cutting board or utensil.

I went on to oil another cutting boards as well as the rest of my spatulas.

After you have let the cutting board and any other wooden utensils sit for the oil to penetrate, wipe off any excess oil. At this point, you are finished oiling, and you can store all your wood back in your cupboard and drawers.

Oiling your wooden utensils is vital for maintaining their longevity. To keep them in good condition, you should oil them regularly. Ideally you can do this about once a month for items you use every day. A good rule of thumb is to pay attention to the wood itself: if it starts to look dry or dull, it’s time for another coat of oil.

This simple step plays an essential role in preserving the quality and safety of your wooden tools. With just a small amount of consistent care, you can prevent the wood from drying out, cracking, or absorbing excess moisture. Properly maintained wooden utensils and cutting boards can last for years, making them a sustainable and worthwhile investment.

By taking the time to care for your wood in this way, you’re not only extending the life of your kitchen tools but also supporting a more mindful and environmentally conscious lifestyle. It’s a small, practical habit that can make a lasting difference both in your kitchen and beyond.