Sustainable Living by Dana

08/06/2025

𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗨𝗧 𝗢𝗜𝗟 🌴🥥

Since 2018, Coconut Oil has always been a staple in all of my DIY recipes, especially for my skincare. However, I’ve always bought my Coconut Oils from huge brands online despite us having hectares of Coconut Farms here in Leyte. Our neighbors and the elders in our family even know how to create Coconut Oil at home! For years, I’ve been lenient and I didn’t have any thoughts whatsoever, but this month, I had a Eureka moment! 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱?

And so here it is! This homemade Coconut Oil has a lower carbon footprint, ethically-sourced, safer for health because goodbye chemicals, is packed with more nutrients and wayyyy cheaper than commercial coconut oils! It can also be a form of livelihood for our neighbors, who are local farmers here in Hilongos, Leyte! Someday, I wish I can share their Coconut Oils to all of you! 🌴🥥

So introducing, our homemade Coconut Oil! I use this for my hair 💇🏻‍♀️, my skin as a lotion🧴, and currently experimenting using it as an oil for food like frying 🍳 and the likes. Oh my so many uses for Coconut Oils!

ANY RECOS FOR OTHER USES OF COCONUT OIL? 🌴🥥

08/06/2025

Taking note of this! 🧂

Crafted in the coastal town of Miag-ao, Iloilo, Budbud salt is made through a centuries-old method: seawater is evaporated in clay jars, then filtered through ashes and cooked in bamboo over a wood fire then blended with an age-old secret — balunos, a wild mountain vine that gives the salt its unique depth and flavor. The result? A uniquely flavorful, mineral-rich salt infused with deep cultural heritage.

Available in-store and online at www.echostore.ph

30/04/2025

This Labor Day, we honor not just the strength of our farmers, but their deep, quiet partnership with nature.

While others rest, the farmer rises.
In every seed they plant, a future is born.
Today, we honor not just labor, but the hands that heal the Earth.

Every seed they plant, every soil they care for, is a step toward food security and environmental balance.

They don’t just feed us, they heal the Earth.

Padayon, mga Mag-uuma. You are not just workers of the land, but stewards of the future.

13/04/2025

This Holy Week, let’s go beyond tradition.
Let’s fast not just for ourselves—but for something greater. 🌍

Fast from waste.
Fast from excess.
Fast from habits that harm our only home.

Make space for silence, simplicity, and sustainability.
Let every small sacrifice be a step toward renewal—of soul, society, and Earth.

Faith is more than prayer.
It’s how we live. It’s how we care.

07/04/2025

Today is World Health Day!

A global reminder that our environment and our health are deeply connected.

Polluted air, unsafe water, poor sanitation, and exposure to harmful chemicals don’t just harm the Earth—they put lives at risk. Climate change brings more diseases, worsens hunger, and puts pressure on already fragile healthcare systems.

Let this be a call to action: a healthier environment leads to healthier communities.
As we care for the planet, we care for ourselves, our loved ones, and the generations to come.

Let’s choose sustainable living—because a healthy planet is essential for healthy people.

06/04/2025

It’s Earth Month!

This April, let’s embrace simple yet meaningful habits: unplug appliances when not in use, conserve water, say no to single-use plastics, and support local, sustainable products. These small acts, when done consistently, can create a wave of change.

Earth Month isn’t just about awareness, it’s about responsibility. Every choice we make echoes in the future we shape. Padayon ta, para sa kalikopan.

Together, let’s be stewards of a greener tomorrow.

01/04/2025

It’s April Fool’s Day!

Today, let’s not just laugh at pranks but also reflect on some environmental myths that have been fooling us for far too long. These misconceptions may seem harmless, but they can shape how we think and act toward the environment. From believing that trees attract lightning to thinking houseplants cause suffocation at night, these myths can hold back meaningful action and awareness.

Let’s break free from these outdated beliefs and focus on the facts. Embracing the truth empowers us to make better choices and inspire others to do the same. Don’t let myths fool you — spread knowledge and advocate for real environmental change!

31/03/2025

Yesterday was 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲! ✨
So today, allow me to share to all of you how I promote 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 in my lifestyle!

I very rarely buy new clothings, bags, and shoes. I think a whooping 98% of my wardrobe are reused items. I always buy used items not only because they are way cheaper but because I have learned a lot about textile wastes and how they contribute to environmental problems. ❤️🌱

The textile industry has significant negative impacts on the environment, which extend far beyond fast fashion. Here are some important facts:

🌊 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The production of textiles involves heavy use of dyes and chemicals, many of which end up polluting rivers, lakes, and oceans. This has devastating effects on aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies.

⚡️ 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The textile manufacturing process is energy-intensive, particularly in the production of synthetic materials like polyester. This contributes to high carbon emissions and global warming.

💧 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞: Cotton production alone accounts for enormous water consumption, which depletes freshwater resources. For instance, growing cotton requires about 2,700 liters of water to produce just one T-shirt.

🚜 𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐬: Cotton farming relies heavily on pesticides and fertilizers, which harm soil health, contaminate water supplies, and threaten biodiversity.

👚 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The industry generates tons of waste during production, as well as clothing waste from consumers. Landfills are burdened with textiles that often contain synthetic fibers, taking centuries to degrade.

💨 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The burning of fossil fuels for energy, as well as emissions from processing chemicals, contributes to air pollution and respiratory health issues.

🔬 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞: Synthetic textiles release microplastics during washing. These tiny particles enter oceans and harm marine life, eventually finding their way into the food chain.

🌳 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The demand for certain materials, such as viscose and rayon, leads to deforestation, further damaging ecosystems and reducing carbon storage.

With that, it is important that we regulate ans encourage low production of clothes to minimize these impacts. Promoting Circular Economy is definitely one way to do that! So let’s go! Let’s keep thrifting! 👚✨

30/03/2025

Every year, millions of tons of waste end up in landfills, oceans, and communities, polluting the environment and endangering wildlife. International Zero Waste Day reminds us that our choices matter and that small actions can lead to big changes.

Imagine a world where single-use plastics are a thing of the past, where every item is reused, recycled, or repurposed, and where our waste footprint is minimized. It starts with each of us making mindful decisions, refusing unnecessary plastic, reducing waste in our daily lives, recycling responsibly, and finding creative ways to repurpose old items.

Waste is more than just an environmental problem, it is a crisis that affects our health, our ecosystems, and our future. By choosing to live more sustainably and making conscious choices, we can protect our planet for generations to come.

Join us this International Zero Waste Day in taking a stand against waste. Start small, think big, and remember, every action counts. Let us create a cleaner, greener world together.

26/03/2025

It's the dry season, yet the rain continues to fall.

Weather patterns are becoming unpredictable, but this gives us an opportunity to make the most of a valuable resource—rainwater. Instead of letting it go to waste, we can use it wisely at home in practical ways:

1. Bathing & Handwashing – During water shortages, rainwater can be used for bucket baths and handwashing, ensuring hygiene without depending on tap water.

2. Toilet Flushing – Flushing toilets consumes a significant amount of water daily. Using rainwater helps reduce water bills and conserves freshwater.

3. Laundry – Rainwater is a great alternative for washing clothes, especially when heavy rains provide an ample supply.

4. Watering Plants – Free from chlorine and other chemicals, rainwater is ideal for keeping plants hydrated and gardens thriving.

5. Cleaning Vehicles – Instead of using potable water, rainwater can be collected for washing cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, reducing unnecessary water waste.

By adopting these simple practices, we can cut down on water consumption, save on costs, and contribute to a more sustainable way of living. Every drop matters.