Did you know that eating a vegan diet can be the biggest contributor to reducing your carbon footprint?  In fact, research suggests that giving up dairy and meat alone can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by up to 73%.  

However, it can be hard to adopt a plant-based lifestyle all at once. There is so much information and sometimes it can be confusing. But even starting small and giving up a few items one day a week can make a big impact. In this episode, we dive into simple strategies and practical ways to look at adopting a plant-based diet that is manageable.

We also talk about the difference between vegan and cruelty-free and how one does not necessarily mean the other and the importance of researching your products. I  help guide you through how to research without the overwhelm! Again, this is a lot of information but we hope by taking these small steps you feel empowered and confident that you are making a difference!

Topics Discussed:

• The benefits of a vegan diet on the environment.
• Lowering our carbon footprint.
• How to start with small changes.
• The difference between vegan and cruelty-free.

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SUBSCRIBE TO START SMALL:

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-small/id1537390467

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9tb3lhYXNoZWFidXR0ZXIubGlic3luLmNvbS9wbGF5ZXJmbQ

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Resources Mentioned:

Leaping Bunny: https://www.leapingbunny.org/

Recipes:

https://www.thespruceeats.com/engine-2-diet-vegan-lasagna-recipe-3378509

https://minimalistbaker.com/1-hour-vegan-shepherds-pie/

https://simpleveganblog.com/simple-tofu-scramble/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/healthy/g807/vegan-recipes/

Connect with us!

Website: https://www.moyaasheabutter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moyaasheabutter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/moyaashea

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQKGox5xnowa3nD1J5vGQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

We can’t expect the general public to know everything about food. That is why there are regulations and standards in place right?  But what happens when those regulations fail to do what they are designed to do?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kazemi as we talk about the short-comings of regulations, laws, and even the medical field when it comes to protecting us.

We have to understand that we may be stuck in our bad habits.  Sometimes it takes someone else helping us to see that and sometimes we have to get to the end of our options.  We also have to realize for ourselves why we want this.

For our health, for the economical aspects, for the environmental aspects.  All these different incentives help us to make our decisions and when we can see and measure how our changes are making a difference it can help us to move forward with our healthier decisions.

Topics Discussed:

• Where regulations fall short.
• How does someone get on the right path for a more sustainable life? 
• How we get stuck in something that isn’t good for us.
• How to get past barriers with healthy eating.
• The incentives of a plant based diet. 

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iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-small/id1537390467

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQKGox5xnowa3nD1J5vGQ

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/start-small

TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Start-Small-p1380487/

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9tb3lhYXNoZWFidXR0ZXIubGlic3luLmNvbS9wbGF5ZXJmbQ

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Connect with Dr. Kazemi:

Website: https://sharedharvestfarm.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharedharvestdunnville/

Connect with us!

Website: https://www.moyaasheabutter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moyaasheabutter/

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQKGox5xnowa3nD1J5vGQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

A journalist once called her an “accidental entrepreneur” and she agrees. Our guest this week, Jenn Harper says that she started her business Cheekbone Beauty with “just 500 dollars and a dream”. Her vision is to make not only amazing products but also a difference in this world.

Jenn is an award-winning social entrepreneur that seeks to “close the gap” between indigenous and non-indigenous students through education and her beauty brand. Today we talk about why“We cannot talk about sustainability without talking about indigenous people.” and how Jenn is taking small steps to address a big issue that she is very passionate about.

We hope this story encourages you that you do not have to save the world in a day, but as Jenn beautifully says, true success is measured only “in how much you give back.”

Connect with Jenn: https://cheekbonebeauty.ca/

*Moyaa Shea Products is proud to be a raw ingredient supplier to Cheekbone Beauty’s new sustainable lipstick line 

Resource Mentioned: 

• Jenn Harper on Dragons Den: https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/m_pitches/cheekbone-beauty
• Link for the collaboration with Christie Belcourt: https://cheekbonebeauty.ca/products/cheekbone-x-christie-belcourt-limited-edition-gift-box
• Jen Harper Chatelaine Magazine Women of the Year: https://www.chatelaine.com/living/jennifer-harper-woman-of-the-year-2019/

Topics Discussed:

• What is “clean beauty”? How is she using lipstick to make a difference?
• The indigenous teaching of how ingredients impact “7 generations”
• Challenges in being a social entrepreneur and small steps we can take to solve them.

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SUBSCRIBE TO START SMALL:

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-small/id1537390467

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Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/start-small

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Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9tb3lhYXNoZWFidXR0ZXIubGlic3luLmNvbS9wbGF5ZXJmbQ

Connect with us!

Website: https://www.moyaasheabutter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moyaasheabutter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/moyaashea

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQKGox5xnowa3nD1J5vGQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

This week I am so excited to be connected with Christal Earle the founder of Brave Soles who is on a mission to help us truly “love and be connected with what we own.”

Christal shares with us about spending years as a social entrepreneur and how a trip to the Dominican Republic completely changed her life. After seeing a group of people working in a landfill, who were doing behind the scenes work of recycling, she had an idea.

With 250 dollars she started her company, which takes old tires and makes gorgeous shoes, calling it “Brave Soles” as a reflection of her own personal journey.  As she says, her goal for the company is to help us understand that “the choices we make should be a reflection of what we value.” 

We hope that this story encourages you on your journey and gives you the small steps to be “a part of something much bigger.”

Topics Discussed:

• The importance of having mentors and asking questions along the way
• The bravery of having a sense of dignity about your life
• The values she has brought in her business and what she hopes to model for others

Connect with Christal: https://bravesoles.life/

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SUBSCRIBE TO START SMALL:

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-small/id1537390467

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Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/start-small

TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Start-Small-p1380487/

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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

This week’s challenge may seem more difficult than it is. Zero waste is definitely a lifestyle but there are many SIMPLE things we can do that take no extra time that will have a big impact on our world.

Many of us want to make a difference, but we get overwhelmed. Thinking about having “zero waste” may seem impossible, but as Anne Marie Bonneau once said, “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

What is zero waste? Is it even possible? The answer is YES! Today I share with you small steps you can take like looking at your personal care routines, saying ‘no’ to small things like receiving fliers,  and even simple ways to shop that make an impact.

Our hope is to encourage you to not change everything overnight, or feel so overwhelmed you never begin, but instead to see the power you have and the impact in your small steps. 

Resource Mentioned: 

005- Perceived Obsolescence & Our Mindset Around STUFF: https://moyaasheabutter.libsyn.com/perceived-obsolescence-our-mindset-around-stuff

Pinterest Recipes Mentioned: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

Topics Discussed:

• Tips on how to reuse what you don’t need & simple tips on reducing food waste
• Car kits that will help you have zero waste during travel
• Fun gift ideas for children & ways to think outside the box

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SUBSCRIBE TO START SMALL:

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Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/start-small

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Connect with us!

Website: https://www.moyaasheabutter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moyaasheabutter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/moyaashea

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQKGox5xnowa3nD1J5vGQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

Have you ever considered making a drastic life change? Maybe you do not like the work you do, or maybe you are just curious what it would look like to live a more simple life. Today we are talking with Hayden VanGrieken about his decision to leave his career in real estate and become a tree planter.

Our show is all about making SMALL changes. Most of us are not in a position, nor have the desire to completely change our lifestyle. However this conversation is not only fascinating from the perspective of learning more about this unique career, but it is also inspiring to hear about the power of nature and what we can learn from someone who has had to differentiate between needs and wants in order to live a more simple lifestyle. 

Topics Discussed:

• Striking a balance between wants and needs 
• Creating a home inside of a van with recycled materials
• How being in nature has shifted his perspective 
• Advice for young people who want to live their own lives and find happiness

Connect with Hayden: https://www.instagram.com/haydenvangrieken/

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iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-small/id1537390467

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Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/start-small

TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Start-Small-p1380487/

Connect with us!

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQKGox5xnowa3nD1J5vGQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

Today we are talking about stuff! Yes, all that STUFF we have! Have you ever spent a whole afternoon cleaning out your closest or a spare room, and you wonder, “Where did all this stuff come from?” ‘’

Did you know most of the stuff we buy we don’t use even six months later? It can be overwhelming. How do we change our consumption habits in a simple way?

It’s not your fault. We have been conditioned by marketers to feel like we NEED these things and a lot of what we buy is made intentionally to not last. However, there are simple things we can do!

Today I want to share with you a story about my own consumption and how a friend of mine helped me to recognize my emotional attachment to my stuff, and how we were able to take small steps to let go of the clutter. We hope this conversation empowers you to take even twenty minutes this week to take your power back over all that...stuff!

Resource Mentioned: 

• The Story of Stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM

Topics Discussed:

• How to recognize and not fall for perceived obsolescence
• The emotional attachment we have to our stuff and how to let go!
• A simple decluttering practice that will actually SAVE you time in the long run

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SUBSCRIBE TO START SMALL:

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-small/id1537390467

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Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/start-small

TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Start-Small-p1380487/

Connect with us!

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQKGox5xnowa3nD1J5vGQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

After getting pregnant with her first child, our guest this week, the founder of Bare Cleaning Essentials, Rachel Epp decided that it was time to make a lifestyle change. After educating herself about the toxic chemicals in many of her cleaning products, Rachel made a gradual change to a more sustainable way of cleaning.

In today’s episode, we hear about super simple ways we can make a BIG difference in our cleaning routines that will help with not only our family’s health but also create a better world around us. Rachel shares about her own simple cleaning hacks and why going bare can make a big difference!

Resource Mentioned: 

• EWG Rating: https://www.ewg.org/

Topics Discussed:

• Simple ways of keeping our homes clean while still being conscious of toxins
• Getting your children involved in helping around the house
• Favorite resources for cleaning and organizing home in a more sustainable way 
• The power of using less, buying in bulk, and reusing your bottles

Connect with Rachel: 

WEBSITE: https://barecleaningessentials.ca/

TEXT: 289-210-4456

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Connect with us!

Website: https://www.moyaasheabutter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moyaasheabutter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/moyaashea

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQKGox5xnowa3nD1J5vGQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

SUBSCRIBE TO START SMALL:

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TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Start-Small-p1380487/

Today we are joined by the founder of Simply Sustainable and a long-time friend of mine, Leah Feor. In this episode, Leah shares with us how to beat the overwhelm when wanting to live a more ethical lifestyle and practical ways to be more mindful of how we consume products and structure our businesses. 

We hope this conversation encourages you no matter where you are at in your journey. As Leah says, “Sometimes it's a long road, a lonely road, but it's one worth committing to.”

Resource Mentioned: 

• Resource Mentioned: 

  • www.footprintnetwork.org/resources/footprint-calculator
  •  www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment
  • Ray Anderson Interface Carpets www.interface.com 

Topics Discussed:

• Sustainability from an individual and business perspective
• The ripple effect of our actions and small things we can do
• The importance of connecting with nature 
• How can we be more sustainable business owners
• How do we pivot (during Covid) without compromising
• Challenges around packaging

Connect with Leah: https://twitter.com/leahfeor

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Connect with us!

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moyaasheabutter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/moyaashea

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQKGox5xnowa3nD1J5vGQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

SUBSCRIBE TO START SMALL:

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-small/id1537390467

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Today we are joined by Krista Jefferson, the founder of Just One, a social enterprise offering “world-changing fashion”. We hear about a life-changing trip that she went on which birthed the idea of her company and reshaped how she lived and raised her daughters.

In today’s episode, we talk about Krista’s favorite small steps towards living a more sustainable lifestyle, and how we can make simple changes this holiday season that will make a BIG impact in our world.

Resource Mentioned: 

• Peace by Chocolate: https://peacebychocolate.ca/

Topics Discussed:

• Why she doesn’t bring anything on trips and buys everything in-country 
• Thrifting and second-hand shopping as a main source of goods
• Setting up a retail store ethically
• Seeing the big picture when “giving back”
• Thinking “E.L.F.” when Christmas shopping

Connect with Krista: https://www.shopjustone.com/

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQKGox5xnowa3nD1J5vGQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/moyaashea/_created/

SUBSCRIBE TO START SMALL:

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