I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found.

from TheTypoTees (Los Angeles)

What's the easiest switch you can make for the environment? Eat less meat!

Every week we are exploring vegetarian meals for meat eaters. Cooking with seasonal vegetables can seem really limiting at first, but the possibilities are endless. And it is worth it. Just cutting one day of meat eating out of our diet can keep thousands of pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere a year. No seriously, it's that big a deal. Plus, it's a great opportunity to have some new adventures and try new things. Just another way to take care of the planet AND make life a little bit better!



When you think of the All-American barbecue or picnic, from family reunion to 4th of July, you probably think of this menu:

hot dogs
hamburgers
grilled chicken or pulled pork

Obviously, every cook and family culture (since we are a mixing pot) has huge variations on this, but if we take the basic plot sold to us by every picnic-type ad, this is the equation.

Now, this is a heck of a lot of meat. If you have a vegetarian present, are they going to be stuck with a veggie tray? Best case scenario is a whole lot of pasta salad.

Now, whether you have herbivores or carnivores at your party, you can do a heap of good by serving less meat. We know the production of meat is one of the largest sources of climate change. In fact, a person with a vegetarian diet has half the impact of a meat eater. Meat is also a key source of waste- they waste fossil fuels, water (having a drought? Stop messing with military showers and stop eating meat), and energy. Now, if you are a meat-lover, you can still do good for the environment by just eating less meat. Every meatless meal you eat adds up to help the environment.

In a usual week if we are really scheduled, we eat 21 meals, so that is 21 chances to eat no or less meat. When we have a party, we can be in charge of that many meals all at once. So a meatless party can have a serious positive impact on our environment!

So, why not try hot dogs and black bean burgers as a big switch!? Sure, someone will give you the eye. But that is their problem. You don't have to make a frozen veggie burger (that will change no one's mind). You can find tons of amazing veggie options that will leave your guests cleaning their plates, and most will probably not even notice that they ate less meat.

Or just serve a LOT of pasta salad and invite me. I won't complain a bit.

from Running in a Skirt

Black Bean Burgers- Before this year, I would not have gone for a black bean burger, but we tried this one from the Plantiful Table (one of our favorite vegetarian cookbooks, lent to us by a friend), and now I am all about them. They are pretty dang good! If you want something with a little more pizazz, this black bean burger from Running in a Skirt looks ridiculously good!

from the Culinary Chase

Cauliflower "Wings"- Love that crispy, fried chicken with hot sauce? Why not try this amazing cauliflower recipe from The Culinary Chase instead? These are fun and bite sized, but they can hold a bunch of sauce just like a good hot wing, and their texture has that same crispy outside and soft inside. But people can feel proud of themselves for eating something healthy.

from A Spicy Perspective

Grilled Veggie Skewers- So simple, and you could choose whichever veggies you wanted, but putting vegetable skewers center stage next to your protein might be a delicious choice that cuts people's meat intake down without much fuss.  I like this combination from a Spicy Perspective. No one gets mad with corn on the cob, and you could put it all together easily.

from The Spruce Eats

Balsamic Beets- Loyal Readers know my obsession with beets, but come on! This looks so good! I have never tried grilling a beet, but you know this is on my list now. The Spruce Eats knows the way to my heart, and if you have an open-minded crowd, this could be a hit!

from Mom on Timeout

Rice Salad- People don't miss meat when you give them carbs. This Wild Rice Salad from Mom on Timeout looks so delicious, and it would be super hearty and filling too (without being slathered in mayo or something). I definitely want to try this one.

from Well Vegan

Carrot Dogs- Are you ready to kick the hot dog for good? (someday guys, I promise I will get there) These balsamic carrot dogs from Well Vegan are in the same old bun and might give you the same feeling, while being fresher and not having lots of unnameable animal parts. This is my big leap suggestion, but I think it could actually be awesome!



 Want more vegetarian recipes to try? Awesome! Adding more meatless meals to your diet is such a fun challenge and you can discover so many things you like. Check out this page for all of the Meatless Monday Recipe Round Ups!

Most of us will be attending or throwing a picnic in the next few months. A lot of us will be picnicking for the 4th of July next week. I'll be honest with you- I have never felt less ready to celebrate the 4th of July. I am trying to focus on the things I love about this country, and remember that everything we do, choose, or buy can do some good or add negativity to the world, so this is still an opportunity to do good (in the constant face of evil). Every 4th of July, my Dad throws a picnic in his backyard- his band plays by the river, I see lots of people I genuinely love, and then we sit by the water and watch fireworks. There is also (as you can see in the picture) a lot of waste involved. I think we can do better though.

Barbeques tend to be super laid back- bring a dish, plastic silverware, blankets on the ground and more. The chill is part of the appeal, but now that I am a bourgeois environmentalist, I am wondering if you can switch out some of the "easy" elements of a barbeque for something a little more ethical. Take care of our beautiful summers! And, if it is 4th of July, shouldn't your party be All-American too? It sounds crazy, but a little research shows me an eco-friendly (or even zero waste) is completely possible.
There is a general assumption about outside parties that you want cheap so you can just throw it all away. There's wisdom in that- who wants to put out the fine china for your hot dogs? If you are having a big crowd over, who wants to wash all those plates?

But if you want it to be truly eco-friendly, SKIP PLASTIC COMPLETELY!

Plastic trash will last just as long (if not longer) than your regular wares, and you are just adding to a landfill future generations are going to have to deal with.

At the very least, we can all switch out the easy option for the better option in a place or two. It can save money, save American jobs, and save the planet. That's a lot of good to set your hot dog on!

The Food

I won't get too deep into this, because the menu differs from picnic to picnic, but there are a few easy shifts to make in your approach to food to have a more positive impact.

-Serve local food. it's one of the best things you can do for the environment. Probably the most healthy for you as well. The best way to answer that question is to get out there and see what you can find. American food travels literally thousands of miles from farm to plate, so anything you can buy from nearby seriously cuts down on fossil fuels.

- Serve way less meat. You think BBQ, you think beef and meat. You don't have to have none, but try way less. People won't notice less meat if you give them more carbs. Try more watermelon. Because watermelon is unbeatable picnic food. Meat, especially beef, has a huge carbon footprint, fossil fuel usage, and more. We all should be eating less, so by just making your picnic less of a meat fest, you can do a lot of good.

The Drinks

The biggest thing you can do to green your BBQ drinks? No plastic bottles! One time use plastic water bottles are the bane of my existence (loyal readers know that Nestle Pure Life is my sworn enemy), but I can't remember the last time I went to a picnic without one. Why? Because lugging water can be a real pain. I get it, this one is annoying, but cans are actually more easily recycled and plastic bottles are an abomination that makes the angels weep.

I know people are used to using plastic water bottles, but if you want to do right by the environment, you have other options that are pretty simple! If you are picnicking close to the house, you could just use the pitchers you already have. If not, try these:

Anchor Hocking from Amazon

Drink Dispensers- Why not try a drink dispenser filled with water and give out cups? You could even do a couple and have a few choices for your guests other than pop or bottled water. Drink Dispensers will also save you big money in a relatively short time. A case of bottled water is a lot more expensive than the tap water you can filter in your own house.

Our Pick- We have a drink dispenser made by Anchor Hocking that we really love, and it weirdly makes things feel more summery. We have mostly put strawberry lemonade in ours but water would work perfectly well. I like this one with a chalkboard as well, but I will say it may depend where you are having your picnic. If it isn't right in your backyard, that might be a long way to lug a glass dispenser!

If you do have a further distance to take your dispensers but still want to make a more ethical choice, I did find a Made in the USA and BPA-free version from Buddeez. Yes, it is still plastic, but you can reuse it for all of your picnics. If you need something really easy to lug, one of these sports coolers from Rubbermaid would be easy to move and you could basically use it forever.


Coolers- Ok, so you still want some pop there. I get it. Pop is delicious- go can not bottle. Cans are still cheaper and more efficient to recycle, so they are the better choice by far. If you need a cooler, I can cover you on that too.

Our Pick- Used! Coolers mostly last forever, and lots of people have more than they need. I see them on Buy Nothing pretty often, so you might just try asking around for coolers. I bet some of your picnic guests have coolers at home- have them bring it with some ice as their contribution to the party. You could also try something a little less traditional if you are going for looks- I have seen metal buckets on many a pinterest post for wedding drinks.

Both Coleman and Rubbermaid coolers are still made in the States; in fact, the coolers were the only thing in Target's 4th of July section that were actually made in the US! Gah, I still can't get over how embarrassing that is. Coleman sells a steel cooler if you want to skip the plastic, and honestly, it is so pretty! I had no idea, but I love the retro feel, and it could add a little style to your picnic while minimizing the plastic you use. New favorite in my book.

Susty Party from Amazon

Cups-  If you want to have a more environmentally-friendly party style, you have three great options to bring back cups- use what you have, buy something you can reuse, or buy something that biodegrades easily, so they don't make any waste.

Our Pick- We mostly just use our regular glasses. We have enough, and it seems fine to me. We have never hosted any really big parties though, so if we did, I think we would probably get biodegradable cups (not Dixie cups, which sometimes have plastic lining and are owned by the Koch brothers).

Eco Products sell a clear corn-based cup, but they are a bit of a gamble because reviews say they melt in direct sun.  Susty Party also sells clear biodegradable cups, but they are made in China, and I honestly like the designs of their paper cups more (especially for a 4th of July picnic).

If you want to go very country and classy, you could buy a bulk set of mason jars for your outside drinking. Both Ball jars and Kerr jars are made in the US, and you could keep the big box they come in to just pack them up for the winter. I feel like this idea works perfectly if your life belongs on Pinterest. Still, washing them and putting them back in storage would be pretty easy, and you can use them for every picnic for the rest of your life, no problem. Just make sure you get an 8 or 16 oz jar. Nothing too big or with too narrow a mouth! You can get 12 for 9 dollars, so they are actually cheaper than plastic tumblers in many cases.

Party Supplies

Seventh Generation on Amazon

Napkins and Paper Towels- We have mostly switched to cloth napkins in our house, but even if you can get that eco friendly, who wants to deal with a big party's worth of napkins? Who even owns that many?!? Paper napkins tend to make more sense, and you can buy a bulk set of something recycled and made in America. There is basically no reason to get anything other than recycled napkins (ever)anyway.

Our Pick- Seventh Generation napkins are recycled, unbleached, made in America, and still really soft! Are they the prettiest napkins you have ever seen? No. But people's party obsession with napkins is frankly pretty stupid. When have you ever said "Oh that party was so fun. I really loved the napkins"? Oh, never? Yes, that's true for everyone, so recycled makes perfect sense, and you can get them in bulk for crazy cheap (and probably never have to buy napkins again).

Love a pretty napkin but still want something responsible? Check out the Susty Party napkins- made in the USA, 100% recycled, 20% post-consumer.If you want that crisp white napkin, Seventh Generation sells some bleached versions that are still 100% recycled.

Still haven't found what you are looking for? Check out Natural Value for Made in the USA and 100% recycled. Green Forest and Marcal have great options too!

Preserve from Amazon

Paper Plates-  If the party isn't too big, you might just use what you have (we do it- it's one extra run of the dishwasher). If it's just too many people, you don't even have to deviate far from the mainstream to be green. Chinet makes some of their paper plates out of recycled material that can be composted. They are also made right here in the United States!

Want something a little more stylish or a little more tree-friendly? I have got you covered on both fronts! Susty Party makes square compostable plates out of sugar cane biproduct. My pick would probably be MV Trading's Tree Free plates, which are made from sustainably harvested bamboo and are completely compostable! Earth's Natural Product also makes plates from sugar cane, but they are made in China, so it is a trade off.

If you do love plastic plates, Preserve (one of my favorite Made in the USA companies) sells plastic plates you can clean and reuse. When you are all done with them, the company will take them back and recycle them- so cool!

Silverware- Sure, use up the lifetime supply of spoons and knives you have sitting around. But there are better options for this. The best option is to just use and wash what you already own. If you don't have enough, have your guests bring their own or borrow from neighbors. Use the money you save to make a donation to The Sierra Club or the ACLU.

You can go three ways with this, and they are all way better than the plastic silverware we grew up with:

 First, you can pick a biodegradable material, so when those forks (and spoons and knives, but who are we kidding, just forks) get thrown away, they can be composted or will at least break down with time. Emerald sells a cornstarch set- I have used the cornstarch cutlery before, and it is a little rougher than plastic, but they are sturdy and you can reuse them before you have to compost them. Transitions 2 Earth also sells a biodegradable set they claim will break down even in the landfull- they have solid reviews, and most say they sneak by like normal disposable cutlery. Repurpose makes plant-based silverware that has a good reputation for standing up to hot food while still being compostable and biodegradable.

You can get wood utensils like these from Pretty Sweet Party that will obviously break down with time (I also think they look much cleaner and more stylish, if that is a thing you care about). You can just get forks as well. Bonus- they are made in the United States! Creative Juice Cafe and Olia Designs sells a really lovely set as well. If you just like to picnic with your family, let me recommend these rePeat utensil sets made of wood and recycled plastic bottles.

The other option is to get recycled plastic cutlery and then reuse it. Preserve makes recycled and foodsafe cutlery that you can use over and over. And they make them here in the US! You can also buy the things you need (forks) in bulk as well, and if you reuse, it should set you for life (unless you throw some massive picnics). When you decide you are done with it, you still don't need to throw it away! You can mail used products back to them and they will recycle them for you. In my opinion, there is really no reason not to use something like this, and just have a separate bin for people to throw their cutlery in, no more trash!

Tranquilo straws from Amazon

Straws- Paper straws can be a cute way to add to the spirit and decor of your event, and they can have a mostly positive environmental impact! Woot! There is absolutely NO reason to buy plastic straws EVER again- there are tons of paper straw options out there.

Aardvark also sells paper straws made in the US, but according to reviews, they don't hold on as well in liquid. For our wedding, I think we used Kikkerland- the straws are sturdy and biodegradable, but they are made in China, so it depends on your priorities. I found some 4th of July-themed paper straws from Creative Juice Cafe as well if you want to be really spirited!

More Barbeque Staples

Picnic Blankets and Chairs- At these picnics, people may bring their own seats. Mostly, this means folding chairs and blankets. Chairs seem to always already be in someone's closet, but they had to get there somehow. I don't think people buy these often, and our picnic blankets are almost always just blankets that we have already gotten a lot of use out of. I have also used old tablecloths. You already have something you can sit on.

If you do want a picnic blanket that is a little more special than your well-worn blankets, Etsy seller Sewn Natural sells some of my favorites, but these blankets come at a pretty steep price. Modern Cabin sells really pretty ones as well.

Need some serious and stay put lawn chairs? My favorite are Polywood chairs, which are made in the US from recycled plastic. They are getting so popular that you can buy them from Target, and you can find other brands, like Eco Poly Furniture, doing the same thing, so you might check your local garden or outdoorsy store. They absolutely aren't cheap, but if you want something that stays in your yard and the color lasts forever, these could be your (very eco-friendly) chairs (the synthetic ones of similar quality can be just as expensive while sucking a lot more).

Looking for something to fold up and bring with you to picnics or parades? Telescope Casual makes those exact chairs (in lots of versions- some open box and cheaper, so poke around).

from Lot 450

Citronella Candles- The trick to being eco-friendly when buying a candle is to avoid paraffin. It's another petroleum-based product and it does not burn clean. So you are breathing in a bunch of nastiness. Almost all mainstream candles, from Yankee Candle to most citronellas, are made with paraffin wax, but you don't have to look too hard to find great candles in soy wax, beeswax, or other substitutes (at about the same price too). You can also actually clean out the jars they come in, so they can get reuse.

Our Pick- We just bought two citronella candles from Etsy stores- Lot 450 Store and Zax Beeswax. We have used the Lot 450 one quite a bit, and it works great. I am excited to have cut this needless chemicals and non-renewable resource out of our home.

Candle options have exploded in recent years, so you have lots of options. Bite Lite sells soy candles that uses essential oils to repel bugs away. A year ago, I would have thought that was too crazy and granola, but we started using peppermint oil to keep ants and spiders out of our house, and it works so well! Sugar Creek sells a paraffin-free candle as well in a 16 oz jar, so this should last you a long time. You can find tons, and if you don't care about paraffin, you can still keep an eye out for Made in the USA candle choices.


Yard Games- In case your party needs some games, you can find them made in America way more than you might expect. You can find anything on this list Made in America on Etsy or Amazon, or you can use someone else's idea as an inspiration and make your own:

Giant Jenga (this looks so fun! And you can find lots of options)
Frisbee (I really like these ones from The Wright Life as well)
Cornhole Boards (tons of these on Etsy, some made of recycled wood)
Cornhole Bags
Horseshoes (St. Pierre has a set too)

This is one that I feel like I am missing lots of things- try going to your local sports store and ask what is made in the US still. Or make some games! It might be fun!

Hefty Trash Bags on Amazon

Trash Bags- Yep, we may not think about it, but at a picnic, don't you feel like you always have to look and find the garbage bag hanging off the corner of some table? Your best option would probably be PAPER grocery bags, but if that doesn't make sense for you, then always use recycled trash bags.

Right now everything that is described as biodegrading plastic (in this case) doesn't cut the mustard (if you actually want biodegradable bags, I highly recommend Biobags, but they are mostly for green waste, not regular garbage). They basically break up into tiny pieces that will be impossible for our children and grandchildren to clean up someday. Instead, look for garbage bags with a high percentage of post-consumer plastic.

Our Pick- Hefty sells a recycled garbage bag made of 65% recycled plastic. I love this because it sends a mainstream brand the direct message that their recycled initiatives are worth it and will sell.

Other recycled bags that still have solid reviews- Seventh Generation (55%, 16% post-consumer recycled), Earthsense (60% recycled), Pride Green (100% recycled, but they do have lower reviews, so may not stand up as well to party use), and the best is If You Care (97% recycled with glowing reviews).

Lodge at Sur La Table

Grill Gear- Most of the time we aren't really buying a new grill. If you are, you can find top end grills made in America, but I couldn't find anything less than a thousand dollars. If it isn't worth it to you, you can also find TONS of used grills on Ebay- used and US, treat them like the only choices! Even if you aren't buying a grill, you might need a tool or two for your planned menu, so here are a few ideas.

You can find most anything you would need made nearby- Grill brush, grill pan, grill basket. Serious about your grill pans? Lodge sells a cast iron one, and like everything they make, it is no joke. If you are going to do a lot of grilling this way, Lodge is an investment.

LA Linen from Amazon

Tablecloth- This is the kind of thing you just sort of throw in the cart while shopping for other things, and often we settle for something disposable, because it seems a lot easier.

Even worse, these are usually plastic, which means you can throw it away, but as a planet, we are still stuck with it. Basically, forever. And if you can use the same cloth (even vinyl or polyester) one over and over, the cost might be higher up front, but in the long run, you can save money over those disposable table clothes year after year.

You could very well be able to find something perfect for outdoor use at your neighborhood Salvation Army or Goodwill. I always see lots of tablecloths there, and if you don't have to worry about size, this could be the ticket.

My other pick? LA Linen makes a bunch of outdoor tableclothes in different sizes and fabrics (though mostly polyesters). Everything is made in Los Angeles, and they are also washable, so you can just throw them in with other laundry.

If you wanted to take on a craft project, these tablecloths made of sewn-together bandanas look patriotic and cool, and you can buy bandanas made in America for pretty cheap. Essma clothing sells their Made in the USA bandanas in packs of 12. It's a great deal, and you can made a really fun and memorable tablecloth quickly.

Valley Forge Flags from Amazon

Decor- I just posted a blog on amazing 4th of July decorations that are made here and could definitely take your 4th of July picnic to another level. If nothing else, you might want an American flag this summer. You would think all American flags are made here. You would think wrong, because that isn't the case at all. So if you want to get an ethical (and actually patriotic) flag, Valley Forge Flags are one of your best bets (look locally too, just check those tags!).

 These are just the kinds of things we would never think twice about just picking up whatever at the store and tossing it when we are done.

But that doesn't work anymore, and we know better. 

No picnic is worth that much more headed to the landfill, and since you are feeding more people than usual, you can make a bigger impact with one meal!

Want to make your home greener? No matter the size or location, you can limit your waste and make your house have a more positive impact on the environment. Check out the Green Home Page for thousands of ideas on how to do it.

Want more shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Shopping Lists here!

Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

When I was 22, The Boy and I drove across the United States for the first time. It was only then that I got a sense of just how large and just wide the country it was. I also saw the Rocky Mountains for the first time.

I do believe this country is beautiful and on days where I panic about the state of this place, I find it comforting to remember just how big it is. There is a lot of space here. I love that about our country. I love that it can contain huge cities and the Rocky Mountains in the same place. The Pennsylvania Amish and the Las Vegas Strip in the same country. There is room for incredible diversity, beauty, and just weirdness, and I am really proud of that.


Last year, I committed June to writing about buying only Made in America goods. I still believe in doing this- I think it is better for American communities, I have no interest in funding the kind of companies that would export their goods so they can indulge in cheap and unethical labor, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, I believe that the excessive consumer culture and shipping all over the world is a silly waste of resources.

But I am not going to say I don't feel differently about it now than I did a year ago. For the first time, I can truly see just how deep the ugly in this country goes- racism I had foolishly overlooked, poverty, anger, deep deep hatred. As is true for so many of us, I see things in a much less positive way, and it can be hard to get attached to Made in America when it has some xenophobic, big boobs on mud flaps kinds of connotations. In reality, that isn't the case at all.

This past Memorial Day, I saw a lot of "patriotic" posts of people, their families, and their children, decked out in "America" gear. I guess I get it. People want to express their patriotism, but I couldn't help but wonder whether any of their red white and blue duds were actually made in America.

It's actually pretty amazing when you realize how much "patriotic" stuff is made in Elsewhere. In the light of everything else, the falseness of wearing cheaply-made, imported junk proclaiming your pride is just completely unpalatable to me. Ick ick ick ick ick.

Now, maybe things can still be patriotic but not actually create any American jobs. And maybe things can still be about American when someone is practically treated like a slave to make it. Maybe you can think we are a Christian nation, but is it because we stand up for what is right, or have we just pushed our wrongs far enough out of sight that we can live with it?

This kind of patriotic hypocrisy seems to run rampant lately. A whole political party preaches Making America Great Again while their leader still makes everything with Chinese labor and Chinese steel.

This whole season of our country really demands that we each ask the question of what being American means. And I think you can be all sorts of things and be a great American.

But I want to throw something out not often said- no matter what your point of view, your location, your faith (or not), you should be buying American. It's one of those places where, whether we realize it or not, we share common goals and even our separate viewpoints can all be served by putting more of our money into American goods.

If you are a Trumper, buy American. Buying American puts America first.

If you are liberal, buy American. Buying American is better for the environment, minimizes shipping's carbon emissions and fossil fuel use.

If you are a conservative, buy American. Buying American and local can reinvigorate small towns and keeps our money here, not in other countries or (worse) the Waltons' black hole of wealth.

If you are a Christian, buy American. Invest in companies with good reputations for labor, because you should not invest in the mistreatment of another human being.

If you are an Atheist, buy American. Buying American takes better care of the lives and environment that we have.

If you are cheap, Buy American. Yep, it's expensive, but if it is made of higher quality stuff, you won't have to replace it, so it will save you money in the long run (and it pairs really well with thrift shopping).

If you are an American, Buy American. 

Our country has a lot of problems, of ugliness, a lot of things to tackle. This won't solve the problem that we are addicted to plastic and covering our beautiful landscape with trash. It won't solve that our government is currently deregulating companies that desperately need reined in. It won't solve all of our responsibilities to the wildlife and the land that makes this country so beautiful.

But buying American sure could do a lot of good. Making jobs. Lowering emissions. Saving fossil fuels. And if enough of us do it, it also sends companies the message that this stuff is important and it is worth manufacturing here.

So this is my challenge for you, no matter what kind of American you are- only buy made in America from now until the 4th of July. 

Absolutely can't find it? Buy it used instead. If you have questions of things that seem impossible- comment and tell me! I have done tons of research about this, and I will happily look more things up. Check out the series "Don't Buy, Instead Try..." for simple switches for "American" companies that aren't American at all or check out the Giant List of Shopping Lists for all sorts of ideas. You can do this, and I want to hear about how it goes! Be American. Buy American.

This blog series "Don't Buy... Instead Try..." intends to point out some of the most egregiously unethical, wasteful, and environmentally ridiculous companies out there. Instead of dwelling on their considerable awfulness, the series will focus on the other options you have for purchasing.

Every purchase we make is a vote for the kind of world we want. 
Every single purchase is political.
 Every single purchase has ethical ramifications, and 
every single purchase should be approached with a spirit of stewardship. 

We can change the world by refusing to fund extreme greed, the mistreatment of other human beings, and the trashing of the environment. We need to stay aware of the many choices available to us. Will we get it right every time? No. But if we all make little changes, we can send companies a new message, that consumers will show up if they do the right thing. 

from Hi Consumption

Budweiser is such a weird one. Their marketing team does a hell of a job making things look American- they are staples at the Super Bowl, they sponsor Nascar teams, they constantly peg themselves as American, they even sponsor a music festival called Made in America. Their company sells 50% of the beer drank in the United States; you can't get much more ubiquitous.

From Billboard

Not enough for you? This year the company got permission to change their name to "America Beer" and all of the packaging until the election will have "America" in place of "Budweiser" on it's packaging. That's how "patriotic" they are. And they did start in the US (sort of) in 1876, German Americans made a beer "inspired by" a beer made in the Czech Republic (also named Budweiser). 

But of course, this isn't an American Beer anymore (or else why would I be writing this?). The money spent on this beer heads straight out of the country.

 The company started in the United States in 1876, so they have certainly been around the block. They also include Corona and Stella Artois.  The company- Anheuser-Busch InBev- is based out of Belgium and Brazil. These two bought Budweiser out in 2008. This company is huge, and their many brands make up 25% of the global market share for beer. Pretty impressive. They are also now owners of beer brewers in China, and they are trying to take over the market there as well. They started opening their breweries in China in 2008. As of now, there are 12 American breweries for Budweiser, 14 Chinese breweries, and 1 in Belgium. 

So, short version, if you want to keep your money in the United States, Budweiser isn't the beer for you, no matter how many commercials they buy for the Super Bowl.

Beer as an American institution is obviously a big thing, and lots of people care about it, so you can get really good information about how to tell if a beer is brewed in America. I like this How To best. If you can't live without your BudLight, at least do your research and buy the beer brewed here.

As a side note, I am not much of a drinker, and when I do drink I want it to taste as much like fruit juice as possible. So I can't comment on the taste or quality of beers, because I mostly still make a toddler icky face when I drink them. No shame, but it is important you know you are not dealing with an expert here. Still, the options here are so epically long, I can at least put some out there for you, and you can comment with which beers you like best!

1. Buy your Beer Local- Beer turns out to be one of the most local things you can buy in America. There are over 3000 breweries in this country. So many cities and regions have their own craft breweries. You can look up what is near you by using this craft beer map- I love this! You may not even realize it is a local thing unless you get out of town and can't find it. Seattle fits this description to the extreme, and you could probably drink only local beers your whole life and still miss a brand or two. Trying your local beers can be a new (delicious) challenge, and you will support the local economy and short shipping travels! Learn more about supporting your local breweries here.

2. Brew it yourself- Homebrewing may seem trendy, but like anything where you are making your own food, it is also eco-friendly! You learn a whole new set of skills, and you can brew your own beer to get it exactly how you like it. Curious about starting? Read more about what you need to start here. We just went to a dinner where the hosts had brewed something specifically for the birth of their daughter and Mommy's glorious return to alcohol. I think that is pretty awesome.

So these are the two first steps, but what if you are at a bar that isn't in to craft beers? Or you are on the road and don't know what's local (hint- ask someone). Here are the more mainstream beers I found that are owned, brewed, and packaged in the US:

from beerpulse.com

3. Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard- From the largest craft brewery in the United States, these beers and ciders are made by Boston Beer who have breweries in Boston, Pennsylvania and Ohio. If you are named after a founding father, you should probably stay in the US. Luckily, this company did. We generally buy Angry Orchard when hosting, because The Boy likes the ciders. They also have cool programs to support small breweries in America (a big difference from "macro-brewery" Budweiser, who actively antagonizes American brewers).

from Fat Tire

4. Fat Tire- Made by the New Belgium Brewing Company based out of Colorado. This ale has gained a lot of momentum in the past ten years, and at least on the West Coast, it is pretty easy to find. Even cooler? It's employee-owned by it's 480 employees, and they will employ another 154 Americans when their second brewery open in Asheville. Awesome American success story.

from American Beer TV

5. Sierra Nevada- Based out of Chico Calfornia, this brewer has won awards for their green practices and sustainability. Their pale ale is the second best selling craft beer in the US, so you can find them most anywhere. They have been around 30 years and are credited with starting the whole craft-brewing trend.

I could keep going- if America has 3000 breweries, you have about 2,997 more options of beers out there. You can visit and support amazing breweries across the US. I can name breweries or beers in most of the places we visit, which I think says a lot since I am not a beer drinker. It may seem strange at first to step away from Budweiser at first, but you might find something really great!



Want more shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Shopping Lists.

I love a good holiday decoration, and for many years, this time of year we would head off to Target or Michael's and buy oodles of goodies to guss up our space. Now, I am trying to approach holiday decorations a different way.

First, I am trying to get back to crafting. When I see a good idea that I can make, I am going to try to make it instead of buying something similar.

Second, I am WAY cutting down how much we buy. I think I will buy us 2 to 3 decoration pieces a year (minus Christmas ornaments, which is what we buy on trips) and make them something really special. So I have to really want it, because it might cost me a Halloween decoration later.

Third, we are using food as a key decoration, because then we can eat it. Nom nom patriotism.

Partially, we can do this because we already have LOTS of holiday supplies. We also have to do it because we have a toddler, and you want to minimize things they could eat, because he just needs to taste everything.

Most importantly, I really want to minimize the stuff in this house you might call "junk"- Made in Elsewhere, out of janky materials, and with no particular purpose or emotion attached to it. I will always have a special place in my heart for those early decorations, because I remember those days and being so excited to make a home together. But now, it would just be adding to the pile, so it's time to shift.

Some of the things I am pointing to are definitely more expensive than what you would buy at Michael's or Target. But some of them really aren't. So here are some good ideas for the 4th to buy or make:

Reclaimed Wood Flags

from The Scarlet Oak

I am plotting one of these for us this year. I love the combination of reclaimed materials that have history and the image of the American flag. There are so many of these on Etsy, so you can get VERY rustic ones with weathered edges or pretty clean ones. Bright colors, all natural, burnt, or  more subtle stains. Huge for outside or smaller for in the house. You can find one that fits your taste, but these are a few that I really like- The Scarlet Oak, The Polka Dotted Girl, Simple Roots Decor, Handmade by Bry, Soulspeak and Sawdust, Tiffany H Designs, Renove Restorations, My Old Fence, Woodology, Hippie Hound USA, and HTX Southern Creations.

Have the pallet that needs a new life and want to make the flag yourself? Totally doable. In fact, I found 3 different tutorials, so I bet you can find one you really like- The Magic Brush, Crafty Morning, or  Plan it DIY. And really, so many different pieces could be turned into a flag, so be open minded when looking through what you have or buying materials used- U Create made a very pretty flag out of an old window.

Like the idea but want something with a little less impact? I love this one posted on glue dots that uses paint stirrers to make a small sign- I bet we even have enough old ones to use!

from For the Love of Maps

Want to display a flag that is totally different but also amazing? How about a signatures of history flag? For the Love of Maps out of Michigan makes this amazing flag print that has signatures of significant Americans (starting with some founding fathers) on all of the stripes. Doesn't this seem like an especially thoughtful 4th of July decoration? I also think it has some lovely subtext about how we all are contributing authors to this country. Mostly, it looks really cool. Definite winner!

United States Maps

from The Wooden Crab

Not into the flag motif? I have also seen some gorgeous reclaimed wood maps like this one from The Wooden Crab that look like an amazing addition to a house's decor year round if you wanted to go that route. I also love this one from The Rugged Heart, but it has a little more rustic an aesthetic.

from Kristin Douglas Art

Kristin Douglas Art makes the prettiest scratch off maps I have ever seen. This might lean a little feminine, but it does look beautiful and really special. I also think this River map is really subtle and pretty. From The Far Woods, you could put this anywhere in your house and have it fit right in while still being patriotic.

Throw Pillow Cases

from The Little Green Bean

This is one of my favorite decoration ideas, no matter what the holiday, because it has big impact and packs away into a teeny package. Pillows are easy to come by on Etsy- I like these ones from The Little Green Bean and the pretty text on this one from Two Peaches Design. Even better, you can transform the room very simply by playing with pillows like these.

Banners

from Gracie and Marie

So many choices! My favorite are these felt balls from Gracie and Marie- super cute and they can probably stand up to a lot. Two other options? Carkeet Creations and Ichabod's Imagination.

Wreaths

from Kelly Krafts 1

I love a good wreath. Last year, my mother-in-law gave us an adorable wreath just like this one from Kelly Krafts 1. I know wreaths can be a great (and relatively easy) one to make, and you can probably do it at a very low cost, so it might be a good option if you are feeling crafty! If you need a tutorial, check out this one from Home Crafts by Ali.

from Chatsworth Ranch

Chatsworth Ranch Co makes wreaths that resemble the flag but have their own warm and homey spin. I really think these are sweet. Fairy Mojo has a cool one made of felt.

Painted Jars

from Monogrammed Memories

This is another super cute idea that lots of us could probably make ourselves. If you want to just buy it, Monogrammed Memories makes my favorite version. Clever and really well done. My Heart by Hand does a really sharp rendition of this as well. Crafty Morning has a perfect tutorial for making jars you love.

A Few Odds and Ends

from Now Fancy That

from The Parties that Pop

I love these giant paper fans from The Parties that Pop- they look great, and I bet you could find a pin that teaches you how to make this.

Not enough crafts for you? Just starting a home with someone? So many crafts to try! Here is a long post of craft ideas with links to tutorials.

I will do a whole separate post on edible 4th of July picnic decorations (there is so much amazingness out there- how did people live without Pinterest?).

Curious about why I am trying to buy everything used or Made in America? Check out my About Me here. You can also find lots of great Made in America options on my Mega List of Lists!