Making sustainable food choices includes choosing seasonal and locally grown food, as this reduces carbon footprint caused by long distance food transport, reduces the effects of pollution and will help to stimulate the local economy. It is also best to choose organic food where possible, to help minimize the risk of pollution to the environment caused by chemicals such as pesticides, or herbicides that are used on non-organic foods.

 

Many wanting to live a self-sustainable lifestyle will opt for a vegetarian lifestyle, as it causes less resources to produce, and causes the least amount of damage to the environment. Reducing meat consumption, and choosing to buy only organically raised, free range or grass-fed meat, is another alternative towards having a more sustainable diet.

 

Growing your own fruit and vegetables at home defines what it means to be truly self- sustainable–especially if they are also organic! Urban farming has surged in popularity recently, with communities banding together to help contribute to a self sustainable lifestyle- growing and trading their homegrown wares with one another, or contributing to public urban gardens.

 

Keeping backyard chickens is indispensable to sustainable living practices, providing fresh eggs to pair with your homegrown fruit and vegetables.