I believe that sustainable living is rooted in mindfulness. Making sustainable lifestyle choices is about making intentional decisions in full awareness. Living sustainably is a challenge and can be exhausting - simply because we are literally working against the system we live in. As a global community, we do not have the luxury to mentally sweep this environmental crisis under the rug - as tempting as it may be. It is truly up to us to accept our current state, then make positive changes one moment at a time. This is the way of acting in mindfulness. One breath at a time. One moment at a time.

The seasonal changes that occur in Spring are more than just natural spectacles - they are cues for our own seasonal living habits. To the gardener, they are prompts to pick up shovel and seed, then get to work. To the mindful, they are cues to begin a different type of tending - an internal sort of gardening. The springtime blossoms are our beautiful teachers in nature. They share the message that life is short, imperfect, and cyclical. They bring tidings of potential and possibility. They also teach us that at some point in our journey, letting go and accepting the process of becoming is not only possible but necessary for happiness and growth.

Single use plastic dining ware is a huge culprit to our planet’s plastic waste problem. Now is the time to opt out of the convenient consumerism epidemic by building, and using, a zero waste dining kit. Commit to taking it with you wherever you go so you always have a sustainable option!

In light of our planet’s environmental outlook you may be wanting to live more sustainably or even considering going zero-waste this year. To help, I’ve created a list of 12 achievable sustainable living New Year’s Resolutions. Regardless of which goal you work towards you’ll be well on your way to being an eco-conscious citizen!

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year - the climax of the darkest period. It marks the rebirth of the sun and the return of warmth. A new solar cycle begins. This year, connect to nature by celebrating the Winter Solstice with these illuminating rituals.

Do you know what “homing” is? The biological definition refers to an animal’s ability to return to a place or territory after traveling away from it, often into foreign and unpredictable terrain. The esoteric human practice doesn’t differ much from that definition. This mindfulness practice is one that I regularly use to reconnect with my own soul-self - my own inner wisdom. It is the practice of finding the places that call to us; the places that emancipate our souls. It’s navigating to the refuge that allows our soul to rest, run, play, sing, create, and dance in delight of existing.

Creating a zero waste holiday sounds daunting, right? When it comes to giving mindfully and sustainably, there are loads of options available to us! Many of these gift ideas are completely zero-waste and others are totally free! Check out The Ultimate Zero Waste Holiday Guide chalked full of gift ideas to help us both live more sustainably during the holiday season.

The holiday season is filled with so many opportunities to give. This holiday season, let us introduce mindfulness into our gift giving strategy by allowing the power of our generosity to be more about the cultivation and enrichment of our relationships with others and the environment, and less about the tangible merchandise exchanged.

When I first started making sustainable changes I was relieved to learn that it was easier and more affordable than I thought. I would like to share with you the first 12 items I’ve easily traded out for sustainable choices that allow me to live a more low-waste lifestyle that is better for the environment. Some are commonly known and others might be new to you. Check it out!

Every time I step into my garden, to begin my tasks of plant caregiving, I become aware that I am doing more than just manual labor for the benefit of my kitchen table - I’m doing deep internal work as well. Gardening is meditation in action. Here’s the lessons I’ve learned, from my garden, about celebrating and attracting abundance.

This iconic mountain town provides most anything an outdoor-minded visitor could want from a Winter or Summer vacation pad.  So, after many visits, here's my breakdown of the best places to eat, sleep, shop, soak and play in Sun Valley, Idaho. 

These reusable beeswax wraps are an excellent sustainable product that replaces plastic wrap and plastic food-storage packaging in the kitchen or for packed lunches. It’s so easy to make too! Check out my quick tutorial.

“In the wholeheartedness of concentration, world and self begin to cohere. With that state comes an enlarging: of what may be known, what may be felt, what may be done.” Beautiful words by Jane Hirshfield. As a creative, being present is intimately tied to being inspired, becoming, and producing anything of quality. As a human, being present is even more intimately tied to quality of life and perception of reality. This is the art of being present.

My name is Brianne Dela Cruz – Brianne Italia, actually. I’m a native Utahan – born from a Brazilian immigrant Father with roots that extend deep into the soil of northern Italy, and a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Cuban Mother… … I was crippled with heartbreak, anger, confusion, anxiety, and serious depression. So, I ran away to the mountains where I drowned the noise in my head with wind and rolling waters. I massaged the anxiety away with headstands and thousands of sun salutations. Over-time I learned to self-soothe. I learned to listen and to feel in truth – not by dictation. I learned how to become aware. My walls broke down, my lenses were removed, my mind and body were renewed. Slowly I began to see the world in a new way.