Happy (Healthy!) Holidays!

At the core of NextGen Purpose we believe in making choices, no matter how big or small, that are healthier for people and the planet. During the holiday season making healthy and sustainable decisions can feel overwhelming. During the holidays between November and December, an American produces about 6.5 pounds of waste per day. A lot of the waste generated comes from access food and packaging that often times ends up in landfills around the country. There's plenty of simple changes we can make over the holidays to ensure a more sustainable and healthy future for people and the planet.

If you're planning a festive feast for the holiday season, it is important consider how many people will be dining with you and shop accordingly. The best recipes to make are the ones that have leftovers that can be revamped into a new meal afterwards. Shopping for local and seasonal produce eliminates travel emissions it takes for products to make it from the source to our refrigerators.

Energy consumption across the globe increases by about 30% in the winter months. Smart investments to save money and energy are rechargeable batteries, solar lights for outdoor decorations, and heating your home with a fireplace.

Reducing waste such as packaging and paper can be easy with some simple swaps. If you're shopping online, buy in bulk to reduce the amount of packages arriving at your door. Wrap gifts using old magazines, newspapers, scarves or linens. And of course, when shopping- bring your own reusable bag!

Stay Warm This Winter with Hotpot Queen !

This week on the Essential Ingredients Podcast we're joined by the Hotpot Queen herself, Jia Liao ! Hotpot Queen brings traditional flavors from the culinary rich region of Sichuan, China to the global food market with their spicy sauces and noodles. Jia shares her entrepreneurial journey and the bold flavors and personalities that enticed her to share her culture with others.

Want to hear more from Jia? Listen to Essential Ingredients TODAY. Essential Ingredients is a weekly podcast available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and anywhere podcasts can be found!