Behavior Change

According to The Global Ocean Commission, “Over 80% of the plastics found in the ocean come from the land, reflecting very poor and irresponsible waste management.” I believe that this is not only a waste management issue but also an education issue: most people simply don’t see the link between the plastic products they use on a sometimes-daily basis and its potential effects on the marine ecosystem. There is a gap here that needs to be filled. Scientific research has come a long way in helping the general public better understand this issue, specifically about the approximate amount of plastic in the ocean as well as some major sources…but something is still missing. The Commission, at the time that it was putting together its report, proposed several actions be taken to help mitigate the growing problem of plastics in our ocean. One of them, the last one, tasks governments, the private sector, and civil society with “Increasing consumer awareness.”

Here’s the thing: creating awareness is not the same thing as creating lasting, positive change. It’s not enough in this day and age to raise awareness because having an awareness of something does not necessarily mean someone is more likely to take action. It simply means they will have more guilt when they go do the thing they have been made aware is a bad thing. In my experience, this isn’t the best or most effective tactic. We need to find solutions that are guilt-free and we need to move people to meaningful action.

To achieve this, we have to fundamentally change how people view the world around them; one way to start that is by looking at the food they eat. In thinking about how to shift consumer behavior, we cannot fall under the misguided assumption that everybody wants to change or wants to hear about how awesome it is to bring reusable bags to the store (even though it sooo is). Telling someone who works 50 hours per week that they should cut out plastic from their life will make them back off real quick, BUT if you introduce that same person to a product that doesn’t require any additional time to make, receive, or consume, they might be more willing to try that product out and stick with it.

Why Juice?

Food is what fuels us. And yet, so many of us sort of overlook it. We eat things that aren’t good for us, we sacrificed our health for other things, and then we wonder why we’re rollin’ around feeling miserable all the dang time! But I get it: we are a busy bunch and when push comes to shove, and we are zonked from another long-ass day, the last thing we feel like doing is pulling out a heavy piece of kitchen gadgetry, prepping a bunch of produce, and struggling to figure out what to do with all that pulp. Juice seems like a luxury only the rich and famous can afford. What’s a person to do? Enter in Jars of Juice! I’m here to wake us all the heck up. We know that fresh juice from fresh ingredients is good for us – the research is there. But it’s hard work, time consuming, and yes, it can get expensive. For someone with a family, it may not make a lot of sense to a) invest in a juicer, b) spend half the grocery bill on produce that will be liquidated or c) have the juicer take up valuable kitchen counter space. Any bells ringing for you? Then you might benefit from Jars of Juice! I’m here to make your life easier so that you can get back to being your awesome self. Because…

Mind-Body-Spirit: it’s a real thing

The better we feel, the more likely we are to go out and do the things we love. The happier we are, the more we see the world in a positive light, the more willing we are to take chances and get messy (thanks, Miss Frizzle). But in order to feel our best, we have to do things that get us there…like eating quality foods. By ingesting all the delicious, fresh produce the Okanagan has to offer, in a package that is plastic-free, we can become our best selves, ready to take on the world and make it a better place. Mind – Body – Spirit. Voila!

To recap: drink juice to feel better. Feel better to take care of yourself (mind, body, and spirit). Put yourself in awesome situations that propel you forward and help us collectively tackle the beast of plastic pollution. Sound like a plan? If you’re in…send me a note.