THE SWAG BLOG

Did you know that we Australians waste around 20% of the food we buy, which is around $8 billion per year? Yes, $8 billion! This is an incredibly high figure and has a massive impact on the environment. The good news is that, now you’re aware of it, you can make a far more conscious effort not to waste food. In this article, we’ve compiled 5 easy ways to reduce how much food is wasted in your household, and save money in the process: Shop for less, more often It may seem convenient to do one big shop each week...

The negative effects of human behaviour on the environment has become an increasingly hot topic for discussion in recent years, and for good reason. Our planet, which has been around for 4.5 billion years is under threat more than ever before and we must all make small changes in our daily lives to preserve the planet we call home. However, despite the attention brought by go-green campaigns, one habit many people simply can’t shrug off is using too many plastic bags, and for the wrong purposes. We get it, plastic bags are convenient and readily available in our large supermarket...

For as long as we can remember plastic bags have been the go-to item for carrying our shopping home from supermarkets and retail stores. They are a part of every-day life and most of us don’t give them too much thought. However, there is a high price associated with our excessive use of plastic bags in Australia and it affects both our health and the environment around us. Many cities in countries around the world have either banned plastic bags altogether or attached a levy to their use whereby you must pay for each bag you use. Below we have outlined 5...

In the past 5-10 years, the vegan diet has been a talking point the world over. Australians have been quick to catch on this new dietary lifestyle choice with many of those following the diet quickly becoming evangelists for the cause. The vegan diet, quite simply, is part of a lifestyle which excludes the consumption or use of any products which come from animals. As animal products are renowned as important sources of protein, iron, vitamins and minerals, vegans must find alternatives sources of these key nutrients. Many choose to follow the vegan diet as they wish to prevent cruelty...

You don’t have to be on a cleanse to activate your body’s natural cleansing power. In fact, all you have to do is eat the rainbow! Mother Earth has given us a bounty of body-cleaning foods that come in red, green, purple, white, yellow and beyond! These foods contain a host of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that purify the liver and empower your body’s natural digestive processes, creating a stronger, more efficient you! As many doctors now know, 80% of your immune system lives in your gut. Here are some naturally toxic-fighting foods that will keep that gut (and...

(& Save Money to Boot)   Plastic-free July may be over, but we’re certainly not giving up the cause! I bet most of us don’t really think about what happens when we toss a plastic water bottle or wilted head of Romaine lettuce into the bin. But the truth is 27 percent of all food we buy ends up in the trash can. And that trash adds up fast. While The Swag helps you stay waste-free in the kitchen, here are some clever and creative tips from other Zero Waste leaders that will help you live a toxic-free, zero-waste life...

You make your list, check it twice. Then, you head out to brave the crowds at your local farmer’s market. Instead of buying packaged, sugar-ridden food, you buy what you know your body needs — crisp greens, tender tomatoes, fragrant herbs and fresh vegetables and fruit. While no one really enjoys creating waste, going completely plastic-free while eating fresh is tough. If you’re 80% plastic-free but tired of using plastic to get your produce to the checkout counter, check out our 100% natural cotton grocery bag. Before long, your bag is filled up with delicious, whole foods you will be...

Did you know that the food you buy in the grocery stores in America passed a rigorous “attractive” test before it made it on those shelves? It’s true! The apples, tomatoes and spinach you just bought are the most appealing and “blemish-free” produce available on the market. Their less-attractive sisters and cousins, on the other hand, did not pass the test. A recent report from The Guardian shows that Americans throw away all most as much food as we eat. Why? Because we want our food to look perfect, of course! From watermelons to avocados, if it doesn’t look just...

This is not your average coleslaw recipe. But The Swag is not your average company. We bring an Australian flare to everything we do and are proud to celebrate the launch of The Swag USA with one of our most flavorful, fresh and nutrient-rich 4th of July recipes! Note: For all vegetarians and vegans, this recipe can easily be adapted to include meat-free bacon options. (Our personal favourites is Lightlife Smart Bacon because it’s the only one we know that crisps up like pork bacon – and no, we are NOT being paid to say that. It’s a true recommendation)...

There are a lot of reasons to always have carrots on hand — they're a key ingredient in a lot of dishes, such as stock, they make great snacks or crudité, and are generally pretty affordable, even if you choose organic. The trouble with fresh fruit and vegetables is they speed at which they can rot. How often have you bought a bunch of carrots at the supermarket and they’ve sat in your fridge for a few days until you had an idea for dinner, only to find that they’re so weak and bendy you can tie them in a...

If I stopped you on the street and honestly asked, “How can I get healthier?” I have no doubt that I would hear a lot of the same advice: Eat better. Exercise more. Stop eating junk food. Eat more veggies, less carbs, less fat, more protein. Then I might hear something like, do more pushups. Go to the gym. Meditate. Research. Talk to your doctor. Find a healthcare coach. Yadda, yadda, yadda. I’m amazed how often people will ask this question. Most people are pretty honest and know they need (and want) to be healthier… but how to actually go...

You’ll be quite the fungi when you add mushrooms to your party platter! All jokes aside, mushrooms are a lot healthier than you might thing (the non-toxic ones of course). They are quite tasty too, if you ask me. The Heath Benefits of Mushrooms 1. Antioxidants For years, mushrooms have been used by naturalists and heath gurus for their strong antioxidant properties. Even though they’re actually fungi, mushrooms are lumped into the vegetable category – for both cooking and nutritional value.   2. Sulfur Mushrooms are also an excellent source of sulfur, which is a huge “forgotten” mineral in the...