To connect with our personal identity, cultural heritage and our connection to the world, we engage in activities that involve both the heart and the hands. These activities allow us to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. They also foster creativity, self-expression and a sense of community. Find this connection by creating a nature loom.

My oldest son recently created this beautiful nature mandala for an art project. It's a truly unique piece that showcases his creativity and love for nature. He was mindful of not using too many brown leaves from the yard, so he biked around the neighborhood in search of a variety of colorful and different species to use.

The holiday season can be a challenging time for those who strive to live a low-waste lifestyle, especially when it comes to Halloween. The costumes, typically made of synthetic materials, and designed to be used only once, and the endless supply of single-use candy can make it a zero-waster's nightmare. But, it's important to remember that a low-waste lifestyle is not about perfection, it's a journey, and it takes practice.

On our hike under the canopies of fall foliage, we collected beautiful color-filled leaves from the ground. When we got home, we flattened them out by pressing them in a big, heavy book. A few days later, when they were ready, we hand dipped our favorite ones in beeswax to keep them for as long as we could, bringing the spirit of the season inside.