Meet Tamara, Author of Everyday Essentialist

Everyday Essentialist inspires a life of intention, simplicity, and balance, fostering well-being for ourselves, our communities, and the planet. Authored by Tamara Schweitzer for her daughter Emily, for every child, and their sustainable tomorrow. Discover more about the author and her vision through a candid interview.

What is your background?

What does Everyday Essentialist mean to you?

What if we challenged the notion that more is always better? What if, instead, we prioritized what's essential and let go of the rest? Imagine simplifying our routines just like that, creating space for moments of rest, reflection, and meaningful connection with loved ones. Everyday Essentialist is a platform where I share the strategies and practices that have helped me cultivate a more intentional, healthier life – one that benefits my well-being, my community, and the planet.

Do you have any hobbies?

I believe creativity and play are essential to who we are as humans. As Greg McKeown states, play is crucial for our individuality and open exploration.  I'm currently quite passionate about knitting. The repetitive motion is meditative, and I enjoy watching my craft take shape. It's a valuable way to unwind, and reconnect with myself.

What's the number one sustainable living tip you swear by?

The best sustainable living tip I stick to is simple: focus on small, consistent actions. I recently heard the saying, "We overestimate what we can do in a day but underestimate what we can do in a year," and it really stuck with me. It reminded me that even tiny steps can lead to big change over time. Perfect sustainability might not be possible, but every effort counts, and that mindset keeps me moving forward.

What’s your favorite minimalism habit that you incorporate into daily life?

For me, it’s a habit my Yugo grandpa instilled early on: never go shopping without a list. Whether I’m grocery shopping or at a clothing store, I always know exactly what I’m looking for. I define the item and set clear criteria it must meet to earn its place in my life. If it’s not a definite “yes”, it’s a “no” for sure. There’s also something empowering about the waiting game—reminding myself that there could be something better out there waiting for me. Maybe it's the power of choice. I can, but I choose not to.

What's one eco-friendly habit you wish everyone would pick up, as fun as it is green?

Thrift shopping, without a doubt. I absolutely adore it. For example, we absolutely hate being wasteful and avoid using disposable plates. The idea of stressing over a perfectly matched set of ceramic plates when having friends over doesn't appeal to us either. So, if we break a plate, we go thrifting to find another unique piece. Our plates are all fun in their own way.

If your life were a cookbook, what would the title be?

Haha, Almost Recipes! Cooking creatively is my playground, and I love improvising with whatever odds and ends I have on hand to avoid waste. That's one of the reasons I keep my recipes flexible—It’s less about rigid rules and more about making the most of what’s available.

In the end, what is your favorite animal?

I've spent a lot of time with dogs and horses, so don’t make me choose between the two!