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It's our 100th episode! Most podcasts don't make it past three, so we're pretty proud of ourselves. Pop the bubbly and join us on a retrospective of all we've learned and what we're looking forward to. And THANK YOU for listening all this time! Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

We may be the only podcast currently in existence that isn't sponsored by Quince. They bill themselves as providing quality, sustainable items at an affordable price. Is that possible? Find out this week as we take a look at Quince and their sustainability claims (and likely lose out on any hope of ever being sponsored by them, ever). Sources Quince website: https://www.quince.com The Business of Fashion Podcast: Can Fashion Still Meet Its Climate Promises?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-fashion-still-meet-its-climate-promises/id1225204588?i=1000737458578 Good On You (brand rating): https://directory.goodonyou.eco/brand/quince Commons: Instead of Quince, Try These 5 Sustainable Brands: https://www.thecommons.earth/blog/instead-of-quince-try-these-5-sustainable-brands Toad&Co: https://www.toadandco.com/pages/sustainabilityEcocult: https://ecocult.com/quince-ethical-sustainable-greenwashing/ NYTimes Wirecutter:https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/my-month-testing-quince-products/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

What if, instead of mindlessly buying another new outfit, you could just rent it? And what if you could stop the fashion industry from making up 10% of global emissions every year from manufacturing new clothing by stopping their need to make that new clothing? Take a look at Rent the Runway this week to find out if renting your clothes will solve all your green-living fashion problems, or just cause new ones. Sources: - Rent the Runway sustainability - https://www.renttherunway.com/impact - Vogue UK – Is Renting Your Clothes Really More Sustainable? - https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/is-renting-your-clothes-really-more-sustainable - MIT - https://sustainable.mit.edu/rentalclothing/ - Mother Jones - https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2021/07/renting-runway-clothes-environmental-problems-fast-fashion-study-climate-change/ Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

Kids grow up so fast, but you've gotta' keep 'em clothed. Can supposedly sustainable children's clothing brands like Hanna Andersson meet the needs of eco-minded parents? Find out what sustainability claims are legit and which ones are just green hooey in our first episode of season nine.  Sources  The Good Trade: https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/organic-baby-clothes/Journal of Textile Science and Fashion Technology “mini review”: https://irispublishers.com/jtsft/fulltext/a-review-sustainable-material-selection-for-childrens-wear.ID.000708.php Wirecutter, NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/is-organic-cotton-better-for-the-environment/ The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/mar/20/cost-cotton-water-challenged-india-world-water-day Trustpilot: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.hannaandersson.comHanna Anderson FAQ: https://www.hannaandersson.com/faqs.html?srsltid=AfmBOopAQKYHbtsIFFaAR03jx11CxJdcl9_wTxmQbE9j3eE5r9nZPdeS Hanna Anderson sustainability page: https://www.hannaandersson.com/sustainability.html Good On You: https://directory.goodonyou.eco/brand/hanna-andersson NIH: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8755403/ Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

**Ruby was Tiffany’s wonderful dog who went over the rainbow bridge this season. This Thanksgiving episode goes out to her. ** Want to have a less expensive and less wasteful Thanksgiving meal this year? Ok, we can’t promise it’ll be the best Thanksgiving ever, but we can give you tips to reduce how much food you waste and the overall cost of the meal. Plus, get some of our favorite recipes for day-of and leftovers in the last episode of this season. Bonus: ASMR pretzel eating! Sources: University of Minnesota: https://sustainable.umn.edu/thanksgiving NRDC Guestimator tool: https://savethefood.com/guestimator Hungry Harvest: https://hungryharvest.net/blog/2017/11/9/the-makings-of-a-zero-waste-holidayMove for Hunger: https://moveforhunger.org/blog/mindful-meals-cultivating-low-waste-thanksgiving-meal Going Zero Waste: https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/ways-to-use-your-thanksgiving-leftovers/ Sugar Spun Run (recipe): https://sugarspunrun.com/homemade-cranberry-sauce/#recipeAdd a Pinch (recipe): https://addapinch.com/turkey-salad-recipe/#wprm-recipe-container-31953 NPR https://www.nprillinois.org/2024-11-15/is-it-ok-to-keep-reheating-leftovers-honest-questions-about-food-safety-illustratedOhio State https://health.osu.edu/wellness/exercise-and-nutrition/cooling-pasta-changes-starchPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

PFAS and other "forever chemicals" have been around a long time, but in recent years, they've been getting a lot of news. What are they? Why are they scary? And can you avoid getting them in your food? Get the scoop with a dash of measured hope in this week's episode of your favorite sustainability podcast. Sources NIH - Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) - https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfcEPA - Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS - https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfasEPA - Meaningful and Achievable Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your RIsk - https://www.epa.gov/pfas/meaningful-and-achievable-steps-you-can-take-reduce-your-riskBBC Science Focus - Forever Chemicals Are Now in Half of Your Fruits and Vegetables - https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/forever-chemicals-food-risksThe Guardian - It’s Almost Impossible to Eliminate Toxic PFAS From Your Diet - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/22/pfas-forever-chemicals-dietFDA - Questions and Answers on PFAS in Food - https://www.fda.gov/food/process-contaminants-food/questions-and-answers-pfas-foodITRC - History and Use of PFAS Found in the Environment - https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/history_and_use_508_2020Aug_Final.pdfNIH - The Devil They Knew - Chemical Documents Analysis of Industry Influence on PFAS Science - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10237242/ELG Law - https://www.elglaw.com/faq/most-pfas-contaminated-states/Consumer Reports - https://www.consumerreports.org/water-contamination/how-to-get-pfas-out-of-your-drinking-water-a7303943293/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

“What do you want for dinner?” is the worst question ever. Meal planning to the rescue! We know, we know — it's one of those things everyone tells you you should do. But find out why this little tweak is actually worth it, and how it will save you money, time, and sanity. Get tips on how to do it right, plus a free downloadable planner that Tiffany actively uses and swears by. Sources Rutgers: https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/sustainability/fs1332_-reducing-food-waste-at-home_-easy-every-day-tips-rutgers-njaes.pdf EPA: https://www.epa.gov/land-research/estimating-cost-food-waste-american-consumers Our downloadable meal planner: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19SKpXixbXJOdD1VvZPRpCpb5gEgvenRs/view?usp=sharing Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

If you run in certain circles, you may have heard about mushroom coffee. It's purportedly better for the environment and better for you than regular coffee. But will it scratch that morning coffee itch? And how true are those environmental or health claims? Explore this earthy trend with Tiff and Kat in your favorite sustainability podcast. Sources Harvard Health Publishing - https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/mushroom-coffee-worth-a-tasteHealthline - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mushroom-coffee#lower-in-caffeineEarthrise - https://www.earthrise.au/blogs/stories/mushroom-coffee-a-safer-sustainable-alternativeMedicineNet - https://www.medicinenet.com/drinking_mushroom_coffee_good_benefits_side_effect/article.htmCleveland Clinic - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22361-adaptogensWired - https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-mushroom-coffee/PennState Extention - https://extension.psu.edu/impact-of-the-mushroom-industry-on-the-environmentFood52 - https://food52.com/story/18958-the-hidden-wartime-origins-of-mushroom-coffeePatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

Some people say we eat a credit card's worth of plastic every week — which is not true. But it still ain't great. In this episode, you'll learn the basics of where microplastics come from, how they may be impacting the environment and ourselves, along with steps to help limit your microplastic exposure. Let's all try not to panic together. For more on plastic recycling, check out our episodes (16 & 17) here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849707/episodes/13220903 Sources CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/us/microplastic-credit-card-per-week Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters, Ingested microplastics: Do humans eat one credit card per week?: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666911022000247 UCSF: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2024/02/427161/how-to-limit-microplastics-dangers A Poison Like No OtherThe Revelator: https://therevelator.org/plastic-pollution-warnings/ AdvanTech Plastics: https://advantechplastics.com/bio-assimilation/Environmental Chemistry Letters: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9907217/Science Alert: https://www.sciencealert.com/theres-a-surprisingly-simple-way-to-remove-microplastics-from-drinking-water Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

There's no denying veganism is better for the environment, and it can be better for your wallet. But there are some caveats, and health considerations. Get some facts this week in our episode on why you might consider going vegan and how to do it. Sources NIH - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9024616/The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/20/vegan-diet-cuts-environmental-damage-climate-heating-emissions-studyBBC - https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200211-why-the-vegan-diet-is-not-always-greenAmerican Institute for Cancer Research - https://www.aicr.org/resources/blog/does-red-meat-cause-cancer/Weston A. Price - https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/the-china-study-myth/#gsc.tab=0NIH - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9321292/NIH - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10027313/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

Have you ever heard of “wood milk”? Well, it’s a joke, but a pretty controversial one. Dairy isn’t the only option for your milk these days, much to the chagrin of the USDA and the dairy industry. But there are so many options to choose from, it can make your head spin. What’s the environmentally-friendly choice? And are they more expensive than cow’s milk? Take a bath in some plant-based milk (mylk? melk? milkk?) this week. Sources Wood Milk (fictitious): https://www.drinkwoodmilk.com/ World Resources Institute: https://www.wri.org/insights/milks-environmental-impact It’s Nice That: https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/milkpep-wood-milk-complaint-pcrm-advertising-food-drink-300523 New Roots Institute: https://www.newrootsinstitute.org/articles/dairy-checkoff-programs YouTuber @DaraDenney: https://youtube.com/shorts/zJVPwvrl9Sg?si=rMJz-VRZOogYKdcG Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/40556502/got-milk-how-the-iconic-campaign-came-to-be-25-years-ago Journal of Dairy Science: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7094284/The Humane League: https://thehumaneleague.org.uk/article/what-happens-to-male-calvesUniversity of Wisconsin Madison: https://livestock.extension.wisc.edu/articles/disbudding-calves/ National Dairy Farm (FARM) Program: https://nationaldairyfarm.com/dairy-farm-standards/animal-care/ Yahoo!: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/heres-why-oat-milk-expensive-191508011.html Love and Lemons: https://www.loveandlemons.com/oat-milk/#wprm-recipe-container-42113Epicurious recipe: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/homemade-soy-milk-andrea-nguyen Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

Should you buy produce "in season"? Why? And what does that even mean? How do you find out what's in season? Find out if seasonal produce is better for you or cheaper in this week's episode. Sources Seasonal Food Guide - https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/why-eat-seasonallyAmerican Heart Association - https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/07/12/why-seasonal-eating-can-be-a-healthy-delightClemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center - https://hgic.clemson.edu/the-benefits-of-seasonal-eating-fresh-nutrient-dense-and-budget-friendly/Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall KimmererFalling Fruit - https://fallingfruit.org/iNaturalist - https://www.inaturalist.org/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

Eggs have been expensive for a long time! So are backyard chickens the way to reduce your egg costs at the grocery store? And are backyard chicken eggs any good? Find out if raising chickens is worth it, from chicken coop plans to how they get along with kids. Plus, get the scoop on how to decipher between pasture-raised, cage-free, or certified humane eggs when you're at the grocery store. Sources Redditbackyardchickens.comDatabase of ordinances: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-laws-ordinances.13/ Certified Humane: https://certifiedhumane.org/cage-free-vs-free-range/ Free-Range Chicken Gardens: How to Create a Beautiful, Chicken-Friendly Yard by Jessi BloomKeeping Chickens: All You Need to Know to Care for a Happy, Healthy Flock by Ashley EnglishThe Giant Chicken - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX4Jh-44-NkPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

Is organic food a scam? Americans (especially parents!) are pressured to buy organic groceries for supposed health benefits, fear of pesticides, or because they think organic farming practices are better for the environment. But are these claims true? Dig deeper into organic fruits and vegetables, including whether there's any proof to the supposed benefits of organic food. Sources Mayo Clinic - Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious? - https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880Organic 101: What the USDA Organic Label Means - https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-meansAg Daily - The meaning of the organic label in the U.S. vs the EU - https://www.agdaily.com/insights/meaning-of-organic-label-in-us-vs-eu/WSU Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center Organic Agriculture - https://tfrec.cahnrs.wsu.edu/organicag/tree-fruit/background/NIH - What motivates consumers to buy organic foods? - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8432837/Forbes - Why I Don’t Buy Organic - https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensavage/2016/03/19/why-i-dont-buy-organic-and-why-you-might-want-to-either/Cal Poly Magazine - What Does Organic Really Mean - https://magazine.calpoly.edu/spring-2022/what-does-organic-really-mean/Eating Well - 2025 Dirty Dozen List Is Out—Here's a Dietitian's Take - https://www.eatingwell.com/dirty-dozen-2025-11753547Consumer Reports - The Cost of organic food - https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/03/cost-of-organic-food/index.htmChris Kresser - Grass-fed vs Conventional meat - https://chriskresser.com/grass-fed-vs-conventional-meat-its-not-black-or-white/National Library of Medicine - Systematic Review of Organic vs. Conventional Food Consumption - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7019963/ Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act

Say "artificial food dyes" and someone will inevitably start screaming about Red 40 (or FD&C Red 40 if they're really obsessive). Are these dyes really poisoning our children? Is natural food coloring better, or might there be unintended environmental consequences? Join us as we look at everything from MAHA to McGill University to get to the bottom of artificial colors. Sources The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/08/white-food-dye-titanium-dioxide-maha/683806/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-usInternational Dairy Foods Assoc: https://www.idfa.org/idfa-ice-cream-commitmentMake America Healthy Again report: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MAHA-Report-The-White-House.pdf FDA: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply Yahoo News: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-calls-rfk-jr-three-211918075.html UPMC HealthBeat: https://share.upmc.com/2024/07/is-red-food-dye-bad-for-kids/ UC Berkeley Public Health: https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/articles/spotlight/research/new-report-shows-artificial-food-coloring-causes-hyperactivity-in-some-kids Michigan State University Today: https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/07/ask-the-expert-whats-the-problem-with-artificial-food-dyes McGill University Office for Science and Society: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/food-health-news/food-dyes-science NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/no-artificial-dyes-atkinson-candy-company-replace-natural-colors-rfk-rcna220485 Foods (Journal): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10093929/  Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: [email protected] YouTube: Greening Up My Act