Greening Up My Act

This week, Kat and Tiffany break down food forests: layered plantings of native trees, shrubs, and perennials designed to feed themselves and you with minimal upkeep. Kat compares her high-maintenance childhood fruit trees in New Mexico to the prickly pear, pomegranate, and pecan trees thriving on autopilot in her Texas yard, then walks through a food forest for beginners roadmap: picking a site,...

Welcome to our first ever collab episode! Dr. Bronner's has long been considered the gold standard of sustainable soap. It's a staple in outdoor kits, zero-waste homes, and camping gear lists thanks to its versatility, plant-based ingredients, and reputation for environmental responsibility.  But how much of that reputation actually holds up under closer scrutiny? In this collaborative e...

Vegetables you only have to plant once? Sounds like a dream come true. Except it's slightly more complicated than that. Join hosts Tiff and Kat as they take you on a perennial vegetable journey — covering the whole shebang, from good perennial vegetables for beginners to why growing Jerusalem artichokes may not be your next best move. Learn which are easy perennial vegetables to grow and whic...

Is it cheaper to grow your own food over the long run? Most sources look at first-year costs, but hosts Kat and Tiff dive into vegetable garden costs over a span of a decade. Once you have your structures in place, what's your vegetable garden ROI typically look like? Join as they revisit this topic for a deeper dive into the reasons why — with the craziness of the world —you may want to actu...

Sounds boring; isn't. Wondering how to grow a native garden? You might be surprised at the importance of a seemingly mundane addition: mulch. Hosts Tiff and Kat cover all things mulch this week — and it's way more interesting than even they expected. What they cover: 3 main ways mulch helps your garden What is organic mulch? And the types Where to find free organic mulch Why to avoid dye...

If you're wondering just how god awful (but useful!) DIY deer spray is, listen in as hosts Kat and Tiff discuss the pros and cons of making it yourself. Learn why critters constantly munching on your plants does not have to be your reality. What they discuss: DIY deer spray recipes (both smelly and less smelly options) and ethical bunny deterrents Tiffany's horrid experience making DIY d...

Hosts Tiff and Kat share practical tips for incorporating native plants into small spaces like balconies and container gardens, and why it's so essential to start today. They explore native plant options and creative ways to contribute to local ecosystems, all while sharing personal stories and resources. They talk about: The ecological impact of habitat loss, the "windshield phenomenon,...

In case you missed it the first time, take a listen to one of Tiff and Kat's favorite episodes during the break. They're back with season 10, all about getting your hands dirty outside, on June 4. Clover lawns are all the rage — but should they be? Hosts Tiff and Kat answer: What eco-friendly claims do folks make about clover yards? Are they true? Why is Reddit so uncomfy? What are the d...

In case you missed it the first time, take a listen to one of Tiff and Kat's favorite episodes during the break. They're back with season 10, all about getting your hands dirty outside, on June 4. In this episode of your favorite green living podcast, Tiff and Kat come clean about essential oils and whether they're worth all the hype -- or hate. Spoiler: it's complicated. There...

Check out this revisit of one of our favorite previous episodes while we're on break! We're back from break June 4 to dive into our all new Get Your Hands Dirty season. In case you missed this the first time, here goes: Learn all about DIY all-purpose cleaner on this week's green living podcast with Tiffany and Kat. You'll save so much money with this easy recipe that you might...

To end their fashion-filled season, Kat and Tiff examine one of the most popular sustainably brands: Fjallraven. Learn what sustainability promises they're making and whether or not they're following through with them, and where they may be falling short.  Explore: Are Fjallraven products as durable as they claim? Can normal people afford Fjallraven? Are they as top-notch on their sustai...

If you're tossing holey sweaters or ripped jeans into the landfill every year, you might be surprised how simple repairs could extend their life and slash waste. In this episode, discover how the old-fashioned art of clothing mending is making a comeback, and why it matters more than ever for our planet. Join hosts Tiff and Kat as they unveil the fascinating techniques behind professional sew...

Discover the truth behind Rothy’s, the popular eco-friendly shoe company, and whether they’re genuinely making a difference or just greenwashing to sell more shoes. In this episode, hosts Kat and Tiff unpack Rothy’s claims to use recycled plastic bottles, discuss whether their sustainability certifications hold up, and explore deeper concerns like microplastics and the true environmental impact of...

Leather can come at a devastating human and environmental cost — but what if the leather in a new bag could avoid that problem? Hosts Tiff and Kat talk about Dana Cohen, founder of HYER GOODS. Learn how her small-batch, deadstock Italian leather business is redefining sustainability in fashion, proving that luxury and responsibility can go hand-in-hand. Sources HYER GOODS: https://hyergoods.com/?s...

In this episode, hosts Kat and Tiffany explore slow fashion clothing brand Hope for Flowers, built by designer Tracy Reese. Learn how the slow fashion movement offers more sustainable clothing choices, what it costs, and how Tracy Reese is using her resources to support the local art scene in Detroit. Also, learn about Tiffany's early lessons following a layoff. Sources Hope for Flowers: http...

It's right there in the name: ethical silk. But what does that mean? And can "cruelty-free sleepwear" be sustainable? Find out as we look into the Ethical Sleep Company and their eco claims, from peace silk production to Fair Trade Certification and beyond. Sources Ethical Silk Company website: https://theethicalsilkco.com/   World Fair Trade Organization: https://wfto.com/our-fair-...

Underwear is the foundation of your wardrobe, and what you wear down there can have a bigger impact on your health than other pieces of clothing. So is it worth it to go organic for your women's undies? Take a look at Pact and their 100% organic cotton with us this week.  Sources: Healthline - https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/underwear-hygiene The Good Trade - https://www.thego...

In the era of athleisurewear and comfort clothing, should you sweat buying organic cotton leggings? We take a look at MATE the Label and see if their sustainability claims hold up. Sources The Good Trade: https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/mate-the-label-activewear-review/  Change Climate Project: https://www.changeclimate.org/standards and https://explore.changeclimate.org/brand/mate-the-label...

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 : greening...

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 Busine...

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 ca...

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/ Jour...

**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 da...

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) - ht...

“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...