**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-holiday
• Move 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/#recipe
• Add 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-illustrated
• Ohio State https://health.osu.edu/wellness/exercise-and-nutrition/cooling-pasta-changes-starch

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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/pfc
• EPA - 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-pfas
• EPA - 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-risk
• BBC Science Focus - Forever Chemicals Are Now in Half of Your Fruits and Vegetables - https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/forever-chemicals-food-risks
• The 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-diet
• FDA - Questions and Answers on PFAS in Food - https://www.fda.gov/food/process-contaminants-food/questions-and-answers-pfas-food
• ITRC - 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.pdf
• NIH - 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/

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“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 

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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-taste
• Healthline - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mushroom-coffee#lower-in-caffeine
• Earthrise - https://www.earthrise.au/blogs/stories/mushroom-coffee-a-safer-sustainable-alternative
• MedicineNet - https://www.medicinenet.com/drinking_mushroom_coffee_good_benefits_side_effect/article.htm
• Cleveland Clinic - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22361-adaptogens
• Wired - https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-mushroom-coffee/
• PennState Extention - https://extension.psu.edu/impact-of-the-mushroom-industry-on-the-environment
• Food52 - https://food52.com/story/18958-the-hidden-wartime-origins-of-mushroom-coffee

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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 Other
• The 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 

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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-study
• BBC - https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200211-why-the-vegan-diet-is-not-always-green
• American 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=0
• NIH - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9321292/
• NIH - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10027313/

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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-calves
• University 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-42113
• Epicurious recipe: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/homemade-soy-milk-andrea-nguyen 

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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-seasonally
• American Heart Association - https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/07/12/why-seasonal-eating-can-be-a-healthy-delight
• Clemson 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 Kimmerer
• Falling Fruit - https://fallingfruit.org/
• iNaturalist - https://www.inaturalist.org/

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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

• Reddit
• backyardchickens.com
• Database 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 Bloom
• Keeping Chickens: All You Need to Know to Care for a Happy, Healthy Flock by Ashley English
• The Giant Chicken - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX4Jh-44-Nk

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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-20043880
• Organic 101: What the USDA Organic Label Means - https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means
• Ag 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-2025-11753547
• Consumer Reports - The Cost of organic food - https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/03/cost-of-organic-food/index.htm
• Chris 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/

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