Eco Chic

We’re crafting today! I’m joined by my friend Elizabeth Lancione of Feelin Loopy Crochet to talk you through three do-it-yourself projects for your lower waste lifestyle. We’re teaching you how to make a reusable shopping bag, produce bags, and cotton face rounds (crochet or sew!). We also have two bonus projects to share: coffee scrub and beeswax wraps! If you’d like to follow along with written directions and photos, we created a PDF! Download it here, from lauraediez.com. Let’s connect on insta – @ecochicpodcast or @lauraediez! Find Elizabeth on Etsy and Instagram!

It can be easy to preach against animal products when promoting an environmental lifestyle – but that definitely doesn’t work for everyone! I’m excited for us to be diving deep into the world of animal agriculture, cattle ranching, and climate change today with Megan of the Diablo Trust, a collaborative group of ranchers, advocacy groups, and even government agencies. We are educating ourselves on the *actual* environmental concerns with animal ag, trends in eco-conscious land management, + so much more. Let’s talk about where your food is coming from, who is growing it, and how all communities and ecology can truly come together. Let’s def connect – find us on insta, @ecochicpodcast / @lauraediez + online www.lauraediez.com. 

Last week, AOC reminded us that “climate change is not an elitist issue,” … but perhaps environmental lifestyle choices inherently are. We’re touching upon the social factors that influence your ability (or inability!) to make lower-waste, more eco-concious choices. We’re breaking down how your neighborhood and socioeconomic status influence your environmental footprint, but then taking it a little further and discussing how the politics of your region play into that. Let’s break down why it’s easier to shop plastic-free in California versus a Publix grocery store in Florida (a juicy investigation, if I do say so myself!). While climate change absolutely impacts all of us, the choices we make in response to that acceptance are a little more tricky. Let’s connect on insta – @ecochicpodcast + @lauraediez, and online at lauraediez.com Today’s episode of ECO CHIC is brought to you by Kinder Beauty Box! Use ECOCHIC at kinderbeauty.com for a surprise bonus gift in your first box of totally vegan, cruelty-fre

Let’s break down a cool little intersection of environment + health: organic produce. Today, we’ll discuss what organic certification truly means, the agricultural implications, and even some benefits of conventionally grown fruits and veggies. We’re also introducing the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list, to help us all be more savvy shoppers. Let’s connect on insta – @ecochicpodcast + @lauraediez, and online at lauraediez.com USC is hosting their annual The Big Event, and they’d love you to participate in The Climate Ribbon Project! Sign your name on a ribbon here + learn more about The Climate Ribbon Project here. Today’s episode of ECO CHIC is brought to you by Kinder Beauty Box! Use ECOCHIC at kinderbeauty.com for a surprise bonus gift in your first box of totally vegan, cruelty-free makeup and skincare.  Resources: * EWG’s 2019 Dirty Dozen List* Pinterest graphic * Research on organic vs conventional farm yields

Palm oil: one of the biggest things the internet is telling you to give up if you care about the planet. Today, we are breaking down the situation a little further – let’s talk about how palm oil is harvested, who is being hurt, how it’s effecting our global greenhouse gas emissions… but let’s also talk about the lesser-advocated-for benefits of this oil. While deforestation is environmentally villainous, and efforts to save orangutans really tug at your heart … we also should acknowledge that palm oil is one of our absolute most efficient globally. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on today’s semi-controversial conversation! Let’s connect on insta – @ecochicpodcast + @lauraediez, and online at lauraediez.com Today’s episode of ECO CHIC is brought to you by Kinder Beauty Box! Use ECOCHIC at kinderbeauty.com for a surprise bonus gift in your first box of totally vegan, cruelty-free makeup and skincare. 

Art, the environment, and eco-conscious messages you may not even realize you’re being sent! My great friend Dana Rodriguez is joining us today to talk about art: creating it, buying it, and what how it’s influencing the masses. We’re getting into materials, discussing specific artists famous for their work, and the impact of social media culture in the art world. Get in touch with Dana on instagram, @danarodriguezart Today’s episode of ECO CHIC is brought to you by Kinder Beauty Box! Use ECOCHIC at kinderbeauty.com for a surprise bonus gift in your first box of totally vegan, cruelty-free makeup and skincare. Follow us @ecochicpodcast on instagram (giveaway going on right now!) + @lauraediez. Email me via www.lauraediez.com

Energy: where does it come from + why should you care? We’re sitting down with my great friend, Christina Lizzo, to discuss how we extract natural gas, and some drawbacks of renewable energy alternatives. We’re also touching on the subjects of geopolitics, political awareness, and where different people fit into shifting our larger energy systems. Today’s episode of ECO CHIC is brought to you by Kinder Beauty Box! Use ECOCHIC at kinderbeauty.com for a surprise bonus gift in your first box of totally vegan, cruelty-free makeup and skincare. Follow us @ecochicpodcast on instagram (giveaway going on right now!) + @lauraediez. Email me via www.lauraediez.com

Reducing your packaging is arguably one of the easiest ways to start lessening your environmental footprint! Let’s talk today about one of your most frequent plastic-ridden purchases: groceries. We’re sharing tips on how to prepare for your grocery trip, what to do at the store, and how to store things once you get home. Package-free shopping shouldn’t be intimidating, inconvenient, or too different from your usual grocery run. It doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing, either – if you can only do package-free produce, that works. Do what you can! Follow us @ecochicpodcast on instagram (giveaway going on right now!) + @lauraediez. Email me via www.lauraediez.com Resources: * How To Shop Package Free blog post* Bulk Bin Finder* Reusable Produce Bags* How to DIY produce bags

Where do condoms come from? What even is lube? Today, we’re breaking down the environmental impacts of our basic sexual wellness products! Let’s discuss the sustainability (and health!) of our bedroom choices: condoms, personal lubricant, vibrators, and a bit more. We’re also sharing lots of brands you may want to switch to, and how these products are linked to our larger environmental footprints. Instead of an end-of-ep question, this episode is answering your eco-conscious sex questions throughout our conversation. Let’s chat – find us on insta, @ecochicpodcast / @lauraediez + online www.lauraediez.com. PS: @ecochicpodcast will be hosting a giveaway for vegan, non-GMO, fair trade rubber condoms this week! Resources: * Glyde: certified vegan + fair trade* Durex: some vegan + non-latex options* Sustain: non-GMO, fair trade, vegan condoms + aloe-based personal lubricant (plus great women’s health products) (website always has great discount codes!) * Unique Plus: non-latex + eco-friendly packaging

Buckle up for one of our most thought-provoking episodes yet! We’re sitting down with Dr. Brian Petersen today to discuss the circular economy theory – and why it doesn’t really make sense as a climate change solution. We touch upon the efforts of the zero waste movement, and larger social systems: are people truly happy with a society of constant consumption? How does technology impact our social systems, and can we use it to combat environmental issues? What do we *actually* need? Today’s episode of ECO CHIC is brought to you by Kinder Beauty Box! Use ECOCHIC at kinderbeauty.com for a surprise bonus gift in your first box of totally vegan, cruelty-free makeup and skincare. Let’s connect on insta – @ecochicpodcast + @lauraediez, and online at lauraediez.com

Happy Thursday! We have a quick episode today all about ten easy things that you can totally start making on your own with your food scraps. Even if you’re not able to compost, you can definitely start to reduce your kitchen waste by rethinking what you’re purchasing, and how you can make some things on your own with what you already have. We’re breaking down the basics on some kitchen staples, sharing a couple of easy meal ideas, a bath product, and even a drink! Aiming for zero waste isn’t always about completely changing your lifestyle, but rather just encouraging some mindfulness around what you’re sending to a landfill. Vegan Banana Bread: * 2-3 super ripe bananas* 3/4 cup whole wheat flour (oat flour works great too!)* 1/2 cup sugar* 1/4 cup of vegetable or coconut oil* splash of almond milk* 1 tsp of baking soda* 1 tsp salt* cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla* Bake at 425F for ~30 minutes for muffins, ~60 mins for a loaf Let’s connect on instagram @ecochicpodcast + @lauraediez, and online at lauraediez

If you’ve ever wondered if purchasing an organic cotton t-shirt is actually better than purchasing a conventional one … you’re not alone. Today we’re discussing the environmental considerations surrounding your cotton clothing: crop yields, irrigation, transportation, and even laundry while you own it. Our end-of-ep tidbit this week revolves around a somewhat laughable personal experience, sharing some health and safety considerations for essential oils and wool dryer balls! Let’s connect: @ecochicpodcast or @lauraediez on instagram, and www.lauraediez.com online

Let’s talk about what nail polish has to do with staying healthy, looking good, and your dog. Today we’re hanging out with Valentina of *Hype Nail, a toxic-free polish brand. We’re discussing LOTS: the toxicity that is mainstream nail polish, how harmful chemicals can be replaced with plant-based ingredients, and how to dispose of polishes. We also chat about why animal testing needs to go, and the power of consumers in shifting the market. PLUS: ECO CHIC listeners get a special 30% off discount code so you can clean up your nail care asap! Our end-of-episode question is full of tips on how you can give some lower-waste, eco-conscious gifts this Valentine’s Day (and all year round)! Let’s connect on instagram, @ecochicpodcast + @lauraediez, or online at www.lauraediez.com Find *Hype Nail at www.hypenail.com and on Amazon!

Cheers to our first Thursday episode! We’re talking today with Jessie Stokes, author of the Zero Waste Vegan Cookbook! Let’s break down how zero waste and low impact living can look different for everyone, and the benefits of plant-based meals, even just a couple of times per week. Jessie is giving tips on how to shop at “regular” grocery stores, and even sharing some simple go-to plant-based recipes. More information + inspiration a lower impact kitchen: * Meatless Mondays: Do Yourself A Favor* Lower Waste Kitchen Swaps* How To: Shop Package Free Find us @ecochicpodcast or @lauraediez on instagram, or www.lauraediez.com online Find Jessie at www.tinyyellowbungalow.com and on instagram @tinyyellowbungalow

We are sitting down today with Nathan Friedman of Wanderlust Brewing Company in Flagstaff, AZ, breaking down the environmental and logistical variables that go into the brewing process. Nathan is discussing the everything that goes into your go-to beer: the water usage, the malting process, ingredient sourcing, bacteria and yeast … really SO much knowledge on a drink we all enjoy but may not think too deeply about. We’re also touching on how certain steps in the process can be tweaked for reuse or conservation, PLUS the topic that got me wanting to host this chat: Wanderlust’s microbrew made from reclaimed water. Let’s connect – on instagram, find us @ecochicpodcast + @lauraediez, and online at www.lauraediez.com

We’re sitting down with Nora Schaper today, co-founder of Bodylish, a natural beauty line, and HiBar, a new salon-quality solid shampoo bar. Nora discusses her unconventional path into entrepreneurship, and the conception of two totally different business models, both forward-thinking in sustainability. We’re breaking down some challenges associated with different business models and products, and the power of an environmentally-conscious brand to really shake up the market. Let’s chat! Find us on instagram @ecochicpodcast (so many good giveaways lately!), my personal page @lauraediez, or on lauraediez.com Connect with Nora at nora@bodylish.com or nora@hellohibar.com

Let’s all agree to be less trashy in 2019. Today, we’re getting into ten super simple ways you can reduce your waste. Plus, I’m breaking down the difference between “zero waste” and “low impact” lifestyles, and why I think the iconic trash jar is silly. Sticking to theme, the end-of-episode question is all about plastic bags! Find all the ten swaps for a lower impact lifestyle below; links are to Amazon. * Carry a reusable water bottle everywhere – to work, the gym, Panera… everywhere* Reusable Coffee Mug for your office or backpack* Stainless Steel Straws! Bonus: chic on a bar cart * Reusable Shopping Bags – remember, they’re not just for grocery stores! * Reusable Produce Bags* Wool Dryer Balls* Sign up for a local compost pick-up service (or start your own compost system!)* Shop Secondhand (more info on Episode 18)* Pick up lonely bananas* Carry a set of your own silverware (inexpensive thrift!), or opt for a spork that lives in your bag Let’s connect! Find @ecochicpodcast on instagram, or

Let’s get into clean, natural skincare – good for your body, inside and out. Jade rolling is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, using a crystal for its anti-aging properties. Jade rolling is receiving a ton of buzz lately, too, in the skincare community for helping with face bloat and lymphatic drainage. Today, we’re discussing the biological benefits of facial massage, the benefits of specific oils and serums, and even more pros for a cleaner, greener beauty routine. * Let’s connect on Instagram – @ecochicpodcast, @lauraediez, www.lauraediez.com * Read sursublimite.com + connect with Halle on Instagram @sursublimite (where we’ll be giving away a jade roller!)* Specific oils and serums mentioned by Halle: * Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum* Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Acid Serum* Beauty Counter * Find Luna Nectar online at www.lunanectar.com and on Instagram @lunanectar* Read about how to shop package-free

Today we are setting the scene for future conversations about shiny climate change solutions. What is geoengineering? Can we really just stop absorbing solar radiation? Why isn’t this cool research being put into practice yet? Let’s connect! Find @ecochicpodcast / @lauraediez on Instagram, or email at laura@lauraediez.com Resources: * Check out the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) * Vegan meal prep inspo: @thetoastedpinenut, @minimalistbaker, @upbeetandkaleingit* Listen to Episode 33 with Nicole Walker, where I am asked this very question of, “Will technology save us?”

The US government shutdown is (unfortunately) going almost two weeks strong. A central conversation revolves around President Trump’s proposed border wall between the US and Mexico. Today, let’s discuss the environmental implications of this “huge, beautiful wall” – there is a lot to consider, between the associated greenhouse gas emissions and *whose* migration will be impacted. Find me on instagram,  @ecochicpodcast + @lauraediez , and and online at www.lauraediez.com Find the McCallum et. al (2014) study here