Haute Talk with Ariel De La Cruz | Environmental Justice, Wellness & Building Sustainable Communities

What if sustainable living has less to do with buying the “right” products and more to do with strengthening the communities around us?

This week on The Lexy Show: Fashion That Gives a Damn, Lexy sits down with environmental activist and community organizer Ariel De La Cruz to explore the connections between sustainability, environmental justice, wellness, and community care. With a background in biology and a journey that shifted from pre-med to environmental advocacy, Ariel brings a thoughtful, people-first perspective to building healthier communities and a healthier planet.

Lexy and Ariel discuss why access to green spaces matters, how composting and more sustainable food systems can reduce food waste, and what mindful consumption looks like in everyday life. They also examine sustainable fashion, the environmental and human costs of fast fashion, and the importance of teaching the next generation about environmental stewardship.

Rather than promoting an all-or-nothing approach, Ariel shares realistic and accessible ways to live more sustainably. From becoming more intentional about what we buy to supporting local communities and making small changes at home, this conversation shows how everyday choices can create a meaningful ripple effect.

This episode is for anyone interested in sustainable living, environmental activism, climate justice, conscious fashion, community wellness, or practical ways to reduce waste. Follow The Lexy Show: Fashion That Gives a Damn, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with someone who is ready to rethink what sustainability really means.

Socials: 

Instagram: @arieljune

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Lexy Show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who's ready to make more mindful choices for themselves and the planet. For more information visit https://lexysilverstein.com/

Transcript

Lexy- Ariel

​[00:00:00] 

Lexy: That was me, age seven. I thought fashion was magic. Turns out it's a lot more complicated than that. I had a blog at seven talking about clothes. Back then, I didn't know about greenwashing or fast fashion or what it actually costs to make a $5 shirt, and now I do, and I'm trying to do better. So welcome to The Lexi Show: Fashion That Gives A Damn.

I'm Lexy Silverstein, and this show is for anyone who loves fashion and is done pretending the industry is fine. Every week, we go deeper so you can shop smarter, spend better, and stop getting played. Now, let's get back to today's guest. 

today I'm talking with Ariel DeLaCruz, an urban environmental activist and community organizer focused on bridging wellness with environmental justice through education, food systems, and community-based sustainability. If you're new here, head to lexisilverstein.com for more information on sustainable fashion and eco-conscious living.

And if you love what you hear, subscribe and share this episode. It helps more than you think. [00:01:00] Ariel, welcome. How are you doing?

Hello. Hello. How are you? I'm well. How are you? I am good. I'm so excited to chat. Thanks so much for jumping on today.

 I wanna start with your journey. So what initially drew you to environmental activism, and kind of how did it e- evolve into what you're doing today? Oh. I-- So I wanna note to you that I actually didn't grow out, grow up outdoors.

I, uh, I went to the parks, and I went to the beaches, but it wasn't something that, like, my parents, like, really cared to take me out to. But I, during college, I took a backpacking class. So I was in school for biology, like, for pre-med, thinking I was gonna go down that route, and I just really needed a fun outlet.

So I was taking all of these, like, fun classes. Like, I took dance, so now, um, I like salsa dance, and it's been like for 10 years. But I took all these fun classes, and I took this backpacking class, [00:02:00] and I didn't know what it was, and everything that I knew was, like, tossed out the window. I really thought that it was a class that would...

We would just be walking. Mm. I thought we would just be walking at a park. And it was my first time to camp, it was my first time to backpack, it was first, my first time to climb a mountain, and so it was all these firsts. And at this point in my life, I was, like, early 20s, and I was just like, "Yeah, let's go for it."

Like, "What do I have to lose?" And I mention this story because it was the first time I ever felt elated. Like, I grew up thinking about, like, who did I wanna be, and what did I want my career to look like, and what did, you know, how much money did I wanna make, and, you know, where did I wanna go out, and where did I wanna go with my friends?

And it was this, the first time I ever felt peace, and I never knew [00:03:00] how that could feel until that moment. And right until you've experienced, like, those ex- those experiences, you never know what it could be. And I just remember thinking after that class thinking about it, I was just like, "How do I get more people to feel like this?

Like, this is amazing. Like, why don't we all do this? Like, why haven't I felt like this before?" And I would say that feeling has been, like, my guiding light. So it's like, how do I feel more like this? Because right, we live in this world that, like, we're f- it's full of distractions, right? Of, like, media, of what we think we should be doing, of society.

And, I didn't know exactly that I wanted to get into the environmental field at that moment, but understanding that, like, it was just fun and it was freeing. And then slowly as I went on my journey, I was thinking about, you know, what did I wanna do? I knew that I didn't wanna go into the medical field [00:04:00] anymore, but I didn't know exactly what I wanted to step into.

And as I kept doing these trips with my friends and I traveled around a bit, I just kept thinking about like, I love the feeling of being outside, and how do I get more people to feel like this? And I think as we're going through the journey of our adulthood, we never know, what is the next step.

But I decided I was gonna go into grad school, and then I got my master's in sustainability leadership, not knowing exactly what, what that was gonna be like or what I was gonna learn entirely. And not even knowing if that was like a field that I really wanted to go into. But I decided I was gonna go get my master's.

And then when I went to go get my master's, I didn't even think at the end of it, right? Kinda when you graduate from anything, you think about, like, "What is my next job, and what am I gonna pour into next?" And I [00:05:00] actually didn't wanna pick a full-time career at that moment. And so, I decided, like, I was gonna get a job.

There, there was an opportunity for me to work with an organization that provides school gardens. And I remember just thinking like, "Oh, how amazing would that be? I get to work outside." And I had experience working with community. And then I really wanted to get into... I needed to, like, broaden my, my networks here.

So I was really reaching out to environmental orgs. And so that is kinda a little bit after. That was, like, after I gradu- graduated from my master's, and then it was also during COVID, and I was just like, "What do we have to lose? Like, let's just go for it all." And that really started everything of, like, the environmental work that I do today.

That's amazing. I feel the same way where, like, every time I go to a beach or, like, a field or, like- Yeah ... it's, it's like the ta- the saying that everyone's like, "Go touch grass." But, like, actually, lives are changed. I step outside and I'm like, oh my God, like, I need to be [00:06:00] outside all of the time.

Like, it is so- Yeah ... it is so nice to be a part of nature. And, like, I feel like especially 'cause I'm not from California, not that Maryland is, like, not pretty. It is. But, like, m- we didn't, I didn't have mountains like, like we do in California. And so, like, it's sometimes I'll just be driving and I look around and I'm like, "It's just so crazy that, like, our planet looks like this and that, like, we're taking it for granted."

Mm-hmm. Like, I, it, like, shocks me sometimes, and then I am like, okay, but also this is a reminder of, like, why we're doing what we're doing. And so I love that- Mm-hmm ... you kind of had that experience, and I agree. Like, if we can get more people outside and we can get them surrounded by community and, like, people that are doing the same thing, whether it's going on, like, a hike all together or learning about sustainability more straight on, like, it's

I feel like all of that is so ... It's, like, it makes me feel, like, re- rejuvenated.

Okay, good. I'm glad. Like, I would hope, in my understanding, for me, that there's never a time that I regret going outside. [00:07:00] Yeah. And even if, like, I'm tired. And I know that's, like, a lot of the reasons, like, why we don't go outside. You're like, "Oh, I'm tired," or ... but it's from, like, the other things of our lives.

And I really wish people valued how much they felt after when they do, whether it's the beach or the park- Mm-hmm ... or, you know, going out to the mountains, but understanding that's a little harder to do sometimes. But I love that you share the same feeling. Yeah. I do. I really do. This is making me-

be like, okay, after this podcast, I'm stepping outside 'cause I have yet to today.

Well, you talk a lot about bridging wellness with environmental justice. So what does this look like in practice?

Um, for me, when I'm bridging those two, it is everything that I've learned so far within my, my environmental journey. Uh, so I'll note that I've been working in this space for eight-plus [00:08:00] years. I've probably have worked for every different type of environmental nonprofit, and Understanding, like, my own journey of what the outdoors means to me.

Like, for me to go outside, it's, yes, it's beautiful and I get to appreciate things more, but at the same time it's my way of taking care of myself. It's my form of pouring into me. It's my self-care. But then I think also working with the communities that I have been, um, understanding that, yes, I wanna provide these outdoor spaces and green spaces and opportunities, but it's not easy to do so.

And I think about, a lot about the environmental and social injustices that come with going outside. That, one, we may not [00:09:00] have green spaces that are walkable to us. I think about how if you didn't grow up going outdoors, where are you gonna learn that? Um, but then also I think about transportation. I think about just in general we as a person of color, that it's not always the safest for us to go outside, but then also being a woman, to go out by yourself it's also not easy.

And I think how much I care about, like, our wellbeing in, like, the societies that we live in today, I, even though I don't know the exact stats, but I, I feel that, like, where our society is, is that we have higher levels of anxiety and depression and anxiety. And some of the things that can alleviate that is by going outside more, you know, removing ourselves from these, these stressors and pressures of life.

Mm-hmm. But that even though that's easier said than done, there's also these [00:10:00] underlying issues that prevent us from doing so. And I really just care, one, it's to get people outdoors more for their overall wellbeing, but then also nurturing our relationship with nature, and that is very disconnected in our societies

in terms of, like, the places that we live in, and just, like, how we work and maybe what we might see on media. Um, right, going outside isn't as glamorous as some of the other things you might see instead. And wanting to appreciate a more simple life than we'll say a more glitz and glam life. And so- For me, wellness is one of the top priorities, 'cause that's how we move as a society to making sure that we take care of ourselves.

But then also, how do we take care of our communities? And then not only in our communities and our environments, but that's everything. It's not just the people, it's also the planet. Mm-hmm. So trying to combine all of these things For me, it's my, it's my purpose, but it's also [00:11:00] my passion project.

Just like how do we do it, and how do we do it sustainably, and how do we do it where it is accessible? Well, I think with that, I think a misconception is that in order to be sustainable, it always has to be, expensive or that it is inaccessible. And I think that is true to an extent. There's a level of sustainability, especially for when you talk about, like, the fashion industry.

If you wanna support a sustainable brand, yes, that's gonna be, like, or more expensive because it's a T-shirt that, you know, everyone on the supply chain got paid and is work- correctly and is working in safe conditions, and it's gonna last you, the rest of your life and not release a ton of microplastics into the water.

So you're paying for the quality of that. But I think that sustainability doesn't always have to be that way. So from your experience working directly in communities what do you think that about that misconception?[00:12:00] 

And it's kind of like how you mentioned that when people think about sustainability, we think that it has to be, like, one way. And it is. And it's... And right to, to... When I think about sustainable companies, right, they, it is more expensive than a majority of, you know, the rest of, we'll say companies or products.

And that we d- d- it doesn't have to look a certain way. I think it's how sustainability is especially portrayed in, like, media. It- that it looks, like, very clean cut, um, that it looks, you know, aesthetically pleasing. Like I think about, about, like, neutral colors or whatever it may be. But that there is no way to be sustainable.

People would ask me this question too. "What's one thing that I can do to be sustainable or, like, to save the planet?" Mm-hmm. And the thing is, I can't tell you it. I can't tell you exactly what to do because there is no one way, but it really depends on what you value. And, um, and right, everyone has different preferences.

I know you mentioned to me, I think you said that you've been a vegetarian- ... um, I don't know if you [00:13:00] said vegetarian or vegan since you, you were small, and I've been a pescatarian since, gosh, since I was, like, in middle school. Mm-hmm. And but I'm never going to tell someone that this is for me.

Like, I'm never gonna tell someone, "You need to stop eating meat." Yeah. Because this is someone's preference, whether it's tied to cultural background, or maybe it's something that they, one, that they enjoy eating or that Or sometimes, like, even though not necessarily here, but, like, in different, we'll say, like, countries, that's, like, what they have to eat.

So how can I tell someone to do something where I don't live their same lived experience? Mm-hmm. Um, but just thinking about how sustainability, if we think about it in someone's mind, what does that, you know, what does that look like? What is the definition? And I remember, like, really thinking about the definition and looking it up too, and it talks about, like, using the resources that we have today to meet our needs right now, but that doesn't you know, that doesn't take away from the [00:14:00] needs of future generations.

And I think a lot of what people think sustainability is, you know, they think about these green products and is it ethically sourced? Which is r- which is true and which we do wanna do. But it is also, like, this very selfless act of, like, I have to think about what do I actually need- Mm-hmm

instead of wants, 'cause I think a lot of the things that we want, we think we need is o- just wants. Yeah. But then it's also thinking about the future generations of how do I make sure that there's enough to go around? And I think that not a lot of people think about that in terms of sustainability.

They just think about, like, the present day, but not necessarily future thinking. Yeah. I think also it's just, like- I think we're in so much of a consumption habit right now. Like, we just consume. And I think that's the other thing is there is such an art to slowing down. And that goes back to, like, our earlier conversation where it's, [00:15:00] like- Mm

like, going outside and taking a walk sometimes. And, like, what you were saying when, like, you feel... And I, I think there's gotta be a stat out there. I'm not a stats girly. I'm a storyte- teller. But there's gotta be a stat out there talking about, like, anxiety and depression and all those things that, I think people are dealing with a lot more now, especially with social media and stuff.

And, like, when I am anxious... I did this the other day. I was at my friend's house, and I was so anxious. And she was like, "Why don't we just go on a walk?" And I don't usually do this. Mm-hmm. Like, I don't... Yeah, usually I take, like, a Propranolol, and then I try to not feel anxious anymore. Like, I'm, like I'm not...

I need to utilize a walk more. But she had suggested going for a walk and, like, running to Trader Joe's and getting some food. And we just walked, and we, like- Yeah ... talked. And we were out in the environment. And I was just like, "This is so nice." Like, "I really need to do this when I feel more anxious."

And so I think that, yeah, I think we need to be wary of how we're consuming and what we're doing and slowing down, and that, like you were saying, there's no, like, one definition of how to be sustainable. It's like this is your journey, and you're gonna figure it out along the way. Like, when I started my sustainable journey, the things that [00:16:00] I was doing back then I look at now, and I'm like, "That was so unsustainable of me."

But at that time, I was like, "Dang, I'm the most-" Mm ... sustainable person to ever walk this planet." And now I'm so much more sustainable of a human being than I was back then. And I'm sure when I look forward in, five years or something, or even next week, I'm gonna be like, "I can't believe I was doing that."

Yeah. So it's a journey.

There's one thing that I wanna note where this is the one thing that I hate about sustainability, is that there's a lot of blame. Mm-hmm. And that, like, you're not doing enough. Or sometimes if we feel that if I'm not doing enough, why should I even do anything? Like, what difference is it gonna make?

That's right. Right? What difference is it gonna make if I drink this, you know, out of the... If I use this water bottle- ... or whatever it may, right? And I think that's what gets to people a lot, and I think about change a lot because no one wants to be told that what they're doing is [00:17:00] wrong.

Mm-hmm. And I think when we're going into, right, sustainability is kind of like this newer term that has been circulating in our societies way more, well, I would say way more prevalently than maybe years ago. And when something is new, like, no one wants to be told, like, "Oh, you're doing this wrong."

Yeah. "And you need to do better." And it is, like, a lot of, like, self-reflection of, like, oh just like kind of you mentioned, like, you thought that you were, like, the shit doing all this stuff, and then now you see yourself and like, actually I wasn't. And I'm so much g- I'm so much better that I... i'm so glad that I'm doing so much better now.

Yeah. And it is this journey of just like, okay, let me see, let me just do this one thing, and it's something that I enjoy. I enjoy doing for myself, and right, and for other people and for the planet, and just see where it takes me. Mm-hmm. But there's just so much guilt and blame with it. And not getting so caught up with it.

Yeah. Completely. I think- [00:18:00] I think it's, it's just important to do what you can in the moment. And, like, s- yeah, that's something that I feel like I lately have been experiencing a lot, where I'll be seeing people, like, doing all these crazy sustainable things, and I'm like, "Oh," like, "I should be doing that." And I'm like, "I just don't even know where to start," and like, whatever.

And I'm like, I literally will take a s- step back and be like, "Okay, you know what?" I had a conversation the other day with my family and I was talking about this thing I have in my shower that saves water for when it's heating up, the shower's heating up, and I, like- Okay ... put this, called like a Save Water...

It's like a more aesthetic version of just putting a bucket in your shower while your shower heats up. Okay. And I was talking about it. Okay. And I was like, "Yeah, it's really cute. I really like using it, and then I can use that water to, like, water my plant." I have one plant so. Plant singular. I am an overbearing plant mother who tends to overwater my pa- plants and then kill them, so I'm sticking with one.

And once I have expertise in it- Yeah ... I will move on to two. [00:19:00] But- Yeah I was talking about it, 'cause I was like, "Oh, you know, 'cause, like, people will put, like, buckets in their wa- in their shower, and, like, the bucket's not aesthetic." And everyone in my family- Mm-hmm ... was like, "Wait, what? People do that?" And I was like, "Yeah, like, to save water."

And they were like, "Wait, I've never even thought of doing that." And I was like, okay, well, you're, you... My family does not live in California. Mind you, I was not doing it before I got this bucket thing, but, like, I'd... I've heard of people doing it, and, like, it's, it's- Yeah ... a common practice, I feel like. And I was like, okay, well, California's- Yeah

been in a drought for, like, a million years. Like, I maybe that's just the difference there. But I was like, I I was like, okay, see, this is a good conversation because now I'm talking to them about, oh, they should do it. I made them all order the thing that I was talking about. So I got, like, one, two, three, four, five people to order this thing for their showers.

And then the conversation also got started. Yeah. But then it also was like a, okay you know what? I'm doing the thing, and maybe I see [00:20:00] other people doing more, but eventually, I'll get there, and I'm doing my good deed of, like, I'm doing this thing that I care about. I'm saving water, but I'm also telling people about it, and I'm getting them to also save water.

And so maybe tomorrow I'll pick up a new, a new sustainable activity. But yeah, it's har- it's hard... It's easy to guilt yourself, and I feel like- Mm ... it's harder for, maybe not everyone, but, like, for myself to kind of cheer myself on or, like, pat myself on the back for something that I'm already doing when I'm like, "Oh- Yeah

I should be doing this. I should be doing this." And so we have to remember to, like, step back and do- do the pat on the back. Yeah. It is. It's really hard to I try to express gratitude every day. Not only for, like, what's in my life, but, like, just, like, how much I'm doing. Mm-hmm. 'Cause you can always think of, like, what could be more, but being really present, I'm just like, yeah, I'm actually doing a lot, and I'm much further from where I [00:21:00] was before.

Mm-hmm. I'm glad. I'm glad that you have you have started getting your family to invest in this bit. Yeah. I don't know exactly what it looks like, but to invest into this, but we'll just have a conversation. I think one of the things that we need to be having more is the conversations of, like, what we're doing.

Yeah. Because when we're... Right when they have, like, a direct co- connection of, like, someone doing something instead of, like, you know, a product that's out there, then that makes more impact of just like, "Okay, Lexi did it, and I can do it, too." Yeah. And she's gonna, like, help me step by step of what does that actually mean of, like, okay, let's order it.

Yeah. Literally, that has changed so much of, like, how I think I have conversations with people 'cause, like, I literally talk about this story all the time. My podcast listeners are gonna be like, "Oh my God, you bring this up every single podcast." But it was, like, really, I don't know, eye-opening, I guess, because my brother and I...

My brother is amazing. Literally copy/paste person of me. Like, the other day someone thought we were twins. Bestie right there. But him and I have had a ongoing for, like, five years now, butt heads about milk, and... 'Cause he drinks- Oh ... like, whole milk, and I, I don't. Yeah. And I'm like Yeah ... we'll butt heads 'cause he's like, "Well, environmentally and blah, blah, blah, blah."

And I'm like, "No, environmentally, actually, no, no." And we, like, go back and forth, and then, uh, the conversation always ends by me going, "I'm literally lactose intolerant. Like, you're not gonna convince me to drink whole milk. I- my body cannot process it. It doesn't matter." We- we'll go on, like, an hour-long rant.

Like, our mom has to get involved. She's like, "Guys, stop talking about milk. I'm over it." And we'll be, like, butting heads over what's better for you and, like, whatever. And I, I always end it by, like, "You're not gonna convince me to drink wh- cow milk. I... Literally my body will not process it. Like, sorry.

Like, there's no argument to be made here." But we... He's really into plants right now. Like, so into plants. Like, he and his girlfriend moved in together, and they have this whole big plant thing. They just have so many plants. And when I... When he came to visit me, he, like, bought me a plant. In my house.

And so I, he... It was interesting because it wasn't even like, milk did not get brought up once, in fact. That was, my mom made a, she said, "No milk conversations. No milk conversations at the family get-together. No more." Um, but we were talking about Or I was j- he was just in my apartment, and he was looking for, like, paper towels, and he was like, "Lexi, where's your paper towels?"

And I was like, "Oh, like, the little rags, like, on, on my paper towel thing. Like, I don't have actual paper towels. I have rags." And he was like, "Oh, that's so interesting." And I was like, "Yeah. Heh. Got you." So then so then the next thing was, like, he was cooking... I think this was, like, Thanksgiving or something.

He was cooking, and I have two composters in my countertop composters in my apartment. And he had, like, food scraps, and I was like, "Wait, don't throw them out," like, "Put them in my composter." And he was like, "Whoa," like, "What is this?" And I was like, "This is all my food scraps." Like, "It's been turned into this, and then I put it in my plants."

And then that, he was like, "Oh, you put it in your plants." And I was like, "Yeah, it, like, makes my plants really happy." My plant, sorry. One. It's only the one. Never forget. That plant. Just the one. Her name's Medusa. She's a snake plant. But they... He was like... i, like, didn't intentionally bring up plants. I just was, like, talking about it, and he thought that was really interesting 'cause he's into plants.

So then we started talking about all these other things that I do in my apartment, and I was like, "Oh, I have, like, a million wine bottles all over my apartment because I turn them..." Okay, a million's quite the over-exaggeration. I do not drink that much wine. Let me preface. I have, like, eight wine bottles over a two-year s- time span that I have lived here.

But I'll, I'll use them around my apartment as, like, candle holders or, like, I put my bracelets on them and they're, like, jewelry holders, and I got this cute glass cutter thing so I can turn them into planters and, like, cups, which I still have yet to do, but it's on my, it's on my craft to-do list. And so, like, we were talking about that, and I was like, "Yeah," like, "I try my best.

I'm not always the best at it, but I try my best to be... to, like, use as many things as I possibly can and, like, not throw everything out." And so we just... he just thought it was so interesting. He was like, "You need to talk about this stuff more." Like, "You are doing so many things in your day-to-day that you don't even think about that are sustainable."

But, like- Yeah ... when I came... When... He was saying, he was like, "When I came to your apartment and I'm seeing, like, these reusable paper to-tow- not paper towels. Whatever. Reusable towels, and, like, your reusable Ziploc bags and, like, whatever," he was like, "I was fascinated." And I was like, "Okay, great." So, like, I haven't got him on the almond milk wavelength yet, but I got him into...

He got a composter. I ordered him the little, the water thing that I have in my shower. Like, he is getting... He's a big, like, wellness guy. Like, he wants his wellbeing and his apartment to be, like- And he wants to be healthy, and he cares about, like, what food he eats and, like, that he's only wearing, like, 100% cotton clothes and stuff.

So I was like, "Okay, y- so you're, you're in it for the wellness aspect, I'm in it for the planet aspect." But little do you know, so many of the things that we're talking about I want it to be 100% cotton for the planet, but I also want it because it's gonna, you know, not be bad for me. And so it actually intersects.

Yeah. And so meeting people where they're at and having the conversation in a way that isn't, scolding of like, "Oh, you shouldn't shop from that company," but more of "Oh, I got this shirt and it's on trend or whatever, and you said that you liked it. And little did you know, I got it from [00:22:00] this really cute small business, and it's made out of, like, upcycled clothes that she got at a thrift store or something."

And so it's like making sustainability sexy, making it fun, making it interesting, and not making it like- Mm-hmm ... a judgmental place. That's, there's my brain It definitely should be a judgment. I'm glad to... Well, I was... I mean, it was a beautiful rant. Thank you. Um, I loved to hear. It's not even a rant. It's just a, I would love to hear your story about you and your brother.

Yeah. And it does take those conversations for then, you know, to, to influence one person. And it kind of makes me remind, it reminds myself that in this work, I know, and maybe you've learned this too, that we can't change everybody. Mm-hmm. That's not our goal. Our goal is never to try to change the world or save the planet, even though, like, that is, like, you know, higher thinking.

Like, to, to be able to do that. But also understanding the, the realistic side that not everyone's going to agree with me. Mm-hmm. Not everyone's gonna care about what I say, and not everyone's gonna have the same preferences or wants to live those same lifestyle. But [00:23:00] the people who... The, the reasons why we keep sharing, the things and the reasons why we do what we do is so those people can find us, so that we can bring them along.

And so when we don't, you know, when we don't share it, it's just like nothing gets done, right? Nothing changes. So I'm glad what, that you're able just from your lifestyle alone. And I really think everything that we do, it really just has to do with, like, our lifestyle- Mm-hmm ... and our habits and, you know, what we value.

That to me is just, like, the core of sustainability of just trying to integrate it more into our lives- Mm-hmm ... and then how do we integrate it into other people's lives. Yeah. Complete- And then it's a ripple effect. Like- Mm-hmm ... I'm integrating it into mine. I've integrated it into my brother's.

He lives with his girlfriend- Mm-hmm ... and so now it's getting integrated in her life. And then- Yeah ... you know, people will come over to their house and- He'll stick something in the composter and they're like, "What the heck is that?" Yeah. And then it gets integrated into their lives and so [00:24:00] on, so forth. And so it's like word of mouth marketing literally, and- It is

and it's, it's really cool to see happen. Like, I tell that story so much. I'm sure listeners could quote it back to me at this point. But I really think it's like that was a moment in my life that I, like, literally saw the things that I do that are sustainable, that are just second nature to me, impact- Mm-hmm

and, like, influence someone else's life, and it was really cool. Not that he, like, wasn't into stuff before. Like, he loves the planet. But, like, he, he-- we just, like, always butt heads on our stupid milk, and so I was, like, fasc- I was very excited to see him get into this other aspect of stuff. Um, but anyway.

Oh, good. Anyways, um, you've spent years working in urban gardens and teaching kids about food systems. So speaking of food and speaking of composting and all that jazz, what's something that has really surprised you about how disconnected people are from where their food comes from? Ugh. Work- I've been working in gardens for ab- five years now, particularly school gardens.

And Even for me, when I was, like, as I've been working this, this job, for me and for, and, and for the students, this is like how much time and energy and resources it takes to actually make food. I think we take that for granted. So not only when we think about if we toss away food. We... Let's say it's an [00:25:00] apple.

We toss away apple, we just see it as an apple. But I, for me now, I see it as not only am I tossing away this apple, I'm tossing away the sunlight, the water- Mm ... the, the labor that it went to take, you know, to pick this for me to have. Also, like, the resources, like the money for me to, to purchase this or for someone to buy it.

And there's a disconnect of just how much time and effort it takes to actually make our food. Mm-hmm. And so when I think about how our food is, like, in our grocery stores, I'm just, I'm always, like, flabbergasted just, like, how do we have all this food when it takes so much time? And not only how much food there is, it's just, like, how much land does that actually, is required, you know, to produce it.

I think about that. We don't have a, we don't have a great relationship with our food, that's for sure. But then also how we dispose of our food. Um, I have been [00:26:00] really into composting more now, and that was actually my, one of the things I felt like I had, like, imposter syndrome of, like, how could I say I was like I was sustainable or that I was environmentally friendly when I didn't compost- food scraps. But at the same time, I didn't necessarily have a system for myself to be able to do that. Like, I didn't know where I could drop it off at this time. There wasn't any, like, green bins, like, in my community, um, for me to drop it off easily. Um, thankfully, there's now, like, I think it's, like, a state mandate.

I believe that's the correct term, where, like, you have to now provide resources to to collect food scraps. Um, but there's, yeah, there's... Working in the gardens in particular, it's just that we are just not appreciating food as much as we should and just what it takes to, you know, to get it to our plates.

And it, and it's really sad. It's really sad of, of- It's not just [00:27:00] about, uh, food itself, but it's like the... It's just like, it's also like our eating habits of like what does someone, what would someone rather eat when you... Would rather eat than like having this like fresh and delicious food. Um, but it's also like what's available.

And it's just, yeah, it's... I wish we just had better relationships with our food. Yeah. That's for sure. I mean, I think it's the same when, again, my passion is fashion. So I'm like, I think it's the same when it comes to- ... our, I think it's just honestly, again, like the way that we're consuming right now, like it's just kind of ridiculous.

Like we are so privileged to be on this planet and have such a gorgeous planet. And like- Mm-hmm ... the way in which we're consuming clothes is the same, where it's like there's this huge fast fashion market now. Like Shein just bought Everlane. All, our sustainable companies are leaving. Like we, how are we supposed to function?

And it's like, uh, so many of the people out there's consuming habits are like you buy something, there's a trend, you buy it, you wear it once for an Instagram photo [00:28:00] or an event, and then you, get rid of it. Mm-hmm. And you get rid of it by throwing it out or just sending it to Goodwill. And it's like, okay, well, Goodwill gets so many things.

Like they don't need more. Like they can't possibly- Right ... sell all this. And then not even that, it goes to like Goodwill, and then it goes to like the Goodwill bins, and then it goes to like- Yeah ... like it goes down a whole like trickle-down system thing. And then it still ends up going to landfills.

I always forget the statistic of like, again, I am not a stats girly. But it, there's a l- very large percentage of clothes that get donated to, or just items in general, that get donated to thrift stores that don't end up actually getting sold and still end up in landfills. And so it's just like how we consume things, like we just we need to slow down.

We need to think about... 'Cause it's the same like our clothes aren't just our clothes. Like someone somewhere had- something to do with putting that, that piece together or picking that apple for you, like you said. And so it's like, it's not just this thing that we easily bought online and it showed up to our door.

Like, there was a whole, a whole line of people that had to touch [00:29:00] that- For sure ... that piece before it got to you. And so we need to appreciate just our things more. Like, I- I'm a big, maybe to a fault, where I, like, have too much sentimental value with the things I own. So I, like, don't wanna get rid of things, so I do it too much.

I should definitely probably get rid of a lot of things that I have in a sustainable way. Um, but I'm like I think we should... Like, I, I care about the things that I own, and I feel like that's not something that's practiced as much anymore, is, like, having... Yeah, caring and, like, taking care of what we own, and that can be whether it's your clothes or, like you were saying, like, y- like food.

Like- I think there's so much- Or food ... to know about food. Like, like I... That's something that I think I wanna get more into is, you know, less, less shopping from a grocery store and more going to a local farm- farmers market, um- Mm-hmm ... on, like, a weekend with my boyfriend, because he's gonna listen to me saying this podcast, and he's like, "Girl, you don't go grocery shopping."

I... He does the grocery shopping. He's gonna be like, "In what world do you go [00:30:00] grocery shopping?" Um, but I think, like, sho- shopping locally and, like, supporting and going to a local s- farmers market is something that, like, I am interested in doing more of, and that's supporting, local economies, local businesses, and then also Like, is gonna give me better food than what I'm getting from wherever he goes grocery shopping.

I don't know. Literally don't know anything. Um- No, I'm glad that you mentioned... There's, like, there is... I- I'm glad you, like, mentioned about, like, the grocery stores 'cause, right, how our grocery stores are, they're filled to the brim. Mm-hmm. It's always replenished. It's always restocked. And we think that it...

Some people, I don't want to... E- especially with if they're younger, right? They might think that food just magically appears. And, but regardless if it's food or regardless if it's clothes, it's gonna be coming from somewhere. And just, like, thinking about, like, where does it come from.

Like, I think that is kinda, like, the first step of just, like, how do you be more mindful with, like, your buying habits. Yeah. Not even buying habits, but even I [00:31:00] want us not to just be mindful of, like, how we buy, but how we dispose. And that is, because, right, when we dispose of things, then we're like, "Oh, I can have something new."

And it's like that shouldn't be the case. Yeah. And, like, that's even, like, with food, right? We feel like we can just, like, dispose of things, like... Or like, "Oh, I don't have to eat this because I can just buy more." But that's, that, that's might be the case right now, but there's, our systems are hurting so much because we have this type of culture that, like, I can throw something out now and it's okay because I can just get it again.

Yeah. Yeah. I think I've always had an issue with the, um, people will say, like, for your closets, like, if I'm one thing in, one thing out kind of concept of, like, okay, if I'm getting something, I'm getting rid of something. And- I don't know. Like to me, and I'm not always perfect at it for sure [00:32:00] I see a thrift store and sometimes I get thrift brain and I'm like, "This is gonna be really cute," and then I don't end up wearing it.

But I have been much better about being very s- again, I relate everything back to fashion 'cause that's, like, my area of interest. But this can be in any industry. But I I've been trying and I've really think I'm, like, so much pickier now about the things that I bring into my closet, and if I'm bringing it into my closet, my overall goal is to never get rid of it.

My goal is to keep it forever, and the reason in which... Like, why I bought it is because it's something that I'm gonna wanna keep forever. Like, I'm, I'm never gonna wanna get rid of it, and that's why I purchased it. And obviously it's not a perfect strategy. Like, yes, sometimes I do be getting rid of clothes.

But even when I do do that, like what you were saying of, like, how I get rid of it, it's like, oh my God, it takes me like a year to get rid of a single thing. Like, I have a whole [00:33:00] closet... Well, not a whole closet. I have a bag in a cl- in a closet that I'm looking at of, like, clothes that I wanna get rid of.

It's actually actively not in that closet 'cause it's been donated to an organization, that you can actually buy my clothes right now and all the proceeds go to Heal the Bay in Los Angeles, which is a great ocean conservation organization. But usually I have a bag of, like, clothes that I'm trying to get rid of, and it's been there for, like, ever.

Like, it's, like, a few items that I just, like, cannot for the life of me find out or figure out how to get rid of. But they're, like, nice pieces. I'm just looking for the right person to, like, give them to. And so my whole process when getting rid of my clothes is that I You know, try it on. I decide maybe it doesn't fit me anymore, whatever.

I will see if it maybe ma- if there's, like, stains on it, if it's a good quality, like, is it cute? Whatever. And if it's cute and I think it's maybe just doesn't fit me,

I'll give it to a friend. I feel [00:34:00] like we need to normalize regifting. I- it is so underhyped. If you are not gonna use something, just give it to someone else that will use it. Like, it's not, it's not a big deal. So I will, like, give it to a friend. I commonly, what I'll do is, like, my friends get thrift bundles for every occasion, and sometimes I'll just randomly do it.

But when I, like, go to a thrift store, because I already have so much stuff, sometimes I'll look and I'll be like, "Oh, this is so my friend." And then I buy something, and then I'll, like, have it in my closet until her birthday comes up, and I'll give her a thrift bundle. Or when I'm getting rid of clothes if there's a bunch of them and I think that they fit one of my friend's style and they're all good and they're all cute, they're just maybe not my style anymore, or they don't fit me anymore or whatever, I will give them to my friend.

And then if they don't want it, then I'll list it on, like, Depop or Poshmark or eBay or whatever, and I'll try to sell it. And then if it doesn't sell, I'll try to take it to, like, a Crossroads or something like that. And again, if it doesn't sell, [00:35:00] then I put it into two categories of like, okay, is this not selling because it's just not anyone's style, or is it not selling because, it's not a good quality or something?

In which case, if it's not, you know, it has a stain on it or something, I'll put it in a Trashy bag, which, like, then they take it and they turn it into, like, stuffing for your couch. Or, like, they reusably, reusably? Yeah, sustainably reuse it. There we go. Or if I think it can be resold, then I will take it to Goodwill or, like, a local thrift shop or something.

But it takes me so long to get to the thrift shop part that, like, I've had the i- item for a year before I got rid of it. And, uh, so... And I'll never throw clothes out, ever. So I think yes, that seems very long, and, like, no, you don't necessarily need to do anything like that. But I think how we dispose of things...

And even just for brands. Like, brands and how they create things should look into, like, the end of life and how they're how we're getting rid of stuff. [00:36:00] Again, I went on a tangent. No, I love that. I wanted to, to mention about what you mentioned of, um, I'm glad. Like, it's so admirable that you don't... That your intention is, like, you won't throw something away. Yeah. Because that is something so hard. Um, like, if I don't like something anymore, I donate it.

I don't necessarily throw it in, throw it in the trash or anything like that, unless, like, it's ripped. Even though I hate to do that too. Yeah. I'm just like, "What do I do with these ripped clothes?" It's hard. Um, it is. And I, and I know you... I think about, like, Goodwill too. It's just like Goodwill doesn't necessarily need all of these clothes, so I sh- also try to, like, source.

Just like, okay, where else can I can I give them? Um, sometimes, like, w- when I don't want clothes anymore, I will do this. I will hoard clothes for a, a long amount of time, and I'll kinda s- look through them and I'll see, like, oh, this would be good for so-and-so. Mm-hmm. And I'll give them first dibs of like, "I saved these for you.

You look through them. If you [00:37:00] want them, great. If you don't, like, I'm going to, like, it's now a free-for-all- Yeah ... and I'm going to just, like, give them away." But yeah, clothes is definitely a hard one for me. Yeah. Of just like- No, it's hard ... what do we do? So I've been j- I've just been trying not... I was like I'm not gonna...

I'm just gonna be super mindful of what I buy right now. Yeah. I think that's the key, 'cause then if you, if you like it enough, you know, you don't, you won't even have to think about the end, of how to get rid of it. Um, after my long tangent, I wanna ask more about you. You've worked with students for from a really l- young age.

Why do you think it's so important to introduce sustainability and environmental awareness earlier on?

'Cause they're sponges. Mm-hmm. And that's like the great thing about kids, because they're at this age of maybe not wanting to learn, but they are learning. Mm-hmm. I don't know necessarily if a kid's like, "I love to learn." Um, there might be some, but most are just like, "I wanna do my own thing." But- ... at this age, like, they are sponges, right?

They're learning from their environments. They're learning from [00:38:00] the people that, you know, that they can, that they trust in and who they can lo- look up to, especially teachers. And then also, like, their family. And just understanding that when they're in this phase of their lives where they're a little bit more open, then it's easier to reach out to them.

Right. And right, hoping... Like for me, I really care to nurture this relationship of nature for them so that as they grow throughout time they're gonna keep the Earth in mind, you know, in their decisions. Because they haven't made those, um, we'll say solid concrete like, "Well, this is the way that I am."

But if they... How everyone moves you know, we move with what we care about. And so if they care about the Earth, at least we know that- That's gonna be in the back of their mind. Like, for me, how I got this garden job, I like to call it garden job. I'm, um, they're called Ground Education, and we [00:39:00] provide...

And it's just, like, an easier way for me to reference it. So we provide school gardens to elementary schools. One of the reasons, like, how I got there was because in kindergarten we raised chickens, and that's, like, one of the lessons that we actually do with, um, with the organization. We, we teach chick lessons.

And I remember just like, oh my gosh, like, I remember raising chicks when I was in kindergarten, and I loved it so much. Like, why would I not want to work for them? And but then also just thinking about we have this responsibility too of just, like, how do we want to lead, you know, the upcoming generation?

You know, they look up to us, so if I'm going to teach them anything, I want to teach them something that I think that is worthwhile, that th- that it's gonna impact their lives. And one of the things that I think about is how I always want kids to be kids. And I don't want to rob them of that joy and that whimsy and that [00:40:00] playfulness.

But that at the same time, right, at the same... And I d- and I don't want them to grow up too early. But at the same time, I need them to also understand, like, the, the environment that they're about to grow into. That there's, that the Earth is warming, and I don't want to necessarily hide that away from someone.

I don't want it to be the only thing I talk about with them. Yeah. But I also want them to know that this is also happening in our Earth and, right, there is endangered species and and and just, like, all of the, we'll say, environmental issues we, we deal with, right? Water pollution, air pollution and th- there's, and I, I mean, the list can go on.

But it's a fine balance of, like, how much do you have those conversations with them at a young, at a young age and still have them be this, like, innocent child that you want them to just be really focused on, like, what do you wanna play today? Yeah. But- Just knowing that they are going to [00:41:00] set the future of what then the next generations, you know, will be like.

So it is really early to have those conv- conversations with them at a young age, 'cause we already know how adults are. Adults are stubborn as fuck.

Once they, like, made up their- So true. Yeah, once they- Like, truly ... they've made up their mind, "This is who I am- Yeah ... and, like, I don't give a shit- Yeah ... why does it matter?" Those are the people that's so hard to change. Yeah. You're... it's, like, impossible. A- and so it's just like, yes, im- because you have to let g- you have to let go of your ego.

Yeah. Who are you to tell me what I need to do? Yeah. I've been doing me for so long. Yeah. And I've been fine. And so I also think about that, like, being able to, like, outreach to kids is, like, the super sweet spot. It's the easier part. But working with the adults is the harder part. I actually, I care to do now.

Like, I've worked with kids a lot, but now I'm just like, I need [00:42:00] to broaden my audience. It's just like, okay, now it's time for me to teach adults. Which is not easy, I will say. Oh, God, no. No. I think- Yeah, I think, I know, like, if I learned about, I mean, I, when I had the realization in my brain that, like, the meat I was eating on my plate was, like, an animal it immediately- Yeah

I was like, "Oh, I'm, I'm not eating this." Again, what you were- Yeah ... saying earlier. I will never judge someone else for eating meat. I don't care what you do. This is just my preference. But I I, that, that clicked in my brain, and I was like, "Oh, I'm not eating. Oh, I'm not hungry." Like, "I am not eating this."

Mm-hmm. And so that... and then, throughout my entire l- my parents were like, "Oh, it's just a phase." Girl, it's not a phase. Yes. I was like, I've been a vegetarian since I was, like, 5. But I that was something that once it clicked in my brain, like, it, it has... i've gone about my life living that way.

And so when it came to the fashion industry and when I switched from, shopping fast fashion and not knowing what I was doing and not knowing about the brands I was supporting [00:43:00] that, that was a crazy kind of transition for me because it was so different from everything that I had been doing.

But if someone had taught me at a young age "Hey, just so you know, when you shop from Zara, like-" it's not gonna be a sustainable option. Like, people are suffering to make you that T-shirt. And then it's filled with chemicals, and it's releasing microplastics, and it's getting into our oceans and into our fish, and it's coming back into you and affecting your health.

Okay, hopefully someone would've said that in, like, a much easier, nicer way to digest as... at a young age. But if someone had said that to me when I was younger- Yeah ... I think it would've... it would- I wouldn't have needed to switch, you know, what I was doing with my life because it would've just been something that I would've been like, you know what, like what you said, like, this information's been absorbed into my brain now.

Yeah ... and because of that, I don't, you know, wanna shop from these brands, and it wouldn't have had to be even a switch that I need to ma- made, make. That I... A switch that I needed to make. There we go. And so I mean, it's so, it's so true. I, I have, like, a very young niece and [00:44:00] nephew, and their mom, like, for all the holidays, she gets everything off of, like, Facebook Marketplace, and she thrifts them stuff, and they do Thriftmas.

And so it's, it's something that, you know, they'll probably practice in the future, where instead of, going and getting clothes from wherever, for the most part, m- maybe every now and then they'll shop somewhere else. But, like, maybe they'll grow up going thrifting, and they'll, their Aunt, Aunt Lexi will come and visit, and they'll be forced to go thrifting with her.

But, like, that's just something that, like, they'll do, and that's just how they know things are because they, their mom likes secondhand sources their gifts for them. And so I think, like, having- Mm-hmm ... having that at a young age is so cool and such a special experience to witness them having their lives be like that.

And, like, that's how my future children are gonna, about to be raised. Like, they're about to thrift everything. They can choose if they wanna eat meat or not, I guess. But no, I'm kidding. But, um, but my boyfriend is definitely not a vegetarian. We're like completely two opposite sides there. But, um, I think it's just really interesting to see how, like- Yeah, just if this is [00:45:00] just their way of life, if thrifting is just their way of life, there doesn't need to be, like, a switch later in life.

And then when it is later in life- Yeah ... like you were saying, like, we're... Us adults we're hard-headed and stubborn, and so it's like you- it's hard to get... If you've been doing something for however many years, it's hard to get you to switch and do it differently. Yeah. Even if it's better- 'Cause you're like, "Oh"

you know, better for the planet and better for everyone. But hopefully we'll get there. So you're like, there was no problem. So you think about, like, there's no problem. Why would I do anything? Right. And we're not aware of the problems, right? That's the most if... it's like ignorance is bliss.

Yeah. You, you... When you... Let's say when you buy a shirt, um, you're not thinking about the labor rights of the person who made it. Um, where it was actually made. Who, um... What materials and all this stuff. And so you're like... 'Cause there's no direct impact. I think that's why we don't change because you're like, "Well, it doesn't affect me now."

You can't think about now. You have to think about later. And I think that's the hard part because no one wants to think about [00:46:00] later. Yeah. No one wants to- They're like, "Well, I don't wanna worry. Like, let me just..." If anything, it's, like, selfish. It's just like, let me just think about, like, what makes me feel good now.

Yeah. Yeah. It's hard to think about the future of anything. Like that, like what you were saying for a T-shirt, like, that's an example I'll use a lot where I'm like, if you buy one $80 white T-shirt from a good sustainable company, you're gonna have that one $80 white T-shirt for, like, the rest of your life.

You spent $80 on it. You're gonna wanna take care of it. You're gonna wanna clean it. You're- Yeah ... it's not made from good material, so it's not gonna fall apart after one wash. Yeah. It was, like, everyone up on that supply chain was paid fairly. Um, versus if I buy, you know, a $2 T-shirt off of Shein, I'm gonna get a stain on it, and I'm not gonna care 'cause I spent $2 on it.

So I'm gonna throw it out. Yeah. And I'm gonna buy another one for $2. But then, throughout my life, I have now bought 80 $2 T-shirts. Spent double- Yeah ... the amount [00:47:00] that I would've if I had just gotten an $80 one T-shirt. But it's hard to, like, think of it, of, like, the, okay, $80, that one purchase is obviously much more expensive than the $2 T-shirt.

But, in the end, it's gonna save you money. But it's h- it's hard to think of that big picture. You just think... Not that I haven't thought about it in this way, but you just saying right at, like, a $2 T-shirt, and it made my brain go into, isn't it crazy that there's T-shirts that are $2 where it's just, like, how?

For someone to then, like... Let's say if it's whatev- whatever material it is. They're... The labor itself is not $2. And for o- like, here. I'm just like... And so I think... And then, like, they're mass-producing it. And I'm just like how are things, like, $2? They shouldn't be $2. I talk about this a lot when people...

this, like sends me into a spiral where I'm [00:48:00] like, people will bring up "Oh, how do you know? How do you know that, you know, it's fast-fashion? How do you know that they're not paying their garment workers correctly? How do you know that?" And I'm like, "Guys, this is-" Yeah ... like, I don't even... The proof is in the pudding.

Like, I... It's, like, basic algebra. Like, math. Come on. Like, if- Yeah If I need profit, if a company needs profit from a T-shirt, and they are selling it for $2- Yeah ... and it needs to get dyed, and someone sewed it together, and it needed to be shipped, and it needed to whatever, and there's sew- and the, and the cotton needed to be, woven into a yarn for it to then turn into- fabric, for the fabric to then turn into the whatever. Or even just, like, you b- you buy the fricking fabric and you turn it into a T-shirt. Like, that in itself is, costs more than $2. So- Yeah ... I don't really, I don't really, I don't really need more than the basic math. Yeah. Obviously, there is also facts and proof out there.

But- Yeah ... it's just, like, if, how is a company making profit if they're selling a T-shirt for literally $2? That means someone- Yeah ... someone somewhere is not getting [00:49:00] paid correctly. Someone's getting paid pennies- Pe- ... if anything. Literally. For that. Literally pennies. So ridiculous to think about. But anyways, this has been so great.

I know we kind of briefly talked about we can't really always give people tips, 'cause it's about where you and your journey is. But if you had to, what are your rapid fire, quick tips for someone who is looking to just start a more sustainable lifestyle?

It's really about, like, when I think about this question, I think about I just want people to go outdoors more. Yeah. If people go- go outdoors more and just have this better relationship of the sky. I'm looking at the sky right now. There's a window right in front of me. But just going outdoors and just understanding, like, how much the Earth actually gives us- Mm-hmm

in terms of feelings, what it provides for us, whether it's shade, it's the air, the sun. [00:50:00] That's my... If there's anything I would want anyone to do, it's just go outside. Go outside and build a better relationship with it. Don't tell me that it's too hot. Don't tell me you don't- right? The- the conditions aren't great.

The thing is I've learned there's no such thing as bad weather. There's only such, only bad clothing. So the Earth is what it is, and it's always gonna be how it is, and just appreciating for what it actually provides and does- Yeah ... for us. Um, and then the second one is probably it all starts with you.

Change isn't gonna happen overnight. You can't change anybody. How can you change? How can you expect anyone to change if you can't change yourself? Mm-hmm. You can't have those hard conversations with yourself. And just to be open and to c- and to be kind with yourself of the j- of this journey because it is more than just about the environment.

It is or resources or the land or the plants or the animals. It really has to [00:51:00] start with you and you really letting go of your ego, thinking that you know what's right or thinking, "Well, like, though this is what I did." It's just like, well, let's try to shift our thinking, and what could we do better for ourselves?

Mm-hmm. And so when I think about this, think about... I think that there's not always a- a right or wrong 'cause everyone will have their own rights. Or- or actually, let's, uh, rephrase that as everyone will have their own truths. And but I think we can all agree that all we really wanna do is that we all wanna be healthy.

So whenever making decisions, think about is it the healthiest choice for me? And then also, is it the healthiest choice for the planet? Yeah. So does, is it, does it help or harm me, and does it help or harm the planet? And so those are my- my three tips. I love those. Yeah. Those are so perfect. Thank you so much.

Where can people find you on social media or anywhere else? People can find me @ariel june on Instagram. I will say that I [00:52:00] will be posting there of, like, the upcoming events and projects that I have coming up. And so it has been great to connect with you, Lexi. It has been so great to connect with you.

Everyone go check her out on social media. Thank you so, so much. This was such a great conversation. I really feel like I talked your ear off after prefacing the podcast that I've been told that I need to stop talking so much, so good thing I'm totally listening to that advice. Um, but you're amazing, and thank you so much. That's it for this week's episode of The Lexi Show: Fashion That Gives a Damn. Big thanks to Ariel for showing us how sustainability starts at the community level, and how reconnecting with our food, our environment, and each other can drive real change. Whether it's fashion or everyday products, this is how sustainability should work.

If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe so you don't miss an episode, leave a review, and share this with someone who needs to hear it. Head to lexisilverstein.com for more content on sustainable style and conscious consumption, and follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @lexisilverstein.

That's L-E-X-Y, silver like the color, S-T-E-I-N. Remember to live a good life and look fucking good doing it. Demand better from brands in your closet and everywhere else. See you next week