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Fantasy v. Reality

2023-04-13 Mama Minimalist

We Americans are notorious for making our unwanted stuff someone else’s problem. Part of the reason has to do with our desire to be altruistic: We tell ourselves we’re helping the less fortunate when we pass on our perfectly decent items.

But the reality is much bleaker: Both our recently-decluttered donations and our down-and-dirty trash create problems for the people and places that get stuck with our stuff.

Here’s a preview of what we’re discussing today:

[3:00] The literal mountain of clothes in West Africa

[7:00] Swirling, soupy, and more than one: Here’s what you likely didn’t know about the Pacific trash vortex

[14:00] Alabama’s recent landfill fire

[18:00] What’s the reality re: America’s plastic recyclables?

[22:00] You – yes you! – can help. Here’s how

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Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.
Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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The Sustainable Minimalists Podcast

Latest podcast:

Nature As Medicine

Are we treating the symptoms of modern life while simultaneously ignoring our habitat?

The average American now spends 93% of their life indoors. But humans evolved for millennia alongside the natural world, and research suggests that our indoor lifestyle is disrupting our sleep, focus and long-term health.

You don’t need a gym membership or expensive workout gear to get your health back on track. On today’s show, Dr. John La Puma argues that all you need is a 17-minute dose of nature, every single day.

Here’s a preview:

[4:00] Modern medicine tends to prioritize intervention over prevention. But why?

[7:30] We’re taught to fear the outdoors, but indoor living can be directly harmful in ways we’re only beginning to understand

[11:30] Why it’s time to view “screen time” as “ultra-processed time”

[16:00] Exactly how a daily dose of morning sunlight resets insulin sensitivity, hunger timing, and prefrontal cortex function

[30:00] Outside exercise is better for you than inside exercise, so take your movement outdoors!

Resources mentioned:

Indoor Epidemic: 93% Inside Steals Sleep, Focus & Years—The 7% Outdoor Rx Restores Them
The Summer Challenge: Touch Grass (via The NY Times)
7-Day Outdoor Reset (via IndoorEpidemic.com)
Birding to Change the World (by Trish O’Kane)

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Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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My Story

Hello there, I’m Stephanie. I live a crazy, beautiful life as a full-time wife, blogger + mother to two spirited daughters. I’m on a mission to simplify eco-friendly living so as to greater enjoy life’s sweeter moments.

Want to know more? Read my story.