“Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while,” says Malorie Blackman, a Black British writer. The transportative quality of a good book is more than just entertainment — it’s a powerful experience that allows us to drop into another person’s consciousness. It is one thing to hear someone tell you about their life, but it is quite another to spend time in their mind and experience their story almost firsthand. Studies show that reading fiction increases empathy, and helps us to behave with more care and consideration for others.

“The transportative quality of a good book is more than just entertainment — it’s a powerful experience that allows us to drop into another person’s consciousness.”

Reading is also a powerful way to help us feel less alone when we experience grief, trauma, or heartache. James Baldwin said, “It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive or who had ever been alive.” Learning that the greatest hardships in our lives can connect us across time and space with other humans is not only healing but nearly magical. When resources and energy are scarce, it is incredible that we can still travel, find community, and connect with others just by opening a book.

If you’re seeking stories that spotlight Black voices, you’ll find many below — including writing below that reckons with difficult histories and generational traumas while, at the same time, showcasing incredible resilience and enduring joy. You’ll also find romance novels, comedies, poetry, and other collected writings that capture a diversity of experiences. Read on for my personal recommendations of books by Black writers, both fiction and non-fiction, that offer us the gift of experiencing someone else’s story.

What are some books by Black voices that you have read and loved? Let us know in the comments so we can add to our stacks!

1. Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

This powerful work examines the American legacy of racism in a letter from the book’s author to his young Black son. Part memoir, part critical history, Coates asks us to consider the cost of the social construction of race on Black and Brown bodies by putting us into his shoes as he recounts revelatory personal experiences of his life as a Black man in America. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook to hear the writer read the work himself for an even more immersive and intimate experience.

Read Between The World And Me

2. Native Guard by Natasha Trethewey

This book of poetry is my most well-loved and often revisited collection for its precise and vivid imagery, powerful subject matter, and lines that I can’t stop thinking about. Titled for one of the first Black regiments called into service during the Civil War, Trethewey reclaims the lost legacy of these soldiers and blends their voices with the memory of her mother, a Black woman whose marriage to a white man was illegal in their native Mississippi during the writer’s childhood in the 1960s. Trethewey’s artful weaving of national and personal narratives of the difficult history of the Deep South won this profound collection the 2007 Pulitzer Prize. Another book I highly recommend listening to as the writer’s voice will give you chills.

Read Native Guard

3. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

If you want a rich, multi-generational family novel that digs deep into the shifting sands of social identities, this is the book for you. Spanning forty years and two generations of women, the story begins with the Vignes twins whose identical upbringing takes a sharp turn that results in one sister living and passing as a white woman while her twin remains Black, living in their home southern community she’d once tried to escape. When they have daughters of their own whose lives intersect, the story takes a compassionate look at the ways that our expectations, desires, and loyalties must reckon with the influence of the past. It’s a gripping read, and there is a point in the book where no reader (including this one) can put it down.

Read The Vanishing Half

4. Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

It’s no secret that I love romance novels, so this list would be incomplete without one of my favorite contemporary Black voices in the genre: Talia Hibbert. This book is the first in a series that follows the three Brown sisters and their romantic adventures, all of which are compassionate, deeply charming, and extremely sexy.

Chloe Brown has a near-death experience and decides to make some changes in her life. She makes a list of ways she can “get a life,” beyond the confines of her quiet experience bound by computer work and a chronic illness. Goals like “ride a motorcycle,” lead us to the perfect rebellion mentor: Red, the sexy bad boy with a gruff exterior and secret habit of painting shirtless that Chloe may or may not spy on just a little bit (and, yes, he definitely has a motorcycle). It’s sort of enemies-to-lovers but entirely funny, sensitive, and very hot.

Read Get A Life, Chloe Brown

5. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are at the beginning of a promising life together, deeply in love and poised to launch into success in their respective careers. But then Roy is arrested for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. While he is serving a twelve-year prison sentence, Celestial’s art career takes off, and she finds unexpected solace in the arms of the best man from their wedding. Roy’s conviction is overturned after five years, and while he is ready to return to their American Dream and resume their marriage, Celestial’s life and heart have moved on.

This work is a deft and masterfully told story about the realities of wrongful conviction on a Black family. It’s a heartbreaker, but the writer’s tenderness toward her characters amidst a hard look at the realities around race and the criminal justice system in America manages to keep humanity at the core.

Read An American Marriage

6. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

This book absolutely floored me for its sheer scope and absolutely unforgettable writing. Spanning eight generations of a Black family, the book begins in eighteenth-century Ghana with two sisters –– one marries an Englishman and lives a life of luxury in the Cape Coast Castle, and the other is captured in a raid and sold into slavery. Each chapter follows their descendents as the story moves through 300 years of the legacy of slavery and colonialism on both the lineage that remained in Ghana and the one that crossed the Atlantic in the slave trade. This book is a truly singular work of art, bringing our global history into an intimate, unforgettable reading experience.

Read Homegoing

7. New People by Danzy Senna

A perfectly crafted novel, this smart, darkly funny book inspired a passionate argument in my writing group that only made me love it more. The story takes place at the end of the twentieth century following couple Maria and Khalil as they plan their wedding while living in a Black bohemian enclave in Brooklyn. With their matching beige skin tone, they are co-starring in a documentary about “new people” like them, a designation that begs the question of the nebulous nature of social and cultural identities. But Maria, deep in her dissertation work about the Jonestown massacre, has a growing fixation on a Black poet she barely knows, leading her to blur the lines between fantasy and reality, as the bounds with which she has defined her very self begin to unravel.

Read New People

8. The Fire This Time edited by Jesmyn Ward

An essay collection in conversation with James Baldwin’s seminal 1963 collection “The Fire Next Time,” this book brings together some of the most powerful contemporary writers on race and racism today (including many names on this list!). Jesmyn Ward’s selections are alive with purpose, centering Black experiences across a breadth of topics from music to mass shootings. Each masterful poem and essay is grounded in a willingness to confront the brutalities of our country’s harshest truths, all while showcasing a level of piercing intellect that made me pause, take notes, and then go back to read each sentence again and again.

Read The Fire This Time

9. Born A Crime by Trevor Noah

As the title suggests, Noah’s mixed-race parentage was considered an imprisonable offense in apartheid South Africa, and the author was kept hidden for the early years of his life. Once liberated, he and his mother begin a new life together exploring a world suddenly free of centuries-long oppression and struggle in which Noah was never meant to exist. Despite navigating the bleak realities of poverty and violence, these stories are often laugh-out-loud funny, weaving together the ordinary drama of puberty and dating with the ups and downs of a nation recovering from apartheid. The relationship between mother and son is at the core of each story, with a nuanced, complicated, and deeply moving portrait of the ways they grow and change together. This is another I recommend listening to: Noah’s voices for the various characters, and his expert delivery, add a layer of comedy that only he can achieve!

Read Born A Crime

Bonus — On my TBR: Everything Inside: Stories by Edwidge Danticat

A collection of short stories is, in my opinion, the perfect bedside book if you are a compulsive “Just one more chapter!” type like me. Reading a complete story gives me a sense of satisfaction and something whole to think about as I drift off, carrying over with me into the next day. This collection from the great Edwidge Danticat is at the top of my stack, and I can’t wait to dig in.

Read Everything Inside

Stephanie H. Fallon is a writer originally from Houston, Texas. She has an MFA from the Jackson Center of Creative Writing at Hollins University. She lives with her family in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where she writes about motherhood, artmaking, and work culture. You can find her on Instagram or learn more on her website.

The post 9 Books By Black Authors Our Editor Loves appeared first on The Good Trade.

We follow these 9 websites that are as resourceful as they are empowering and uplifting—covering everything from personal finance to mindful meditation.

Check out our favorite newsletters for women as well!

1. The Cut

Our Go-To For | News & politics
Topics | Style, self, culture, and power
A Feature We Love | 180 Female Execs Launch Time’s Up Advertising

When The Cut was launched years ago, it was an online publication for women with style and self in mind. Today, they’ve grown to be a leading resource for politics, current events, and the honest, challenging conversations we’re having with one another. Content some days will talk about Danity Kane and ‘Vanderpump Rules,’ while others revolve around March for Our Lives, career advice, and breastfeeding at work. Because what it means to be a successful woman can include style, self, and discussion around current events.

2. Salty

Our Go-To For | Body positivity
Topics | LGBTQIA+ lifestyle, sex & body, relationships, parenthood
A Feature We Love | How I Finally Liberated My Black Fat Femme Body

Unapologetic and intersectional, Salty is not here for censorship or the corporate brand of feminism. This volunteer-run, independent website is dedicated to amplifying the voices of women, trans, and nonbinary people on topics others may otherwise shy away from. Their perspectives around #MeToo, sex work, and body positivity are refreshing and insightful, and we’d all benefit from taking some time to dig in and read. With core tenets such as inclusivity, community, fun, and respect, their content celebrates and uplifts authenticity and living the most truthful lives we can. 

3. The Good Trade

Our Go-To For | Ethical & sustainable living
Topics | Lifestyle, fashion, beauty, self, home, culture
A Feature We Love | The 9 Best Meditation & Breathing Apps to Reduce Anxiety

Over the last seven years, The Good Trade has covered content around sustainable living and investing with socially conscious brands, knowing that we often vote for the world we want with our dollars. Today, it has grown to reach millions of readers with engaging content ranging from mindful living to personal finance to seasonal fashion. If you’re interested in fair trade fashion picks, local and sustainable spots to check out, or inspiring curated reads from across the Internet, you’ll especially love The Daily Good, a 30-second read sent each morning full of the team’s personalized recommendations.

4. Blood + Milk

Our Go-To For | Empowering wellness information and stories
Topics | Sex, body, menstruation, mental health, motherhood
A Feature We Love | Sacral Healing + The Importance Womb Healing 

Blood + Milk is more than an online publication or website for leisurely reading. It’s a community resource; a call for awakening; a collective cry for gender rights and the end of oppression for women. The editorial branch of organic tampon brand Cora, Blood + Milk is our favorite site for longer editorials, empowering stories, and inclusive advice about sex, body, menstruation, and more. For the kind of articles you’ll be forwarding to all your friends, add this site to your bookmarks. 

5. Darling Magazine

Our Go-To For | Inspiration
Topics | Culture, relationships, travel, style, creativity
A Feature We Love | The Habits of Highly Successful Women Condensed in One Infographic

Darling Magazine was born as a print mag to redefine the art of being a woman: all images they use are untouched and their content is written to empower readers. But today, Darling has evolved to so much more than just a print magazine—it’s the ideal resource whenever you need inspiration and motivation. And if you’re not sure where to start, they’ve handpicked choices for you when you’re feeling ambitious, overwhelmed, or adventurous. With powerful features from the likes of Meghan Markle, Joanna Gaines, and Rupi Kaur, Darling is media that makes us feel loved, not less.

6. Autostraddle

Our Go-To For | LGBTQ+ lifestyle
Topics | Arts & pop culture, sex & dating, community, identities
A Feature We Love | How Queer and Trans Women Are Healing Each Other After Hurricane Harvey

A past winner of the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Blog, Autostraddle has transformed the lives of lesbian, bisexual, and queer women (as well as non-binary people) for nearly 10 years. They offer a fresh voice and empowered perspective to make all women feel like they’re valuable, equal, and noticed, so it’s no wonder that they’re the number one lesbian lifestyle website worldwide. And what we love most are the values they apply to all of their content: never critical or teasing of women’s physical appearances, quality over quantity with a point, and diversity and inclusion with both imagery and written content. The Autostraddle team is also more than just online: they host worldwide meet-ups, sell merch, and arranged getaways, because their ultimate goal is to create a community wherever they reach.

7. Career Contessa

Our Go-To For | Career advice
Topics | Career tips, interviews, jobs, coaching & webinars
A Feature We Love | Empathy At Work—And Why It (Really) Matters

Whether you’re beginning your career, navigating a transition at work, or negotiating your next raise, Career Contessa has the resources you need to make the most of it. We love that they have resources for women in a wide array of industries, and their library of downloads, courses, and podcasts is unlike any other. Kickstart the career of your dreams with their guided 28-day plans for finding a new job, making more money, or learning new skills—or just browse their archives for plenty of valuable career content.

8. Create & Cultivate

Our Go-To For | Entrepreneurship
Topics | Career advice, women leaders, digital & tech
A Feature We Love | 3 Entrepreneurs Share Their Secrets On Building A Smart Brand

Create & Cultivate’s mission is to support women looking to create & cultivate the career of their dreams, and they follow through. The ladies behind Create & Cultivate are chock full of sage advice and resources for both budding and established entrepreneurs, from year-one tips to starting a business to handling an especially slow day at work. And they’ve taken their content on the road too, with their beautifully-branded conferences and pop-ups so you can engage with them online or IRL.

9. them

Our Go-To For | LGBTQ+ culture & essays
Topics | Pop culture, style, politics, news
A Feature We Love | Inqueery: Indigenous Identity and the Significance of the Term “Two-Spirit”

For our weekly dose of pop culture, style, politics, and news, you can find us reading them, a proclaimed next-generation community platform chronicling and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to sharing excellent and informative content (we love both the written articles and videos) them also sends out a newsletter for anyone who “wants the best of what’s queer” delivered right to your inbox.

The post 9 Lifestyle Websites For Women That We’re Obsessed With appeared first on The Good Trade.

With new information arising from the upcoming elections, finding unbiased information is more important than ever. Because we want to navigate the world as truthfully as we can, we’ve created a guide to thoughtfully fact-checking media, from finding neutral sources to checking our biases.

To stay up to date (and to learn more about other topics you enjoy, like sports or finance), you can head here for our favorite email newsletters.

1. Go straight to the source

When you read breaking news, sift through the story to find out who initially reported the news. Look for phrases like “according to,” and “originally reported by” so you can find the source. (What’s most ideal is to see when multiple credible sources are breaking the same story based on a variety of trustworthy reports).

“Political rhetoric and persuasive speech is designed to convince you, not always to educate you — which is why fact-checking is essential.”

Next, watch unedited coverage rather than curated clips so that you get the whole story. You can review transcripts of pivotal political speeches here, or even try attending events in-person at a local level. This cuts out the media — and their spin — in the middle. Because, when it comes to election-related news, it’ll be the candidate, not the news outlet, who will be working for you.

But you can’t always take every leader or spokesperson at their word. Political rhetoric and persuasive speech is designed to convince you, not always to educate you — so next, get to fact-checking.

2. Check the facts (then double check)

Whether you’re reviewing facts from a speech or information you’ve read or seen in videos online, Factcheck.org, Reuters, and Politifact are reputable fact-checking sites. You can even cross reference the sites with one another. And if you’re using the information to make a decision or plan on sharing it with others, it’s especially important to verify it’s true — even when you agree with something you’ve read or seen.

“If you’re using the information to make a decision or plan on sharing it with others, it’s especially important to verify it’s true — even when you agree with something you’ve read or seen.”

If you’re fact-checking through other sites not listed above, check for transparency about donors and stakeholders, potential parent company bias, and non-partisan leanings to ensure objectivity.

If you still find yourself unsure about claims, head to neutral and highly reliable sites. The Adfontes Media Bias chart outlines the reliability and factual accuracy of political media sources. Allsides offers a comprehensive left-right-center look at media bias, as does the app Ground News (we especially love how easy it is to swipe between different headlines for the same story). For $4.95 a month, you can also subscribe to Newsguard, a browser extension that gives outlets “nutritional labels” so you can identify websites that make false claims or lack transparency.

*Factcheck.org and Politifact have received donations from Facebook, which does not have input on the fact-checking, but is still something worth noting. Adfontes recieved funding from Aion Ventures and the New Community Transformation Fund, while Allsides operates on a hybrid revenue model so no one source of funding can be influential. Ground News is run by personal donations and subscription costs.

3. Watch out for angles & emotional appeals

Now that you have the factual backing for stories you’re reading and hearing, it’s important to understand that although these stories may be based on facts, at the end of the day, they’re stories. They’re designed to entertain, convince, infuriate, or evoke fear. Be extra observant of inflammatory or misleading headlines — this is how media outlets can interject opinion and partisan preference without the consumer’s full knowledge.

“Be observant of inflammatory or misleading headlines — this is how media outlets can interject opinion and partisan preference without the consumer’s full knowledge.”

Start by looking at the language, and asking yourself if it’s meant to evoke an emotional response. Be wary of outlets that use highly inflammatory language, such as “the end of  ___” or emotional appeals like “___ is our only hope.” Return to facts and research when you read euphemisms, exaggerations, or other unfounded claims. And of course, question these headlines and rhetoric even when it’s a story you want to agree with.

One useful question we can ask ourselves when reading a piece of content is, “who wins with this story?” You might find that a specific politician wins, or the news organization itself wins by convincing you to come back for more. If the information presented feels emotionally manipulative or leaves you feeling more angry than informed, it might be a good time to revisit those fact-checking sites or find a secondary source. (But don’t turn away just because a news story scares you — we do have to sit with uncomfortable truths sometimes!)

Don’t forget to question how frequently a media outlet covers a specific story, too; over-covering or under-covering a topic can be done intentionally to amplify or quiet a story to someone else’s benefit. 

5. Read trusted opinions, but don’t call them facts

Finally — there is space here for connecting with opinions from people you trust. To find reliable voices, research authors and journalists across their social platforms and bylines. Do you find their tone helpful and feel comfortable with who they follow, repost, etc. on social media? Are their past professional experiences likely to skew their perspective? Check their work on those fact-checking sites mentioned above. Are they reporting objective information as opposed to content that’s emotionally exhausting, enraging, or needlessly sugar-coated?

“You can and should disagree with the media personalities you trust; they have their own unique values and motivations, after all.”

You can and should disagree with the media personalities you trust; they have their own unique values and motivations, after all. If they present themselves as unbiased but you find their coverage inconsistent either in opinion, tone, or frequency, you can second guess and unfollow. Keep abreast of their background by searching for their name + “controversy” online and review any existing controversies. (Remember to look for reliable sites!) 

If we’re getting our news from a person or source that has a reputation of bias, we should acknowledge it to ourselves and with others. If we insist on consuming only news that upholds our existing beliefs, there is likely critical information — both facts and points of view — that we’re missing from our media consumption. When we find ourselves agreeing 100 percent of the time with the stories we read, perhaps it’s time to explore what the counterarguments (and supporting research) are to the issues we feel most connected to. This goes for everyone, regardless of political ideology.

And the final tip in fact-checking is to practice humility. We are human after all — personal, social, and economic factors contribute to our views. And if not examined, our worldview can be unconsciously informed by our upbringing, economic status, race, religion, education, gender identity, sexuality, and more. By identifying and naming our influences, we can keep our biases in mind as we consume media.

To honestly fact-check our media consumption, we may have to give up some of the things we once held as truths to uncover the facts — including facts we don’t like. Because the only way the world is going to change is if we’re willing to change our own minds in the face of new, and real, information.

What does your news habit look like — do you have a single favorite source, or do you regularly cross-check across platforms? 🗞️ Share in the comments below!

Emily McGowan is the Editorial Director at The Good Trade. She studied Creative Writing and Business at Indiana University, and has over ten years of experience as a writer and editor in sustainability and lifestyle spaces. Since 2017, she’s been discovering and reviewing the top sustainable home, fashion, beauty, and wellness products so readers can make their most informed decisions. Her editorial work has been recognized by major publications like The New York Times and BBC Worklife. You can usually find her in her colorful Los Angeles apartment journaling, playing with her cat, or crafting. Say hi on Instagram or follow along with her Substack, Pinky Promise.

Psst! Google launched a new feature that lets you choose “Preferred Sources” — so your searches highlight trusted, values-driven outlets instead of clickbait. To add The Good Trade, tick the box beside our name. That’s it — our stories will be waiting whenever you search. Read more about it here.

The post How To Thoughtfully Fact-Check Your Media Consumption appeared first on The Good Trade.

How we connect with our bodies changes during different stages of life: Whether we are back on the dating scene after a long-term relationship has ended, exploring new sides of our sexuality after having a baby, or facing some internalized shame that is suddenly causing intimacy road blocks, the evolution of our relationships with our bodies and sexual desires is a lifelong journey.

These books thread into a feminist view of radical self-love and deeply honor feminine energy and sexuality. Written by authors we admire — including psychologists, OBGYNs, and doulas—these books are reframing the narrative and helping us feel at home in our bodies.

As you explore your interests and spend more time thinking about self-pleasure, be sure to check out our guide for sleek sex toys (and the best natural lubes to go with them) for a total refresh!

1. Come As You Are 

Author | Emily Nagoski

Dr. Emily Nagoski is like your nerdy, sciency best friend. Pairing scientific studies with humor, she takes readers on a curious exploration and explains how psychology impacts sexual desires. Backed by modern science, Nagoski opens the door to our unique sexuality, and she removes judgment, helping us understand our anatomy, as well as the ways we find arousal. 

Review | “Emily Nagoski has written one of the most important books about sex any woman (or anybody else) could ever pick up, full of insights that are both fascinating and deeply useful.” — Carol Queen, Ph.D., Founding Director, Center for Sex & Culture

Price | $18.99

2. The Body is Not an Apology

Author | Sonya Renee Taylor

Sonya Renee Taylor is an activist and poet. In “The Body is Not an Apology,” she guides readers through new ways of awakening love for the body and dismantles shame created by society. Taylor’s book invites us to find peace in these beautiful bodies we were born with. 

Review | “I thought I had a very positive relationship with my body until I read this, and the new perspectives this book gave me helped me think differently. The Body is Not an Apology is definitely a book I’ll be referencing often and one whose message will stick with me for a long time.” — Julie Anna from Sincerely Juliana

Price | $18.95

3. Becoming Cliterate

Author | Laurie Mintz 

The name of this book says it all. Using science-backed research, Dr. Laurie Mintz invites us to explore how we receive pleasure. She argues that women’s anatomy requires a different approach for reaching orgasm, and she goes through the history, anatomy, and techniques for clitoral arousal, as opposed to intercourse. As a bonus, the final chapter is dedicated to men. 

Review | “This read doesn’t just zero in on the politics of pleasure inequality, it also offers up solutions that help the reader become more hands on (literally) with their own sexuality.” — Bust Magazine

Price | $12.99

4. Queer Sex

Author | Juno Roche

Juno Roche’s book offers an educational and transparent look into gender—especially as it shows up in sexuality. Written through the lens of the trans and queer community, it creates space for an essential conversation while also encouraging a broader look at the vast landscape that is intimacy. Roche helps readers explore intimacy and develop a deeper understanding of what sex means for all bodies. 

Review | “Queer Sex is an audacious and inspiring challenge to a system that shames trans bodies and desires. Roche’s words are a gift to anyone looking to open their minds and fall in love with the possibilities of love.” — CN Lester, musician and author of “Trans Like Me”

Price | $19.95

5. Doing It!: Let’s Talk About Sex

Author | Hannah Witton 

Targeted at a younger audience, “Doing It!” is for anyone beginning to learn about sex and what it means to them (ages 14+). This book is a wonderful starting point to help empower teens in their relationships and self-confidence. Hannah Witton also hosts a YouTube channel where she has honest and funny conversations about sex, adolescence, and being a woman.

Review | “The writing is frank and informative and suited for young adults of the 21st century. This book is not preachy, instead reading as if it was written by an extremely approachable sex ed teacher who is addressing questions from the anonymous “Question Box.”…an excellent resource for health curricula and is a must-have for libraries serving young adults.” — School Library Connection

Price | $10.99

6. Love Your Lady Landscape

Author | Lisa Lister

This book acts as a how-to manual for various areas of a woman’s life. Lisa Lister helps the reader reconnect with feminine wisdom through exercises that realign desires. She teaches earth-based spirituality, movement, dance, and breath-work, offering tools for reconnecting to the feminine. Lister also explores menstrual cycles and teaches readers how to be synced to the rhythms in nature. 

Review | “Lisa Lister doesn’t mess around. She’s here to break boundaries and barriers that have been created by what society defines ‘normal’ and in turn, remind us what’s real.” — Kyle Gray, Bestselling Author of “Angel Prayers”

Price | $20.99

7. Pleasure Activism

Author | adrienne maree brown

A powerful collection of essays, this book covers a wide range of critical topics, including sex work, orgasms, and sexuality. Rooted in honest essays from women’s rights activist and black feminist thinker, adrienne maree brown, “Pleasure Activism” pulls from black feminist traditions while weaving in conversations and insights from the likes of Cara Page and Audre Lorde. Read this one for new narratives surrounding important subject matters, as well as for critical insights about how humans can experience pleasure in everything. 

Review | “[adrienne maree brown] continues to stake her claim as one of our most critical thinkers and strategists by intentionally combining the power of story-telling with practical applications to help readers conjure their own definition of pleasure and how it is inextricably linked to every part of our existence.” — Monica Simpson, SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective

Price | $20

8. The Vagina Bible

Author | Jennifer Gunter

Dr. Jennifer Gunter is a gynecologist, OB/GYN, and passionate advocate for women’s health. Her newly released book (Aug 2019) is a tell-all of sorts and answers every question you’ve ever had about vaginas. Using her knowledge and experience, she writes with clarity about the sometimes confusing and strange things going on with the female body. Don’t miss the chapter on clitoris anatomy, or the one debunking the “g-spot” myth. 

Review | “Dr. Jen Gunter is a fountain of critically important information and she’s funny as hell. Buy this book if you have a vagina or if you spend any time at all in reasonably close proximity to one.” — Ayelet Waldman, New York Times Bestselling Author of “A Really Good Day”

Price | $18.95

9. The Pleasure Gap

Author | Katherine Rowland

Using the insight she’s gained from hundreds of interviews with women and health care professionals, Katherine Rowland explores “our culture’s relationship with women’s sexual expression” in her newly released book (February 2020). Rowland argues that low libido and sexual desire are much more complex than society has painted them to be, and she aims to discuss this honestly while exploring how we can find enlightenment and freedom in sexual expression. 

Review | “Rowland skillfully synthesizes many different ideas and approaches, and encourages women to embrace a broader understanding of their own sexual desire as an ongoing process of self-discovery and self-assertion.” ― Publishers Weekly

Price | $28

The post 9 Books To Help You Reconnect With Your Sexual Desires appeared first on The Good Trade.

But it’s here. It’s right now. And there are so many women thinkers contributing to it. Don’t believe me? Here’s a quick test: did you see the Trolley Problem floating around on the internet in regards to the 2020 pandemic, lockdowns, and vaccine distribution discussions? The concept, which explores moral decision-making and the ethics of sacrifices, was developed and coined by two women philosophers, Judith Jarvis Thompson and Philippa Foot, in the 1960s and ‘70s. Philosophy driven by women is relevant today — and proves how necessary it is for navigating life in the 21st century.

“If you’ve got big questions, you’re not alone. Someone, somewhere, is dedicating their work to finding the answers for themselves — and for all of us.”

Below, you’ll find inspiring, quotable, and prolific philosophers to add to your reading list, but the list goes on. There are women exploring so many subgenres!

If there’s a topic you want to learn more about, start with PhilPeople’s “Find A Philosopher” tool to help expand your thinking. Consider Eva Kittay and Teresa Blankmeyer Burke, who work in the field of disability philosophy and bioethics, or Anne (Schulherr) Waters, who specializes in American Indian philosophy, or Talia Mae Bettcher who explores transgender philosophy. By viewing on the world through these lenses, we can learn more about who we are, what we are doing, and perhaps most importantly, why we are.

If you’ve got big questions, you’re not alone. Someone, somewhere, is dedicating their work to finding the answers for themselves — and for all of us. If philosophy isn’t for you right now, head here for some of our favorite substack newsletters that’ll help ignite your inspiration.

1. Hypatia of Alexandria
(355–415 CE)

Areas Of Focus | Mathematics and astronomy
Featured Work | The Wisdom of Hypatia

Hypatia is an early female philosopher who worked in spaces of mathematics and astronomy, and broke traditional norms as a female public speaker and academic. Her teachings were considered “pagan” and contradicted early Christian teachings emerging in Alexandria (formerly Rhacotis, a village in Egypt, before it was overtaken by Greek leader Alexander the Great). She ultimately was murdered for her teachings, which encouraged critical inquiry into religion. Read Hypatia if you’re ready to take a critical lens to your own belief systems.

“Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all.”

– Hypatia

2. Susanne Langer
(1895–1985)

Areas Of Focus | Art, philosophy of mind, linguistic analysis
Featured Work | Philosophy in a New Key: A Study in the Symbolism of Reason, Rite and Art

The first woman to be considered an American philosopher, Susanne Langer explored music, creativity, and the ways art transcends language. She proposed an inherent need in humans to find, identify, and ascribe meaning in the world around us. Read Langer if you’re a writer, musician, or artist who wants to learn more about how your art connects to the human experience.

“Art is the articulation, not the stimulation or catharsis, of feeling; and the height of technique is simply the highest power of this sensuous revelation and wordless abstraction.”

– Susanne Langer

3. Iris Murdoch
(1919–1999)

Areas Of Focus | Morality, human relations and behavior
Featured Work | The Sovereignty of Good

Dame Jean Iris Murdoch rose to fame as a British and Irish novelist, and her skills as a writer allow her to portray moral and philosophical questions within accessible storylines. You can see this style clearly in Murdoch’s famous example of “M” and “D” in her essay, The Idea of Perfection. In the example, Murdoch explores how, through self-criticism and -exploration, altering our perception of a person or situation can change our moral behavior. Read Murdoch if you’re feeling called to challenge your attitudes towards things that are confronting you.

“One should go easy on smashing other people’s lies. Better to concentrate on one’s own.”

– Iris Murdoch

4. Mary Midgely
(1919–2018)

Areas Of Focus | Ethics, human and animal relations, myth
Featured Work | What Is Philosophy For?

Mary Midgely was a British moral philosopher who wrote across topics such as the importance of myth, animal rights, and how philosophy is still relevant today. Midgely proposed that science was not antithetical to religion, and vice versa, which infuses her inquiries with deep meaning, although she does not ascribe to a specific religion. Read Midgely if you’re an advocate for animal rights or if you feel that in a world full of technological and scientific advances, we still need philosophy.

“The trouble with human beings is not really that they love themselves too much; they ought to love themselves more. The trouble is simply that they don’t love others enough.”

– Mary Midgely

5. Angela Davis
(1944– )

Areas Of Focus | Race, social justice, prison abolition
Featured Work | Women, Race, & Class

Angela Davis is most well-known as an activist and grassroots organizer for civil rights, but her deep body of research and writing on the topics of race, feminism, and politics position her as an American philosopher as well. A now-retired professor of the History of Consciousness, Davis connects the dots between intersecting identities and explores oppression in America and beyond. Read Davis if you’re questioning the ethics of the prison industrial complex or if you want further context behind social justice movements, including Black Lives Matter.

“Whenever you conceptualize social justice struggles, you will always defeat your own purposes if you cannot imagine the people around whom you are struggling as equal partners.”

– Angela Davis

6. Martha Nussbaum
(1947– )

Areas Of Focus | Politics, justice, and economics
Featured Work | The Cosmopolitan Tradition: A Noble But Flawed Ideal

American philosopher Martha Nussbaum, a widely celebrated teacher and writer, contributes greatly to discussions around human rights and economic development. Nussbaum proposes the Capabilities Approach, which challenges GDP as a measure of the quality of life — deeply researching the idea that individuals are more than the economic factors of the country they live in. Read Nussbaum if you see yourself as a citizen of the world, not just your country or region, and believe in securing equitable human rights for all.

“To be a good human being is to have a kind of openness to the world, an ability to trust uncertain things beyond your own control, that can lead you to be shattered in very extreme circumstances for which you were not to blame […] more like a plant than like a jewel, something rather fragile, but whose very particular beauty is inseparable from that fragility.”

– Martha Nussbaum

7. Judith Butler
(1956– )

Areas Of Focus | Gender, sex, and identity
Featured Work | Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity

The American academic Judith Butler is non-binary and uses she/they pronouns. They’ve made significant contributions to thought on the performative aspects of gender and even the performance of sex. They propose that gender is a “doing” rather than something that exists innately. Read Butler if gender reveal parties frustrate you endlessly or if you’re interested in learning more about why we exist in the visible and performative ways we do.

“Love is not a state, a feeling, a disposition, but an exchange, uneven, fraught with history, with ghosts, with longings that are more or less legible to those who try to see one another with their own faulty vision.”

– Judith Butler

8. Ruth Chang

Areas Of Focus | Choice and decision-making, the nature of value
Featured Work | How To Make Hard Choices on TED Radio Hour

Are you at a crossroads and don’t know which path to choose? Ruth Chang has studied and consulted on decision-making in her career as a philosopher, following a career in law (her own “hard decision”). Chang, who lives in New York, has also consulted with large companies around the world on the aspects of choice and likewise offers individuals thought on comparing the factors of a decision. Read Chang if you’ve written all the pros and cons list you can—and still don’t have an answer for yourself.

“Far from being sources of agony and dread, hard choices are precious opportunities for us to celebrate what is special about the human condition, that we have the power to create reasons for ourselves to become the distinctive people that we are.”

– Ruth Chang

9. Sara Ahmed
(1969– )

Areas Of Focus | Feminism, race, queer studies
Featured Work | Living A Feminist Life

British-Australian scholar Sara Ahmed explores “how bodies and worlds take shape; and how power is secured and challenged in everyday life worlds as well as institutional cultures.” Ahmed’s interests span a wide range of topics, with books on cultural connections of emotion and happiness to her writings at feministkilljoys, a companion blog for her book, “Living A Feminist Life.” Read Ahmed if you’re seeking to deepen the intersectionality of your feminism—and if you’re ready to face the tactical ways of making systemic and institutional change.

“Indeed so often just talking about sexism as well as racism is heard as damaging the institution. If talking about sexism and racism is heard as damaging institutions, we need to damage institutions.”

– Sara Ahmed

Emily McGowan is the Editorial Director at The Good Trade. She studied Creative Writing and Business at Indiana University, and has over ten years of experience as a writer and editor in sustainability and lifestyle spaces. Since 2017, she’s been discovering and reviewing the top sustainable home, fashion, beauty, and wellness products so readers can make their most informed decisions. Her editorial work has been recognized by major publications like The New York Times and BBC Worklife. You can usually find her in her colorful Los Angeles apartment journaling, playing with her cat, or crafting. Say hi on Instagram or follow along with her Substack, Pinky Promise.

The post 9 Women Philosophers To Inspire You appeared first on The Good Trade.

But before we look outward, it’s worth turning inward. Real change starts with awareness — noticing how our habits, however small, add up over time. From the food we toss to the products we buy on impulse, each decision matters. The first step we can take to be more sustainable is to examine our daily choices and see where to make a change. Making sustainable choices doesn’t have to mean overhauling your entire life. In fact, some of the most meaningful changes are the smallest ones — the kind you can do without spending extra money or time.

Whether you’re just starting out or already eco-conscious and looking for fresh ideas, this list has you covered. From your kitchen to your commute, your wardrobe to your weekend habits, here are 99 practical ways to live a little greener every day. While time, money, and accessibility all affect our ability to be sustainable, we hope that you’ll be able to find one (or a few!) that work well in your life.

Got some simple tips of your own? Drop them in the comments below!

For more everyday encouragement, subscribe to The Daily Good — a 30-second newsletter delivered to your inbox each morning with tips for self-care and sustainable living. 🌿

1. Cut stained or torn t-shirts into rags for cleaning or on your Swiffer.

2. If you’ve got an old towel laying around, say hello to your new bath mat!

3. Take a reusable tote to the grocery store or farmer’s market instead of wondering ‘paper or plastic?’

4. Write an email to your town’s leadership advocating for more eco-friendly practices (like more accessible composting), in lieu of scrolling Instagram. 😉

5. Wrap gifts with newspapers, packaging, or magazines in place of disposable wrapping paper.

6. Eat lunch with reusable cutlery or a set from home wrapped in a cloth napkin.

7. Invest in bamboo or cotton reusable face rounds, instead of single-use ones, for your skincare routine.

8. Bring a silicone or reusable container to restaurants rather than getting to-go containers.

9. Switch your iced coffee from single-use plastic cups to mason jars or upcycled pasta jars.

10. Use a metal straw for drinks when you can. 500 million single-use straws are thrown out each day.

“Take a reusable tote to the grocery store or farmer’s market instead of wondering ‘paper or plastic?’”

11. Swap a plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one.

12. Say goodbye to traditional mouthwash bottles by using mouthwash tablets, which dissolve in water.

13. Try laundry detergent tablets or powder for a plastic-free clean.

14. Hang-dry your laundry.

15. Pick up reusable plates for your outdoor picnics, and skip the styrofoam or single-use paper.

16. Give cloth diapers a go during changing time instead of disposables.

17. Switch your battery-operated items to rechargeable batteries.

18. Turn packaging products like peanuts and paper into sensory play for toddlers.

19. Store your prepped meals and leftovers with beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap.

20. Choose regular shipping over expedited shipping when shopping online (and opt for fewer boxes when available!).

“Choose regular shipping over expedited shipping when shopping online (and opt for fewer boxes when available!).”

21. Repurpose shipping or storage boxes into containers for your space.

22. Unsubscribe from junk mail and newsletters you no longer read both online and in real life; both require a carbon footprint.

23. Reach out to brands and businesses you admire and advocate for social, environmental, and ethical responsibility, like minimizing their carbon footprint.

24. Compost food waste.

25. Or, save the scraps for a DIY & zero-waste veggie broth.

26. Call your city’s sanitation center to understand what they do or don’t accept for plastic recycling.

27. Bring new life into old clothes by using natural dyes.

28. Hear ye, hear ye: Swap your Q-Tips for a reusable ear swab.

29. Ordering takeout or delivery? Request “no cutlery” and use your own from home.

30. Do laundry with washing bags, like the GuppyFriend, to catch microplastic pollutants.

“Unsubscribe from junk mail and newsletters you no longer read both online and in real life; both require a carbon footprint.”

31. Get softer skin by applying used coffee grounds as an exfoliant.

32. Or use those coffee grounds as an easy DIY plant fertilizer!

33. Transform minis and sample containers into on-the-go pill packs, instead of buying travel size accessories.

34. Paper towels? No, thanks — opt for reusable towels.

35. In the words of Arthur, having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card. Borrow & swap at the library instead of purchasing books you may not even read.

36. When it’s available and possible, go for loose produce. (Or, bring reusable produce bags!)

37. Buy in bulk for items you know you’ll buy again and again to avoid excess packaging.

38. Say goodbye to liquid dish soap and containers with bar soap.

39. Better yet, grab Castile soap as an all-in-one product for hand and dish soap, household cleaner, and more.

40. If Castile soap isn’t your thing, distilled vinegar works for almost all your cleaning needs.

“Transform minis and sample containers into on-the-go pill packs, instead of buying travel size accessories.”

41. Go secondhand via thrift shops, garage sales, and estate sales for home decor and trinkets like plant pots, vases, and more.

42. Borrow tools from neighbors (and vice versa) so you don’t all have to purchase the same products.

43. Got a leftover wine bottle or other vessel? DIY it into a candle holder!

44. Skip the bottle of makeup remover and use coconut, olive, or jojoba oil depending on your skin type. For any existing cosmetics you have, here are the best practices for recycling empty makeup containers!

45. Shampoo bottles are out, too — consider shampoo bars instead.

46. Charmin or Scott’s? Neither, if you make the sustainable switch to a bidet.

47. Try a plastic-free safety razor for a close shave, without the excessive waste.

48. Walk, bike, skate, or public-transport it to work — if a car is a must, give carpooling a go.

49. Make laundry low-waste with dryer balls over single-use sheets.

50. When it’s that time of the month, try period underwear or a menstrual cup. It can be more cost-effective and eco-friendly than tampons and pads.

“Make laundry low-waste with dryer balls over single-use sheets.”

51. Clear up a window sill and turn it into a mini-herb garden rather than buying new every few weeks.

52. Consider eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning supplies — if you have a cleaning company you work with, ask if they can make the switch, too!

53. Get involved with your local community garden — along the way, you’ll learn more about composting, plants, and other sustainable initiatives.

54. Screw in energy-efficient light bulbs around the house.

55. Buh-bye, Ziplocs! Make the switch to reusable baggies.

56. Purchase an e-reader for tech-friendly (and sustainable) reading.

57. Try eating plant-based each week, like Meatless Mondays.

58. Before throwing away an item, ask if there’s any part of it that can be reused, repurposed, or fixed — even shoelaces can be upcycled!

59. DIY natural scrubs or masks with ingredients you already have for when you need a little spa time.

60. Limit how long you let the shower or sprinkler run, especially in water-drought areas.

“Before throwing away an item, ask if there’s any part of it that can be reused, repurposed, or fixed — even shoelaces can be upcycled!”

61. Skip the trip to the mall and host a local clothing swap with friends.

62. Turn empty candle containers into jars for sauce, drinks, or plants.

63. Ferment, pickle, or store ingredients in empty sauce containers.

64. Keep dressing and condiment bottles for homemade versions.

65. Turn an old sweater into your pet’s next modeling outfit.

66. Shop local by signing up with a CSA for nearby produce.

67. And when you are shopping at major chains, shop for seasonal produce.

68. Cut overripe bananas into pieces to store in the freezer for baking, eating, or smoothies.

69. Eaten your bananas already? Save the peels and soak them overnight in water for a nutrient-rich water to use on plants!

70. Part with moldy, smelly sponges and switch to an eco-friendly dish brush.

“Keep dressing and condiment bottles for homemade versions.”

71. Try plastic-free floss instead of the traditional nylon; your pearly whites and the environment will thank you.

72. Look for toothpaste that comes in an aluminum tube, like David’s. Hello, recycling!

73. Brew loose-leaf tea to avoid wasting tea bags.

74. Seek out packaging-free shops or groceries near you and bring reusable containers.

75. If you love baking, invest in a silicone mat and you’ll no longer need parchment paper or aerosol non-stick sprays.

76. Bring worn down clothes to a textile donation center to avoid landfills.

77. Learn which sustainable fabrics work best for your preferred style and shift away from virgin polyester or rayon.

78. Make sure your green is clean, too 💵: Look at green banking options for sustainable saving and investing.

79. Keep windows open (or closed) depending on the temperature in order to use less electricity.

80. Sign up for an organic meal delivery service or an organic produce delivery box — these can help you limit your food waste when cooking!

“Seek out packaging-free shops or groceries near you and bring reusable containers.”

81. Stop by used bookstores and library sales to pick up gently read books.

82. Learn about local sustainability initiatives and movements in your community and how to get involved over your next lunch break, like how to join the next weekend clean up or new environmental bills and proposals.

83. Learn how to mend, sew, or darn clothes — it’s a calming exercise and doesn’t leave you wondering what to do with hole-y socks.

84. Shop with businesses who prioritize low-waste or made-to-order practices.

85. Opt for classic items you know you’ll use, over collecting new or mini samples.

86. If you celebrate the holidays with a tree, bring it to a local composting center or nursery when you’re done.

87. Need to buy a new car soon? Check out hybrid and energy-efficient models; some areas even offer discounts or rebates for being eco-friendly!

88. Keep wilting herbs from going bad by turning them into long-lasting ice cubes.

89. Rather than giving away clothes that no longer fit (or buying new ones), see if you can get more life out of them with tailoring.

90. Don’t feel like you need to purchase brand new frames for your home; consider thrifting frames and giving them a DIY paint job to match the space.

“Don’t feel like you need to purchase brand new frames for your home; consider thrifting frames and giving them a DIY paint job to match the space.”

91. Pick up a reusable water bottle that works for your lifestyle — taking into account sizes, materials, and whether or not you prefer a straw.

92. Share baked goods with friends and package them in upcycled fruit and veggie containers.

93. Repurpose takeout containers for seed sprouting — they make a great mini greenhouse!

94. Keep like-new bags from previous presents for the next round of gifting.

95. Switch to reusable trash bags instead of plastic bags.

96. Planning a home reno, anyway? See if you can convert your home’s energy grid to solar.

97. No more plastic filters needed with a charcoal water filter.

98. Sign up for digital magazine or email newsletter subscriptions over hard copies.

99. Join a community swap group to sell and find gently used items like furniture, electronics, and sports gear.

Henah Velez (she/her) is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade as well as the Executive Producer and Operations Lead of Money with Katie at Morning Brew, a personal finance brand for women. She’s also the co-founder of Departure, a quiet travel newsletter for women. Say hi on Instagram!

The post 99 Simple Tips For Sustainable Living appeared first on The Good Trade.

Tearing down the veneer of post-racial America was necessary work. We acknowledged the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as confronting the persistence of systemic racism in America on the world stage. However, just half a decade later, it seems like we’re starting from scratch. The global rise of fascism, the anti-intellectual push to forget our history, and the rollback of many DEI programs can make it feel like we’re worse off than we ever were.

“The hard times remind us that all we have is each other. And that in the most hopeless times, all this is still worth fighting for.”

When I spiral into racial doomism, I remember that we are all connected and so is all of this — every resistance movement giving way to a process of grief. So often, it gets worse before it gets better. From the collective support for immigrants and undocumented folx in Los Angeles to the nationwide No Kings protests, the hard times remind us that all we have is each other. And that in the most hopeless times, all this is still worth fighting for. Instead of getting complacent with the progress we made in 2020, this moment is calling us to elevate our actions and devote ourselves to our anti-racist practices.

For me, the core philosophy that keeps the heart of my resistance efforts beating is Afrofuturism. Afrofuturism, a philosophy embedded in Black Feminism, challenges us to imagine new worlds by embracing action alongside hope and knowledge. It’s an antidote to performative action and allyship, and, perhaps even more powerfully, a reminder that all we have is our collective power to dream a world better than this one.

We all have a role in creating this future — and part of creating an anti-racist practice is creating anti-racist communities IRL and online. Action can mean taking part in book clubs, third spaces, protesting, and community advocacy. But online communities are also powerful tools to organize and get educated. But where do you find spaces and creators whom you can trust? How do you engage meaningfully in their communities?

“But where do you find spaces and creators whom you can trust? How do you engage meaningfully in their communities?”

What’s worked for me is this: Following anti-racist educators across industries, specialties, and niches who remind me that anti-racism is work that is worth doing, and must be done, in all areas of our lives. But it’s easy to follow a bunch of accounts and let them fall to the bottom of your algorithm. Following anti-racist creators should be one part of your activism, usually a propulsive force that inspires and educates you so you can show up in life and in community with energy, enthusiasm, and hope. Below are some of the most inspiring creators that I follow, and I hope you will too.

1. Nicole Cardoza

Nicole Cardoza, aka the Black Girl Magician, describes herself as a “magician, writer, philanthropist, facilitator.” She runs the newsletter and community Reimagined (@ardtakeaction, formerly Anti-Racism Daily) to platform and support movement leaders reimagining our collective future. 

In a recent post reflecting on the five years since 2020, she said: “This isn’t easy work. But we don’t do it alone. We’re still here.” We all need to hear that.

Website | Instagram

2. Rachel Cargle

Activist, author of “Author of A Renaissance of Our Own: A Memoir & Manifesto on Reimagining,” Rachel Cargle is an educator committed to providing resources to support Black women. 

She is the founder of the Loveland Foundation, which works to reimagine a mental health care system accessible to Black women. She also runs The Great Unlearn on Patreon, which offers “sources and critical discourse to aid in unlearning.”

Website | Instagram | Patreon | Books

3. Andréa Ranae

Feel called to participate in anti-racist action? Don’t know how and where to start making change in your community? Andréa Ranae is an artist, writer, and guide who creates resources to help people define and make their contribution to social change.

Website | Instagram | Music

4. 15 Percent Pledge

In 2020, award-winning designer Aurora James called on retailers to contractually commit 15% of their annual spend to Black businesses. This birthed the 15 Percent Pledge, which furthers this mission by providing resources, education, and grants for Black-owned businesses.

Website | Instagram | Podcast

5. Wawa

Wawa Gatheru is the founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, a national org dedicated to empowering Black girls, women, and gender-expansive people across the climate movement, through which she advocates for intersectional climate action and an anti-racist approach to climate justice.

Website | Instagram

6. Tomi Talabi

As the founder of The Black Beauty Club, Tomi works to challenge dominant narratives about beauty hierarchy while also expanding our notion of beauty beyond Eurocentrism.

LinkedIn | Instagram

7. Camille Tenerife

Camille Tenerife is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) advocating for healing and self-actualization through racially informed therapy for people of color by people of color. Her social media presence breaks down common patterns and challenges BIPOC people face, from family to relationships and career, creating an anti-racist space in the oft-inaccessible therapy space.

Website | Instagram

8. Janea Brown

An ex-influencer, Janea Brown left a successful content creation career in Los Angeles to pursue direct community action and share resources online. Her content is an entry-point for people curious about making activism part of their lives and decreasing their dependence on capitalist systems over community. With guides like “How To Boycott with Low Energy” and “What I Wish Someone Told Me Before Boycotting,” she’s like your boycotting big sister using her influencer skills for anti-racist collective building.

LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

9. United We Dream

United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led community in the country, and their work centers on advocacy for immigrants in the U.S. They provide resources for people affected by immigration policies and enforcement — and they also provide community for immigrant youth and their families.

Website | Instagram | YouTube

10. Maryam Ajayi

As the founder of Dive In Well, Maryam works to make the wellness industry more accessible and inclusive. She is a speaker, breathwork instructor, and yoga teacher, creating community through wellness. Her work helps people nourish themselves so they can pour into their communities. 

Website | Instagram

Langa Chinyoka is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is a writer and strategist based in Los Angeles.

The post 10 Anti-Racism Educators To Follow And Support Online appeared first on The Good Trade.

Just about every major conglomerate has already invested in artificial intelligence: Microsoft, Meta, Google, Amazon, and more. We’re already seeing ways that the commercial and personal use of AI is shaping our culture — from how we think to what is considered art. But one of the major concerns people are raising about AI is its effects on the environment.

“It’s naturally concerning that something that’s already become as integrated into our daily lives as AI will have an even bigger environmental impact as it grows.”

Despite scientists ringing alarm bells for decades, the devastating effects of climate change are beginning to take hold —  so it’s naturally concerning that something that’s already become as integrated into our daily lives as AI will have an even bigger environmental impact as it grows.

Dr. Avriel Epps, a computational social scientist and author of the forthcoming “A Kids Book About AI Bias,” puts it bluntly: “Artificial intelligence is making it less likely that society will meet its climate goals to avoid ecological collapse,” they said. With rising global temperatures and unprecedented levels of biodiversity loss, it’s understandable why many people are feeling like AI is the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back.

“This is because AI is incredibly resource-intensive and is stressing our power grids, requiring a similar amount of energy as a small Western country. It’s also intensive in its usage of water, precious metals that have to be mined in ways that are environmentally degrading. At a time when we need to be figuring out how we will reduce our emissions and de-grow our economy, AI is a huge contributing factor in us not being able to do that.”

“AI is incredibly resource-intensive and is stressing our power grids, requiring a similar amount of energy as a small Western country.”

– Dr. Avriel Epps, computational social scientist and author

There are three main types of AI in use today: Narrow AI (built for specific tasks like ChatGPT, Google Translate, or Spotify recommendations), limited memory AI (which uses past data to predict future patterns, like predictive text), and machine learning (which analyzes data to make decisions, like in voice assistants). All of these require energy-hungry data centers to function. When Dr. Epps talks about AI’s environmental cost, they’re especially referring to large language models like GPT-4 (which powers ChatGPT) or Gemini (Google’s proprietary model).

Professor Shashi Shekhar, the Institute Director of AI-CLIMATE at the University of Minnesota, says that the rising popularity of chatbots and large language models (LLMs) in recent years has attracted attention to AI, triggering a passionate debate on pros and cons — and the recent growth in energy demand has co-occurred with the rise in the number of data centers and popularity of AI. “This is not sustainable over decades without newer technologies such as resource efficiency and renewables,” he said.

However, many experts like Dr. Epps and Dr. Shekhar agree that it’s not entirely a doomsday scenario. If used correctly and ethically, artificial intelligence can actually be an effective tool in the fight against climate change.

“There are some uses of AI in the climate change mitigation space that are useful — like researchers that are using AI to forecast climate change and natural disasters to try and help keep people safe, or run large-scale simulations of what switching to renewables could look like,” says Dr. Epps. “AI that can help society figure out how to best use our resources to avoid the worst of climate change.”

“If used correctly and ethically, artificial intelligence can actually be an effective tool in the fight against climate change.”

But even the most “efficient” AI model will never be carbon-neutral — just as you can’t shop your way into sustainability, you can’t use AI your way into it either.

As for individual usage, such as turning to ChatGPT for research or productivity — planning a plant-based meal, finding remote work options, or reducing unnecessary purchases — the climate cost is real, but nowhere near the worst offenders. Especially because, according to Dr. Shekhar, AI accounts for such a small share of global emissions when compared to sectors like transportation, energy, and agriculture.

“The last thing I would want to say is that AI is definitely getting us farther away from where we need to be for our climate goals, but it’s still a relatively small piece of the emissions pie. Things like cattle farming and meat-based diets, aviation, and cars are much bigger contributors to climate change still. Your individual usage of ChatGPT matters for the climate, but eating hamburgers does more harm to the planet,” says Dr. Epps.

“According to Dr. Shekhar, AI accounts for such a small share of global emissions when compared to sectors like transportation, energy, and agriculture.”

Where AI’s environmental toll becomes harder to ignore is at the industrial level. These commercial-scale uses — training large models, enterprise-level data mining, or content farms — demand enormous energy and computing power. But as Shekhar points out, many companies are already exploring ways to reduce that impact. “We’ve seen data centers move to cooler regions to lower cooling costs, adopt renewable energy, or shift workloads to areas with cleaner grids.”

Recent growth in data centers is not sustainable over decades without newer technologies such as resource efficiency and renewables. Also, geographic areas with water and energy constraints may have higher impacts. “One approach is to anticipate potential harms and proactively take steps. Some of this has been taking place in data centers for the last two decades due to economic reasons,” says Dr. Shekhar.

“If ChatGPT can be used to help you figure out how to transition to a plant-based diet or how to minimize your air or car travel for work, then we might consider it a net positive on an individual level.”

– Dr. Epps

Of course, he says, more can be done. For example, users may compare the resource efficiency of alternative AI (e.g., chatbot) brands and choose ones with lower environmental impacts based on comparison data from neutral third parties (e.g., Consumer Reports). But beyond that, many are finding ways to use artificial intelligence to further research around best practices in environmental conservation. “If ChatGPT can be used to help you figure out how to transition to a plant-based diet or how to minimize your air or car travel for work, then we might consider it a net positive on an individual level,” Dr. Epps points out.

AI is already being used to reduce emissions from agriculture to navigation. Dr. Shekhar cites eco-routing in apps like Google Maps as one small but meaningful example. “Broadly, AI has the potential to improve resource efficiency across transportation, energy, industry, and agriculture,” he says.

Artificial intelligence is a tool like any other, but it’s a tool being shaped by powerful hands with profit-driven priorities. In the face of the climate crisis, neutrality isn’t an option. The way AI is developed and scaled today reflects decisions that prioritize growth over sustainability. As we’ve seen, it is possible to use AI for good — if companies and researchers are intentional about it.

Sara Jin Li is an essayist, playwright, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, California. She is also the founder of Heretics Club, a literary salon for creative writers. You can find her on Instagram at @sarajinli.

The post What’s The Deal With AI And The Environment? appeared first on The Good Trade.

Our editors have written about sustainable brands for a decade. For Earth Day, we’ve compiled some of our favorites leading the charge in eco-consciousness.

Earth Day is here, and what better time of year to take stock of the brands we’re giving our money to and how our consumption is impacting the planet from the moment a product is made to the moment we open the package. Of course, it’s best to buy less and limit our consumption overall, but in reality, we’ll always have to buy some things. Thankfully, these sustainable and eco-conscious brands not only offer eco-conscious and environmentally-friendly products, but they’re also leaders in environmental efforts, from sequestering carbon to innovating new ways to grow cotton that are better for the earth and for us.

How can you tell if a brand is environmentally conscious?

Any brand can claim to be eco-conscious (have you heard of greenwashing?), so how can we know if a brand is truly dedicated to sustainability and the environment? First, it’s important to look at the brand’s sustainability certifications — third-party standards that hold brands accountable — that verify their claims and ensure that they’re not just talking the talk, but walking the walk, too. There are a lot of them, but some certifications to look for include Climate Neutral, Certified B Corporation, and Forest Stewardship Council. Each of these has its own set of standards that companies must follow in order to be certified, and if they meet the rigorous standards, they’re doing something right.

But certifications aren’t everything. You can also tell if a brand is environmentally conscious by looking at their transparency about their supply chain, materials, carbon footprint, and how they’re working to ensure that these all keep the environment at top of mind. All of the brands below outline on their websites how they are being mindful about the environment and how they are working to better it, through their materials, giving back, donations, and more. Usually you can find more about their sustainability initiatives in the footer of their website (they might list their certifications there too!), or in some cases, right on the top menu bar of their page.

Our criteria:

Our editors have written on sustainable fashion, home decor, clean beauty, and more for the past decade. For Earth Day, we’ve compiled this list of our favorite brands with impressive eco-conscious initiatives and give-back programs across categories. We regularly update this guide with emerging brands when they meet the following criteria:

• SUSTAINABLE/ECO-CONSCIOUS | First and foremost, the brands on this list are thoughtful about their impact on the Earth. We’ve chosen brands with credible sustainability certifications that back them up.
• GIVE-BACK | We’ve prioritized brands that give back to their communities. By reinvesting their resources, they’re making business more sustainable.
• AFFORDABLE | Eco-conscious shopping can be expensive! We’ve chosen brands for this list with accessible price points so you can be thoughtful, no matter your budget.

These brands are a mix of the best sustainable and eco-conscious brands. But if you’re looking for sustainable clothing or furniture brands specifically, we have guides for those too! 

1. Patagonia

1% for the planet

B corp

Circular fashion

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Fair trade

Gives back

Plant trees

Recycled materials

Second hand

Best For | Outdoor gear and apparel 
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Patagonia Action Works, Protect America’s Arctic, Protected Ocean, Global Sport Activists
Prices starting at | $45 (new), $10 (secondhand)

Patagonia is the gold standard of eco-conscious brands. The company received its B Corp certification in 2011, and today its B Corp score is 166, over double the qualifying score and way above the ordinary business score. Patagonia is also Fair Trade, has a secondhand collection called Worn Wear, and creates sustainable apparel and gear made from recycled and organic materials. With their Patagonia Action Works program, they connect individuals with environmental activism, grassroots causes, and organizations in their communities. Beyond their dedication to bettering the planet, their products are also high-quality, comfortable, and made sustainably and fairly — and they last a long time. 

Customer Review | “I love my new retro fleece. It’s so comfortable to wear that it’s unimaginable. It also keeps me very warm when I need it. I have had several over decades that I purchased from the first store in Ventura, CA and they have lasted this long.” – Andrew U. (Read more reviews.)

2. Avocado

1% for the planet

American made

B corp

Climate neutral

FSC

Handcrafted

Made safe

Natural materials

Plastic/Pfas free

Vegan

Warranty offered

Best For | Zero waste furniture 
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Zero Waste Collection, Donation program for returned mattresses
Prices starting at | $38

Avocado offers organic, safe, and responsible mattresses, bedding, furniture, and more. And not only are their pieces made from the highest quality materials with the environment in mind, but they are also design-forward statement pieces that will look and feel good for years to come. There’s no better example of their commitment to quality and sustainability than their Zero Waste Collection. From the stunning Zero Waste Round Wood Table to the elegant and playful Zero Waste Stool, each piece in the collection is handcrafted from exclusively upcycled wood from their FSC-certified Los Angeles facility. The luxurious pieces — like everything at Avocado — are made with environmentally conscious, ethical, and sustainable business practices behind them. Avocado is a leader in the industry on this front; it’s a B Corp, Climate Neutral, 1% for the Planet, and more. They have donated over $11.4 million to organizations and initiatives working toward conservation, climate action, and sustainability efforts, including to the National Parks Conservation Association, Seatrees, the National Young Farmers Coalition, and more. The company also gives back to the community through its mattress donation program. In 2024, 99% of Avocado’s returns were donated to organizations dedicated to veteran support, mental health and addiction recovery, and community and emergency assistance. 

Our Editor’s Review | “I think it’s important to note the benefits of choosing a brand like Avocado for your next furniture upgrade. There really are no other brands creating furniture with this degree of sustainable and nontoxic certifications that I’ve ever come across.” – Emily McGowan [Read the full review.]

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3. Marine Stewardship Council

Gives back

Science backed

Best For | Sustainable fish
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Fishery certification program

The Marine Stewardship Council is an international nonprofit organization that recognizes and rewards efforts to protect oceans. If you see their blue label on seafood, it means that food meets their requirements for environmentally sustainable fishing, like only fishing healthy fish populations, being well-managed to help populations adapt to changing environmental conditions, not overfishing, and more. Doing this encourages and helps maintain healthy ocean ecosystems. Shopping for sustainable fish and seafood is a great way to be more sustainable in our lives, and MSC is a great resource for finding tips on how to eat more sustainably, cook delicious and eco-conscious seafood recipes, and overall keep the environment at the top of mind. Studies show that wild fisheries have a lower greenhouse gas footprint than land-based animal proteins. So if you’re looking to prioritize sustainability at the grocery store, look for the MSC blue label, and you’ll know it’s meeting the highest standards of environmental sustainability.

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4. Outerknown

Circular fashion

Fair trade

Natural materials

Second hand

Best For | Everyday organic clothing
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Supported farmers in implementing Regenerative Organic Certified practices, Partnership with Project Vermont giving new purpose to materials
Prices starting at | $48

Outerknown is a clothing brand committed to protecting the environment and supporting fair labor practices. It was co-founded by pro surfer Kelly Slater and designer John Moore. The clothes definitely have a beachy vibe, featuring board shorts, swimwear, dresses, sweatshirts, and more, made from high-quality and sustainable materials like regenerative organic cotton, corozo nut buttons from the forest floor, recycled fishing nets, and recycled wool. For every product, you can see exactly where it was made right on the product page — showing how dedicated Outerknown is to transparency with its fair labor practices. Outerknown’s pre-owned platform Outerworn, offers secondhand pieces, with the intention of creating a more circular fashion economy. 

Customer Review | “Big fan of this new short. Fabric has more body so it doesn’t show as much (thank you!). Slightly slimmer feel to the cut but also a more tailored, modern look so I don’t mind it. Fits true to size. Beautiful update to an iconic piece of surf apparel! Well done Outerknown.” – Jackson (Read more reviews.) 

5. Dr. Bronner’s

American made

Budget friendly

FSC

Fair trade

Gives back

Vegan

Best For | All-purpose, purpose-driven soaps
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Regenerative organic agriculture, Offers refills in FSC-certified paper cartons
Prices starting at | $8

Founded in 1948, this is a true legacy eco-conscious brand. Dr. Bronner’s famous 18-in-1 Pure Castile Magic Soap can be used for laundry, body wash, mopping, toilets, and more. Plus, they also sell coconut oil, lip balms, bar soap, biodegradable cleaner, and even chocolate. It’s all made with clean ingredients by a company that cares about people, the environment, and advocating for both. And they’re extremely transparent about it all. Just look at their 2024 annual report, which highlights everything from their exact water usage to specific communities and organizations they’ve donated over $5 million to in 2024, their support ranging from environmental causes to social justice to animal advocacy. 

Customer Review | “This is the only soap I have used daily for at least 20 years. Including shaving and shampoo. Why? Because of its all natural ingredients, nontoxic. It cleans extremely well and never irritates my skin. I’m 72 years old and have no skin issues. You can’t put a price on health.” – Anonymous (Read more reviews.)

6. Thrive Market

B corp

Fair trade

Gives back

Best For | Eco-friendly groceries
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Reusable/recyclable packaging, working to be carbon negative
Prices starting at | $10/month or $60/year (membership)

Thrive Market is a grocery delivery service that focuses on sourcing brands that have the highest-quality ingredients and use ethical sourcing — you’ll find favorite brands like King Arthur, Amy’s, Honest, and Poppi, but they also have lesser-known brands committed to those values, if you want to try something new. Thrive also has its own line of staples, from laundry detergent to organic coconut oil. One thing that’s really great about Thrive is that for every annual membership someone buys, they donate an annual membership to someone in need. They’re also extremely committed to sustainability and working toward creating a healthier planet. Thrive Market is already carbon neutral, but they’re not stopping there. They’re currently on a mission to be carbon negative by optimizing shipment loads and continuing to invest in regenerative agriculture. All of Thrive Market’s warehouses are zero waste certified, and they’re plastic neutral too. 

Customer Review | “I wanted to give my children the options of having good, clean, healthy snacks, so it’s been so impactful to be able to do that and stock our pantry with options that are not high in sugar and that they both love.” – Andrea G. (Read more reviews.)

7. PrAna

Budget friendly

FSC

Plastic/Pfas free

Best For | Durable activewear
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Plastic-free-packaging, responsible material choices, using materials that would otherwise be discarded
Prices starting at | $25

Founded in 1992, PrAna makes sustainable, durable, stylish activewear for men and women. They have leggings, shorts, tanks, and other activewear for yoga, climbing, and more. The brand prioritizes using responsible materials in its clothing, from regenerative organic cotton and responsibly sourced wool to hemp and recycled rubber. PrAna is a part of Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Council), which focuses on reducing the environmental impact of the apparel industry. They also partner with organizations that protect and conserve the environment, including 5 Gyres, Canopy, The Conservation Alliance, and Outdoor Outreach.

Customer Review | “These are the perfect leggings. I teach very active yoga classes and these leggings are about as good as I could ever hope for. They offer slight compression without being restrictive. They move with me. The pocket fits my phone when I’m out in between classes. And they are VELVETY soft.” – Lacy K. (Read more reviews.) 

8. Ethique

B corp

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Plastic/Pfas free

Vegan

Best For | Plastic-free haircare
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Plastic-free products, removes plastic from coastal communities with CleanHub, donates 2% of sales to environmental and social causes
Prices starting at | $17

Ethique took the packaging and the water that usually comes with shampoo and conditioner out of the equation and made eco-friendly, plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars that come in compostable packaging instead. And one bar is the equivalent of eight bottles. Yes, eight. Having solid bars instead of water-based products has saved 6 million gallons of water — and you’re in the shower anyway, so the water’s there already! Plus, the way the bars are formulated uses less energy, giving them a much smaller carbon footprint than their water-based equivalents. Ethique also has plastic-free face cleanser, lip balm, and deodorant. It all comes in compostable packaging that breaks down within 12 months in a home compost. The B Corp also donates 2% of its sales to environmental and social causes. 

Customer Review | “This is my go to shampoo. It lasts a long time, lathers well, and leaves my hair feeling clean but not stripped. Highly recommend it!” – Natalie M. (Read more reviews.)

9. Pact

Budget friendly

FSC

Fair trade

GOTS certified

Gives back

Best For | Comfortable and stylish sustainable clothing
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Zero net carbon, Give Back Box program, paper packaging
Prices starting at | $19

Pact is a Colorado-based company founded in 2009 by Brendan Synnott that sells eco-friendly and ethical fashion that keeps the environment and the wearers of the clothing in mind. Pact partners with SimpiZero to measure the carbon impact of its products and offset it through reforestation, renewable energy, and community projects that sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Through this, Pact is a carbon neutral company. They’re also Fair Trade certified and GOTS certified, and they have a Give Back Box program, which takes clothes folks send in and donates them to nonprofits. What’s cool is it doesn’t even have to be Pact clothing; you can send in any used clothes (for free) and they’ll donate it to one of the five local charities they partner with. It’s giving back to the community, reducing clothing waste, and reusing old Pact boxes from returns. On top of all of that, the clothing is cute, comfortable, and lasts a long time!

Customer Review | “I bought the black Softspun Tank Midi Dress. It was so cute that I bought three in other colors. They are so soft and comfortable. They will pair well with a white or blue denim jacket for cooler evenings.” – Robin S. (Read more reviews.)

10. Veja

B corp

Fair trade

Recycled materials

Best For | Upcycled sneakers
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Transparent carbon footprint reporting, vegan line, and use of recycled materials
Prices starting at | Round up to the nearest dollar

Veja sneakers use Amazonian rubber purchased at five times the market price for the soles to protect and enhance the economic value of the Amazon Rainforest. And the rest of the sneakers are made from recycled water bottles and sustainably sourced materials. Did we mention that the sneakers are really cool too? They have lots of cute designs, like these and these, for example. Veja also ensures fair trade practices, and they’re very transparent about their environmental impact. For example, you can see the carbon footprint of their products, along with what they’re doing about it, here. They also have an entire line of vegan sneakers, made from CWL, which stands for “Cotton Worked as Leather,” a vegan alternative to leather that has a similar look and feel. 

Our Editor’s Review | “These shoes are everywhere on Insta and Pinterest style boards! If you want the immediate brand recognition of brands like Nike or Adidas but with a sustainable twist — Veja is the brand for you.” – Emily McGowan [Read full review here.]

11. Tentree

B corp

Circular fashion

Climate neutral

Second hand

Best For | Clothing that offsets carbon
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives | Offers carbon sequestration subscriptions, every item from Tentree sold plants trees
Prices starting at | Round up to the nearest dollar

Tentree is so much more than a clothing company (though they also have really great clothes!). For every item purchased, Tentree plants trees, but their climate action goes far beyond that, too. Their mission is to plant 1 billion trees by 2030 to reduce climate change. They’re also dedicated to circularity through their reselling platform The Reshop and their clothing recycling program, where anyone can send in clothes for credit, and they’ll sort and recycle or reuse them. Tentree also has Climate+, a program that lets people buy subscriptions to sequester carbon based on their lifestyle, with the ability to choose how often, how much, and even where they want to donate and plant trees. Beyond these initiatives, their clothes are made from eco-friendly materials like TENCEL, organic cotton, hemp, and more. 

Customer Review | “True to Tentree Apparel this flannel shirt is super soft and cozy, perfect for working from home, dog walks and going for coffee. Love it!” – Mary D. (Read more reviews.)

Brianna Schubert is a writer and editor based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade, an editorial assistant at Motley Bloom, and a freelance writer. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since 2023, Brianna has combined her expertise and investigative skills to deliver thoughtful reviews of sustainable products and home goods, helping readers make informed, eco-conscious choices. Brianna is also the writer behind The Mood Board, a Substack newsletter for creativity and inspiration. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking up a new recipe, reading and recommending books, cuddling with her cat, or yapping with her friends at a café. Say hi on Instagram!

The post 11 Eco Conscious Brands To Celebrate For Earth Day appeared first on The Good Trade.

Seafood is an excellent source of lean protein, omega-3s, iron, and vitamins B and D, and it’s one of the most carbon-efficient foods on the planet. If you’re looking to educate yourself about sustainable seafood, check out the Marine Stewardship Council’s website for information, resources, recipes, and more.

Whether it’s in a gooey tuna melt or rolled up into a maki roll, tuna is one of the most versatile kinds of seafood. It’s that versatility that makes the fish the third most popular seafood in the US, after shrimp and salmon, says Chef Adrienne Cheatham. “Given its popularity, it’s important to know how to look for sustainable tuna choices,” says Cheatham, “so we’re ensuring healthy fish populations now and for our future generations.”

What makes seafood sustainable?

According to the MSC, in order to be considered environmentally sustainable, seafood must come from healthy fish populations, have minimal impact on the marine ecosystem, and be properly managed (so no overfishing). Sustainable seafood can be harvested in perpetuity while still maintaining a healthy environment. That’s what “sustainable” means, after all — able to be sustained.

While most of the fish we get here in the states is wild caught, seafood harvested via aquaculture is the fastest-growing form of food production worldwide according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Note that not all wild-caught seafood is sustainable, and neither is all aquaculture seafood.

Because most of our fish comes from the ocean, it’s especially important to purchase sustainably fished seafood to ensure healthy fish and marine populations in the future. “I’ve worked with seafood for the entirety of my cooking career and am incredibly passionate about making sure we have access to it for years to come,” says Cheatham.

How do you know if your seafood was harvested sustainably?

In short, read the labels! One of the easiest indicators to look for is the MSC blue fish label, meaning the product has been certified to the MSC Fisheries Standard. The MSC blue fish label provides assurance that the seafood is wild-caught and comes from a certified sustainable source.

Another way to determine your seafood’s sustainability? Research the company that makes it. Companies with sustainable practices want you to know about them, so it doesn’t take long to Google a seafood producer and find out if it puts sustainability at the forefront of its business model.

The perfect tuna salad recipe for Earth Month

Cheatham crafted an easy meal with sustainably fished tuna that is perfect for a quick, healthy lunch. Her tuna tonnato is full of pantry staples like relish, mustard, and tuna, along with a few fresh veggies for a “light, bright dish that’s perfect for spring and summer,” she says.

Find the full recipe here, which uses lemon, celery, onion, eggs, and potato to liven up tuna salad, bringing it from sad desk lunch territory into “a great lunch or a patio snack to fix for guests, or dinner on a night in,” says Cheatham. She serves the tuna mixture over greens and alongside some satisfying, crusty bread. My local grocery store didn’t have any endive, so I heaped the tuna salad over a bed of spinach and arugula instead—it was one of the best lunches I’ve made in a long time. 

Cheatham notes that while the dish looks light, it’s packed with protein from the tuna and eggs. And she emphasizes the importance of buying canned tuna with an MSC label on it.

The MSC’s website features sustainable seafood recipes dishes from innovative chefs representing cuisines from all over the world, like Smoked Salmon and Mango Salad and Cape Hake Fillet with Zucchini Salad. After trying their recipes, you can read more about the fishermen behind the ingredient. Reading their firsthand stories forges stronger connections between our food and the sea they came from.

“Sustainability includes our future, is the way I think about it,” said Jack B. Vantress of the American Albacore Fishing Association in Cheatham’s recipe. “So it’s important to choose sustainable seafood because this is our future.”

THIS STORY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT THE MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL

Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!

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