Have you ever wondered where the things you are buying are coming from? We did too... and then, we did a show about it!
Every month since 2021, The Choice is Yours digs deep into one product that we all buy and use, and exposes the impacts of consuming such a product. Products such as bananas, smart phones, meat/meat substitutes, wheat/gluten, avocados, baby products, garbanzo beans, essential oils and much more. We are looking at the health impacts, environmental impacts and social impacts.
The Choice is Yours is a show on KMUD Community Radio in Northern California. It's a fun collaboration between Doro, Dani and Sheila. We are not investigative journalists but just your neighbors who spent many hours researching on the internet and trying to figure out which sites to trust.
We hope this show can motivate you to contemplate the consequences of your consumption on many different levels and to do your own research.
Beans Against the AI Apocalypse is an episode about one surprisingly powerful little food: the bean.
From green beans appearing on the Dirty Dozen list to the use of desiccants in dry-bean production, beans come with environmental and health questions that are more complicated than their humble image suggests. But beans also have a remarkable story to tell: they fix nitrogen, enrich soils, deliver impressive nutrition, and can produce a lot of food with relatively few resources.
We dig into the science, farming practices, health impacts, and environmental footprint behind beans—from the field to the plate.
Because in an uncertain future—AI existential threats included—it might be worth knowing which crops can feed us, nourish us, and help the soil along the way.
Sources:
Dangers of AI: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andreamorris/2026/09/13/what-made-ai-researchers-freak-out-the-incident-in-plain-english/
Beans, the sustainable food: https://beaninstitute.com/beans-beans-the-sustainable-food/
Integrating beans with grain agriculture: https://cultivatingflora.com/ideas-for-integrating-legumes-with-grains-in-north-dakota-farming/
Production facts : https://usdrybeans.com/industry/production-facts/
Adaptation to drought : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377424006164
Comparison between plant based proteins and animal proteins: https://www.sciencedirect.com › science › article › pii › S0308521X24002932
https://humaneherald.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/calories-and-protein-produced-per-acre-1.pdf
GMO soybean:https://www.nongmoproject.org/blog/the-gmo-high-risk-list-soybeans/
Dirty Dozen / Clean Fifteen :https://organicfoodguides.com/dirty-dozen-and-clean-fifteen/
Desiccants like diquat and glyphosate: https://www.realagriculture.com/edible-bean-school/edible-bean-school-timing-desiccation-for-maximum-yield-quality/ https://usrtk.org/healthwire/diquat-herbicide-poisons-the-gut-may-severely-damage-other-organs/ https://usrtk.org/pesticides/glyphosate-health-concerns/
History of the World in Twelve Beans by JOËL BROEKAERT https://www.letterenfonds.nl/en/books/a-history-of-the-world-in-twelve-beans
History https://www.kelleybean.com/consumers/bean-history/
1 Sept 2026
Protein : the new religion
Protein is everywhere. From protein bars and shakes to high-protein yogurts, cereals, snacks and even everyday foods, the message seems unavoidable: we need more protein.
But where did this obsession come from — and who benefits from it?
In this episode, we look beyond the "protein maxxing" trends to examine the science behind our protein needs, the potential health consequences of excessive or unbalanced consumption, and the environmental costs of producing more animal protein. Like, did you know whey wasa waste product of cheese manufacturing?
We also explore the politics and culture surrounding the protein boom. How has the idea of “more protein, more strength, more masculinity” become intertwined with online fitness culture and parts of the contemporary right-wing movement? And how are influencers, food companies and political narratives helping shape what we believe our bodies should look like — and what we should eat?
Are we really facing a protein deficiency — or have we been sold a powerful story about what it means to be healthy, strong and successful?
Sources :
Intro: https://annescollege.fsu.edu/blog/protein-craze-fsu-expert-explains-why-behind-high-protein-diet
Proteins bros : you might have been be getting scammed https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5270923/protein-seems-to-suddenly-be-everywhere-heres-why
A few products selected by Men’health that look just like ultra processed stuff https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/g64308976/best-high-protein-products/
Protein sources https://grokipedia.com/page/High-Protein_Trend_in_Packaged_Foods
Whey into the environment https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266615432400317X
Consumption of whey more than cheese https://www.theguardian.com/business/ng-interactive/2026/jul/02/whey-protein-boom-proteinmaxxing-demand
https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/lifestyle/whey-protein-shortage-sparks-shortage-fears-after-brands-rushed-to-hop-on-trend-b2995465.html
Clean Label Study https://cleanlabelproject.org/protein-study/
https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2026/03/how-much-protein.html
26 Jul 2026
Drink up for Hydration: Marketing scams vs Homemade
In this episode, we look at hydration and replenishing electrolytes: The misleading claims of hydration drinks, Real hydration home made with natural products and How icy drinks may not be as refreshing as it seems.
The Choice is Yours is a serie of monthly episodes about consumer's choices and its impacts on the environement and our health. Inicially, this is a live show on KMUD Radio in Northern California.
List of references for this episode :
Back to last month subject: Forest Stewardship Certification’s weaknesses
www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/03/01/investigation-reveals-flaws-in-responsible-wood-certification-system_6017835_8.html https://news.mongabay.com/2025/09/critics-say-fsc-update-risks-weakening-accountability-for-forest-harm/ https://www.dw.com/en/deforestation-inc-how-green-firms-prevent-climate-action/a-64851705 https://www.icij.org/investigations/deforestation-inc/auditors-green-labels-sustainability-environmental-harm/
Does silicon shed microplastic?
https://theecoshift.com/does-silicone-have-microplastics/
Ice consumption America vs Europe:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-dont-other-countries-use-ice-cubes-50361097/
Impact on health of cold or hot drinks
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/cold-and-hot-consumption-and-health-outcomes-among-us-asian-and-white-populations/8C45B97637E237244531C653E42D024E
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cold-water-vs-warm-water
https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know/drink-hot-drinks-hot-weather-cool-down-faster
Electrolytes
https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/Do-Electrolytes-Really-Boost-Hydration
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8471852/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-electrolyte-sources
https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/using-food-to-stay-hydrated
27 Jun 2026
The Roll Effect: Toilet Paper and Our Planet
In this episode, we take a closer look at the hidden impacts of one of our most everyday products: toilet paper.
We'll explore how our demand for toilet paper affects Canada's boreal forest, Brazil's eucalyptus plantations, and the forests of the southern United States. But the story doesn't end with trees. Many toilet paper products also contain potentially harmful contaminants, including PFAS ("forever chemicals") and chlorine-based compounds, raising important questions about their impact on both human health and the environment.
The good news? There are better options. We'll break down what you need to know about recycled and bamboo toilet paper, bidets, mullein leaves, and a few other surprising alternatives that could make your bathroom routine a little more sustainable.
30 May 2026
Going Green with Bamboo
Can bamboo help solve climate change? In this episode we explore why bamboo is becoming one of the fastest-growing sustainable industries in the world. From carbon capture and renewable building materials to biodegradable packaging, bamboo textiles, and surprising health benefits, discover why scientists, entrepreneurs, and environmentalists are calling bamboo one of the most valuable plants for a greener future.
27 Apr 2026
Lace Up - What Your Shoes Aren’t Telling You
In this episode, we’re stepping into the world of shoes. But first—what if we didn’t wear them at all? Walking barefoot: more natural, cheaper, and maybe even healthier. Still, for most of us, shoes are a daily essential. So what are they really doing to our bodies? From high heels to running shoes to flip-flops, we break down the health impacts of what we put on our feet.
Then there’s the environmental side. We buy a lot of shoes—and all those plastics, dyes, and synthetic materials add up fast, leaving a much bigger footprint than we might think.
But it’s not all bad news. A wave of innovative, sustainable brands is changing the game—rethinking how shoes are made, from safer materials to better working conditions. We’ll explore alternatives like cotton, bamboo, cork, natural foams, and more—solutions that are easier on the planet, kinder to workers, and that don’t rely on animal exploitation.
Because in the end, the choice is yours: what kind of footprint do you want to leave behind?
References:
Shoe consumption per age https://www.restonyc.com/what-age-buys-the-most-shoes/
Bare feet, minimal footwear and conventional footwear health impacts https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11899058/
Effects of footwear on biomechanics of the body https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025012514
The effects of grounding, walking barefoot https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4378297/
Hill shoes health issues https://footwearmagazine.com/cleveland-clinic-high-heels-foot-problems/
Flip flops health isuues https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5862437/
CO2eq emissions per product https://www.co2everything.com/a-z
CO2 emissions of shoes production https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/14/6094
Environmental impacts of shoes https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/49925/20220315/the-impact-of-the-shoe-industry-on-the-environment.htm
Kangoroos killed for leather for shoes The Truth About Leather & How it is Made | Animals Australia
Nine major athletic brands end kangaroo leather use in historic win
Eco friendly solutions
Materials : 10 Eco-Friendly Materials Used In The Making Of Sustainable Shoes | GreenSmartEco.com
Brands: 15 Best Sustainable Shoe Brands For 2026 - The Good Trade
Rain boots : 9 Sustainable Rain Boots For Naturally Green Puddle Play
28 Mar 2026
Sowing the Future: A Gardener's choice
In this episode, The Choice is Yours team looks into seeds. As a consumer, a gardener, which seeds should I plant ? F1, hybrid, heirloom, home made, GMO? How our gardens can help protect biodiversity? What is the Seed banks' work? Is Seed Savers Exchange a good option ? What is Bill Gtes doing with seeds in Africa? How bad are the seeds from the supermarket? All that and more.
References :
About Eating to Extinction: The World’s Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them, by Dan Saladino. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/17/dan-saladino-food-diversity
The productivism point of view https://betternutritionnews.com/can-people-eat-more-today-than-20-years-ago/
Key messages from FAO’s International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/42209587-33f1-4546-9f56-35947af496b8/content
English Royal Botanic Garden and seed bank podcast https://www.kew.org/about-us/virtual-kew-wakehurst/unearthed-kew-podcast
About Bill Gates continuing the GMO crusade in Africa
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/new-colonialist-food-economy/
https://mg.co.za/africa/2024-09-03-bill-gates-plays-god-in-africas-agriculture-and-gets-it-wrong/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinero/2024/09/02/why-african-groups-want-reparations-from-the-gates-foundation/
Here is a clip of Vandana Shiva talking about Bill Gates and his role in seed banks : https://www.instagram.com/reels/DU19gQ1FULO/
Article by Vandana Shiva https://navdanyainternational.org/one-empire-over-seed-control-over-the-worlds-seed-banks/
A healthy microbiome comes with diversity https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4837298/
About GMO https://www.nongmoproject.org,
cornell.edu
healthline.com
Iamcountryside.com
rivieraproduce.com
1 Mar 2026
Foam up and smell the consequences - Coffee shops
In this episode, we trace how coffee fueled the rise of industrialization and capitalism — keeping factories running and workers awake — before diving deep into the world of modern coffee shops.
From cozy local cafés to global corporate chains, we unpack what’s really brewing behind the counter: union battles and worker strikes, slavery investigations in supply chains, the staggering amounts of added sugar in popular drinks, and even the pesticides found in certain blends.
All that, and more, in your daily cup.
25 Feb 2026
Wake up and smell the consequences - Ep 1
In this episode, Doro, Dani, and Sheila take you on a journey through the world of coffee — from its origins in Ethiopia to the realities of deforestation and modern-day slavery in Brazil.
Next month, we’ll focus on coffee shops. But for now, we’re starting at home with ground coffee. Who are the biggest ground coffee brands in the U.S., and how sustainable are they? Which certifications can you trust? Is truly sustainable coffee even possible? What’s the story behind “shade-grown” coffee? How to save birds through buying your coffe ? And is coffee actually good for your health?
All that — and so much more — in this deep dive into what’s really in your cup.
27 Nov 2025
Tater Talks : Health, Earth, and Society
This episode explores the health benefits, environmental concerns, and societal impact of potatoes, from their origins to modern consumption.
1 Sept 2025
Unpeeling the Avocado trend
In this episode, we peel back the layers of America’s avocado obsession. While avocado toast may feel harmless, most of the fruit we consume comes from Mexico — where production is entangled with cartel involvement and violence.
We dig into the environmental consequences of this booming demand, focusing on land use, deforestation, and strained ecosystems. But it’s not all doom and gloom — avocados are a nutritious powerhouse, so how can we enjoy them responsibly?
Should we be choosing California-grown instead? Is there such a thing as an ethical avocado? Let’s explore what informed consumer choices look like, because once again, awareness is everything.
25 Apr 2025
Shelling out those eggs
In this episode, we crack into the environmental, health, and social impacts of egg consumption and production. From the stench of industrial egg factories to the evolving science on cholesterol, we explore the complicated role eggs play in our diets. Eggs can be a powerhouse of nutrition—but it depends on how and where they're produced. We talk free-range, tree-range, pasture-raised, and even the benefits (and challenges) of backyard chickens. And yes, salmonella still lurks in the shadows.
25 Apr 2025
The Milk without the Cow
Part 3 of our three-part series on milk. We examine deeper the environmental footprint of cow’s milk, then swirl into a conversation about cultured dairy like yogurt and kefir. Finally, we pour over the world of milk alternatives—from goat to almond to macadamia—always keeping an eye on the environmental and health impacts of our choices.
28 Feb 2025
The Real Scoop on Dairy
In Dirt on the Milky Way, we took a hard look at the dairy industry and its impact on farmers and health. In this episode, we’re bringing it closer to home, getting the inside scoops from a local regenerative farmer. Cody Nicholson Stratton of Foggy Bottoms Boys farm in Ferndale, CA, joins us to break down what sustainable dairy looks like—compared to what Big Milk is doing elsewhere.
We dive into manure management strategies that reduce methane emissions, the role of different cow breeds, and what makes Humboldt County dairy unique. Plus, we get into the buzz around raw milk and A2 milk.
31 Jan 2025
Dirt on the Milky Way
1st of a 3 part series about dairy, this episode looks at the complicated lives of dairy farmers and the health impacts of consumming milk. One thing that is for sure is that they are lying to us through advertising about the beautiful cows in green pastures feeding some cute blond kids. But what is really behind this false image!
31 Jan 2025
The Buzz on Booze
Let's talk about the impacts of our consumptions of alcohol from the water needed in the brewing process of beer to the role of alcohol in society and the impacts of acoholism. Dani, Sheila and Doro dive into the subject and relate what they've learned on the internet.
15 Jan 2025
Worth your salt
The rise of human civilization is deeply tied to the quest for salt. Yet today, salt is so common, accessible, and inexpensive that we couldn’t resist dedicating an episode to it. We dive into its rich history, production methods, health effects, and environmental impact. But is all salt the same? From refined table salt to Himalayan, sea, and Celtic salt—it can get pretty confusing. So, let’s break it down. Is salt truly essential for health, or as harmful as some claim? And what about microplastics in sea salt? Let’s dig in!
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