Ask Ms. Green column @SierraClub.org @SierraMagazine.bsky.social

(Image: Non-AI generated self-portrait headshot of the writer, an Asian woman, in a brown, pierced wolf-ear balaclava hat)

You’re doing it wrong: cold and flu edition!

New mythbusting from studies, medical doctors, hospitals, Chinese medicine. Less-toxic, green tips too.

bit.ly/mythbusting-colds

But first, I always recommend seeing medical and classical or traditional Chinese medicine doctors before self-medicating.

Mukunda Studio on Instagram: "Join our Plantsgiving Vegan Potluck @mukundastudio - a friendly gathering for those seeking an alcohol-free, plant-based experience cuz that’s how you roll or you’re open... Experience a meaningful Thanksgiving celebration at our Plantsgiving vegan potluck. We explore the authentic history of the holiday, share plant-based recipes, and create a joyful, inclusive atmospher...

Vegan plantsgiving potluck, alcohol-free (and fun ;), with a secret menu of surprising Thanksgiving myths, at a SF yoga studio, of course!

momence.com/Mukunda-Studio/Plantsgiving-Vegan-Potluck!/125649462

instagram.com/p/DRc8ve9EkEI

Image: non-AI generated headshot of an asian person with a gnome hat with pink polka dotted cheetahs and speech bubbles on it

Please share because I met people who didn't know they could register & vote today. You can do it in almost half of US states. How: rockthevote.org/how-to-vote/same-day-voter-registration.

If you're not voting, I'd love to hear why. I'll even put on my hat that turns me into a nonjudgmental person!

Food vendor logos and their food, such as a chocolate cake and Puerto Rican food.

Winner, winner, eat cake for dinner!

Enter a $5 raffle for a vegan cake from instagram.com/DeliciouslyVeganSF.

Your $5 will feed people losing SNAP benefits. They can eat yummy vegan MalibusBurgers.com and Puerto Rican food at CasaBoriquena.com. And you might want to eat there too!

How to not turn your home into a 👻haunted house:

Prevent counterfeit heat pump or air con refrigerant cylinders from causing🔥, inhalation injuries, or ⚰️death eia.org/blog/illegal... (@eia-news.bsky.social)

Also, here's how to not get ☠️toxic heat pumps, air con, fridges bit.ly/TFA-WTF

Image: Text: Safer ways to “dry” clean your wizard outfit and more: Here’s the dirt on “green” dry cleaners, where to get reusable garment bags, donate hangers Pixelated panda in wizard outfit stirring toxic cauldron. Pixelated tank top with heart on hanger.

See if:

-Dry cleaning chemicals like perc offgas from clothes and harm people at or near cleaners. Perc has no health perks! Other chemicals can cause harm, even if “green, organic, or nontoxic.”

-You can wash "dry clean only” clothes at home.

-Wet cleaners are safer.

bit.ly/wet-clean

(Image: fabulous #genderqueer person with makeup and caption: Ever catch yourself saying, "Is it me? Am I the drama? Am I the villain?" Everyone needs therapy sometimes. See why and where to find a therapist who won’t judge you.)

See studies and a fabulous video on reasons to get therapy, such as any reason😉 or you:

-Don’t think you need it

-Want your situation to improve

-Feel judgmental, jealous, that you have little impact, not your true self

-Replay past hurts, reject advice

bit.ly/AmITheVillain

(Image: Photo of a blue sky and headshots of youth winners)

Step into your “save the planet” era!

Come meet youth aged 13 to 22 who’ll inspire you to protect our health and environment.

FREE, Thursday, 10/9, 6P, Berkeley, CA

BrowerYouthAwards.org

Rainbow-colored linoleum flooring with text below: Almost all building surfaces have toxic chemicals (even tiles, cork, natural wood and linoleum). Natural linoleum can have toxic pigments and backings. Safer brands and ecolabels, petition

Building products w/certain ecolabels might be safer than ones w/only Healthy Product Declaration/Declare labels. You have to be an expert to decipher HPD/Declare.

I don’t know certifiers who test for toxics though

Safer brand/ecolabel/petition @toxicfreefuture.bsky.social
bit.ly/GetFlooredSafely

Image: Fruits with retro happy faces

“Regenerative/sustainable/carbon neutral” crops might have pesticides.

Dig into safer certifications for veggies/fruit/grains/crops bit.ly/SaferCertifications.

Ask me how to not plow your garden/grow it regeneratively. There’s no “tilling” what I’ll find when I dig :)

@foodprintorg.bsky.social

Your 🦇☎️ needs these digital security tips on how to:

Clear your location history.

Turn off new app requests to access your phone’s ad identifier.

Check your phone’s storage so you have room for new videos and photos.

More at bit.ly/DIGITAL-SECU...

📞Protect yourself and your contacts on your phone:

Set notifications to be visible only if you unlock your phone.

Turn off biometric face or fingerprint ID. Use a long, complex alphanumeric password.

Backup your phone.

More tips from @nisakhan.bsky.social:
bit.ly/DIGITAL-SECURITY

Image of text below: Call, text, or meet online via the free Signal app: Here’s why Signal is safer than WhatsApp and how to use WhatsApp and Signal. Whether you use WhatsApp or Signal, check to make sure: -There aren't links to devices you don't recognize. -With groups you created, disable group links. -Regularly change your app pin. Your cell phone: Buy a modern burner phone with cash, don’t turn it on in your home, and only add the Signal App, not other accounts (social media, financial, etc). Or keep your phone off or on airplane mode when you don’t need it. Also, turn off Bluetooth, wifi, and Airdrop. Make sure your notifications are only visible when your device is unlocked. On an iPhone: Open Settings. Press Notifications, then Show Previews, then Never. Turn off biometric opening of your phone (face or fingerprint ID, etc.). Use a long, complicated alphanumeric password. Backup your phone regularly. On iPhones, enable Advanced Data Protection on your iCloud account.

☎️Protect yourself and your contacts on your phone:

Buy a modern burner phone with cash, don’t turn it on at home and only add the Signal app.

Or keep your phone off or on airplane mode when you don’t need it. Also, turn off bluetooth, wifi, and airdrop.

More in comments⬇️& bit.ly/DIGITAL-SECU...

If you go to protests:

If someone asks you to open your phone, only do it w/your lawyer present. Write their phone on your arm.

Don’t leave anything w/fingerprints/saliva (drinks)

In custody, you only need to give your name/birthday. Don't say much to anyone even on a call

bit.ly/DIGITAL-SECU...

Image of text below: 📢Protect yourself/others at #protests See BIT.LY/DIGITAL-SECURITY for more info If someone asks you to open your phone, only do it with your lawyer present, such as one from the @NationalLawyersGuild. Write their phone number on your arm in case you get arrested. Before you share photos: - Don’t post photos or videos of people’s faces without their consent. Obscure the faces of people only using the shape/rectangle tool. Don’t use drawing or blurring tools because they can be reversed by others. - Photos have hidden information, or metadata, embedded in them which include the type of phone/camera you used, the photo's location, and other potentially sensitive data. So use a metadata removal tool. If you send a photo to someone using Signal, that app removes this metadata automatically. - Let people know your photos or videos are real with the #ProofModeApp. Don’t leave anything with your fingerprints or saliva, such as drinks. If you’re in custody: If cops ask, you only need to say your name, birthday, and these magic words. Avoid saying much to anyone else in custody or if you’re on a call.

📢Protect yourself/others at protests

Before sharing photos/videos:

-Obscure faces with the shape/rectangle tool. Other tools can be reversed by others.

-Use a metadata removal tool

-Prove they're real with ProofMode app

Thanks @elizaorlins.bsky.social

More in comments⬇️& bit.ly/DIGITAL-SECU...

Signalgate—NSA Says Change Smartphone Message Settings Do not make this dangerous mistake—what to do now.

If you use WhatsApp or Signal, make sure:

- There aren't links to devices you don't recognize.

- With groups you created, you disabled group links.

- Regularly change your app pin.

Don't say I didn't warn you :)

Signalgate—NSA Says Change Smartphone Message Settings Do not make this dangerous mistake—what to do now.

If you use WhatsApp or Signal, make sure:

- There aren't links to devices you don't recognize.

- With groups you created, you disabled group links.

- Regularly change your app pin.

Don't say I didn't warn you :)

Image of rose-colored flower of life sacred geometry soap with text below: Safer brands of scented skincare, air fresheners, candles, cleaners: See bit.ly/SaferScentedProducts on if: 100% essential oils, synthetic scents, and scent-masking agents have toxic phthalates and are associated with allergies, eczema, respiratory issues. “Phthalate-free fragrance oil," “nontoxic,” “100% plant based,” “biodegradable,” “natural extracts,” or “water-soluble” claims aren’t safe.

My two "scents" on safer scented skincare, air fresheners, candles, cleaners

See if:

-Essential oils & synthetic scents have toxic phthalates & are linked with allergies, eczema, asthma

-Phthalate-free fragrance oil, nontoxic, biodegradable & other claims aren’t safe

bit.ly/SaferScentedProducts

Sad mattress in nature looking at BEING DUMPED SUCKS

Where to get someone to repair, reuse, or responsibly recycle random stuff:
Not with thrift stores, junk haulers, and recyclers that dump stuff behind your back!

See bit.ly/being-dumped-sucks for that, more responsible groups & how to ask sellers to give you products naked (naked products that is)!

I ❤️ social media! April Fool's!

Seriously though, what social media platform do you want to connect with me on?

You need to change your underwear & laws

What you might not have heard on the Thinx menstrual underwear class action lawsuit settlement, toxic PFAS, how it affects everyone.

Butt it’s not over. Stay tuned for how to tell when companies cover their butts

bit.ly/change-your-underwear-and-laws

Bro in your head: Relax, it’s not going to be that bad!

Your higher self: Well, actually, please go to this Know Your
Rights Workshop because of who you are, what you do, or who you know.

Today, March 20, virtually, @18millionrising.bsky.social
@nonviolentpeaceforce.org

RSVP bit.ly/18MR_NVP1

BIPOC LGBTQIA flag with text below: Easily tell your federal, state, and local officials what you really think. Protect people targeted by Trump. Take action with IndivisibleGuide.org. Boycott companies enabling Trump. Fund groups litigating against Trump. Get news from Democracy Now, The Guardian, Propublica, more. Encourage union pension funds to divest stock in Tesla, SpaceX.

Asking for a friend😉: What are your tips for a more equitable, green world in these times?

Tips from @rbreich.bsky.social, lawyer who served in Democratic administrations, such as how to easily tell federal/state/local officials what you really think via contact info/scripts) bit.ly/EverythingYo...

If you have fear, imagine merging any drops of it into an ocean of caution.

Another way to be cautious is to protect
personal info of yours/your network's (allies/LGBTQIA people/immigrant families/environmentalists) before you communicate IRL or online.

BIT.LY/DIGITAL-SECURI…

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, you deserve free money for a less toxic fridge, heat pump, or air conditioner with no trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a toxic PFAS.

Some rebates end this year.

You deserve safer policies too.

Collect them all at

bit.ly/TFA-WTF

Lighting incense or🕯candles with certain intentions might actually create change

Guess how to do it in a less toxic way: matches, lighters, or a reusable plastic free keychain?

Answer:Ask me to shed light on less-toxic brands of any product or service

bit.ly/the-green-light

How to shop for therapists this Black Friday!

Whether or not you think you need one, it could be the best gift you give yourself.

They can help with surprising things.

You might feel better seeing one 'cause they’re trained, unlike family, friends, etc

bit.ly/WhatIfWeAllGot…

You could spend Tuesday night in sweaty sandals in this heat wave.

Or come to this free, cool event for all ages featuring youth creating a more equitable, green world!

October 8, Berkeley, California:
- 5:30 PM edutainment
- 7 PM fancy feast ($

BrowerYouthAwards.org

The sustainability movement is up against earworms and jingles from people promoting things that aren’t helping our mental and physical health, or our planet.

Tune them out with songs (and kids books) about actions kids can take.@Sophiebeerdraws

bit.ly/GrowATreehugger

Studies show you can grow a treehugger by:

-Helping kids understand why you invite them to try something

-Humblebragging when you're green

That’s better for kids than letting them do whatever they want, controlling them, or being uninvolved.

bit.ly/GrowATreehugger