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April King’s “Keeping It Green” podcast introduces its Summer 2025 Top Ten countdown. April shares her journey into green living, sparked by a Brazilian shaman’s cleanse and experiences at Natural Products Expo West. She highlights discovering products like Dragon Herbs’ Tonic Alchemy and Tahitian Trader Noni Juice, which fueled her “green glow era.” After working at Erewhon and becoming a product demonstrator, she developed expertise in sourcing healthy items from stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. The episode begins the list with #10: Trader Joe’s Coconut Oil Spray, praised for being affordable, versatile, and perfect for cooking or dressings. Welcome to Keeping It Green with April King, the number one green culture podcast, where green cuisine meets real wellness, superfoods meet freestyles, and every episode is repping green culture for a green world. I'm your host, April King, mama, artist, flexitarian food alchemist, and your ultimate green lifestyle guide. This isn't just a podcast, it's a movement. We're talking truth, taste, and transformation. This is green innovation. And yes, we've got an original soundtrack curated just for you. Are you ready to live your best green life? Let's go. I play the green game cause I'm a green girl Keep track of green trends cause it's a green world Keep making green friends so that my green grows My green never ends, I'm in the green zone I love good food, take pleasure in life I'm in a good mood cause I eat what's right Green cuisine in my kitchen, green life is my vision To be a green generation is my mission We could all buy stock in green commodities This is green culture doing green properly I like my yerba mate from yerba madre Check some bezón for my açaí Get my chi straight with my yogi tea Vitamin C, acerola cherry Raw vegan bling, this is April King Yeah we keep it green. Hey. Welcome back, earth mother lovers. It's episode seven, yeah. Today we're kicking off something new, something juicy for you. It's my official seasonal top ten countdown. This is the summer 2025 edition of AK's ultimate green guide, from bougie to budget. I'm sharing my absolute favorite green goodies to help you stay cool, glow up, nourished, and divine all season long. These are products I actually use, love, and recommend with my whole non-GMO sacred snack-loving soul. But before we dive into that, I want to tell you how this all started. Before you get AK's top ten list, I got to tell you how this journey began. So, you know, if you listened to earlier episodes, you heard how I met this Brazilian shaman when I was gigging all around Europe. I met him in Paris and started seeing auras around food all the time when he had me go on an all-organic cleanse, and I realized that there was a difference about what I was putting in my body. So fast forward to a couple years later, I was rocking the Masala Chai Company booth at the Natural Products Expo West. I was assisting the owner of the company. It was a great gig. It was a couple weeks before I was going on tour in Europe again. And if you don't know about the Natural Products Expo West, it's like the Grammys of natural living. All of the biggest brands are there, from legends to up-and-coming green disruptors. And I went in thinking it was just a booth gig, you know, I'm here to have some fun, make my cheddar. But on my breaks, I was out tasting, touching, sniffing, soaking up all the green glory. There were snacks, serums, teas, supplements. It was, you know, I was over there going, this is the real Disneyland right here. I was so excited to see the booths of these companies that I had been enjoying and loving and getting to meet the founders and ask them all of my burning questions. So, you know, I felt amazing after the first day. I mean, I felt some kind of like, I was buzzing, I had all this energy, you know, I thought I might levitate or something. It was wild. And so the next day I was like, I got to figure out what made me feel so good. Was it everything? Was it one thing? I mean, cause I felt like a high-vibe superhero. So I did find out that one of my favorite products was Tonic Alchemy by Dragon Herbs. Absolutely love that. Another one of my favorites was Tahitian Trader Noni Juice. Just pure magic. So it was amazing. I got all of these samples, I packed them all up, I took them with me to France, I bought some new products. I was like, this is what I'm going to live on while I'm on tour. And it was my green glow era. That's when I learned what it was all about, when I felt just this new vibrance. So later I was hanging out at the original Erewhon in LA, like before it was where all the influencers hang. And I was just kicking it there, like I just like to be there. I just like how it felt. The vibes were on point, you know. And I would randomly end up helping customers find things. And, you know, this one day I was helping this beautiful lady pick out her produce cause she saw that I knew how to handle my melons. And I got offered a job on the spot. And I only ended up working there for like two days actually, which was a very eventful two days. I mean, Queen Latifah actually ordered a turkey burger from me. I was really, really stoked about that. And then the manager just like pulled me aside and said, you know what, April, I think you'd be amazing at doing demo gigs. And she just hooked me up. She gave me like the direct numbers to contact the heads of different companies. And the next thing I knew, I was repping Dr. Bronner's and Healthforce Nutritionals, doing demos at health food stores all over the West Coast. And demoing became more than a hustle. It became a healing path. And I never stopped exploring. Every chance I could get, every new store I was in, I would check out their products, I would try things. I was there when other demonstrators were there. I went to other expos. I got to try all the things. And it's really, this was the making of my green divaness, my green divosity. Yes, that's what we're gonna call it, my green divosity. So, you know, now I proudly identify as part Trader Joe'sian. Wherever I go, Trader Joe's is home base. Whole Foods, that's where products make it or break it. I go there for that 365 line and for the glow up greatness, like Dr. Hauschka, the newest kombucha, and name brand organic fire. Independent health food stores and co-ops, that's my soul spot, soul stores. They've got all of the things that you need and you will always find some artisanal, small batch, local products. That is where the magic is. So, you know, gotta check it out. I mean, I am, okay, I am, I am a green shopaholic. I am. That's what I am. Yeah. Sprouts is my rotating sale queen. You know, no one else is out there giving you different discounts on name brand products that are always there every week. And Grocery Outlet, that is the green treasure hunt. You know, one week they've got a gem I've been dreaming of and the next week it's vanished into the eco ether. But I live for it. I love being surprised. I love finding my favorites and new things for just shockingly amazing prices. And, you know, all of that, the sampling, the shopping, the sacred snacking, it's all shaped today's list. So these are the products that are getting me through summer 2025. From travel snacks to skincare to just plant-based indulgences. So, from bougie to budget, let the countdown begin of AK's ultimate green guide, summer edition. Yeah. I can dig it. What's the top ten? What is it? I can't wait. I want to taste it. I want to use it. That's AK's top ten. Ooh, mama, mama, mama, ooh. All right, divine ones. Well, let's get into it. So, my top ten green things for summer of 2025. It's a mix of all the good things. These are the products living in my fridge, my ritual kit, my diaper bag, maybe even my skull. I get real, I take it real serious, my green life. Okay, number ten, Trader Joe's coconut oil spray. She's affordable, she's multipurpose, she's coconutty magic. I use her for sautéing veggies, greasing waffle molds, you know, bougie results on a budget bottle. Yes ma'am, yes ma'am. And she's like zero calories, so many things. I even use her in salad dressings. I mean, gotta have her, gotta have her. Number nine, Violife Just Like Feta. This plant-based feta is my summer salad obsession. Tangy, creamy, and it crumbles just right. I've thrown it into wraps, watermelon salads, Buddha bowls, goddess bowls. Ten out of ten, would crumble again. Number eight, organic dried mango. Nature's candy, baby. I keep it in my car, stroller bag, snack drawer. Sweet, chewy, and toddler approved. It's sunshine in a snack. Number seven, Weleda's Wild Rose Pampering Body Oil. Ooh, do I love this oil. It is sensual, sacred, and indulgent in the best way. I use it after a shower or for rose-scented ritual massage. It makes me feel like I'm the five D main character of a love story. Number six, this is a new one. Go, go check this one out. Trader Joe's sparkling watermelon juice. So light, so fresh, so hot girl hydration. Giving mocktail, park picnic. It's just magic. I love it. Love it, love it. Number five, what would I do, what would I do without you? I'm just like tearing up thinking about this one. Miyoko's pourable plant-based mozzarella. I mean, if you haven't tried this, I don't care what you eat. I don't care if you're on the void, have to have steak at every meal. You need to try this pourable mozzarella, okay? It pours like a dream, melts like magic, tastes like summer on pizza night. I put it on gluten-free crusts, roasted veggies. I whip it into eggs and have the fluffiest, cheesiest, most magical creamy eggs. I make egg bites with it, put it on my pasta. I mean, you can do everything with it. It is, it is magical. Where have you ever had liquid meltable cheese before in history? But it's a liquid first, okay? It's not, it's not a hard cheese that you turn into a liquid. No, it's a, it's a liquid that turns into an even better melted liquid. I mean, Miyoko's, Miyoko's, what did you do? And number four, you know, yes, I might have a crush on Miyoko's. Miyoko's oat milk butter. I mean, what? It's the best plant-based butter I've ever tasted. And, and it's made with oat milk. I mean, it's, it's reimagined butter. It's, it's the butter of the future. Clean, non-dairy heaven. It's perfect on toast. You can bake with it, you can saute in it. I mean, anywhere you're using butter, check this butter out. Number three, GoMacro bars. Just straight up. You can find them at all the stores. All the stores got 'em. GoMacro. They hold me down and they don't have like processed ingredients. They're, it's beautiful. And you know, if I'm recording, I'm on the go, I got errands to run. So I keep emergency bar in the car, emergency bar in the bag. Got some bars at the house 'cause you never know when, when you're gonna need 'em. Oh, my favorite flavor currently is the salted caramel and chocolate chip. I mean, it's so delicious. Okay, number two. For the summer though, but for the summer, think about Gelato Boy. Gelato Boy. Okay, you gotta check them out. Gelato Boy dairy-free strawberry gelato. I am obsessed. It is creamy, dreamy, tastes like strawberry fields of heaven. Like, I mean, it tastes like every strawberry dessert you ever wanted is melting on your tongue at the same time, okay? I'm just gonna stop it there because this is not an explicit show, but Gelato Boy, Gelato Boy, gotta check them out. And number one, Schmidt's Rose and Vanilla Natural Deodorant Spray. Why is it my number one? Why? I mean, it feels like you just like sprayed a spa experience in your underarms. As someone who has tried, I think every natural deodorant that has ever been on the market while I've been of age. Yeah, you know, drumming, running around. This natural deodorant game, I'm serious, it's serious business. You gotta see what actually works. And so in my natural life, never did I ever have this type of spray. It's delightful, it really works, it lasts for a long time. I use it every day, I have several of them, I've been giving them out as gifts. I'm just like, hallelujah, they did it. They finally, they made the natural deodorant that works, ladies and gentlemen. So Schmidt's gets my number one place. And what are your favorites? What are your green treats you can't live without? Hit me up, I want to hear about it. Send me a message, tag me in your posts, I want to hear about it. Eco King TV, we keep it green. I'll see you on the socials. So that's it, that's my ultimate summer 2025 green guide, aka top ten. Dream, dream green. Dream green. All right, Earth mother lovers, take a deep breath with me. Inhale and exhale. Let your shoulders drop, unclench your jaw, and soften your heart. This is your dream green moment. Your space to tune into the life you're calling in. Now imagine this. You've just won the ultimate green life sweepstakes. That's right, you. You've got an unlimited eco budget, a personal team of green lifestyle experts, and every door is opening. You're about to upgrade everything. First stop, your shopping spree. You are walking through the world's best green store. The aisles are glowing with the best of the best. Local produce, artisanal delights, plant-based magic, flexitarian fabulousness, adaptogenic elixirs, handmade beauty bars. You're sipping green juice in one hand and tossing organic dark chocolate into the cart with the other. You hit the bath and body ritual section. Coconut milk baths, rose oil body scrubs, a fresh new box of Dr. Hauschka everything. Just beaming with radiance. Over in the beauty aisle, your skincare consultant is selecting the perfect non-toxic self-love lineup. You're walking out of there blessed and bagged up. But we're not done. Your new eco-luxury hybrid vehicle is waiting for you outside. Choose your new green dream ride. Is it a solar-powered luxury SUV with bamboo interior? Is it a sleek emerald green electric coupe with a moon roof? Or is it a custom van converted for road trips, complete with an herbal tea bar, sound system, and solar power? You drive home to your newly remodeled green sanctuary. You pull into the driveway. Your home exterior is solar-powered, reclaimed wood meets natural stone with drought-resistant native plants thriving all around. You step into your kitchen and it's giving bamboo cabinets, a countertop compost system, smart hydration taps, a pantry stocked with everything from sprouted magic to your favorite snacks. Every drawer slides open to reveal color-coded, non-toxic, beautiful bounty. In your bathroom. Moroccan clay masks, divinely scented body wash, eco towels, organic cotton robes, bamboo floors. You are living your green dream. And guess what? You didn't just win the sweepstakes. You are the prize. You open your kitchen cabinets and see it, your dream pantry. Glass jars labeled herbs, every flexitarian delight. Your fridge is stocked with fun, fresh rainbow produce. Your bathroom is a spa temple. You're living your greenest truth. And best of all, you chose this. You claimed this. You deserve this. This week, what's one thing, just one, that you can do to say yes to the version of you who lives this dream? That might mean swapping one product, saying one no, taking one breath. You don't have to do it all. Just do one thing and keep it greened. Yeah. Mmm, I love to dream green. Oh, feels so good. But you know, I have one question. What the f*** is non-GMO? Like, what is it? Mmm, that's a great question. Well, let's be real. The green world is full of buzzwords, and today we're breaking down one you've seen everywhere: non-GMO. First off, like, what the f*** does it even mean? GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. Basically, it means a plant or animal that's been scientifically altered at the DNA level, usually to make it grow faster, resist bugs, or survive chemical sprays, like weed killers. So when you see non-GMO, it means the product was made without those genetically engineered ingredients. It's closer to how nature intended and way less sketchy, in my humble opinion. Why does it matter? Because we don't really know the long-term effects of GMOs on our bodies or the planet. And most GMO crops are designed to survive toxic chemical sprays, meaning those chemicals might end up in your food, your water, and your bloodstream. Also, GMOs are mostly used in mass-market industrial food systems. So buying non-GMO is one way to say, "Nah, I'm good on that Frankenstein corn." And does non-GMO mean organic? Nope. No, no, no. But many organic products are also non-GMO because organic standards don't allow genetic modification. Still, some non-GMO foods aren't organic. So read those labels. Read those labels. Oh yeah. Look for the Non-GMO Project Verified butterfly logo if you want to be sure. It's cute. It flaps in truth. And at the end of the day, I choose non-GMO because I like my food real, my energy clean, and my snacks free of chemical conspiracy theories. Uh, you know, main GMO crops: soy, corn, cotton, canola. Those are the ones you gotta look out for. So now you know. That's what the f*** non-GMO is. I mean, it might be all those GMOs that's wiping out the bees and causing all kinds of things to be imbalanced all over the whole planet. I don't know. It's just kind of something that some people think, so just gotta be careful. Get those GMO molecules off the planet. Get 'em off the planet. Non-GMO, non-GMO. Non-GMO, non-GMO. I don't mess with that Frankenseed, messing with the roots, trying to make a breed. Sliced up corn with a lab-made gene, while I'm over here eating food that's clean. Ayy, reading my labels like scripture, looking for the blue butterfly in the picture. Non-GMO, yeah, that's the fixture. Keep my food real, not science fiction. They modify wheat, they modify soy, spraying it all with that Monsanto toy. I'm trying to raise my kid on joy, not glyphosate snacks and corporate ploys. Nah, I shop with soul in my basket, farmer's market flow, no plastic. Truth in my pantry, rhythm in my meal. If it's got fake genes, then it's not my deal. Non-GMO, non-GMO. Non-GMO, gotta let 'em go. Non-GMO, non-GMO. Non-GMO, non-GMO. Non-GMO. Non-GMO. Non-GMO. Non-GMO. All right, all right. It's time for another round of Superfood Superstar, where we shout out the ingredients that keep us vibing high from the inside out. Today's superfood superstar is coconut water. Not to be confused with coconut milk, this is the clear, naturally sweet liquid found inside young coconuts, and it's pure hydration magic. Coconut water is packed with electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and sodium, making it the perfect post-workout sipper, summer heat wave quencher, or hangover healer if you dabble in that realm. It's the one, the one that helps restore hydration faster than regular water. And because it's so rich in potassium, like more than a banana, it can support heart health, blood pressure, and fluid balance. Plus, it's delicious. Lightly sweet, a little nutty, naturally refreshing, no added sugar needed. I love it straight from the fridge, in smoothies, even frozen into little cubes to drop into my tea. And if you're breastfeeding like me, coconut water can be a game changer for keeping your supply flowing and your energy up. Now, not all coconut waters are created equal though. Look for brands with no added sugar, no preservatives, and that fresh, clean taste like Harmless Harvest, C2O, or Trader Joe's organic coconut water in that pink bottle. You know, it's pink, it's pretty, delicious. So whether you're hitting the pool, the studio, or just the sofa, let coconut water be your go-to sip for that hydrated, high-frequency life. That's your superfood superstar for today. Stay juicy, stay blessed, and keep it green. Ayy. Coconut water. Coconut water in the building. Yeah. We love her. Coconut water. Delicious. Is it time for shoutouts? Shoutouts. All right, divine ones. It's time for my favorite part of the show. First up, I want to shout out to you. Yes, you, listening right now, doing your best to live greener, love deeper, snack smarter, and stay hydrated in this wild world. I see you. I see you. I celebrate you. Big love to my secret snack testers, my green glow tribe, and all the earth mother lovers sending me messages and sharing your own green journeys. I feel your vibes, and I'm grateful for every single one. Shout out to Schmidt, my number one, um, aka green guy to summer. Shout outs to Go Macro, Miyoko's, and every plant-powered brand on today's top ten list. All the flexitarian brands. You make being a green diva delicious. And to my sweet boy Zay, you are the ultimate reason I keep it clean, keep it conscious, keep it loving, keep it green. Mama's got you. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, share it with your people, tag me at AprilKingTV, tag me at WeKeepItGreen when you're trying any of the products or rituals I mentioned today. I love hearing your saves and your wins. And don't forget to join me next week for a more sacred, silly, and sustainable show. We're gonna keep dreaming green and dreaming big. And soon we're gonna have some special guests. We're about to finish our first season. We're seasonal with the season, so this has been the spring season of keeping it. April came, we getting ready for summer. Ooh, I can't wait for, I just can't wait. I got so much really good news to share with you. But until next time, keep it green, Earth Mother lovers. See you soon. This episode has been brought to you by The Sacred Arts Institute. If you're about that 5D life, link up with us at thesacredartsinstitute.com. That's thesacredartsinstitute.com.