Ah, chocolate. While those decadent brown rectangles enjoy near-universal consumer love, the reality is far less sweet: Chocolate is one of the most unethical and unsustainable foods we eat. We can continue to enjoy chocolate by purchasing smarter. Today's show is Part 1 in a 2-part series about chocolate, and today - just in time for Valentine's Day! - we unearth the ethical and environmental implications associated with harvesting cacao on the global scale (I've also included 7 tips for being a conscious chocolate consumer, too). Here's a preview:[4:00] Machetes, pesticides, and kids: Child labor and slavery in the cacao industry[11:00] The environmental problems associated with monocultures [16:00] Some good news: 5 promising updates from the cacao industry[17:30] How to enjoy chocolate by purchasing with intention: 7 ideas Resources mentioned:Episode #187: Palm Oil 101Well + Good's list of sustainable and ethical chocolate companiesSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy