Written by Inspirational Souls on Medium
Tiffany Paige of Green With Tiffany is a Sustainable Lifestyle Advocate/Influencer. “You can make a difference if you #ChooseToCare.”
Raising awareness to live more sustainably when it comes to the health and wellness of people and planet. This means food, water, clothing, beauty, home, energy, environment and more. There are choices that we can make that are better for us and our home, the one we live in and the one we live on, Planet Earth! Green With Tiffany is a smorgasbord of different topics, tips, food, products, people and celebrities I talk to involved in the “green” movement for a more a sustainable world.
Green With Tiffany is a smorgasbord of different topics, tips, food, products, people and celebrities I talk to involved in the “green” movement for a more a sustainable world.
Website: https://www.greenwithtiffany.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenwithtiffany/
Instagram: @greenwithtiffany
Twitter: @greenwtiffany
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/greenwithtiffany
I’ll be launching a store on my website soon. It will be some of my favorite “green” go-to items that I can’t live without.
I’m also a new board member to a non-profit called the Community Healing Gardens. They are doing incredible work educating communities and growing community food gardens. Both in Venice, California and Watts, California. There are many people that don’t have easy access to fresh produce. They are currently building an urban farm in Watts with the Markham Middle School and students are learning how to grow their own food.
I recently became a Climate Reality Leader. Former US Vice President Al Gore has the Climate Reality Leadership Program. A training that creates climate change ambassadors by personally teaching them alongside his team, climate scientists, and other panelists for 3 days of tools to help change the world. It was an incredible experience. I’ll be showing his latest documentary An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power and having a panel afterward. Stay tuned for dates. These trainings are part of an application process and are held all over the world.
I am passionate about plastic pollution. From straws to water bottles, to plastic bags, etc. These “single use” plastics are used for a very short time, sometimes minutes, and last a lifetime, choking our landfills and polluting our waters. Nearly every piece of plastic ever made still exists today. More than five trillion pieces of plastic are already in the oceans, and by 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish, by weight,
I was born in NYC. When my mom and dad divorced I was 4. We moved to Las Vegas where my grandfather lived. We were there for 2 years and then moved to Los Angeles, where I reside now.
I grew up very fast in the heart of Los Angeles. I was very rebellious and experienced a lot at a young age. I hung out with the wrong crowd, including gang members. I was able to move away from that scene. I experienced what I was supposed to. I went places and did things I had no business doing. I took a lot of chances with my life without thinking. When I look back I am grateful I made it through and I feel it gave me a unique voice. To see both sides of everything and how you can be lead down the wrong path.
Enjoy ALL of the wonderful answers Tiffany gave to our Bonus questions.
Have you ever been told you look like a celebrity and did you ever use that to your advantage?
Audrey Hepburn. I was named after the movie Breakfast At Tiffany’s and the jewelry store. Who knew I would also resemble her and share a May birthday. I did take photos to look like her and when I was a model did a few ads and commercials where they wanted her look or resemblance.
What is your favorite physical feature on your own body?
Eyes. They are sort of hazel and can change colors.
What do you think is the most important invention ever?
When the iPhone came out I was so in awe. I think now we have forgotten just how amazing this invention is to our way of life now. We have access to the entire world in the palm of our hand. I remember asking strangers to see theirs before I bought one and would end up looking through their photos, I was so amazed by it and what it could do.
Have you ever thought of killing yourself?
When I was a teenager and always grounded, I felt very alone and that no one understood me. I felt like I had a touch of depression as well. Luckily I didn’t act on it. I don’t know how serious I was about it, but I remember listening to Lovelines on KROQ. They talked about it being a temporary feeling. That whatever is troubling you passes. That it does get better. Sadly not every young person rides it through.
Do you think slaughterhouse animals feel pain? What do you think they are thinking when they are being slaughtered?
I can’t imagine. They, of course, feel pain. I don’t know who could think they don’t unless that makes people feel better about eating them. The fear in their eyes. The torture they go through. Who would even want to eat the meat of a tortured soul? The flesh of pure pain. If you ever saw the movie “Like Water For Chocolate” and how cooking with love has an impact in a positive way, think of the opposite. No thank you. It did take me until my adult life to wake up to that.
If you could cure one disease in the world what it be? Why?
Alzheimer’s. At the end of the day, all you have are your memories. Your life is a series of what you’ve experienced, if you can’t remember them, it is all for nothing, other than the lives you touched.
What advice would you give the teenage you?
Ask a lot of questions and know there is more out there than what you know at the time and you won’t know until you know
If you were president and could enact any law out right, what would it be?
The ban of all single use disposables of plastic and polystyrene/Styrofoam. Businesses need to be responsible for the recovery of the waste they create, also subsidies for “green jobs”,
Do you think World Peace is possible?
Not at this time. What one thing do you think might be the first step in the direction of it? For people to understand that we are all one people and one planet. No one is above or beneath another. No nationality, culture or religion is superior to another. All One!
What is your favorite City?
While I do love Los Angeles for many reasons, NYC brings me great joy. I also really love Carmel, Big Sur, and Pebble Beach
Name a place you would like to visit?
Denmark. I’ve wanted to go there since I was in 6th grade. Don’t know how I knew as a kid that they would be the most sustainable city. We did a semester long school project where we pick a city, make a travel itinerary, and create a piece of art that it represents. I made their coat of arms out of clay. I still have it to this day.
If you could be any profession at all, what would it be?
Besides what I’m doing now, which I am so passionate about, I would have loved to be “the triple threat.” Acting (which I do), Dancing (which I kinda do) and singing, (which no one wants to hear me do). I have always loved singing and rapping. I hoped I could be a rapper when I was a teenager. Old school rap is my fave!
How important is music in your life?
Very! I have a vast love of many genres of music, with classic rap being some of my favorite. I love singing, but I’m not a singer. It’s a request for my next life My first concert was Tom Petty and my last was Sting.
Is there a non-profit you would like everyone to know about?
Green America is an organization that put me on the path of sustainable living. They are based in Washington and cover as many topics in the green world as I do.
The 5 Gyres Institute is the non-profit I sailed from Bermuda to Iceland with as a citizen scientist. Climate Reality is dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to solve our climate change challenges. And the Community Healing Gardens I mentioned above.
What is your favorite Inspirational quote
Mahatma Gandhi — “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Do you have a favorite animal?
I am mad about Chihuahua’s and have been since I was a little girl. My fuzzy baby Lilliput is my dream come true.
Do you have a pet? What’s its name? How’d it get that name? Supply a picture.
Lilliput is my Chihuahua. My Mom named her as she has always named our pets. She does come up with great names. Named after the book “Gulliver’s Travels”. The Lilliputians lived in the land of Lilliput.
Do you think humans should be concerned about the planet?
They should be and more are now, but I can’t help but feel that sometimes people are happy that others are fighting the causes for them. An example would be as I walk down the beach doing a beach clean-up, people thank me. It’s as if I own the planet or I’m the only one who has stock in the planet. We should all treat it as we would if we were a new homeowner.
Give money to the beggar on the street or tell them to “Get a job!” Which one are you?
I give money, always. You might see an able person that should have a job, but you don’t know that person’s story. Even if a few are taking advantage, the majority are not. Standing outside begging is not fun and I’m sure not preferred. Humans are very challenged with mental issues, self-worth, and extremely dysfunctional upbringings. Much more than we might know comes along with that person asking for change.
What is one attribute you got from your Mom? How has it been a benefit to your life?
Perseverance, resilience, and tenacity, along with being a little fanciful. No matter what, you just keep going and you do it with a positive attitude. It’s how I live my life.
What is one attribute you got from your Dad? How has it been a benefit to your life?
Coincidentally my dad was the same. He always made the best out of any situation.
What is one law you would do away with?
I would do away with the law that pharmaceutical companies being untouchable in regards to vaccine injuries. In 1986 the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act became law. This created the first no-fault federal vaccine injury compensation program alternative to a lawsuit against vaccine manufacturers and pediatricians, therefore being shielded with no accountability. It is beyond dangerous to the safety of our health.
What is the most adventurous thing you ever did?
I spent 21 days at sea with 13 strangers on a 72-foot sailboat called the “Sea Dragon”. It was with a non-profit called the 5 Gyres Institute. We sailed from Bermuda to Iceland on a plastic pollution research expedition. We took 32 samples, all of which had micro-plastics in them, even in the most remote areas.
Do you believe in God?
I believe in a God different than what others might think. I believe in a God energy. I do think that people who pray to God are actually praying to their higher self and asking the Universe or a God spirit for what they want. We are not alone, but again, we are all one. I don’t believe that we have different Gods. We are above no one and beneath no one. We are the love, light, and beauty of the God we are. We are all connected.
Do you believe in Aliens?
Most definitely. To think we are the only life form doesn’t seem realistic, yet also a little sad that we can’t get certain things right. Sometimes when I see or hear something so absurd I think wow the aliens are looking down on us and we should be so embarrassed by our human race right now.
What has the greatest loss in your life been?
My grandmother when I was 12 years old. She lived with us and we were very close. She used to tell me she loved me to infinity.
What makes you cry?
Almost everything. Animals being mistreated is a big one, movies, even some commercials.
What is the most curious thing about the President’s job?
All the intelligence info that they are privy to. Is it just one big download and you’re like “WTF” or does it come in increments? Do you need to see a therapist after, lol?
Three songs on your funeral playlist?
“Celebration” by Kool & The Gang, “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, and a toss up between Linkin Park “Sun Will Set For You” or Brady Bunch” Sunshine Day”. I would really want people to celebrate my life and not mourn my death.
What is your favorite accent?
English. I used to pretend I had an English accent when I was young. When I was acting full time I thought I would go the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts School in London and nail an English accent. When I came back to the states I would pretend I was English and then do a flawless American accent.
What would be your secret power or super talent?
To be able to speak and understand any language or to be able to make me invisible. How about both
What is one thing you would like to learn before you die?
To learn a foreign language fluently, Spanish.
What is your horoscope sign? Do you feel it fits you?
Taurus. Pretty much on point. Determined, loyal, dependable, artistic, generous, patient, creative, and affectionate are some of the positives. Some negatives I would say are jealous, I’m not the super jealous type, but I have been., argumentative, opinionated, bullheaded and self-indulgent. I try not to be, but sure it can come out. I really work at being the best I can be.
Do you think there is life after death?
I believe in reincarnation. This life is too short to be the only one. The soul is on a journey to live many lives and become all knowing. It makes sense especially when you feel like you’ve known someone who comes into your life. A connection, a sense of familiarity. Also, when you have an inherent knowledge of things. I know old souls vs young souls when I meet them.
What is one thing that you don’t know how to do, that you wish you did?
How to be a whiz on the computer. I’d like to be able to edit my own videos. I’d like to be an Apple geek.
Are you afraid of the dark? Why or why not?
Yes. It’s funny because I’m not afraid of an intruder of the human sense, but more of a ghost or alien showing up. While I do believe in them I don’t want to see them.
Do you ever talk to inanimate objects?
I do sometimes. I have always felt since I was a little girl that everything has feelings, so I would talk to them and protect them.
Do you kill all bugs?
Nope. I either catch them (in my special bug catching cup) and put them outside or I just turn the other cheek. I have caught spiders, bees, mosquitoes, and termites. I live with crickets. I have a black widow on my walkway and a beehive at the base of my stairs. They have just as much right to be there and they don’t bother me. I think of them as luck and protection.
Do you think cancer will be cured in your lifetime?
I’d like to hope so. I think it can be and many people are healing themselves, but not with western medicine alone. It’s a big business and there is a lot at stake for revenue. Doctors, hospitals, insurance companies all profit from sickness and the growing number of cancer patients. They are in the business of treating, not preventing or curing. There is also a lot of “unlearning” to do to relearn what is really needed.
Do you enjoy hugs?
Love them. I learned fairly recently that a hug is supposed to be your heart against another’s heart. A good hug makes everything bad go away.
Are you curious about what goes on behind closed doors in other people’s houses?
So curious. My mom has always said that I have been a “busy body” since I was 2. I would love to be a fly on the wall.
What is one thing you tell people right now to change the world for the better?
#ChooseToCare. If every decision is made with care, with consciousness, care of others, of the environment, along with care of yourself, the world would be a different place.
What one personality trait do you think you could work on to make it more positive?
Not giving up so easily. When I can’t make something work or figure something out I say forget it or I’ll do it later. I get frustrated.
What is something really cool about your parents past?
My mom used to be a manager for celebrity look-a-likes. She would have these parties at our house and all these people would show up from Wonder Woman to Tom Selleck to James Dean. Even though some of the characters were no longer alive or in costume, seeing all these people at once was quite the spectacle.
Have you ever had a near death experience?
I was pushed into a pool on the deep end when I was 5 and almost drowned. I definitely remember floating under water.
If you won the lottery what 3 things would you do first?.
Pay off any debt, buy my mom a property to live in, and rescue Chihuahua’s. I would also spend my life as an activist for the environment and all that entails.
What is your most prized material possession?
My photo albums.
What is your favorite tree? Why?
I love all trees. My logo is a tree, but I absolutely adore the 140-year-old fig tree outside of the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica, The Banyan Trees in Hawaii, The Lone Cypress in Pebble Beach, and the Pine tree I planted with my mom in our backyard when I was in girl scouts.
What is a word that always makes you laugh?
Fart. I love farts. The word and the action make me laugh. iFart was the first app I bought on my iPhone.
If you could be a spokesperson for any brand or company what would it be?
One that I use and believe in like Ecos. A family owned, woman owned company of non- toxic cleaning products that really walks the walk. I’d also love to work with Formula E (the Formula One of electric cars) and travel the world. It would help get a pulse on sustainability all over the world. Electric cars are obviously the future and technology in racing definitely makes its way into the cars that we drive in our daily life.
If you could pick any name you want, doesn’t have to exist, what would it be?
Ocean. I have always loved that as a name for a girl or boy and yes, I happen to love the ocean.
Is there something that you wear every day? What is it?
My electromagnetic radiation pendant. It doesn’t block the energy but changes the energy.
What one subject would you add to high school curriculums?
A sustainable living curriculum. Waste, Water, Food, Energy, Shopping
What sense would you give up first, smell, sight, hearing, touch or taste?
I know technically they are connected, but I would say smell. Although it is the strongest sense, especially with sense memory, there are plenty of bad smells.
What’s the fastest you’ve ever gone in a car?
177mph in the Lexus LFA supercar on the Las Vegas speedway with Scott Pruitt driving.
What is something you enjoy doing that some people might think is weird?
I sing and dance in the shower every day.
What one word would people use to describe you?
Thoughtful
