Articles Written by Beth Funari

These days it seems everyone from Gwyneth to your Dad is pushing the benefits of fresh juice. Perhaps you've tried a juice cleanse yourself or maybe you are on the other end of the spectrum and the sight of the "green stuff" makes you ill. I'm certainly not a health care professional nor a dietitian but what I've found when it comes to juicing is... moderation is key. (Duh?!) Here are 5 reasons to get your juice on, plus why too much of a good thing ain't always a good thang.

Over the past few weeks I was very fortunate to enjoy a blissful vacation in Hawaii. I fell in love with surfing, the unbelievably fresh local food and the incredible landscape. The combination of the crystal aquamarine ocean and the huge, expansive mountains was in a word, gorgeous. We visited Maui, Kauai, and Waikiki - and enjoyed a bit of a different experience on each island. I was so excited to take advantage of the terrain in our first stop, Maui, I immediately booked a hike through the rain forest. Equipped with backpacks filled with water, lunch and bug spray our friendly tour guide led us to wilderness. I anticipated it would be interesting but I had no idea that we'd learn so much. Here's some of the learning and findings from our Hawaiian rain forest experience...

Save the date! The Hemp Heals Music Festival takes place in Philly at Penn's Landing Festival Pier on August 25th from 4pm-11pm. As the name suggests this music event is unique in that it's founded with a specific mission in mind. Former Philadelphia Flyers player Riley Cote is hosting the event with Live Nation in an effort to educate the public on the powers of holistic healing. He founded the non-profit org, The Hemp Heals Foundation after his younger sister, Jaime was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and found a way to treat and alleviate her symptoms through her diet - specifically through the use of hemp. Click through for details!

Just in time for the 4th of July holiday I have some tasty cocktails in store. Who doesn't love a fresh summer cocktail while firing up the grill and watching the fireworks? I tested these babies out last weekend and trust me they were tasty! My mission was to keep the ingredients fresh and organic, and use local ingredients where possible. Click through for the recipes!

I'd be hardpressed to think of a time when grilling is more appropriate than the week surrounding the Fourth of July. Something about bbqing feels ultra American and festive. So, get your grill on but don't forget these eco-friendly tips. (Read on after the jump!)

Welcome to our new monthly series, City Spotlight, where we feature green goodness in cities across the nation and globe. Here you'll find ideas for great vegan and veg restaurants, cool eco-sites and shops, and other worthy attractions for when you venture beyond Philly - and the Jersey Shore ;) My recent and upcoming travels have prompted me to share some of my favorite haunts, and we hope you'll share yours as well whether in the comments or via email. Today let's talk about NYC - the city where you can get anything you want anytime of day. And, that includes off the charts vegan dining options. I enjoy a lot of vegan restaurants when I'm in Manhattan including Blossom, Peacefood Cafe, Pure Food & Wine (all raw!) and v-note. However, my first choice go-to picks are sister restaurants Candle 79 & Candle Cafe. They focus on local, seasonal vegan fare and use organic ingredients whenever possible. Click through to find out what makes these spots special!

Nope it's not a trendy new club or restaurant opening,  this is better friends... The Dirt Factory means good news for Philadelphia composting. The Dirt Factory is University City's new composting center. If you're new to the green game, (find out about the Dirt Factory & composting, after the jump!)

Moving to a new abode can be stressful (I'm currently in the process so I can vouch!) but it's also an opportunity to start fresh and reevaluate. Starting anew doesn't mean you have to abandon your eco-morals and discard haphazardly. Read on for tips to make your move a little more sustainable:

Have you ever thought about what your shower curtain is made of? Did you ever take a whiff of a new vinyl shower curtain? (I admittedly used to like that smell - odd I know.) Well, I now know that "new" fragrance is a result of the off-gassing from polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC.) PVC can contain toxic chemical additives like DEHP. Health experts report that exposure to these chemicals should be limited. This study found that high levels of DEHP are contained in shower curtains, and have been linked to asthma and brain development issues for children.