Articles Written by Julie Hancher

Although Americans are notoriously lazy, maintaining plants in the house can get difficult. That's why there's a kickstarter created by two UC San Diego Students that is BRILLIANT for those even with a black thumb. EcoQube Aquarium Self Cleaning System EcoQube is a desktop ecosystem that uses plants like Basil, mint and flowers to filter waters for fish. Find out about the EcoQube, after the jump!

Need a healthy appetizer or snack? This flatbread uses foods in season that you can find at the Farmers Market, through this cold season. I went to Headhouse Square and picked up Birchhill Farms Blue cheese, red onions and a Romanesco cauliflower due to the sheer size of that monster veggie. I brought this cauliflower flatbread to Thanksgiving dinner as an appetizer and can confirm that it was family approved. The best part? It didn't take me super-long to whip together, and was less time consuming than the butternut squash flatbread I made. Cauliflower, Onion & Blue Cheese Flatbread Recipe, after the jump!

Do you feel a shopping hangover between Black Friday and Small Business Saturday? Did you protest all the consumerism of the Holiday season, forfeiting Cyber Monday? There's another day on the horizon aimed to do better for the world. Giving Tuesday, or #GivingTuesday (in 2013 talk) is a day to "give" to nonprofits, designated as the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. According to the official website, it asks for partners to create and commit to a project on #GivingTuesday and spread the word. Here's 6 Ways to Give Back On Giving Tuesday:

Ah, vegetarians (or pescetarians, or flexitarians...) often have that awkward moment at Thanksgiving Dinner when we're passed the turkey and have to pass ON it. Although I previously spent $50 on a 'humane' turkey,  I'll likely go meat-free this Thursday. And the worst part? The comments from family around the table, about my seemingly-from-afar-prestigious decision. Don't fret, meatless readers. I brainstormed a few comebacks to avoid awkward silences around the table.

Greenworks Philadelphia. Tree planting. Farmers Markets. Energy Works. Bike shares. We're all so used to the awesome things that the Mayor's Office of Sustainability does that we don't realize it's a temporary office. With a mayor election on the horizon, we don't want anything to disappear on us. Lucky for us, City Council introduced Charter Change legislation, Resolution No. 130884, to make the Office of Sustainability permanent in the Philadelphia government. As Katherine Gajewski said in an email announcement,

Let's step back for a moment: There's 30,000 brilliant individuals who are creating green buildings, nontoxic classrooms and sustainable architecture. And they're in Philly this week, taking in our city skyline, Federal Donuts & local fare. The keynote by Hillary Clinton peaked the week at Greenbuild 2013 last evening at the Liacouras Center in Temple University. Find out about the highlights, after the jump!

We sure do love browsing Instagram for inspiration, cuteness and overall as the alternative to whiny Facebook feeds. And when we start to get a little gloomy about the shorter, colder days of fall - a picture can say 1000 words. Like "there's still hope outside!" Or "Look at the cool things people are doing in Philly." We searched the web to share our favorite Instagram accounts that capture the best of sustainable and healthy living in our city! (And make sure to follow us on Instagram while you're thinking about it.) Find out which are Philly's 10 Best Healthy Living Instagram Accounts, after the jump!

America Recycles Day is today. Woo, recycling. Recycling is something that was emphasized to me since I was a wee little lady. Let me state for the record: I recycle every product I can and keep waste out of the landfills. But is recognizing America Recycles Day really a celebration and motivator to Americans? Does it further the green 'exhaust' problem? Or is there a dark, greenwashing secret lurking behind that recycle symbol?

Greenbuild, the world's largest green building conference is coming to Philly next week! The Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVGBC) is hosting a few events that you can attend to celebrate green buildings in our city!