Articles Written by Julie Hancher

Farmers' Markets are the best part of spring and summer. Yet one of the most bountiful & popular in Center City is Rittenhouse Farmer's Market, which takes place year-round. As Rittenhouse Farmer's Market Manager Ben Bergman explained, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes of the Farmer's Market. After reading Omnivore's Dilemma changed his life, he wanted to get closer to the local food movement. He understands the importance of becoming a locavore tasting each season, explaining, "When you're buying local food, you're connecting yourself to where you live." What will you find at Rittenhouse Farmer's Market? Here's our beginner's guide:

As Alex mentioned about his green Bonnaroo experience, the ultimate camping & music festival mecca has it all figured out. As a contrast, I experienced Firefly Festival as a first time participant for both Dover Delaware and any camping festival. Although Firefly marketed itself as green, I was wary of their claims. Here’s how Firefly Festival can learn from Bonnaroo and (hopefully) improve for 2014:

This week marked a special landmark: 5 years of Green Philly Blog. We also realized that our 5 year anniversary is the SAME anniversary as Beth's wedding. True love, on both accounts. We want to celebrate our anniversary with you by taking a quick look back. In the past 5 years, we've:

The weather is warm and what a better time to meet up with green comrades? The Philadelphia Environmental Meetup is hosting the Philadelphia Navy Yard Summer Market and Follow-Up tour. As they say on the meetup website: (Find out more, after the jump!)

Sometimes you just want to get outside and try something new. L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools allow you to cool off in the hot, hot sun and find your new favorite water sport. I occasionally suffer from NLC Syndrome. Not Leaving City (NLC) Syndrome occurs when you get accustomed to all the awesome things that happen inside the city and decline activities outside the limits. On Sunday morning, (Find out more about our journey, after the jump!)

We've all made the purchase: whether it's shoes, purses or food. There are always those dreaded little silica packets that warn, Do Not Eat. Those silica packets aren't deadly, regardless of all those warnings. Instead, Silica gel is a desiccant, a substance that absorbs moisture that protects products through shipping and making it from the manufacturer to your home. Here's 10 ideas to reuse Silica Packets:

Are you a new parent still trying to sort through the cloth diapering dilemma? Are you a not-so-new parent but new to biking with your children? Are you simply bike-curious? The Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia is hosting a meetup for parents (new, long-time, or expecting) interested in bicycling with their kids. The workshop will address tips, equipment, helmet fitting, and other elements of biking with wee ones.   Find out more, after the jump!

Although I attended a "how to" terrarium workshop a few years ago, I needed a refresher course to create a succulent terrarium. I had collected a few plants from my trip to a local farm and wanted to display them in a beautiful setting instead of having the same ol’ plastic pots around my apartment. Here are the steps to make a succulent terrarium:

Looking to get outside this summer? Who doesn't love camping, hiking, beaching and water sports?! Outdoor Discovery Day is tomorrow,  Saturday, July 13 from 11 AM - 3 PM at Pleasant Hill Park. Plus, they have a ginormous "bootmobile" in tow, which is instagram-worthy alone. LL Bean is hosting the Outdoor Discovery Day as part of a summer-long effort to inspire families to spend more time outdoors and try a new outdoor activity. What does this day to L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Day include? Activities like: