Articles Written by Julie Hancher

You're enjoying your fresh produce & CSA veggies now, but what are you going to do once the temps drop and fresh, local veggies aren't available? Hint: Preserve them! You can (Find out more, after the jump!)

  Do you have plans for September 9th, friends? Save the spot on your calendar and come by to say to us too, at 7th Annual Greenfest Philly! And best of all, it's F-R-E-E! The Clean Air Council's Greenfest Philly will have fun for greenies (new & seasoned) of all ages! Live music, organic food vendors, family-friendly arts & crafts, and recycling only begin to describe it! Here are some of the things about Greenfest '12 we're excited about:

Last week I was on my way into the Phillies game... and RIGHT before they searched my bag, I blew out my flip flop... just like Jimmy Buffet once did. After mourning my beloved Havvies (and darting to the Clubhouse store to purchase a pair of Phillies Flippy Floppies), my next dilemma was where to recycle my flip flops. (Find out where you can recycle your old flip flops, after the jump!)

After learning more about plastics (and especially how heating plastics can lead to nasty chemicals leaking), I've made a pledge to replace plastics with alternatives wherever I can... starting with my kitchen. Wean Green is a Canadian company "dedicated to providing parents with safe and environmental baby products that (find out more about Wean Green & kicking plastic from your kitchen, after the jump!)

It's been a month since our "Ban the Philly Bag" - Plastic Bag Ban Awareness campaign on July 26th. Our petition has remained open and we're still gathering signatures. Bringing attention to the plastic bag issue was step one of this campaign. We've been doing a lot behind the scenes over the past month. But after discussing the previous plastic ban vote's failure with those who were campaigning in 2009, we need your support - first and foremost. Mark your calendars: We're happy to announce we'll be at the Clean Air Council's Greenfest Philly on Sunday, September 9th to say hi to you all, and discuss why this ban is crucial for Philadelphia. BONUS: We'll even have a sweet raffle prize for those who sign the petition. How can you help? (Check out how AND the sweet “Empire State of Mind” parody, after the jump!)

Happy Friday! Hope you'll been outside soaking up some of the last rays of August this weekend (or last night, a la Diner En Blanc). Here's a few green links & news you may have missed:

40% of the food in the US is never eaten and thrown away, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council in a report released this week. This breaks down to 20+ lbs per person per month, 25% of the groceries purchased & wasting an estimated $1300-$2300 for a family of 4 annually. How can you waste less food?

Just like Marc Vetri, we're frustrated by the Phone Books that end up on our Philadelphia stoops. The good news is that (most) phone books are (find out about recycling phone books & how to opt out, after the jump!)

When I first read a pitch for a feminine, 'natural' cleaner, I was slightly apprehensive about greenwashing. However, talking with healthy hoohoo founder Stacy Lyon was informative, enlightening and straight-up fun. And I totally understand why her products are essential in the market. A self described "outdoor, wildlife & mountain woman", Stacy Lyon grew up a simple lady and was living with the closest grocery store 21 miles away. Then, one of her friends was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and she heard the word "paraben' for the first time.  Compiled with 2 other convos in 1 week with her OBGYN and another friend, she realized that women are in the perfect storm for their lady parts with popular products: polyester thongs, processed food & cheap toiletries. And then there was this statistic, which shocked me: (Find out the shocking statistic AND essential tips to keep your VJ healthy, after the jump:)