Articles Written by Julie Hancher

Ever wonder what you can recycle next? As we've mentioned before, "going green" is rarely an overnight process.  Feel stuck in your progress?  (Find out more, after the jump!)

Starting now, I decided to implement a new column on Green Philly Blog called "Where the Hell Do I Recycle That Wednesdays?!? (in Philly.)" (I considered How the F*@! but realized we should keep this somewhat family-friendly.) Lately, I've been going through a cleaning frenzy in my apartment trying to get rid of crap. But as I was going through my ultimate cleanse, I realized a lot of items aren't as easy to find a new home for - especially when avoiding the garbage. Avoid the landfill with our new column. Need to figure out how to recycle something? (Find out how our new column will work, where to submit your recycling questions AND where to recycle battery chargers after the jump!)

While we've previously given you advice to green your valentine's day, here's another tradition to consider: flowers. Our advice? Ditch the roses. Valentine's Day roses are not only pricey, but often come with hefty carbon footprints after being flown from far distances, having  been plucked from pesticide-filled fields.  There's nothing  that says "I love you"  more than chemicals filling one's nostrils on a romantic holiday, right? Instead, (find out more, after the jump!)

I was pretty psyched to see the Philadelphia Auto Show… not because I wanted to see the rich, expensive cars I could never dream of affording… but because I've received many updates from corporate car brands to test-drive the latest and greatest green models. So how did everything pan out?  With the Grammys on Sunday and Oscars fast approaching, I wanted to share my winners for green themes at the 2012 Philadelphia Auto Show: (What are you waiting for? Click here! I know you're dying to know...)

Happy Tu B'Shevat to our Jewish friends, friends who believe in the Jewish son of god (Jesus) or any religion! Luckily my good friend Steph enlightened me: Tu B'Shevat is the New Year for Trees to the Jewish faith, or the cut-off date to calculate the tree's bday. (Find out more and how you can celebrate, after the jump!)

Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative (LFFC) is looking for volunteers to host weekly Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) deliveries of fresh, organic produce to neighborhoods in the Philadelphia area. Members purchase a subscription to receive a box of fresh, high quality produce from a local farm on a weekly basis. Hosts can help support local, sustainable family farmers and widening access to local products directly to the Philadelphia community. (Find out more, after the jump!)

1.3 billion tons of food is wasted globally each year... Or more than 200 LBS per PERSON! (yes, you!). How many times do you overestimate how much food you can eat and end up throwing it in the compost (or jawdrop: trash!) Although it’s something we hear again and again, taking less portions is better for your waistline… AND less food for the landfill. Eating out? Split a meal with your dining partner or set aside half the meal to take home for later. Assessing your pantry & fridge inventory BEFORE a trip to the grocery store will also save you from buying too much food and help you stick to the bare minimums. Readers, any other tricks to eat & waste less?

To many readers excitement or dismay, my half-assed recipes are back. Though I have fake-a-tarian status, I was craving beef stroganoff for dinner. Luckily I had some of the leftover egg noodles and Boca beef crumbles (a prop for my Sh*t Green People Say satire) and took a trip to Whole Foods. I played off the Vegetarian Casserole Queen's recipe and made my own half-assed twist. Here's what I did:

Can Philly benefit from an urban farming movement? A screening and discussion of the documentary Urban Roots is being hosted by the Westphal College (Drexel University) to explore this possibility.  Urban Roots follows urban farming in Detroit, Michigan, where local farmers healed their communities by growing local food.  The film's discussion (including panelist and director Mark MacInnis - full panel list below), following the film will focus on how Philadelphia' urban farming can assist our local community - and how you can get involved. Find out when, where and how to get involved after the jump!