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The Philadelphia City Planning Commission presented The Future is Now: Philadelphia 2035 Update at the Center for Architecture (1218 Arch Street) last evening. A packed room (half-standing) for the "sold out" event, attendees from younger to well aged  made an appearance - including a surprise speech from Mayor Michael Nutter. Sustainability was a main focus of the city plan, both with current progress and future goals. The Citizens Planning Institute, a Philadelphia City Planning Commission project involving official education and outreach recognized its volunteer graduates during the program. Philadelphia 2035 is the two-phase plan for the physical development of our city for 25 years (2011-2035) using the "new" zoning code. Last night's discussion began with highlights of Philadelphia's progress in 2012, which was formulated into a 12 month "report" calendar for participants. Much of the progress was due to the Greenworks sustainability initiatives: (Find out about the Philadelphia 2035 recap AND what Mayor Nutter had to say about plastic bags to us, after the jump!)

I tend to geek out a bit over restaurants that specialize in local, organic, homemade and sustainable fare. Though I've learned over the past few years that some aren't so legit. For example, the menu is merely sprinkled with local lettuces and the fish is farm-raised and potentially genetically engineered. My experience at Farmhouse was the real deal.  They are truly a farm to table ( tavern in this case) establishment. Farmhouse makes a big effort to make much of their menu from scratch and source food locally. They change the menu often based on food seasonality but some of the current yummy fare i ncludes ...

Rebecca asks on our Facebook Wall: After collecting enough rubber bands to form a bouncy ball, what should you do. Here's a few ideas of where to recycle rubber bands:

Why environmentalists should shut up about "green" & make sustainability the status quo “You’ll be so mad at me,” my friend started our conversation. “I forgot my reusable bag in the car so had to take 3 plastic ones. Double bagged.” “Oh no!” I replied. Although I was slightly disappointed, I tried disguising my inner judgement. “I’m just not green like you.” By our conversation, you’d think I was born designated into this ‘eco-lover’ lifestyle. Just how I was born into a loud and Eastern-European-Irish mutt and whiskey-loving family. Was caring about the earth a genetic combination I was cursed into, just like my abnormally tiny eyes and obnoxiously loud laugh? (Find out more about why we should stop calling it 'green').

So we're in the second week of January and everywhere you turn - news stands, television, the office water-cooler... people are talking about their new year weight loss and health resolutions. I say hats off to the January joiners but I do want to provide them a word of caution - a lot of what you're hearing is good old-fashioned marketing. (How do I know? I'm a marketer and a certified athletic personal trainer and it's my job to pay attention to this stuff.) One thing you may have noticed in recent years is the hype around superfoods. They promise everything from a faster metabolism, hormonal balance, antioxidants, improved mood and even a longer life. In the wake of the new years diet blitz these foods are more popular than ever. Is the hefty price tag on these foods worth it? The short answer: sometimes. Read on for a breakdown of what you're really getting from some of the power foods out there.  And some advice on how to mix them into your diet should you decide these superfoods are for you.

Our guest post today is authored by Leslie Hudson. Leslie is an event planner by day, food writer by night, and nature-lover every minute between. My first and only experience at a big box wedding store did not go well. After the pushy sales associate tried to force me to buy a dress that could have fit two of me, I vowed to find an alternative. That’s why I was elated to discover the Breast Cancer Coalition of Delaware’s Bridal Sale last March. During this one weekend sale, (Find out more about Leslie's experience and how you can find the perfect (sustainable) dress too!)

Ah, the holidays of gift giving have come and gone. We drank champagne at Midnight with loved ones and perhaps watched questionable men in dresses dance and sing on New Years Day. Now what? (Find out more, after the jump.)

Happy New Year! As I stated on MNN, one of my new years resolution is to help pass Philadelphia reduce plastic bags. It's easy: we want common sense legislation to encourage reusable bags and discourage single bag use. How can you help and get involved to reduce plastic bags?

Our Twitter friends at The Hub asked: @greenphillyblog we've just navigated a move&have a lot of bubble wrap! Where can we recycle it? #Philly — The Hub(@thehubtalks) December 11, 2012 Whether you've just moved (as well) or received some gifts wrapped in bubble wrap over the holiday season, packaging may be unavoidable. What can you do with bubble wrap after you're finished with it? (Find out, after the jump!)