Lifestyle

Did you know that women make up 51% of America, but only 17% are serving in the House of Representatives as spokeswomen? Or that only 34 women have served as governors compared to 2319 men? America now ranks 98th in the world for percentage of women in its national legislature, behind Kenya and Indonesia and barely ahead of the United Arab Emirates. Find out what's wrong with these numbers and what you can do, after the jump.

It is awkward to be a vegetarian in the company of carnivores. I’m out to eat with my parents, in town visiting, and we’ve stopped for a bite to eat. And I am realizing for the first time since adopting my new diet what it means to be a man and a vegetarian in America. The waitress asks me if I’m a vegetarian after she takes my order. Although in the grand scheme this isn’t a big deal, I do notice that when my father orders meatloaf, she does not say, “Carnivore, huh?” In these questionable moments when I feel like I’ve committed a social taboo, I realize how important my meat-free decision is for my own personal growth. By giving up meat and seafood for the forty days of Lent, I can challenge my religious discipline AND my own preconceived notions about the dietary expectations of an American male. Read on as l examine my clumsy metamorphosis into a vegetarian, and find out more about my journey:

We recently hosted a bookclub with Nic Esposito to discuss his first book, Seeds of Discent. A beautiful evening last week, we appropriately gathered at Head & the Hand Press headquarters over wine, with friends in a conversation that covered sustainability, urban farming and how it all began. Head & the Hand Press Beginnings Nic Esposito had a passion and noticed a problem. Authors with book deals aren't always necessarily better than those who didn't have big publishing companies behind them. Some of the best writers in Philly didn't have published works to their names. Local writers simply didn't have the accessibility of New York to make those essential connections to get their books published.   Yet Philadelphia is a city of sharers, entrepreneurs and people who support their community. Find out more about Seeds of Discent, Head & the Hand and our discussion on urban sustainability, after the jump!

So you have heard some hype about oil pulling by now, the ancient practice is getting it's share of press lately. I'm not one to jump on every health fad, but I'm a bit of a hippie at heart and the au naturel aspect really intrigued me.  After hearing about oil pulling here and there for a few months I decided to give it a try. What is oil pulling exactly? Oil Pulling is an Ayurvedic technique which involves swishing oil around in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. The oil collects impurities brushing your teeth can't reach, and is then spit out. (But not into a sink because the oil could block a drain!) Afterwards, you can rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth. I've heard that some people choose not to brush their teeth post oil pulling, but I'm not one of them. What does it do? Oil pulling is said to pull out stuck bacteria, and detoxify your system by allowing the oil to pick up these toxins (hence why you need to spit the oil out - don't swallow!) Read on to learn about my oil pulling experience.

When you think about the city of Philadelphia, I doubt fresh produce, large gray chickens or a rotund pig named Milkshake rarely come to mind. If you haven’t been to Greensgrow Farms, you are missing out. Not only do they have Milkshake and chickens, Greensgrow Farms is a cool agricultural oasis that presents a verdant contrast against the gritty Philadelphia backdrop. Greensgrow Farms offers local fresh produce through farm stands and mobile markets, a much-desired alternative to the processed foods in our chain supermarkets.  Located at 2501 E. Cumberland Street,  Greensgrow Farms offers a variety of events, classes, and workshops about eating healthier and living a more sustainable lifestyle. Find out about my recent chicken workshop & 10 things YOU need to know to raise backyard chickens:

Public Service Message for the ladies: There's tons of chemicals in the products you use... down there. Some of the most absorptive and sensitive tissue on women's bodies exists is the loved v-j region, but many companies don't disclose what they're putting in products made for that area. A recent report even said that chemicals in feminine care products can increase the risk of breast cancer, reproductive problems, asthma and allergic reactions with cancer-causing chemicals and hormone disruptors. Scary, right? These risks are enough of a reason to make the switch to organic tampons & pads.

Want to find a way to glow from the inside out? Yoga is a great way to find inner peace and better yourself. Although it may feel like everyone else has gotten on the yoga bandwagon, it’s never too late to start. No, yoga is just not a girly excuse for exercise, either. Yoga has some serious health benefits for men and women of all ages. Here are 5 health benefits from practicing yoga:

As many active Philadelphians know, there’s less than 8 weeks until the Broad Street Run. On Sunday May 4th, runners will embark on the largest 10-mile road race, starting at the Central High School Athletic Field, passing the legendary City Hall and finally ending at the Navy Yard. While I've always been an avid runner, this will be my first time competing in a race (excluding my short lived cross country career in 7th grade). I’m scared, excited, nervous and electrified all bundled into one. Find out Philly's best running trails, tracks & running clubs after the jump!

It's tough to be a consumer these days. It all started with deodorant. After questionable links with aluminum DO & cancer, I switched to the aluminum-free Trader Joe's brand. I figured less hazardous chemicals in my beauty products are better for me overall, eh? I didn't make it over to Trader Joe's for a refill and instead bought Tom's of Maine Wild Lavender DO. Yet I noticed over the past week that I had a bad allergic reaction. Find out why I'm comparing Deodorant to Tinder, after the jump.