Lifestyle

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 ...

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.

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.)

Well helloooo 2013! As a new year is upon us and we're bombarded with ideas on how to be our best, thinnest, richest, smartest self ever we have some ideas to throw in the mix. Of course these resolutions are good for the planet, but the bonus is there also good for your wallet (and don't involve a gym membership or chalky protein shakes.) After all, who isn't looking to save a few bucks as those holiday credit card bills roll in? Click through for green resolutions!

Ever see those commercials for 'microbeads', created to massage and exfoliate your body or face? They're typically purple or a color in a clear cosmetic gel and advertised to be AMAZING? (Find out more, after the jump!)

Avoiding more of those climate change movies because you already recycle and bring your own coffee cup to Wawa? Sick of those eco propaganda "art forms" guilting you for how much "we" Americans waste each year? Good news: Chasing Ice is a different type of Climate Change movie. It never talks about what you're doing wrong, what's really in your food or what you're not recycling. Instead, Chasing Ice shows you the result. Last week, (Find out more, after the jump!)

Stores and marketers want to sell you crap. I know, because I'm a marketer. Don't buy into the gimmicks of "iPhone holders", solar-powered waving queens and a banana whip maker. (Um, we gave you a Banana Whip recipe. Just use your existing food processor or blender.) Single-use (or single purpose) products often times end up (Find out more, after the jump!)

Ever get frustrated when you see a water bottle (the horror!) in your friends trash can? This is pretty much my nightmare. (Find out how to help your friends without preaching, after the jump.)