Lifestyle

GPB reader, Jack asks... Q: I see the term “fair trade” on products. I know this is a good thing but what does fair trade really mean? A: The term fair trade refers to the movement that helps farmers or producers experience better trading conditions. Essentially, the approach focuses on exports coming from developing countries to developed countries and emphasizes paying the producers more (and more fairly.) Read on!

Shark enthusiasts are rejoicing this week as Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" returns to the small screen. Personally, I started off watching the highly-anticipated predatory series Sunday evening with some fine (organic boxed) wine, delicious cheese and a good friend. Although the media portrays sharks as a threat, there's only an average of 5-10 human fatalities per year due to shark attacks... You're more likely to be killed hornets, wasps, bees or dogs. Yet an estimated 73 million sharks are killed yearly - from habitat loss, pollution, overfishing, and most of all, shark finning. (For more on shark conservation and what YOU can do, click through!)

When it comes to saving paper … here’s an oldie but a goodie . Say ‘no thanks’ to receipts from the ATM,  the coffee shop, cabs, drug stores – anywhere you can! I try to let the salesperson know I...

I was scrolling my fav site, Etsy, for gifts (for myself... err others) and found this necklace.. a Wearable Planter Necklace! This jewelry from Holland is totally sweet, and I love plants... but I must ask... how can you keep a plant alive in a small little necklace? Do you have to hang your necklace outside, making sure to 'water your jewelry' after watering your garden? At least you're adding some more plants to wherever you travel. Anyway, this is too awesome not to share. Posted by Julie

Call me a terrarium expert in training. OK, maybe expert is pushing it. But in addition to planting my own backyard garden, I recently attended a Terrarium workshop with the folks at Arts in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction in Olde City. I had no idea how to create a terrarium, or the skill it requires. But Dave and the other guides successfully have been planting terrariums and gave me (and 40 of my new friends during the 2 hour workshop) tricks of the trade as we enjoyed Root mixed drinks to wish my terrarium the best of luck in its new growth. Things you’ll need: an empty Root (or any) bottle, small stones, Spanish moss, charcoal pellets, soil, moss, paper (for a funnel), chopstick, towel (paper or cloth) Here’s how I (and you!) can make a Root terrarium (courtesy of Art in the Age):

With my pending nuptials less than two months away (how did that happen?!) I've been thinking a lot about how to decrease waste at our wedding. Between the save-the-dates, invitations, programs, place cards etc. there's a lot of paper involved for just one day! Some in the green community suggest going completely electronic and sending e-vites in leui of wedding invitations. Why didn't I go this route?

Always a bridesmaid...never a bride. (sidenote: no idea what that saying actually means... or where it's from, actually but it's funny...) I always have a blast at my friends' & family's weddings. (In fact, I currently have a residence in weddingville.) Yet, I've been accumulating bridesmaid dresses that may not always fit me all that well. Recently I was contemplating what to do with some a few of the non-reusable dresses... to avoid Katherine Heigl's fate a la 27 Dresses. Thank goodness Newlymaid landed in my in-box. Find out what I found out after the jump!

I can be a procrastinator... and due to the weather/vacations/etc, I've delayed on planting my back porch city garden. Starting a garden isn't an easy task - some plants can be easier to grow and benefit from than others. Luckily, I got some advice from MNN's Mother Nature Network to help my planting:

(nope, i'm not referring to the rapture tomorrow, either...) Driving to Work.. Working to Drive... Driving to Work... Working to Drive... Which is it?