• Last updated 7/21/09 by JenniferChait

The “Dirty Dozen” is a list created by The Environmental Working Group meant to help consumers make smart and economically sound choices about their organic food purchases. The list tells consumers which fruits and veggies are the most important to buy organic. The dirty dozen themselves are the worst fruit and veggie offenders - i.e. the dozen fruits and veggies that contain the highest known amounts of pesticides. The group released their newest version of the list in 2009 and it’s available for download (handy for shopping trips). The current 2009 Dirty Dozen... read more

• Last updated 7/13/09 by green-bohemia

Nigiri. Maki. Sashimi. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who have jumped on the sushi bandwagon, then you know exactly what these Japanese delicacies are.   Sushi has quickly become one of the most convenient, hip and healthy ways to grab lunch or dinner, and everyone from college students to business professionals can’t get enough of it.   Even though it’s recommended that we eat fish at least twice a week because it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids (which helps blood circulate in our bodies and reduces blood pressure), there’s definitely a dark side to eating... read more

• Last updated 1/17/11 by teej

These days, there's tons of stuff to avoid...seafood with mercury...produce covered in pesticides...chemicals in cosmetics.  But how do you keep it all straight?  Have no fear.  Green pocket guides (or wallet guides or cell phone accessible guides) can be your back up when you forget what's good for you and what's not.   Here's a run down of some of your (free) options for seafood, plastic, restaurants, produce, and cosmetics.       Format Guide Name &... read more

• Last updated 7/8/11 by bambeco

this is my most recent list of green freebies, coupons and other budget friendly sources. feel free to add your own!   __________________________________________________________   Green Mama on a Budget A blog about being a financially responsible, crunchy, stay at home mom on a very tight budget (less than 25k a year) With a break down our budget and tips to save $$$. While we purchase and pay off our first house and live as green as possible!   This is not targeted just at moms, it's written so most anyone can benefit., it's just titled that was... read more

• Last updated 8/15/08 by jessg

  Today, our food is riddled with labels claiming this and that.  But what do all these terms mean?  Which labels are valid?  Which should you care about?  Well, here you go...food labels, demystified.  The Quick Guide Unfortunately, the U.S. government does not require third-party verification for any label except “organic.”  “Organic” means a lot of great things—but  unfortunately it doesn’t really tell us much about how the animals were treated.  If you care about humane animal treatment, your best bet is to go with “Certified Humane” or “Free Farmed”... read more

• Last updated 6/26/08 by nitedreamer

The Environmental Impact Of Eating Meat   One major impact of consuming meat is its contribution to global warming.  A 2006 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations found that when all factors are taken into account, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18% – than transport.  Not only do ruminant livestock (like cows and sheep) emit methane through burps and dung, but they also require large amounts of land for pasture.  Land use change is the largest single contributor to human... read more

• Last updated 5/13/08 by Lola

  For maximum nutrition and to eat more "environmentally," try to buy fruits and vegetables during their specific peak season.   This 'vegetannual' is an imaginary plant created by Barbara Kingsolver (from her book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle") that "bears, over the course of one growing season, a cornucopia of all the different vegetable products that [one might] harvest" in a home garden.   You can 'read' this image from the bottom (May) all the way up to the latest harvestables like pumpkins (October).   It's a good start to understanding the seasonal nature of fruit... read more

• Last updated 4/15/08 by dana1981

These days lots of things claim to be organic or sustainable.  How do you know who to believe? About Organic Certification Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants. Requirements vary from country to country, and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping that include: ... read more