The Eco-Chic Kitchen

In a plastic-dominated world, it’s hard to imagine doing everyday tasks completely plastic-bag free. But you can do it! And the environment will thank you for it. 

Plastic bags are incredibly harmful to the environment: One plastic bag can take up to 1,000 years to degrade and remains toxic even after it breaks down, according to reuseit.com, a company that sells reusable bags and educates consumers on how to live plastic-free.

Why contribute to harming the earth? Follow these simple tips on how to live without plastic bags and you’ll wonder why you ever thought you needed them anyway.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/sanctuary/how-to-live-without-plastic-bags.html] http://dlvr.it/M2jk4

When you think about planting your home garden this season, you may imagine an abundance of fresh leafy greens, all sorts of squash and zucchini, sweet organic corn and peppers and those long, nail-biting days waiting for your perfect summer heirloom tomatoes to ripen. But, don’t forget about these oft-overlooked—but quite valuable—additions that might be perfect for your garden plans: Dwarf fruit trees.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-gardening/dwarf-fruit-trees-for-your-home-garden.html] http://dlvr.it/M2jkN

Forget about the carrots grown in the chef’s garden or the wine grown in the sommelier’s personal vineyard, or even the herbs grown next to the composting mound behind the restaurant itself. If this is where your garden-to-table dining experiences have peaked, you obviously haven’t tasted the crème de la crème of the locavore scene: eating dirt. “Edible dirt,” they’re calling it, is cropping up in high-end restaurants worldwide, and it’s taking farm-to-table to a whole new level—but is this trend helping or hurting the sustainable food movement?

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/is-edible-dirt-taking-the-garden-to-table-movement-too-far.html] http://dlvr.it/M2jjF

In an effort to raise awareness on the benefits of growing and eating organic foods, or perhaps just for his love of the absurd, Stonyfield Yogurt founder and CE-Yo Gary Hirschberg created and stars in a mock rap music video, “Just Eat Organic.” http://dlvr.it/M122c

Spring is in the air, supposedly, and hopefully that means you’re getting ready to plant a new garden, or get out into your existing one and prep it for another abundant season. The seeds you choose are as important a factor as any other consideration in gardening. The benefits of heirloom seeds come down to three simple advantages: diversity, fertility and flavor. Anyone who has been planting heirloom fruits and vegetables can tell you that a new world awaits you in your heirloom garden… so juicy, so tasty and so healthy, you just may never want to eat anything else again.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-gardening/its-garden-time-3-heirloom-seed-benefits.html] http://dlvr.it/LwLp8

I’ve come to trust my gut instincts more and more when it comes to dealing with the common sicknesses my kids encounter. And I’ve thought a good bit about why we do what we do - spooning out the grape flavored meds - when our kids do get sick. Do our kids really benefit from medicines, or do we cause more harm than benefits? 

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/kids/the-effects-of-over-medicating-our-children.html] http://dlvr.it/LwLpM

The BP oil spill that plagued the Gulf of Mexico last year brought many area fishing operations to a screeching halt. Aside from massive fish and wildlife deaths as a result of the spill, concerns over contamination and ocean sustainability have consumers, as well as fishers, unsure about the health of any post-spill catches. http://dlvr.it/LwLpT

Spring in Washington DC can only mean one thing: Michelle Obama’s bees are busy pollinating. The First Lady, who is known for her outspoken commitment to healthy food initiatives, has also been keeping a beehive on the property in addition to her plentiful White House garden. http://dlvr.it/LsK3X

You’re face down - practically face planted - on your yoga mat in child’s pose. What’s supposed to be rest, surrender - a letting go - is suddenly thwarted by a whiff of nast and turned into a less than rejuvenating experience.

What’s that smell? Well, after two months (or two years!) of downward dogs, dripping sweat and makeup, the elements have combined, bacteria is a brewin’ and if you’d like to avoid a foot fungus on your forehead, we suggest you throw together this do-it-yourself mat cleaner and get to spraying.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/health/yoga-mats-a-diy-spray-for-a-sweaty-not-stinky-practice.html] http://dlvr.it/LsK2P

After awhile, the humdrum of using the same ordinary glass vases to showcase your flowers can start to wear on you. Those gorgeous flowers you nurtured from seed to bloom (or purchased at your local farmers market from someone with a greener thumb) deserve a special vase. And why buy new when you can repurpose items you already own? Check out these seven common household containers that make beautiful and whimsical repurposed vases.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/sanctuary/repurpose-common-household-containers-into-unusual-vases.html] http://dlvr.it/Lr1xM

Coffee was one of the first drivers in consumer awareness about how ethics and sustainability play a crucial role in foods sourced from around the world. Ethical wages and stewardship of the planet are significant considerations long overlooked by the industry, and they led the way for Fair Trade certification, rainforest protected shade-grown beans and cause-driven marketing now commonplace among a number of organic and natural brands. But we guarantee you haven’t seen anything quite like Ethical Bean Coffee.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/ethical-bean-coffee-takes-the-bitter-out-of-the-coffee-trade.html] http://dlvr.it/Lr1wP

Jamie Oliver is at it again. Celebrity chef and the host of TV’s award winning “Food Revolution” has just brought his “Jamie’s 20 Minute Meals” app to Android mobile devices everywhere.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/jamie-oliver-is-everywhere-the-chefs-new-android-app.html] http://dlvr.it/Lr1v5

Every New Yorker has a spot for takeout menus… even in this digital age. Some people just shove them in a drawer but others go the extra mile and meticulously put them in laminated binders. Don’t judge; with kitchens the size of closets it’s hard to cook every night which makes New Yorkers rely on the kindness of take-out delivery people. Now the menu-obsessed can fuel their passion and check out the vintage menu collection at the New York Public Library. Exceeding any OCD New Yorker, the NYPL has more than 40,000 vintage menus on file that date back to 1843, placed in the rare-books division.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/vintage-menu-collection-at-the-nypl-nyc.html] http://dlvr.it/Lr1vd

California’s former Governator, Arnold Schwarzeneggger, teamed up with vegan ex-President, Bill Clinton, filmmaker James Cameron and Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder, along with scores of other environmental activists, experts and supporters for the 2nd International Forum on Sustainability which took place March 24-26 in Manaus, Brazil. http://dlvr.it/LmRkm

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/martha-stewart-goes-vegan-on-march-30th.html] http://dlvr.it/LmRkJ

I am blessed with the gift of ADD, and I would not trade my “disorder” for the world. Like most people with ADD, my energy knows no bounds, my enthusiasm is catching, my creativity pays the bills and I am the life of the party.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/health/add-is-a-blessing-not-a-disorder.html] http://dlvr.it/LhQ8n

Health experts of any discipline will all predictably agree if only on one vital cornerstone of nutrition: Eat More Greens. Grown in virtually every climate, greens pack a powerhouse of complex health benefits into their curlicue, crepe-like or wispy leaves. And, they’re super easy to grow, perfect for a spring garden of any size.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-gardening/5-spring-lettuce-to-plant-in-your-garden.html] http://dlvr.it/LhQ8b

Just when you’ve sworn off all diet fads, tossed your copy of _The Zone for Dummies_ in the trash, and flushed your get-thin pills down the toilet, you catch word of the diet you’ve been missing all these years, the diet so simple, so obvious, you can’t believe you didn’t patent it yourself. The one diet to finally put an end to all other diets: the Air Diet. That’s right, baby, just breathe. No, really, just—and only—breathe, because this diet includes zero food.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/the-air-diet-really-no-food-at-all.html] http://dlvr.it/LhQ89

Body care is about much more than the pursuit of deliciously gorgeous skin. It’s about self-love, nurturing and pampering yourself. It’s even about connecting to yourself and your body. When you handcraft our do-it-yourself recipes from completely natural and organic, healthful ingredients - and then use them (or gift them to loved ones) - you and your body will feel cared for.

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/delicious-beauty/body-care-6-homemade-natural-skin-care-recipes.html] http://dlvr.it/LbJrq

Food: It can be sexy. It can be seductive. It can be poignant. It can be dangerous. And god knows - it can be delicious! Instead of salivating over the Cooking Channel, pull out one of these culinary cinematic adventures (both oldies but goodies and new and noteworthies), grab a loved one, a good glass of vino, some popcorn (don’t tell your dentist), and make it a night at the movies for your inner foodie. 

\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/top-ten-movies-for-food-lovers.html] http://dlvr.it/LXTph