11/22/11

Here's a sweet idea: Eat more local honey. Buying locally grown honey supports both local farmers and beekeepers. With honeybee populations decreasing all over the United States, known as colony collapse disorder, their vital role in keeping natural pollination of fruits, flowers and vegetables is affected. Eating honey is one tasty way to help do your part.

11/21/11

When decorating your home this holiday season, instead of choosing between a live or fake Christmas tree, consider renting one instead. Live trees can be rented from local landscaping shops, where they will often deliver the tree and take it back after the Christmas holiday. If you prefer an artificial tree, local prop houses (typically used by set designers) may allow you to rent a tree at a tiny fraction of the cost. The benefits? No waste, no storage, no mess.

11/20/11

For your upcoming Thanksgiving feast, embrace the true spirit of the holiday and think local with your family's big meal of the day. Shop farmers markets for locally grown, seasonal produce and look for locally made baked goods, juices, and even floral bouquets and arrangements for the table. And try to get a fresh, free-range local turkey, preferably from a farm nearby where you know the animals were humanely raised and slaughtered. And lastly, always have several vegetarian options available if you don't know the dietary restrictions of all your guests.