Blog Posts by Yahoo!Green

heritage turkeysBy Trystan L. Bass

While the pilgrims might have eaten some fowl at the first Thanksgiving, historians doubt the original American colonists had a turkey dinner with any of the trimmings we'd recognize today.

But if you want your holiday dinner to have a little authentic history -- and be kinder to the earth -- order a heritage turkey this Thanksgiving. These varieties have changed little from their 19th-century forebearers and don't have a lot of the ills associated with more recent, mass-produced birds.

Heritage turkeys have long lifespans, mate naturally, and grow slowly. They're smaller than the modified birds because they don't have overdeveloped breasts, and heritage birds have a more balanced ratio of white and dark meat.

Farmers usually raise heritage turkeys "free range" so they get a richer, game-like flavor, plus the meat is leaner. Most, but not all heritage turkeys are organic, so make sure to ask.

Search for heritage turkey farms in your state on Local

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By Steve Graham, Hometalk

(Photo: Getty Images)Running marathons and swimming laps are not the only way to burn calories. Housekeeping and yard work can also help you keep off the pounds. Here are 12 of the most common, calorie-burning home and garden chores, with estimated hourly calorie-burn rates for an average 145-pound person. Of course, each person mows, mops, and dusts at a different pace and burns a different number of calories, so these are general estimates.

The first number is provided by the Livestrong Foundation, which lists the number of calories burned for a wide variety of jobs, sports, and other activities. Wherever possible, a second number is provided by My Fitness Pal, which offers tracking for both caloric intake and caloric burn, online or with iPhone and Android apps.

My Fitness Pal has a smaller list of activities, so not all chores have two estimates. For example, the site does not break down specific cleaning activities but estimates that cleaning burns between 164 and

Read More »from 10 home chores that burn the most calories

More from Care2:

• 12 foods with super-healing powers

• 7 foods that keep us fat

• 7 tips for eating to look younger that actually work

• Top 10 worst foods in America

Read More »from 8 veggies, nuts, and grains with more protein than a burger

By Kym McNicolas, Forbes.com

What you didn't know about energy efficiency could hurt your pocketbook.

Myth #1: Closing the Vent Saves Energy

Though it seems that closing vents in unused rooms would save energy, the energy consumed by the system is at the unit itself, and restricting conditioned air at a vent termination redirects it to other locations in the house or through leaks in your duct system. Closing vents also puts backpressure on the fan that pushes the air through the system, causing it to work harder, use more energy, and wear out faster.

Myth #2: New Windows = Significant Energy Cost Savings

Replacing single-pane windows for Energy-Star rated dual-pane windows will save energy. That energy savings, however, is a function of the size and number of windows in your home, their orientation and overhangs, and the location of your house and the climate zone you are live in. This typically amounts to a small fraction of your total energy use, and given the expense of

Read More »from 5 Energy-saving myths

By Adam Verwymeren, Networx
More from Guest Bloggers blog

Between the squalor and the haphazard design choices, the average bachelor pad is not a pretty sight. Most bachelors give little thought to crafting a stylish home, either because they think it's not worth the effort or they think it is beyond their means to achieve.

But by avoiding a few simple design mistakes, a good-looking home is pretty easy to achieve.

Adam Verwymeren is a Networx writer. Read more articles like this one on Networx.com.

Related links:

• Top 10 bachelor pad mistakes
• Renovating a rental
• Five ways to improve your kitchen without remodeling
• How to live in off-campus housing
• For football fans, a spinning wall turns a yard into an ampitheater

Check out Yahoo! Green on Twitter and Facebook.

Read More »from Top 10 bachelor pad mistakes

By Stephanie Rogers, EcoSalon
More from Guest Bloggers blog

(Photo: Stephanie Rogers)

Chances are you've got a big bottle of vinegar in your pantry right now that you only use it as a condiment. Prized for thousands of years, this fermented liquid was discovered by accident when products like wine, beer, and cider spoiled, turning them sour. But did you know that vinegar -- particularly the distilled white and apple cider varieties -- has hundreds of household, beauty, medicinal and even horticultural uses?

Here are 20 unusual, thrifty, and eco-friendly uses for vinegar that you may not have thought of.

1. Condition hair
Silky, shiny, buildup-free hair using a single cheap, natural product? Sign me up! It may sound odd, but using apple cider vinegar as a rinse after shampooing really does work like a dream. It removes residue from the hair shaft and closes the cuticles. Just add half a tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of water, plus a few drops of essential oil if you like. Pour it on in the

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Posted by Nicolas of Care2, selected from petMD

Have you been dreaming of getting a dog ever since you saw the reruns of the television classic Lassie as a kid? Or maybe you were fortunate enough to watch the original series. While your dog might not be able to save you week after week from a burning building, a runaway freight train, or the bottom of a well (and in the time it takes to finish a 30-minute episode, too!), owning a dog can be a wonderful experience.

Here are 10 things you should know and consider before choosing your canine friend.

1. Dogs Take Up a Lot of Time and Energy.

Yes, they are rewarding. But if you live alone and work twenty hours a day, then perhaps a dog is not the best choice for you. Hey, there are always those super-cool robot dogs!

2. Not Home a Lot? Invest in a Dog Walker.

If you are not often at home, and you really want a dog, you probably should invest in a dog walker. You'd probably be wise to choose a dog breed that isn't especially

Read More »from 9 things to know before getting a dog

Posted by Nicolas of Care2, selected from petMD

While cats aren't going to need Botox or face-lifts as they grow older, they will need you to keep caring for them the way you have been - with love and devotion. Caring for a senior cat is really no more difficult than caring for a kitten or an adult cat. But there are a few things you should watch for.

Avoid Mr. Magoo-itis

Like people, a cat's eyesight worsens as it gets older. Make sure your vet examines the cat's eyes on the next regular checkup. If your cat should become blind or its eyesight diminish, a familiar routine will be very important. Keep things clean and in their normal spot, and make sure the cat's water, food bowls and litter are all in the same place.

Also see Why Cats Howl When They Get Older.

Did Someone Say Supplements?

Have your cat's bone density checked. If your cat is losing density, it may need to be given calcium supplements. Also, you can keep an eye on your cat and make sure it doesn't need

Read More »from Senior cat care