By Stephanie Rogers

Honking cars emit foul black clouds, skyscrapers blot out the sun, litter lines the gutters and healthy green space can be hard to come by. But in many of America's biggest cities, these negative traits are being eclipsed by clean, efficient public transit, bike-friendly infrastructure, multiplying trees, reliance on renewable energy and a fierce pride in locally-produced products. Slashing greenhouse gas emissions and coming close to zero waste is no easy feat for a metropolis with a population of at least 250,000, but these 10 cities - from Boston to San Francisco - prove that sustainability is possible on the largest of scales, in good economic times and bad.

10. Boston, Massachusetts



Representing the entire East Coast in impressive renewable energy stats, Boston boosted its solar power with the Solar Boston program and counts wind among its top three sources of electricity, with a turbine on city hall and more slated for several public schools. Other big

Because figuring out what kind of fish to eat is practically rocket scienceSeafood lovers concerned about sustainability may already be familiar with the popular Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch's pocket and mobile guides, which divide up fish caught in the United States into easy-to-follow "Best Choices," "Good Alternatives," and "Avoid" lists based on the management of the fisheries for each species, population data, and fishing methods. While helpful, these lists leave out a component also worth considering when making seafood choices: toxin levels and omega-3 levels.

Click here to see The 10 Best Fish to Eat PLUS Recipes

But now there's a new list, dubbed "The Super Green List," which attempts to take all of these factors into account and boil them down to a "top 10" list. The fish that make this list have fewer than 216 parts per billion mercury and 11 parts per billion PCBs (a toxic byproduct of industrial activities), and yield at least 250 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids per day based on a weekly consumption of eight ounces of fish per week. To

by Marie Oser


Cleaning the house can certainly be a chore, but it shouldn't expose you to health risks and foul the earth. The issues associated with toxic chemicals found in household cleaning products that line store shelves across America are a concern to health conscious consumers.

A recent Product Report from the Organic Consumer's Association stated that the chemicals in many cleaners that foam, bleach and disinfect to make our dishes, bathtubs and countertops gleaming and germ-free, also contribute to indoor air pollution. Fragrances added to many cleaners may cause acute reactions such as respiratory symptoms, allergy and asthma, headaches, sneezing and eye irritation.


DISCOVER THE CLEANING POWER OF WHITE VINEGAR
3 TIPS FOR REDUCING WATER WASTE AT HOME


Oftentimes common household cleaners contain substances that are poisonous if ingested and/or harmful if inhaled or touched and many are among the most toxic products of any found in the home.

The Environmental Working Group

by Toni Salter


Whenever I sell organic seeds at the farmers' market, I usually sell out of the typical seasonal vegetable seeds by the end of the day. Lately, however I have been selling all of my kale seeds within the first hour or two.

Why is it that kale has become so popular?

Generally, kale has not been among the most popular of vegetables and most mothers have to nag their children to eat their greens. These days, however there seems to be a real rush on this green vegetable.

Many nutritionists and natural therapists recognize the health value of eating kale. Baby boomers are not prepared to simply accept declining health and the younger 'green generation' is becoming more aware of the dangers of a nutrient-poor fast food diet.


5 NUTRITIOUS FOODS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR PANTRY
ECOMII'S GUIDE TO FINDING THE TASTIEST FRUITS


Green it is!

The deeper the color, the more beta-carotene and kale has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Kale provides many

by Linday Nixon


I am often asked about the fat content of various foods and about the difference between the fat derived from calories and the total fat. It is really so valuable to be able to understand the information in the nutrition facts panel on food labels and how to avoid being fooled by them.

Determining the significance of the fat grams versus the calories from fat is not terribly complicated, if you know where to look. It's important to pay attention to the serving size usually listed at the top of the nutrition facts and to keep that in mind when looking at the numbers.

You cannot compare foods without understanding the label and knowing the difference between calories from fat and total fat. This key information will help you to determine whether a food is low fat or not.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TYPES OF FATS IN NUTS AND SEEDS
TRY A NEW FAST FOOD: EAT RAW

First, there are the total calories. This refers to all the calories that come from fat, protein and carbohydrates,

Source: 5 Ways to Reuse Your Dryer Sheets

I find it such a waste to throw away products you only use once, so I'm always looking for ways to recycle them. A used dryer sheet is actually a really versatile product with a ton of different applications, so don't throw it away after the dry cycle is up! Recycle your dryer sheets in these ways:

• Freshen your suitcase: Leave a dryer sheet in your suitcase when you're traveling so it'll stay fresh and smell it too.
• Reduce static cling: Get rid of static cling by rubbing dryer sheets on the problem areas.
• Clean irons: Rub the iron on the dryer sheet while the heat is set to low, and the sheet will clean the residue off the plate.
• Remove pet and human hair: Run the dryer sheet over fabrics with a lot of fur or hair on them, such as clothing or furniture.
• Clean bathroom gunk: If it's time to clean your bath or shower, then grab a dryer sheet for scrubbing. Apparently, dryer sheets help to keep showers and baths free of

A hummingbird approaches a tube-shaped flower.













By Cris Carl, Networx

Attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden not only can bring a sense of delight, but tie you into something greater as well. "You can enjoy the full circle in your garden. Our plants are part of a global eco-system," said Sarah Mary Gerchman, assistant manager of Annie's Garden and Gift Center in Amherst, MA.

Gerchman gave the example of how hummingbirds eat aphids. "Aphids are often seen as immediate pests in gardens. So you can enjoy beautiful flowers, and attract hummingbirds which help protect the plants," she said. An additional note on garden pest control: At a Vegetable Entomologist Workshop in Dallas, pest control experts said to "avoid broad-spectrum insecticies to conserve natural enemies" like hummingbirds.

Flowers and tips to attract hummingbirds to your garden

Gerchman said that hummingbirds are attracted to tubular-shaped flowers. For colder climates such as New England, she said one of the best choices is Trumpet Vine as

cokes

By Tina McCarthy

Your principal incentive to recycle? That one's a no-brainer: the environment, of course. But, it doesn't just have to be a green act of good will; it can add a little extra cash to your wallet as well. Recycling for money sure won't make you a millionaire, but these days every penny counts. So, cash in on your good conscience with these items.

Aluminum Cans

I'm a soda addict, and I can go through a 12-pack faster than a roll of toilet paper. Even if you only drink a couple throughout the week, add your significant other or roommates into the equation, and the cans can pile up pretty quickly. Instead of tossing them in your recycling bin, bag up your plethora of cans and bring them to your local recycling center for some extra cash. You can also take them to a reverse vending machine, as long as they're not crushed.

Plastic Bottles

bottles

The same goes for plastic bottles. Keep in mind that the majority of recycling centers pay by the pound, so save gas by accumulating