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

Going green may not be as easy as you think. With the increased demand for "natural" and "eco-friendly" products, some companies are using misleading tactics to market their products. We spoke with Robin Kay Levine, founder of Eco-Me, to find out what you really need to know before you buy.

1) MYTH: Trust all products that have a seal of approval on the label.

FACT:
Many brands on the market create their own seal of approval. This is very deceiving as this creates a false standard set by the needs of marketing their product, and not the health and safety of consumers and the environment.

TIP:
Look for products that are certified by the Natural Products Association and Green Seal. Both of these non-profit organizations have third party testing requirements that look at the safety of ingredients and their usage both for human interaction and environmental impact.

2) MYTH: A product listed as eco- or earth-friendly is healthy for humans.

FACT:
The general

7 Finishing Touches to Add to Your GardenWith summer just around the corner, it's time to revamp your garden. Thanks to these creative ideas, your backyard and garden will be ready to show off to all of your friends and family. Inspired by the new book Handmade Garden Projects by Lorene Edwards Forkner, these 7 ideas will help you beautify any space, from a desolate backyard to a garden cared for by the greenest of thumbs.










Herb Organizer1. Herb Organizer
Try this creative and economical way to build a simple and convenient vertical garden. Turn a pocket shoe organizer into a veggie patch!
Get the tutorial













Veneer Sphere Birdhouse2. Veneer Sphere Birdhouse
Create a quirky birdhouse using colorful strips of wood veneer.
Get the tutorial















Outdoor Planter Light3. Outdoor Planter Pendant Light
Add some light to your outdoor dinners and barbecues with a hanging lamp made from two outdoor planters.
Get the tutorial













Related: 6 easy ways to make your garden grow


Modern Planter Bench4. Modern Planter Bench
Build a creative and interesting bench around two planters for an unusual backyard decoration.
Get the

green

By Tina McCarthy

How often do you have to empty the trash cans around your home? If you take a trip outside to the dumpster every couple days, it's time to examine why your garbage bins fill up so quickly. To cut down the amount of waste you send off to the landfill, here's a list of things you shouldn't be throwing away.

Water Bottles

Yes, they can be recycled but, with a water filter on your faucet and a reusable thermos, there's no need for disposable water bottles. Stopping the bottle habit is one of the best things you can personally do for the environment.

Tissue Boxes

When you go to the store to restock your supply, buy refills for the boxes you already have instead. Better yet, switch to a handkerchief.

Paper Napkins

Cloth napkins are a much better choice in all regards. They're reusable and much more stylish.

Paper Towels

Bar towels are just as effective as their disposable counterparts. Though washing cloth towels year after year may seem counter-intuitive to

by Taylor Newman

Every other Friday morning, I drive to a local dairy farm and wait in a long line of cars until a refrigerated white van

Would You Give Your Child Raw Milk?

rolls up and parks at the top of the driveway. The cars creep slowly forward, single file, as each person's bi-weekly order of milk, cheese, and other farm-fresh dairy products - which we place, in advance of pickup, via an online spreadsheet-- is filled by the farmer himself. Customers include stay-at-home-moms and their kids, business people on their lunch breaks, athletes, health-enthusiasts - it's a diverse crowd. But we're all there for one reason. You think breast milk is the most coveted, controversial beverage in America today? Try raw cow's milk. For many moms, it's the natural successor to breast milk's throne. For many other enthusiasts, it's simply liquid gold.

PLUS: Would You Feed Another Woman's Breast Milk to Your Baby?

I ended up in the Friday morning line routine for two reasons. One is that Kaspar, who's slowly