If you're anything like me, every spring you start to look at all the new outfits in the stores and on the racks and all you want to do is shop. Of course, in order to do that when you have limited space like me, you also have to make room.

So every spring, there is a massive purge and at least three bags go off to Goodwill. I feel good about myself, help others, and make room in my closet. It's a big win all around!

But donating clothing isn't about taking all your old rags, stuffing them in a bag, and leaving them outside Goodwill before they open in the morning. There is a process and a way to donate that makes things a bit easier for all involved.

More from The Stir: Dress Like Reese Witherspoon in "Water for Elephants" With These Dresses

Here are some tips:

Step 1: Gather all the clothing together, wash it, fold it nicely, and organize it to the best of your ability. If you donate just as a new season starts (like now), you will be helping the most. Donating

Want to baby your liver? Keep your GI tract fit? Flush out toxins? These 10 foods -- many of them chosen by RealAge experts Drs. Oz and Roizen -- can spring clean your body and keep refreshing your vital parts all year 'round. No need to fast. Just take these three steps:

• "Eat clean," avoiding processed foods and chemical additives.
• Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of filtered water.
• Include some of these 10 foods in several meals throughout the week.

The Detox Top 10

1. Leafy green vegetables. Eat them raw in a salad, throw them into a broth, steam them and mix with rice or add to an omelet, or puree them into juices. The chlorophyll in greens helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides). It's also an all-around liver protector, which your liver needs since it's your major domo detoxifier.
2. Lemons. Fresh lemonade made with filtered water will keep you hydrated, and its vitamin C helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form

Courtesy of Fresh Healthy VendingJennifer D'Angelo Friedman, SELF

We were thrilled to hear that Fresh Healthy Vending, a company that provides healthier vending machines, is coming to New York City (SELF's home base).

The machines stock options like organic yogurt, coconut water, bags of apple slices, Luna bars, organic baby carrots and Stacy's Pita Chips -- a far cry from the Cheetos and M&M's of yesteryear. And they're already in schools, health clubs and offices in 37 states across the country, Well+Good reports.

So are healthy vending machine snacks really a good option when you're stuck at work, or after a workout? And which healthy snacks are the healthiest?

Related: 100 Calorie Treats You'll Love

"Often, vending machines are a major option for people at work, commuting, shopping, etc. If you didn't pack snacks with you, but want a healthful choice, a healthy vending machine is a great option," say Willow Jarosh and Stephanie Clarke, contributing editors at SELF and co-founders of C&J Nutrition.

Jarosh and

Courtesy of Lentil BreakdownMichael Singer, Bon Appétit

People do crazy, borderline illegal things with food. When we find these outlaw recipes, we post them in our series, "Kookery." Then, we let the BA Test Kitchen weigh in on the mad deliciousness of it all.

I'm not officially a Girl Scout, but I'm still pretty confident I can best any 9-year-old girl in downing boxes of Thin Mints by the sleeve. They're delicious, but it didn't take long before I no longer fit in my adorable beige tunic. If only I had known about Lentil Breakdown's Adair Seldon's nutritious face lifts to these classic treats.

Related: Bon Appétit's 10 Favorite Cookie Recipes

She believes, for example, that for cookies named after some South Pacific islands, Samoas should "taste more like Polynesia than Polysorbate." So she made her own coconut and chocolate drizzled rings, but her rings are dried organic pineapples. Thin Mints, she says, "should a) keep you thin, and b) be mint." Her version uses a calorie-free mint leaf dipped in dark

While we're focusing on our flower beds and on spring cleaning our homes, our cars are just sitting out there, crusty with dirt (and, for some of us, kid-related detritus). Chicago Healers practitioner Andie Pearson suggests that instead of just spring cleaning your car, you can feng shui it to reduce your stress levels while you're on the road. Here are some of her tips:

1. Clean and clear: Before leaving on a long drive, completely clean out the vehicle. Dispose of all trash, magazines, receipts, etc. Vacuum the carpets and clean the windows to allow a clear view of your life's path. Take out the supplies you don't need (so long, winter!) and stock up on the things you do.
2. Go with the flow: If you're prone to road rage, hang a round, faceted crystal from a blue ribbon on your rear-view mirror. This will add water energy to your car, making it easier to cope with frustrations like traffic, poorly marked roads and reckless drivers. (If you aren't able to find a crystal, use

Related:

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McNuggets are made with silly putty? Sort of

The great Happy Meal toy controversy

Starbucks get super-sized: are you jazzed?

By WomansDay.com Staff

The weather may be warming up, but don't store away that slow cooker just yet! Put it to work just like you would in winter, piling on the meat and veggies and letting them simmer away for hours. But the trick is to opt for dishes on the lighter side, like those featured here: smoky beef brisket for sandwiches, spicy and sweet Cuban-style pork and bright-tasting green chicken chili. Whatever you choose, it'll make a fuss-free and fantastic springtime dinner.

If you steer clear of stews because they're too heavy, try this healthy combination of chicken thighs, baby carrots, leek, asparagus and peas punched up in a white wine and tarragon broth.

• Active Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 5 hours

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 slow-cooker liner (we used Reynolds)
• 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless

The main reason why I was looking for something natural was my "dear" bathroom sink, sluggish it must be hair or something, I hoped...then I found these gems, I poured baking soda down the drain followed by good 'ol white distilled vinegar, waited a few minutes poured some hot water (not scalding) mind you.
And voila! It worked! No more sluggish drain.
After that I saw all the great stuff these two could do.

Have you found anything that helps you clean easier and is eco friendly?Do tell.