Green

By Jessica Marati

In 1965, high levels of sewage and toxic waste in the Potomac River led President Lyndon B. Johnson to call it "a national disgrace." Several years later, Congress passed the Clean Water Act, a landmark piece of legislation that has been instrumental in ensuring the safety and cleanliness of America's bodies of water for the past 40 years. But the fight for clean water is far from over. Today, American Rivers released a list of the nation's Most Endangered Rivers, with the Potomac topping the list. Not only does the river have high pollution levels, but its location in the heart of Washington, D.C., is emblematic of the recent Clean Water Act rollbacks in Congress, which will cut funding for river restoration projects nationwide. Take a look at the other rivers on the list, then join American Rivers' efforts to preserve them. (above) Potomac River (Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Washington D.C.)


Green River (Wyoming, Utah, Colorado)
Chatta

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By Tina McCarthy

Gardening is hot, hot, hot. And why not? Planting a few seeds on your deck or in your backyard yields delicious, organic results - and money savings, too. You know the basics of how to start your own vegetable garden, but where do you go from here? Here are some crops that even the least green thumbed among you can tackle, and tips on how to make them flourish.

Tomato

Originating in South America, this plump red herbaceous perennial is rich in nutrients like niacin, potassium and phosphorous, antioxidants like lycopene, anthocyanin and carotene, and vitamins A, C and E. Tomatoes can add a juicy shot of flavor to a variety of dishes, such as salads, sandwiches and pasta. After the last frost of winter has thawed, pick a spot in your yard that receives ample sunlight and test the soil's pH level - you want between 6 and 7. (To increase the Ph level, add lime. To decrease it, add sulfur.) Spread compost over this area and mix it with the soil. Dig a hole for each

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By Aylin Erman

Avocados often get a bad rap, but for the wrong reason - for being fat. It's about time we all got over this myth. We need healthy fats in our diet for a properly functioning brain and nervous system, a strong heart, glowing skin and, dare I say it, a fit and thin physique. Sure, nix the saturated fats fraught in animal meat, dairy and eggs when looking to slim down or reach a greater sense of well-being, but avocados are plant-based and thus on an entirely different playing field. Half an avocado has 15 grams of heart-healthy unsaturated fat and only 2 grams of saturated fat. This is fat your body not only can recognize but also likes. Avocados are packed with fiber, potassium, vitamins C, K, and B6 and folate. They aid in digestion and help in the absorption of lycopene and beta-carotene. Aside from its nutritional benefits, avocados are versatile in the kitchen. Their creaminess serves as the perfect base for made-vegan desserts, sauces and smoothies. A few slic...Read More »

By Green Diva Meg

Or, 6 Reasons Why I want to be a Vegan

I never liked meat. Seriously as a kid, I used to gag on all the various meat products my mother tried to get me to eat. It was the late 60s and they all bought into the hype that we needed tons of meat protein to survive and she feared for my existence. I was a healthy kid, but I never did grow more than 5' tall . . . ?

When I discovered there was such a thing as a vegetarian, I grabbed onto the term with both hands and declared myself. Of course, I was a teenager and at the time it meant a lot of salad and french fries.

Study Shows that Vegan Diet Protects Against Pollution

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It wasn't till the early 80s when I moved to the Berkshires with my young babies and got involved in the food coop that I began to get a serious education in whole foods nutrition - back then we experimented with raw foods, of course macrobiotics and a variety o

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By Green Diva Meg

Until I interviewed the Dark Ranger (aka Kevin Poe), I hadn't thought much about the seeming disappearance of the stars in the sky. I knew my suburban existence had something to do with not seeing as many stars as I remember as a kid, but I also figured I had romanticized that magical sparkly starry sky of my summer-camp days in the Berkshire mountains of Western Massachusetts. The other time I remember a fabulously star-filled sky was during a honeymoon trip to a pretty remote island - the tiki torches didn't seem to diminish the twinkling of that night sky much at all.

Light Pollution's Harmful Effects on Wildlife
Ecomii's Eco-Ideas for the Outdoors

Kevin (who I kept calling Ken during our first interview - Sorry Ken, I mean Kevin! Public apology #2), is a park ranger in Mt. Zion National Park and has made it somewhat of a life's mission to help illuminate (cute, right?) us about why we need to start paying attention to light pollution. Sometimes terms li

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Recycling is one of the simplest things you can do to help the planet. But do you know there are some things you should never, ever recycle? And some you always should, no matter what?

More from The Stir: 10 Easy Steps to a Greener Lifestyle (VIDEO)

And most importantly, do you know the difference? What is accepted for recycling varies state to state and even community to community, which means you get to throw just about everything in the recycling bin while your BFF a few blocks away but in a different town might be able to recycle paper, maybe.

This episode of MomEd: Green Living on CafeMom Studios YouTube Channel has a handy little quiz that will take you through what usually can get recycled and what can't, and even more importantly, some recycling no-nos you should absolutely never commit.

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One that I do all the time, and you probably do too? Mixing in colored paper with your white paper for recy

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By Rachel Mount

While politicians debate regulations for labeling and researchers explore the safety issues, there are a few things you can do now if you want to reduce your exposure to GMOs.

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Buy organic. Certified organic producers are not allowed to use GM seeds. (Bear in mind, though, that there are no guarantees: There is a slight possibility that organic crops may have been contaminated by nearby GM crops through cross-fertilization.)

RELATED: 6 Mistakes That Busy Cooks Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Look for the "Non-GMO Project Verified" seal. This stamp means that the producer uses best practices to avoid GMO ingredients. Nearly 6,000 products already carry the seal, and Whole Foods has committed to certifying all its store-brand products (called 365 Everyday Value) with the Non-GMO Project.

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Check supplement and vitamin labels. Coatings and fillers are often sourced from GM cor

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By s.e. smith, Networx

Gardening with native plants has a number of advantages, but gardeners are often intimidated or overwhelmed with myths about native plant gardening, so they're afraid to take the plunge. I talked with Ania, a researcher at the University of California, to get the scoop on working with native plants in the garden; such plants are indigenous to an area and not introduced by humans, although in some regions "native plants" include those that may have been cultivated and introduced by Native Americans, but not Europeans.

I asked Ania to elaborate a bit more on the different types of native and introduced species, because yes, there is a hierarchy, and it's important for gardeners to think about it whether they're planning a garden installation or prioritizing the management of existing plants. She explained that some introduced species are invasive, having a tendency to spread rapidly and aggressively, while others thrive primarily only in cul

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By Sayward Rebhal, Networx

Can you hear that? It's the sound of the world waking up. It's the sound of springtime, and boy howdy friends, does it sound fantastic.

Spring is all about curbside daffodils, warm and friendly drizzling rain on the concrete, birdsong and baby squirrels, opening windows and airing out the winter musties. Spring is such a hopeful time of year!

And perhaps my very favorite sign of the changing season, is the start of the Farmer's Market. Spring means fresh food again: the tender greens and the precious asparagus, lazily leading into strawberry season ... which means all-the-other-berries season is right around the corner. Before you know it, there will be heirloom tomatoes and juicy peaches, and just when you're starting to feel overheated, the weather will shift again and the greens will return for their second showing. That will mean the glorious gourd days are right around the corner, with butternuts, acorns, and kabocha. Pumpkins everywhere, slowly d

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By Jacquelyn Smith

If you're a job seeker in Boston, Chicago or L.A. with experience in energy efficiency, environmental compliance or sustainable supply chain, you may be in luck.

Those are three of the top cities for green jobs right now, according to job aggregator site SimplyHired.com. Gautam Godhwani, the site's chief executive, says he's seeing an uptick in these types of jobs everywhere. There are approximately 45,000 green job listings on SimplyHired.com right now, and 2,215 of those are in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In Pictures: The Top 10 Cities For Green Jobs

"Although conventional wisdom suggests that 'green' hiring would be the slowest to recover from an economic downturn, we think this upward trend represents recognition of the role these kinds of jobs play in cutting costs," Godhwani says. "We see this as further proof of the inroads sustainability has made as a legitimate business value for the modern organization no matter the economic climate."

The Bureau o

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