Obnoxious jangling. Tacky designs. No-frill aluminum. We’ve all seen (and heard) our share of unappealing wind chimes. Chimes are considered lucky and inviting, so it’s no mystery why so many people adorn their porches and patios with these accents. But there’s no need to sacrifice your style or perturb the neighbors (or the planet) in the process. Dangling along seven feet of pandan leaf string, these eco-friendly and luminous Moon Chimes dance in the breeze and share melodic notes with anyone nearby. …

Although it’s been a big news year with a lot of people focusing on the U.S. Presidential elections, the world of health and wellness hasn’t stopped turning. Here’s what fascinated us most in 2008:

My condolences to the single women of the future: men are an endangered species. Scientists have found that many of common “gender-bending” chemicals used in our modern lives have feminizing effects on the fetuses of all types of animals, from fish to mammals. This …

Hoppin’ John is a good luck dish traditionally eaten in the South for the New Year. Other good luck accompaniments include greens or cabbage and pork. This vegan version omits the pork, but, nevertheless, magically bestows good luck on all who enjoy it for the New Year.

The dish is rich and benefits from a little vinegar. A few shakes of vinegary hot sauce can do the trick. Pickled jalapenos are also wonderful additions. Though not traditional, I like to serve a bit of sauerkraut as a garnish and double …

Over the last 12 months, we’ve seen some of the best, worst and most unusual that green architecture has to offer, from shipping container hotels to conference yurts. We’ve seen a host of exciting new ideas brought to the table – and here are a few that particularly won us over.

Bricks and mortar…on water?

It’s been hard to escape the Lilypad this year – thanks to a stunning …

At this time of year, I used to line up all my New Year’s Resolutions. But these days, it’s easy. I’ve only got one, and it goes as follows:

I am never going to try to stick to a New Year’s Resolution ever again. (Except this one).

On December 31st, New Year’s Resolutions seem like such a terrific idea. It’s a 2,000 year old tradition to take this time to look backwards and forwards (not simultaneously, you’ll do yourself an injury), and it seems to have arisen from …

Most people will require the services of a commercial printer at some stage in their lives. (Perhaps you need business cards for your new green career!) What questions should you ask in order to make sure you are choosing the best option, not only for you but for the environment, as well?

Does the printer have any certifications in environmental management, such as the ISO 14001 Environmental Management, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) award and the …

Recycled from the cork stopper industry’s byproduct and fashioned into penny size patterns on hand-mounted paper mesh sheets, cork mosaic tiles are a chic renewable resource. We’ve seen the large sheets of cork flooring, but when adopted as mosaic tiles this green choice quickly becomes a classic.

The designs from Habitus New York City even come in custom colors that are current and design friendly, like the green, red or white. The natural is appealing to purists. I wish I had opted for this …

A friend of mine wants to keep it hush-hush when her daughter is gifted a hand-me-down dress, as if wearing used garb signifies poverty or shame that might not fly in her affluent social circle.

My friend is a European whose family often struggled to make ends meet. And although she keeps it all in the closet, she accepts these offerings for all of the right reasons: they are clean and usually in perfectly good condition; It’s wasteful to go out and buy a new outfit when you can …