The Friday 5: Take To The Streets Edition

The best of EcoSalon’s stories this week.

When walking is healthy, slimming and free, why does so much of America still see it as…well, pedestrian? (Look, even our own language is prejudiced).  If you’re looking for inspiration to drag your shoes on and get rid of that roof over your head, you might find it here.

France’s farmer’s markets are a timeless feature of the country. Alas, if only that were really true, as it seems Paris’s independent open-air vendors are under siege from wholesalers and internationally-shipped organic foods. Can local farming maintain a hold on the French dinnertable?

If our walking quotes didn’t get your feet twitching, you might be in need of some map decor. Earlier in the week we directed you to some inspiring map art over at Curbly, but if you’re looking for more widespread inspiration, Pinterest is your friend here.

Get in motion, stay in motion – it’s the key to success, happiness and some really terrific photography.

Lastly, spare a thought for the inhabitants of Rome 2,000 years ago – it didn’t matter whether they got out into the fresh air or stayed at home, their environment was out to get them.

Mike Sowden

Mike Sowden is a freelance writer based in the north of England, obsessed with travel, storytelling and terrifyingly strong coffee. He has written for online & offline publications including Mashable, Matador Network and the San Francisco Chronicle, and his work has been linked to by Lonely Planet, World Hum and Lifehacker. If all the world is a stage, he keeps tripping over scenery & getting tangled in the curtain - but he's just fine with that.