A round-up of what we’re reading right now. 

Science proves that fall is in fact the season of sex. [Via Business Insider]

Ralph Lauren’s first plus-sized model asks: What’s so great about being a size 0 anyway? [Via The Daily Beast]

Your hip new iPhone with iOS 6 is cool and all, but where the hell is the public transit option on the maps? [Via Ecorazzi]

Haiti makes a revolutionary move and bans plastic bags and foam containers, including manufacturing and marketing them. [Via The Miami Herald]

Can someone explain to us why Facebook won’t take down the “12 year old sluts meme” page? Really? [Via Buzzfeed]

If you have ever debated on keeping a food journal, here are 10 helpful tips to get you started. [Via Organic Authority]

All that nasty stuff they put in microwaveable popcorn can give you “popcorn lung”… as well as $7 million. [Via LearnVest]

“I was nauseous and tingly all over. I was either in love or I had smallpox.” —Woody Allen. This and 40 other of the funniest things ever said about love, sex and relationships. [Via How About We]

Image: greencandy8888

The post Link Love: Fall is the Season of Sex, Apple Maps Doesn’t Have Public Transit Option and How to Keep a Food Journal appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now. 

Yoga is becoming part of corporate culture, and that is good for the bottom line. [Via LearnVest]

Where you live affects your health. A new study shows that rural living could be an obesity risk factor. [Via Los Angeles Times]

What do you do when you have a day off? According to this poll, most of us sleep. [Via NPR]

Spice up your coffee with these five seasonal ingredients. [Via Organic Authority]

If you can rent out your apartment, why not your bike? Enter the Airbnb of the cycling world. Just make sure it’s tuned up. [Via Ethical Ocean]

Call Me Maybe vs. Gangnam Style = immediate internet sensation. Doesn’t mean it’s good. [Via Soundcloud]

What is the number one thing you couldn’t live without in the kitchen? Probably the refrigerator. This and 19 other significant inventions in the history of food and drink. [Via The Atlantic]

What do “clean” and “dirty” sound like? Take city pollution, map it with sound and you get a musical landscape. [Via PSFK]

The murder of an environmental journalist in Cambodia reminds us that we are all connected. [Via Dot Earth]

We live in an era of creativity; here is a compilation of the 25 most iconic artworks over the last five years. [Via ArtInfo]

Image: mmarcotte51

The post Link Love: Rural Living Affects Obesity, Airbnb for Bikes and the Murder of an Environmental Journalist appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now. 

A fancy men’s-only golf club finally opens to females, here is why that is important and why you should care.  [Via LearnVest]

Animals and natural environments are clear victims of climate change, but talking about that in zoos and aquariums takes tact. [Via New York Times]

A sheriff candidate in New Hampshire says he would be willing to use deadly force to stop an abortion. Because that makes sense. [Via The Frisky]

Tiny houses really do make us swoon. [Via Tiny House Swoon]

Can creativity be taught? A Stanford professor weighs in on what it takes to unleash your creative potential. [Via 99u]

We’ve been told a lot as women, especially when it comes to beauty. But a lot of those things are completely and utterly irrational. Here are 20 of then. [Via The Hairpin]

Want to be all awesome all the time? You can, if you power up your brain. [Via Lifehacker]

90 Days, 90 Reasons: in case you needed a reminder of who to vote for this election cycle. [Via 90 Days 90 Reasons]

A desktop garden? This should certainly make you more productive. [Via Gardenista]

Women in Afghanistan have gotten far in the last decade, but as the international community pulls out, those gains are at serious risk. [Via NPR]

Image: me and the sysop

The post Link Love: Stopping Abortion With Deadly Force, Teaching Creativity and 20 Irrational Fears About Beauty appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now.

Did you know that the original fountain drink at McDonald’s was only a mere 7 ounces? A look at the history of soda sizes. [Via Mother Jones]

A handy guide to sorting out all the health statistics you should know, like how much your blood pressure should be and exactly how many drinks constitutes “in moderation.” [Via Greatist]

No need to lose faith in humanity when there are inspiring children making a global impact. [Via TakePart]

There are a lot of amazing women in the world. Here are 60 extra amazing ones. [Via Fast Company]

A trip through Spain, one tapas at a time. [Via Afar Magazine]

For those with a peanut butter obsession, you might not want to miss out on these Peanut Butter Meringues. [Via Big Girls Small Kitchen]

Overpriced bling is so overrated. Check out this quick DIY guide to colorful, gold tube bracelets. [Via HonestlyWTF]

Make a batch of no bake raw brownies and you just might make some new friends at the same time. [Via Girlie Girl Army]

Image: Keoni Cabral

The post Link Love: The History of Supersizing, Inspiring Women, and Eating Your Way Through Spain appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now.

Do you know what’s in your food? What’s really in your food? Some pesticides to start with. [Via TakePart]

It’s summer; if you don’t start bike commuting now, when will you? This guide will get you started. [Via Women’s Adventure]

Guess who is the latest purveyor of Hermès knockoffs? Hermès employees of course. [Via Refinery29]

Aggressive in ankle boots? As it turns out, your shoes really do say something about your personality. [Via How About We]

Being uncomfortable is what soul searching is all about. [Via Elevation Outdoors]

If that summer road trip has you craving a good microbrew, this map will point you in the right direction. [Via Pop Chart Lab]

Creativity killers are everywhere, can we add Facebook to the list? [Via Co.CREATE]

Image: Luca Violetto

The post Link Love: A Guide to Bike Commuting, Hermes Knockoffs and Creativity Killers appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now.

An economic burden on people and governments? Yes, we’re talking about same-sex marriage bans. [Via TakePart]

Can a fast food chain ever really adopt a Slow Food approach? We think not, McDonalds. [Via Grist]

In New Orleans, an old mayonnaise factory is turned into an arts incubator, complete with recycled tires for insulation.  [Via Curbed]

Art is a powerful force. Here’s another example in temporary street art that promotes peace. [Via Treehugger]

Is there a cleaner gender? That is debatable, but as it turns out, men’s offices have more bacteria. [Via National Geographic]

Image: TakePart

The post Link Love: The Economics of Same-Sex Marriage Bans and Fast Food Going Slow appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now. 

How the organizers of the Great GoogaMooga Festival are making artisanal food the new rock ‘n roll. [via Inc.]

Sweden’s most expensive home is glass-enclosed and James Bond-worthy. [via Curbed]

If celebrities like Malin Akerman and Josh Groban can live on less than $1.50 a day, you can too. [via GOOD]

Toxins like BPA and glyphosate are invading our bodies through the products we buy, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Here’s how our endocrine systems are suffering from it. [via Organic Authority]

Rice ‘n beans: a match made in sustenance heaven. Or is it? [via NPR’s The Salt]

Mum’s the word this week. This guide provides dozens of conscience-friendly gift ideas for Mother’s Day on Sunday. [via GirlieGirlArmy]

Image: Jessica Marati

The post Link Love: Gift Guides and GoogaMooga appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now. 

For some, Cinco de Mayo is an excuse to drink too much Corona. For us, it’s an excuse to cook up these seven mouth-watering recipes. To each her own. [via Big Girls Small Kitchen]

Want to live an awesome life but have no idea where to begin? Consider this an intro course. [via Elephant Journal]

A new music device is able to create melodies by reading tree rings. We sense a new 8tracks playlist. [via UTNE]

Should a fetus have more rights than the woman who carries it? One opinion writer says no. [via The Frisky]

Finally, a major magazine takes a stand against the anorexic pre-teen model craze. [via The New York Times]

Introducing a new hand-powered artisan .GIF maker… from Portland, of course. [via The Atlantic Cities]

Image: Big Girls Small Kitchen

The post Link Love: Mexican Food and Maternal Rights appeared first on EcoSalon.

Going green – we hear it so often, but what does it really mean to go green? In some cases it’s about much more than making a global impact on a local scale: it can also be a way to save money during a recession, try something new and learn through doing. From self- to home-improvement, design to decor, here are dozens of carefully chosen, essential ways to craft an eco-friendly lifestyle that are good for you, your pocketbook and the planet.

Overall Strategies for Personal Sustainability in a Recession

(Image via: Tracy Olsen)

Personal Sustainability in a Recession: There is only so much we can do to control the world around us so the best place to start going green and saving money is in your own life, home and expenses.

Specific Sustainability and Money-Saving Tips: Once you decide on general strategies for going green you will need these – an arsenal of 25 essential tips for actually making your life greener.

Daily Ways to Go Green: Sustainable options stare us in the face every day, from how we travel to how we transport our foods and work with what we have. Here are some common-sense tips for going green daily.

Giving Green: Eco-Friendly Presents on a Budget

(Images via: RobLee and ArtzyViva)

Cheap and Eco-Friendly Gifts: You don’t want to come off as a cheapskate, so hide your frugality and do something good by giving a green gift that still fits within your personal budget.

Giving Meaningful and Green Gifts: The kind of gifts we give say a lot about who we are as people. Sure, there are thoughtful object gifts but you can also give of your time, money and more.

Green Gift of Your Time: Want to give something but don’t have the funds? Well, one great way to help the world and save money on presents is to give the gift of your own time and energy.

House and Home: Making Use of What You Have

(Image via PageDooley)

Reduce, Reuse, Remodel: So, you are closing in on the end of your remodeling project but you have run out of money. Here are some ways you can still make the most of your planned interior redesign project.

Recycling Around the House: When most of us think of recycling we imagine tossing something into a box that is whisked away – but there are many things you can creatively reuse around your own home.

Even More Upcycling Ideas: So many things got thrown away casually when they could become something entirely new with little or no effort – try to upcycle before you recycle.

Eco-Friendly Fashion: Affordable Green Apparel  Strategies

Stylish Second-Hand Stores in the US: Saying yes to second-hand clothing is a great way to go green and find fashions that won’t be pushed on you at the mainstream stores.

Make Clothing Last Longer: We all have our favorite clothes and shoes we had to lose to wear and tear, so like good health care you can and should take steps to prevent problems before they become too big to handle.

Wash Less, Save More: Wash your jeans a little less often and save the equivalent energy of turning off thousands of light bulbs – a fairly simple way to save money, time and energy all at once.

Sustainable Consumption: Money-Saving Food and Water Tips

(Image via: HLK)

High Food Prices Explained: Why is food so expensive and, more importantly, what can you do to save money without sacrificing your favorites or cutting down on quality?

How to Eat Well on a Budget: Cutting back on your grocery bill does not have to mean eating Mac-and-Cheese or otherwise compromising the quality and taste of your meals.

Cheap and Safe Non-Organics: The idea of buying only organic fruits and vegetables sounds nice in theory but in practice it isn’t necessary. Here is a list of safe-to-eat conventional versions.

How to Stop Wasting Groceries: In a recession especially it becomes important to make the most of what we have – particularly if as much as 1/3 of your groceries may be going straight into the garbage.

Water-Saving Strategies and  Tips: Cutting down on our use of water is only going to be more important as this vital natural resource becomes the center of increasingly many power plays around the world.

Reduce Waste: Reuse Everyday Household Goods

(Image via: Jenna Carver)

Keep Fruits and Vegetables Fresh: One of the best ways to save money is to be less wasteful – and one of the biggest sources of food waste is your fruit-and-vegetable drawer.

Reuse Old Make-Up Brushes: There are so many things that we throw away on a regular basis that can be repurposed quite easily and successfully for other projects – this is just one very good example.

Reupholster Your Sofa: A great DIY project, reupholstering your sofa is a way to save massive amounts of money you might spend on new furniture while also reducing your waste.

Mulch Leaves to Reduce Waste: One of the most painful things to see in the Fall is the number of big plastic bags filled and waiting on the curb to be taken away – when they could be composted right at home.

How to Green Your SUV: It sounds like an oxymoron – what, you ask, could a green SUV possibly be? However, if you are stuck with one of these fuel-suckers you can at least mitigate its damage!

Green DIY: Sustainable Make-Your-Own Home Projects

(Image via: Phil Garlic)

DIY Green Home Projects: There are a lot of ways to go green at home but some are a lot more fun than others. From sun jars to milk paint, here are some particularly nifty and unusual ways to keep it green.

DIY Chemical-Free Cleaning:  Standard chemical cleaners are not only smelly and expensive, they are also often about as far from green as you can get. Check out these cheaper and better alternative cleaners.

DIY Non-Toxic Milk Paint: Yes, you read that right – you can create your own paint right at home and, best of all, it is not toxic and made from an everyday material you surely have at hand.

DIY Laundry Detergent in 5 Minutes: Have a few minutes and an urge to do something good for yourself and the world? Save money, stop using chemicals and make your own green laundry detergent.

DIY Wood Polish: Creating eco-friendly wood polish is a lot easier than most people realize. Why go out of your way to buy something expensive at the store when you can use leftover lemons instead?

DIY Soy Candles: Soy is useful for so many things – but did you know that it is also ideal for creating candles? Make your own soy candles in a few simple steps at home.

DIY Homemade Curtains: Making your own curtains at home does not mean you have to have curtains that look homemade – here is a great way to go about it while still preserving your sense of style.

DIY Eco-Friendly Facials: Once again, here is a way to not only go environmental but also save money by doing it yourself. Some of these tips are so old they have been forgotten by many others are fresh and new.

DIY Pesticides and Fungicides: Commercial solutions to pests and fungi are often expensive, not to mention being environmentally unfriendly. Here are some easy do-it-yourself home solutions to these common problems.

Main image: Sarah Parrott

The post The Recessionista's Ultimate Green Do-It-Yourself Guide appeared first on EcoSalon.

Here’s a whole new kind of scam – pretending to be exposing an animal rights outrage. As greenUPGRADER reports, the “Human Society Of America” (there’s no such organization) claims to have exposed the appalling use of kittens are shark-bait (not true) and are asking for donations to give to animal rights groups (who know nothing of these events). Bless.

At last! A use for discarded banana peel – shoe polish. (A much nicer alternative to the usual variety which is filthy stuff at the best of times, and in some cases is toxic and even stains skin!)

Regarding the fight to reduce carbon dioxide, it’s possible there’s more at stake than we thought. Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth System Research Laboratory now believe that if CO2 levels continue to rise, there will come a point where the global climate’s ability to recover will be so diminished that irreversible changes will take place, despite any countering measures we might undertake – and it would take a thousand years to get back on track.

Count me among those people who obsessively love the taste of vanilla (so good in all sorts of things), but have no idea how to extract its goodness. Correction: count me among them no longer, thanks to bethany actually.

If only the U.S. were as bike-friendly as Copenhagen (although it’s getting there). The cycling mothers of Japan want their government to be as well, in the wake of new laws banning sannin-nori (“three on a bike”). And in a country with a famously low birth rate, some are even threatening to stick to one-child families to make the government pay attention.

Just imagine if your favorite search engine were vetted by a discerning team of researchers who sifted out all the wheat from the chaff so you didn’t have to. Searching a keyword and actually finding what you want? Impossible, surely – but that’s the admirable philosophy behind Sweet Search. Let’s just hope they have a lot of researchers.

And speaking of sweet, here’s my nomination for Wrong Of The Week: the Baskin Robbins Chocolate Oreo Milkshake. Are you sitting down? You would be after this monster – it’s 2,600 calories (that’s not a typo) and 135 grams of fat. In other words, it’s more than the recommended daily calories for an active man in a single drink. I fear for my species.

For happier news, Small Business Trends looks at how rural small businesses in America are going to be shaping up over the next year – and the theme is Local Local Local. We couldn’t agree more (the new President will probably have his hands full with the economy).

When trimming back on a household budget, it’s worth taking a good hard look at grocery shopping. Here are 20 ways to do that courtesy of Woman’sDay – and the star, for me, is #4: “DIY and save.” May 2009 be the year of the Ingredient, sending prepacking packing.

There are people who never seem to get sick, and cheerfully fly around at work in glowing health while the rest of us fight off the seemingly inevitable winter cold that’s doing the rounds. But it’s possible that there’s a secret behind the invulnerability – and it may involve massages, ginger and cold showers. Alicia Potter and Diane Mapes explain at MSN.

With all the current talk of energy independence and living off the grid, it’s surprising to see a major green site arguing just the opposite – but Sarah Lozanova makes a good case for staying grid-dependent at CleanTechnica.

Challenging another common assumption is Carly Weeks for GlobeLife Health, who argues that free-range chickens may not have as great a life as we suppose.

The problem with science (a journalist friend tells me) is that nothing’s certain. It’s woolly, vague, full of probabilities and possibilities. In other words, no good at all for stringing an arresting headline together. But this is because EcoGeek’s Law Of Incremental Suck matters more than exact deadlines laden with doom. Every day is progress – every day helps. It doesn’t help sell newspapers, but that’s just too bad.

Roofs should be alive! Our obsession with green roofing is hardly a secret, so you’ll understand how much fun we had looking through these examples sent in to the Huffington Post by its readers. But now we want more – MORE. Any others that you’d care to suggest?

Hello, what’s this: people eating a billion frogs a year? No, it’s not a bizarre Monty Python sketch but a sober analysis of UN trade data…and even John Cleese et al. couldn’t make some of these delicacies up!

Image: Peter Giger

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