There are few things more exciting for a child than a house full of grown up guests laughing, smelling like alcohol, listening to the Doobie Brothers, and eating foods too fancy for highchair cuisine. I remember those days only slightly, sadly. But I do have a few fond memories of the grown up food nibbles I’d manage to get just before my bedtime. One such favorite was the cheddar cheese-covered olive. It's so '70s, right?

Welcome to this week's installment of From Our Friends, our weekly roundup where we highlight some of our favorite posts from the past week and more from our friends and partners around the web. This week's edition includes articles on a mixed-up cardio routine, sunscreen safety, avocado dessert recipes, yoga games for kids, great glutes exercises and what microwaves do to your food.

Unique, light and refreshing, this goat cheese cheesecake recipe is the perfect early summer treat. Ideal as a light but sweet dessert or afternoon delight, this cheesecake recipe offers a fantastically delicious alternative to its heavier counterpart, the traditional cheesecake with cream cheese. Similar in texture to a dense soufflé, the cake is airy and fluffy and baked without a crust. The rosemary berry sauce complements the goat cheese flavors beautifully; strawberries are a wonderful seasonal option. This recipe makes 10-12 small servings, which can be baked in small soufflé dishes if you wish.

Have you ever wished you could walk through the Hedge Maze described in Alice of Wonderland? Well, the team behind the Miracle Garden in Dubai, United Arab Emirates has brought that very experience to life.

A mirage of colorful flora, brilliant botanical showcases and playful displays of shapes and optical illusions, this garden artfully demonstrates how plants can sculpt a Fantasia-like landscape. Wave-patterned flowerbeds, cars filled with plants, multi-colored pyramids and domes, heart and star shaped plantings, candy striped walkways and fountains bring the fairytale to life in the most beautiful and awe-inspiring way.

If your spicytooth seems to have gotten stronger recently, you're not alone. It appears our taste for hot and spicy foods is on the increase.

A natural extracts specialty firm, Kalsec, has developed a new heat index way of measuring the use of hot peppers in food production. Evaluating more than 2,400 restaurant menus in the U.S., the group found that since 2009, the heat index has grown 21 percent—with an 8 percent increase in 2012. Hot and spicy retail products increased by 16 percent.

I was traveling around the far coastline on an island in Indonesia, and stopped at the equivalent of a seaside rest stop for a lunch break. Diving into my box lunch of fried rice, fried plantains and fried chicken, my clumsy nature took hold and I dumped the entire meal into my lap and onto the dirty concrete floor.

“FIVE SECOND RULE!” one of my companions screamed. “Don’t waste food,” she continued, “there’s nothing wrong with it if you pick it up and eat it now!”

For many of us, it is grass cutting season again--and that fact is not bringing joy into our lives.

Lawns first originated with the aristocracy in Europe and were a sign of wealth and status. The trend was transported to the Americas and is certainly still with us today. The lawn, and its rigorous care, is without a doubt one of the status symbols of the American suburbs.

Spring allergies got you down? You're not alone. But over-the-counter allergy remedies can leave you drowsy, not to mention over-medicated. Never fear: there is another -- all-natural -- solution to your allergy woes. And the best part? Most of the remedies are probably already in your home!

White flour may not be the best addition to your diet, as it is essentially stripped of nutrients, but it is actually a godsend around the house and in your beauty routine. White flour harnesses a host of uses, from hair removal to ripening avocados. Incorporate the following 10 unusual ways to use white flour in your life, and you have yourself a cheap and effective solution to common problems.  

The temperatures are rising and the sun is intensifying. But don't let the weather affect your workout routine. Instead, take into consideration the following four ways to protect yourself while exercising under the summer sun.

It's coming. This Saturday (May 25^th) the March Against Monsanto is happening. Across the globe, protest marches big and small will be going on in more than 40 countries. Here in the U.S., at least 38 states are participating.

Apartment dwellers already know that they have more than enough tools to create a fantastic kitchen garden, but as you get ready to make your selections for this summer's bounty, consider the fact that not only is a garden in your reach, but composting as well! Some may already have taken to apartment composting... but you can still take advantage of these fantastic tips to make apartment composting even easier!

Reuters recently reported that a group of executives from biotech giants including Monsanto, Dow Chemical and DuPont, are creating a campaign targeted at changing public opinion about genetically modified organisms. "The big biotech firms are still working out details of their plan, but it will likely have a large social media component," the company executives said. "The group will focus on conveying what it says are the many benefits of biotech crops."

We all need a retreat to escape to every once in a while. For those of us who can’t take off on a vacation very often, creating a refuge in your backyard can be its own kind of paradise. Consider creating a Zen garden for meditation and stress relief. Designate a section of your backyard or side yard to use. Choose a space away from noise and fence off the area to keep out children or pets. Even better, use a fence made of natural elements, like bamboo. After you clear the area of weeds and debris, you can start designing your garden. Planning is key, otherwise the space will feel out of balance—and that will affect your mood. Wherever you decide to put your garden, there are several basic structures to include for a serene space.

With the weather quickly turning from pleasant to steamy, I’m always looking for natural beauty products that are moisturizing and refreshing. And, hey, if I can make the beauty aid on my own, even better! DIY is the way to go because I love (love, love) knowing what I’m putting on my bod.

Have you been a crabby grump bucket lately? It’s probably because you haven’t been getting enough sleep. Sleep—or rather lack of it—affects so much of our waking lives. It messes with the quality of our work, our relationships and our happiness. Don’t let a lack of Zs make you grouchy and sluggish. Try these 10 natural (no sleeping pills here) tips to help you drift off.