Drive-through windows, microwave ovens and liposuction. These seemingly oddball things share one distinctive quality in common – they cater to our instant gratification society. After all…why wait until tomorrow for something that we can have right here and right now? Part of the pure convenience of living in our current day and age is that we don’t have to break a sweat in order to have access to infinite goods and services that make our lives all the more easy-breezy. Do I hear a ‘heck yeah’ from the peanut gallery?

There's no question, cancer is a scary disease that affects far too many people. Chances are you know someone who has battled one of its many forms. And while there's no miracle food or herb that can guarantee to keep us safe from The Big C, there are certainly some bad habits worth losing that may improve our chances of staying cancer free.

Stringing up your laundry to dry on a (gasp!) clothesline may seem like an archaic tradition; it’s definitely not common anymore. Some well-to-do communities around the nation have even banned clotheslines, writing them off as eyesores to the neighborhood. Wouldn’t want to see your neighbors’ unmentionables, right? While that may be true, I’ll take a few undie sightings over wasting resources with conventional dryers.

Take advantage of the delicious springtime breezes and warming summer air over the next few months to dry your clothes naturally. Find out how.

Simply hearing the word "coconut" can bring peace of mind, evoking thoughts of relaxing on a tropical vacation in your favorite bathing suit. So it's no surprise coconut products have recently become all the rage - they're exotic, refreshing and delicious. And as an added bonus, coconuts are actually quite healthy. One of the most popular ways to enjoy this palm fruit is to drink it's "water," which is the slightly sweet and mildly sour liquid from inside. But is this really worth $2-3 a pop, or more?

Imagine a brewery that makes not only bomb beers of all persuasions on site, but makes them organically. Now imagine that this organic brewery should add to their establishment a family restaurant that serves up sustainable fare for meat-eaters, vegetarians and yes, even vegans. Now imagine kicking back with an organic beer and chowing down on vegan grub while letting your little ‘uns get down in a designated kid-safe play area. Outside, your bike is safely parked by the bicycle bar, and you happen upon some good friends who are enjoying the outdoor beer-garden in the shade. Sounds like Germany, huh? Think again. It’s right here in the States, at a magnificent wonder-bar called Hopworks Urban Brewery.

Debates about whether wood or plastic cutting boards reign supreme rage among gourmet chefs and home cooks alike. (Anyone get the Iron Chef reference, eh, eh?)

Whether you’re a wooden board aficionado or pro-plastic, you gotta get your boards clean. You don’t want bacteria milling around the area where you chop veggies, fruits and meats.

It only takes two natural ingredients to disinfect wood cutting boards. You probably even already have them in your green cleaning arsenal. Find out how to sanitize a wood cutting board, eco-style.

Many dog treats are even more processed than a lot of human store-bought food. With dogs’ tummies more sensitive than ours, who wants that for their pup? That’s one of many reasons why making dog treats yourself is the jam. You totally control what goes into their treats, and can customize organic ingredients for better health – or even avoid those foods your dog is allergic to!

Make your wedding reception an event that not only celebrates your loved one and yourself, but also the food, the land and the guests you are bringing to the table. Gone are the days of stuffy hotel wedding receptions with generic “American” fare—sure, we all love a good steak and potatoes, but the modern wedding is giving its food a bit more attention these days.

The farm-to-table movement, which hit restaurants years ago, has now made its way into weddings. Brides and grooms are ditching the hotels and heading to the countryside; they’re kicking off their shoes in the fields, working with the farmers to make a seasonal, local feast and giving their guests an experience almost as memorable as it will be for themselves. Here are 8 essential tips for making your own wedding reception a farm-to-table affair.

I've road-tripped it across this heart-breakingly beautiful country of ours four times. (Read: I've done my share of camping.) Though I'm less inclined—at least my back is—to sleep on a rocky tent floor these days, outdoor living is still part of my makeup.

I've been ogling these four sustainably-designed cabins from all over the globe. They'll inspire you to create your own modern take on back-to-basics living—even if it's only in your own backyard.

Which is your favorite?

1. Modern Campground

Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to turn your old possessions into brand-new cash with an American community tradition: The garage sale. 

For treasure hunters, garage (or yard) sales can be a bounty of unique housewares, vintage clothes and one-of-a-kind items that can’t be found anywhere else. Those hosting a sale can expect to make anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to a couple thousand, depending on the quality and quantity of stuff for sale.

Garage sales take some work to make happen, but if you follow these tips and do it right, people will pay YOU to haul off your unwanted items. While throwing a garage sale alone is quite possible, having a buddy to watch the cash box while you load a dresser into someone’s car will help you immensely – just be sure to give your friend a split of the profits.

“That’s the craze now: Farmers markets.”

The words were uttered by Bob Marshall, owner of Marshall’s Farm and Marshall’s Fenway Farm Stand, as he sat in his modest back office of the latter. “I’m from the old school that if you’re going to have something once a week,” he asked, “why not have it seven days a week?”

Oh the many reasons we love New York Times columnist and bestselling author, Mark Bittman. His food sensibilities make us want to trade in our frying pans for feather plume pens so that we can prattle our praises in poetic piety.

And now there's one more reason to go ga-ga over this foodie extraordinaire. Mark Bittman has recently launched a brilliant iPhone app based on his cookbook, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian.

Blenders are often confused with juicers and many people think that they probably serve the same function. Blenders make delightful smoothies, do a fine job of grinding spices and coffee beans and my personal blender can emulsify tasty salad dressings in a snap. Smoothies, especially green smoothies, are a great addition to a healthy diet, however juicing offers a number of different advantages.

This Saturday (May 14^th) thousands of people around the planet will be celebrating World Fair Trade Day. Never heard of it? That's ok, you can still celebrate—and for good reason.

The World Fair Trade Day initiative comes via the World Fair Trade Organization, which unites citizens, Fair Trade organizations, environmental movements, producers and consumers around the planet. But what exactly is Fair Trade?

Getting familiar with the sustainability dos and don’ts of seafood can send your head swimming. There’s wild fish, farmed fish, lake fish, ocean fish . . . the list goes on. And to make matters more complicated, there is no black and white answer of one type of seafood being better than the other. Wild salmon? Sustainable. Wild shark? Not sustainable. Farmed catfish? Sustainable. Farmed salmon? Not sustainable. Check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch site to learn the overall ins and outs of sustainable seafood. But this spring season, simplify things a bit, and make menu planning easy on yourself. Here are the top four picks of sustainable seafood choices that are perfect for spring dining.

Strawberries are the star fruit of the summer season, and for good reason: The bright red color and fresh sweet taste lift the spirit, thrill the taste buds and remind us of happy times. Strawberry shortcake, strawberry milkshakes and strawberry pie all no doubt have a special place in your heart. But have you ever tried strawberry soup?