If New York City seems a little less crowded this summer that may be due in part to the Fresh Air Fund. This independent non-profit agency has been providing free summer vacations for thousands of New York's kids since 1877.

Were you one of those inquisitive little children who innocently sawed writhing worms in half with a twig just to witness the regeneration process that you learned about in science class? Ouch. Hopefully now – in your adult life – you make a concerted effort to wield no wormy weapons, instead admiring from a distance their distinctively eco-beneficial handiwork.

Celebrate this Memorial Day in sustainable style. Forget the beef burgers, the steaks and the dairy-laden sides. Instead, cook from scratch with a ready-to-go menu made without any meat or dairy, one that's vamped up to use the best of the season’s produce. Here’s a sneak-peak of what’s on the menu: Agave Meyer Lemonade; Red Radish Potato Salad; Farmers Market Slaw; Maple Heirloom Baked Beans; and Corn, Zucchini and Carrot Burgers. Prep the dishes the day before for a Memorial Day celebration that will be smooth—and sustainable—sailing.

From a scientific name that means "most useful," flax earns its status as a health food staple, especially for vegetarians and vegans looking for those ever-elusive omega-3s. Flax seeds are a smidgen larger than sesame seeds and can be brown or golden with a smooth and shiny shell. The warm, earthy and subtly nutty flavor of flaxseeds combined with an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids make them an increasingly popular addition to the diets of many a health conscious consumer. You can find flax in its whole seed form, ground or as an especially healthful oil.

The sweetest of the melons, Honeydew can be delectable with its pale green flesh when eaten at the peak of its ripeness. This succulent member of the Muskmelon family may fall by the wayside next to its Watermelon and Cantaloupe cousins nowadays, but the ancient Egyptians prized this fruit thousands of years ago, and ages before that in Persia, where the muskmelon is thought to have originated. The slightly oval honeydew is distinguished by a smooth, creamy-yellow rind and extraordinarily juicy and sweet flesh, ranging in weight from 4 to 8 pounds.

A closet office? Say what? Don’t get your paper clips in a twist. Transforming an underutilized closet into a functional home office only takes a few simple tweaks. Even in the teeniest of spaces.

With a little ingenuity and a bit of work, a closet can easily fit the bill for a practical, and may I say pretty darn cute, home office. Find out how to make over your closet.

Some people swear by feeding their dog a raw food diet. For others, the concept just makes them swear. Proponents will sing you the gospel of raw food, claiming it will do everything from making your dog’s coat shinier to clearing up medical issues to working as a sort of “fountain of youth” that will extend your dog’s life. Opponents say that a raw diet can lead to severe health problems for your dog and point to the fact that there is little scientific evidence to support the benefits of it. The truth, of course, is somewhere in-between, but both sides agree that owners should do their homework before jumping into a new diet for their four-legged friend.

In case you haven’t noticed, the 20s are roaring back in a big way – perhaps to get us in the mood for the 2020s! Art deco, jazz, feathers and flapper fashion are shaking to the surface of style again, and you can wash it all down with these classic cocktails.

My son is the pickiest eater on the planet. I know your child is picky too, but don't fight me on this because my son is even pickier. Promise.

Here's a good example about his quasi-relationship with vegetables. He considers six peas his vegetable serving for the day. He wipes the dressing off a tiny piece of spinach with a paper towel and then chews it in his mouth for 10 minutes before painfully, and dramatically swallowing it. He chokes when I ask him try cauliflower smothered in cheese.

Anyone who’s ever visited the Cape during peak season knows at least two things: 1) There is no better place in the continental U.S. to find clam strips, and 2) Traffic is a nightmare. The latter, however, isn’t quite as bad - and is almost enjoyable - when offbeat stops are made along the way. 

Americans eat almost 20 billion dollars worth of hot dogs a year. That works out to about 70 hot dogs per person, per year. And, an estimated 95 percent of U.S. homes serve hot dogs at one meal or another. So with summer right around the corner, expect it to be full-fledged frankfurter time. Despite how many dogs are downed each year, there is still debate on what actually goes into those pink little tubes of meat. We’ll tell you what’s really in them and the organic, all-natural brands you should be eating at your next BBQ.

Not all rainy days are a wash! Take advantage of those raindrops by creating your own rainwater collection system. A 1,000-square-foot roof can yield as much as 600 gallons of water during a rainfall accumulation of 1 inch. So whether it’s pouring or just a little drizzle, every bit will count in your new collection. Bonus: It’s not only good for the environment but it’ll save you money, too!

So you just treated yourself to some cool mineral makeup, huh? Let’s take a peek at your fresh new palette. Ooooo, very nice – especially the Ke$ha-inspired blue. Magazines constantly tout the eco-friendly benefits of such finely milled, earth-derived pigments because they’re pure and simple, just the way that Mother Nature intended. No chemicals, no fillers, no funky business cooked up in a lab – plus they’re safe for sensitive skin types and so versatile whether you like to lay ‘em on thick, thin or somewhere in between.

In a perfect world, summer would mean long, drowsy days spent lounging beachside - the warm breeze, loads of vitamin D, coconut creams and sea salt wafting through your hair. You're left relaxed, smelling and looking like the beach - wavy, texturized hair that is oh-so sexy. 

The situation at the Japanese nuclear plants at Fukushima remains tenuous and the possibility of radiation exposure uncertain.

Protection from radiation exposure is not proven science and it would be difficult to conduct a research study. However, the advice given here is based on our understanding of how body detoxification works, and how to maximize its benefits.

What are ramps you may ask? You're not alone, despite TIME magazine foodwriter, Josh Ozwerksy, saying, "The Church of the Ramp is one of the fastest-growing denominations in the religion of seasonality." This is a short-lived springtime green that's about to jump on your radar. Ramps are wild leeks with a small, white bulb and hairy root, resembling green onions but have a forward, garlic-onion flavor. Get your hands on some ramps before all your local chefs-in-the-know get their hands on all of 'em.