Growing up without Christmas was brutal. Each night for eight long and depressing nights, my parents would dole out gifts more boring than the last. Sweaters, books and, yawn, pajamas, all while my friends got Barbie houses and roller skates on perfect, snowy, Christmas morning. If there was one saving grace to the Hanukkah blues, it was most definitely those crispy, tasty, potato latkes.

The holiday season is often synonymous with excess and splurging, but is that really the true spirit of giving? Seems like taking into account our impact on the planet is at least as important a gift as that new tie you just bought your Dad. Green your holiday this year with these easy tips.

You don't get to be the Heavyweight Champion of the world by being predictable. This is doubly true for Mike Tyson, who is rumored to be discussing plans to open a Kosher and vegan restaurant. You read right. The Champ chomps tofu and he wants you to join him.

The average American eats more sugar in one day than our ancestors did during an entire lifetime. They prized sugary foods for their abundant calories and quick energy spike. Thus, now we are wired to reach for the cookie jar over and over and over – even though we have no lions to outrun.

This is important skin care info for two reasons: First, that tube of discontinued mascara that you bust out for special occasions (because it's just that good) - though you bought it ten years ago - has got to go! And maybe a few other of your beloved cosmetics. Second, because we're devoted to bringing our beauty about in the most natural way possible, it becomes even more important to stay on top of the expiration dates (self-appointed) of our makeup.

We love food. Period. So, we’re always on the search for the nouveau, the bold and the brave tastebud sensations. And while we swerve on the side of healthy fare, we're not averse to a little “wow” factor or even danger when discovering new recipes – not to say we’d actually eat these things so much as gawk at them. Still, that doesn't make it any less interesting to learn of foodstuffs from around the globe whose ingredients are potentially hazardous, revolting or even deadly – but can still be healthy too! From the exotic to the everyday, here are 10 healthy recipes to die for. Literally.

Once upon a time, cinnamon was more valuable than gold. And while these days I'm betting most of us would rather get our hands on 24 karats over 24 ounces - a bar over a stick - this bark-cum-spice has just as much bite as it does bark. The potential health benefits attributable to cinnamon could be stated as nothing short of astonishing.

Looking for farm fresh produce without the hassle of planting your own? Sign up for a CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) and you’ll get produce straight from a local farm. Aside from the super fresh produce, CSAs also have many eco-friendly benefits and even though all the winter CSAs are already booked up, you should to sign up for your summer share now!

It's on, Season 2 of Project Green Search that is. Are you the next woman of green? If it's your dream to align your professional life with your personal beliefs that happen to fully encompass advocating green living, you just might be. If championing the earth, animal wellfare, fair trade and human rights all sound like your ideal life's purpose, you may be the next "Green It Girl" that the Project Green Search is... well, searching for.

If your dog ever looks at you like he or she is trying to tell you something really, really important, you might want to give it some attention. While the chances are good that they just want whatever it is you're eating, they may actually be letting you know that they're able to point you to one of the most sought after hard-to-find foods in the world: truffle mushrooms.

You’re not the only one that needs a morning pick-me-up. After all, dogs sleep around 12 hours a day. No wonder they call them lucky dogs. Perk up his coat with PetSpresso Dog Shampoo ($30).

It's no surprise, we love Thanksgiving at Organic Authority. After all, it's the perfect venue to share our delicious, organic fare with all the special people in our lives. And to be thankful for it! We have a lot of Thanksgiving recipes, menu ideas and more that we think you'll love. So, to make it easier, we rounded them up in one spot – your Thanksgiving pot of creativity perusal, with an Organic Authority twist. 

Mexican produce was allegedly sold recently in a California farmer's market under false pretenses. The complaint came by way of Shannon Reid, a market manager for Raw Inspiration, who claims she witnessed Kirby Wyllie, an employee of Rancho Las Gordonises repackaging Mexican fruits and vegetables to appear as if they were California grown. This is not the first episode of this vendor alleging their imports are locally sourced.

We recently touted the benefits of a yoga practice in preventing osteoporosis (5 Yoga Poses that Prevent Osteoporosis) – a ubiquitous "silent" disease of the bones (or lose thereof) which leads to a highly fragile skeleton as we age and a host of ruinous susceptibilities. In conjunction with weight bearing exercise, it is – not shockingly – your diet that has the power to keep you strong and healthy into your golden years and beyond. And the sooner you start, the better off you will be.

Born out of the eco-conscious movement, eating locally is one of the easiest and certainly most rewarding ways to support your environment and your local economy. Defined as staying within 100 miles in any direction from your house, locavores stand a good chance of finding something delicious growing even closer.