Gamay Noir is one of Europe's great red wine grapes, but it hasn't made the same inroads in North America that its cousins, such as Merlot, have enjoyed – yet. One place it's breaking ground is in Oregon's Willamette Valley, which isn't as famous as Napa or Sonoma – yet. We think both the variety and the region need to be on your radar ASAP.

Pre-party; my home sparkles with magnificence. From the floor to the furniture, it gets a complete scrub down, and everything is put fabulously in its place. It’s at those times that I am most proud of the little sanctuary we have built for ourselves. Not too shabby!

Unfortunately, right after a party, our home is often in shambles. Our carpet is soiled with dirt that guests tracked in. The sofa has a brand new stain of indeterminate source. And of course, the dishes are piled high. So the cleaning begins, again!

We hate to say it; but there is far more to eco-eating than simply organic. Organic is wonderful and certainly always a step in the conscientious direction, but food is a complicated matter indeed. The food system is responsible for 1/3 of all greenhouse gas emissions, the US food system alone contributing 5% of all global emissions, which, as we all know, causes global warming (excuse us, global climate change).

This past week was the close of Oktoberfest celebrations and NY Craft Beer Week … a moment of silence, please. So if you already miss your old bud (get it?) beer, grab your stein and hit up one of these breweries or bars in New York. Girls, we’re talking to you, too!

Some dermatologists may contend the jury is still out on whether diet affects your complexion, but we've been conducting our own research – in our homes and on ourselves – and the judgment is unanimous. A healthy diet is synonymous with gorgeous skin. Just ask raw foodists where they get their luminous glow.

It's bad enough that most of us have to endure colder weather, darker days and Santa upping his cookie demand every winter. Do we really have to get sick too? Nope.

It’s official, that magical time of year known as fall has arrived. The leaves are changing to beautiful shades of orange, yellow, and brown, the weather is cooling down, and delicious harvest food is back on the menu.  To celebrate this occasion, we want to see your fall harvest pictures!

It’s October, which means it’s time to bring out 3 things: your long sleeve shirts, your rake (to round up all the beautiful fallen leaves), and delicious seasonal foods. We’re talking apples, squash, pumpkins, carrots, nuts, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. If you’re looking for some ideas on how to bring those flavors together, we’ve got you covered with 6 dishes you’re sure to fall for.

Everything has its season, and during the fall, there are many yummy fruits and vegetables to take advantage of while they are at their peak. The first step is to know what’s in season in your area. Don’t rely on general lists because the weather is different throughout the United States. Different foods flourish in different areas. My favorite resource is Epicurious’s Seasonal Ingredient Map, which lists each of the fifty states and the food that is in season for that month. I check it every week to refresh my memory before making my meal plan.

In a recent study by the National Cancer Institute and the National Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, it was revealed that nearly everyone fails to meet dietary requirements. Deficiencies can wreak havoc on immune and organ function, and can affect mood and appearance. So in theory, the less healthy you are, the more likely you are to become a child-eating wart covered witch living alone in the forest. I'm just saying.

Since the word "natural" has become as ubiquitous as it is mishandled (ahem, euphemism...) in a sea of unregulated beauty products, it's up to us – the savvy consumers – to do our own homework. And certainly to never fall into the trap of equating something that's touted as natural to have any organic ingredients (or more than one or two natural ingredients for that matter).

The crisp chill of autumn is upon us, that means changing leaves, cozy sweaters, and lots of holidays. But along with all that excitement comes some dangers for your adorable pooch and kitty. Find out the top 11 fall pet dangers to avoid.

We often feel a huge sense of powerlessness when it comes to our metabolisms. We think we've been cursed by the gods to have slow metabolic function and will have to battle the bulge until our dying day. But in fact, a properly functioning metabolism is neither slow nor quick. It is the mighty balancer. And modern day lifestyles just might be the culprit in throwing your metabolism out of whack.