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 the importance of reviewing priorities, plastic bottle alternatives, DIY energy bars, the deeper side of yoga, how to choose between good and bad carbs and the sustainability of e-readers.

I wasn't raised in a household where meatless meals were a priority. I can probably count on one hand the meals that didn't feature meat in some way that were served on the kitchen table growing up. I'm not complaining about the sorts of dishes that my mother served, and I'm sure that I'm not in the minority -- raised alternately on some combination of meat-and-potatoes and fish-and-rice -- but when I set out to make more meatless meals at home, I was at a bit of a loss. Alternate sources of protein like tofu were unfamiliar to me, and while I later realized how much I liked lentils, my mother hated them, which meant that until I was about 15, I had never seen a lentil before. In the early days, my first instinct was to throw an egg on it. Roasted, sautéd or steamed, I would make up a big plate of veggies, and when I was done, I would fry an egg and throw it on top. Voilà: dinner.

It's almost impossible to go to the market without coming back with something in a box, bag, can or jar. The simplicity of eliminating steps in preparing our food is now commonplace. We cut corners because food manufacturers make it so unbelievably easy and cheap to do so. Certainly some processed foods are safer than others, and most of us recognize how truly lucky we are to have so many options at our fingertips. And that's just the point: When we change our food habits, we change the world. It may seem as if processed food only affects our health, but there's a much bigger impact…and all the more reason for us to cut processed foods out for good.

Hops are most commonly known as the flavoring agent in many beers, but are in fact a beautiful vine that can enhance the landscape of any garden. Hops plants are hardy perennials that are very easy to grow and maintain in most climates. These plants are especially suited to chillier winters and warm summers, making them the perfect garden addition in northern states. If you’re thinking about becoming a home brewer, or are just curious about this viney plant, its time to learn how to grow your own hops and use them in numerous ways!

Decorating with fresh cut flowers is one of the easiest ways to brighten your spirits and add beauty and fragrance to your home. Flowers have the power to transform any space from blah to wow, whether decorating for everyday or for those special occasions. With a little creativity, a little work and some research, you can make your home into flowering paradise.

This recipe offers a tasty and lighter alternative to the classic blueberry or cranberry scone, and uses yogurt in place of large amounts of butter. Using goat milk yogurt will offer a slightly lighter texture and will make the recipe suitable for those with mild lactose intolerance (goat milk contains less lactose than cow milk). Serve these for fruity bites for breakfast or a sunny afternoon tea!

Last fall, many people were outraged when Stanford researchers concluded that organic food was no better because the nutrient content did not surpass conventionally grown crops. Those of us who recommend organic foods were furious that they had missed the point and misled the public.  Indeed if you read between the lines the study revealed an 81 percent lower incidence of pesticide residues in the organic foods. Nowhere is this distinction more important than when it comes to preparing for conception and during pregnancy. 

The practice of eating flowers can be traced back to European, Asian, East Indian, Victorian English and Middle Eastern cuisines. It has fallen out of fashion over the years, but cooking with edible flowers has emerged again recently as a colorful, flavorful and fragrant way to complement dishes.

Just when you thought your kitchen was clean…it probably isn’t. At least according to a new study of everyday kitchen appliances and tools. The results of the study, which scoped out the areas where germs hide in kitchens, will make you want to scrub your kitchen again and again. And again. Considering that 21 percent of foodborne illness outbreaks are caused by food consumed in private homes, the results of this study are particularly creepy. Find out what the study uncovered as the nine germiest spots in our kitchens.

Spring is in full swing and we're all awaiting the heat and blossoms of the summer months. To inspire all of our fellow gardeners and share some of the gorgeous botanical designs from different cultures, we've gathered up pictures of 10 stunning gardens for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy and dream big!

This breakfast fruit salad with vegan coconut cream combines the sweetness of fresh berries with the creamy richness of chilled coconut milk to make for a filling and nutritious morning meal that also happens to be animal friendly! Enjoy!

Could someone you don't know walk into your home and get a feel for who you are? If you answered no, it's time to bring that awesome personality of yours into your home décor. You aren't a cookie-cutter person, so your home shouldn't have cookie-cutter decor either. Here are three questions you can ask yourself to help you get there.

When planning a Mother's day dinner or lunch, consider what you want the food to evoke: delicate dishes and light flavors are perfect for these spring days, and mom will surely appreciate the beauty of a well-executed dish. Which is why in honor of this Mother's day, we're offering you 5 of our favorite verrines, perfect for serving at lunch, dinner or tea. They're delicious and they're beautiful: the perfect tribute to moms everywhere.

You may know it for being the most expensive spice in the world and a rare addition to home-cooked meals, but saffron is no stranger to various cultures around the globe, or to the world of nutrition. The reddish-golden colored spice packs a host of health benefits and is one of nature’s most powerful herbs.

The Environmental Working Group's 2013 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce helps consumers navigate the most- and least-pesticide sprayed fruits and vegetables. The guide also helps consumers shopping for the small children in their lives find the healthiest options for babies, too.

If you scour the internet (or your local health club), you’ll find a lot of conflicting information about when the best time of the day is to exercise. However, there really is no straightforward answer to this question. While studies may point us in one direction, the fact remains that an effective workout is also very individual and depends on your personal lifestyle. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind when planning the time of day you hit the ground running.