Are your pantry shelves lined to the edge and piled high with items you’ll never use? Maybe you have some unhealthy things lurking about, too. Your pantry doesn’t have to look like you’re ready to feed the neighborhood in case of an emergency. A well-stocked pantry loaded with healthy food and convenience is just a few simple steps away.

All of us appreciate wildlife, animals and sustainable practices here, right? Without a doubt! So, naturally, we want to respect and not sully animals’ land and wildlife. In our modern times, humans and wildlife tend to come into conflict more often, which causes the following: Destruction of crops, buildings and land; Death of animals.

Thankfully, there are organizations dedicated to curbing human animal conflict.

You're a long-lived greenie, so when you order takeout, you always tell the person on the phone that no, you don't need those pesky plastic utensils. Every so often, though, your favorite delivery person lets you down, and you get another set of that useless, plastic cutlery. Fret not! There are many ways to reuse plastic utensils, and no -- we aren't including eating.

While we're all hopeful about 2012's job outlook, it's safe to state that the overall employment forecast is a bit panic educing. Employable people still have trouble finding work, full-time jobs are scarce, and "layoff" is a word some of us hear far too often. We un and underemployed people can breathe a sigh of semi-relief, though. There are some interesting organizations and programs that are bent on getting enthusiastic people alternative work options.

If it means not receiving that blender, sweater or strange-smelling candle…again…then a gift card as an alternative to the usual unwanted presents sure seems appealing. But you eco-minded consumers might not like what happens to that card after you spend all the funds.

Chances are, if you hand over a spent gift card to the store clerk it will probably get chucked in the (gasp!) trash and end up in a landfill. Rarely do stores reuse depleted gift cards. And what are you supposed to do with that piece of plastic if you keep it?

A desk muddled with papers, bric-a-brac, and random clutter makes clearing your mind difficult. Forget actually getting to work.Whether you work from home or just need a systematic spot to pay bills and check email, decluttering your home office can save you from unnecessary stress. Get ready to mark off the to-do lists and complete those everyday tasks; these five tips to an organized home office will leave you with one slick, efficient workstation.

Preparedness requires that you imagine and rehearse those first 72 hours after a natural disaster or emergency. How can you best prepare for a situation that keeps you out of your house, or if you have to leave on short notice? Having a plan and supply kit is essential to your safety in case of a disaster. Pre-assembled emergency kits are a convenient start, but getting re-usable, eco-friendly supplies of your own might be a wiser investment. Here are some health-conscious and environmentally friendly options for the five basics of a home emergency kit.

OK, ladies. Are you bored with the reading selection in your doctor’s office? Tired of clicking on apparent women’s interest news stories only to get an eye-full of some young starlet who’s fallen off the wagon again? Fume no more. We’ve compiled a “smart woman’s reading list” just for you covering everything from blogs to magazines, to smart websites and a podcast.

If you are like many people, your “To-Do” list tends to be a jumble of actions, contexts and priorities: Clean the bathroom, write novel, Suzy’s birthday, car – new tires. Obviously, those are four very different things that take differing amounts of brainpower and must occur in unique places – so why are they all jumbled together on your “To-Do” list?

A rushed lifestyle seems to be the norm today, and even you organic foodies might shove off good quality homemade food once in a while in favor of fast no-fuss microwaved meals. (Even if you feel bad about it.)

Based purely on taste, the microwave loses every time. Cooking fresh meals on your stovetop, oven or grill creates scrumptious, healthful meals—and unlike the microwave, your oven certainly doesn't have a bad rap for unhealthy cooking. Tossing that microwave for good might not be as difficult as you think. As you transition, try these tips for easy microwave-free living.