In the U.S., Memorial Day Weekend is the official start of the summer cookout season. All over America, grills are being readied for the grilling season’s inaugural event.

Take advantage of this long weekend to prepare healthful and eco-friendly meals for family and friends.

This Memorial Day, choose a meatless menu. It can be one of the most important choices you can make for your body and for the planet. …read more of Throw a Party for the Earth this Memorial Day with a Delicious Vegan Cookout here

This certainly is the season of light! Whether it is brightly colored lights strung outside the house, or soft candlelight glowing in the family room, light is warm, inviting and festive.

Holiday décor doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Nature is the best artist and there are many easy and inexpensive ways to create Holiday cheer.

Fill a breadbasket with bright green apples and arrange some cinnamon sticks throughout for a fragrant centerpiece that comes together in a snap!

Wrap cinnamon sticks or peppermint sticks around a tall pillar candle and tie with a ribbon. …read more of ‘Tis the (Social) Season! here

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights celebrated by Jews around the world and begins in accordance with the Jewish calender, which is primarily based on the lunar cycle causing the dates to fluctuate each year.

Therefore, the first day of Hanukkah can fall anywhere between November 28th and December 26th.

Hanukkah is an eight-day festival marked by the lighting of brightly colored candles in a menorah that commemorates the rededication of the temple in ancient Jerusalem.

A menorah is a candelabrum with nine branches. A different candle is lit to mark each consecutive night and is the primary ritual on Hanukkah.

1. Hanukkah decorations can deplete the budget and degrade the environment. Avoid plastics and other synthetics labeled as polyester and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Purchase products made with renewable materials and look for alternative fibers such as cotton, hemp, bamboo and jute. …read more of 3 Tips for a Heart Healthy, Eco-friendly Hanukkah here

St. Nicholas, originally a Greek Bishop of the Catholic Church in the third century A.D. was born into wealth and gave his inheritance to the needy.   So, our modern St. Nick, a.k.a. Santa Claus is truly related to the religious “reason for the season.”

We all need to remember that true Christmas joy is found in acts of kindness and generosity and doesn’t have to revolve around glossy, glitzy decorations and shopping.

Instead of exchanging a multitude of presents, family, co-workers or friends can plan to have a “Yankee Swap”.  Each person brings a wrapped present of a predetermined cost. …read more of Lean, Green, Serene Christmas here