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What Do You Know About America's Food Systems?

Susannah Chen — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:55:40 PDT

It's Eco Month on YumSugar and with the recent spotlight on "pink slime" and this past week's new case of mad cow disease in America, I've been giving a lot of thought to the way America's food systems operate. After rewatching the Oscar-nominated documentary Food, Inc., which brought to light even more harsh realities about our country's food production and consumption, I thought I'd put together a quiz on some of the statistics I learned while viewing the film. What do you know about commercial food production and consumption in America today? Get started below to find out.

Take the Quiz

Geeky Inspiration For an Eco-Friendly Existence

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:11:27 PDT

Spring is in full force, and with Earth Day going down this weekend, it's time to reevaluate your day-to-day routines to hopefully lean more to the green side of things. Need some tips? Whether you need ideas on how to properly recycle your gadgets or suggestions for an eco-friendly laptop case, you'll be surprised at how geeky going green can be.

Happy Earth Day! 5 TV Characters Who Care About the Planet

BuzzSugar — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:22:04 PDT

Today is Earth Day, when we're supposed to try extra hard to do the things we should be doing all year long to save the planet. To that end, I'll be recycling, composting, using public transportation - and thinking about my favorite earth-conscious TV characters!

Phoebe Buffay, Friends: She may be a little wishy-washy on her rules (remember when she had to eat meat during her pregnancy? Or couldn't stop wearing that fur coat?), but Phoebe is an animal lover through and through. Case in point: she dumps guest star Michael Rappaport when he shoots a bird, even though they just decided to move in together. Plus, she's a friend to smelly cats everywhere.
Jessie Spano, Saved by the Bell: Women's rights may have been Jessie's biggest cause, but she was willing to protest just about anything. She and Kelly even handcuffed themselves to a fake oil derrick to boycott the drilling at Bayside High. I think everyone learned a lesson when Zack couldn't save Becky the duck and all the other animals.

See three more earth-crunchy characters when you

Kat Stratford, 10 Things I Hate About You: Kat's activist streak gets her into constant trouble at school and home, but hey, she's trying to make a difference. Most recently she tried to rally for Meatless Mondays in the cafeteria to reduce her school's carbon footprint.
Lisa Simpson, The Simpsons: Lisa is a steadfast friend to the earth, always trying to improve the planet. Although, it was her crush on a boy that motivated her to do her most outrageous act of protest - living in a tree to deter loggers from removing it. Either way, it was brave!
Dharma Finkelstein Montgomery, Dharma and Greg: As the hippie flower child of the '90s, Dharma champions vegetarianism and taking public transportation. She even once "carpeted" her apartment in live grass, so let's hope that she also taught Greg to love recycling.

Make Your Eating Habits More Sustainable

Camilla Salem — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:19:17 PDT

Earth Day is today, and it always serves as a good reminder to rethink our eating habits and cooking practices. There are so many small changes that we all can make in our everyday lives that, over time, significantly impact the world that we live in. While we may not be able to implement all of these changes all of the time, it is important to consider how our actions affect the bigger picture. Find out how you can make a difference when you keep reading.

Make Some Art Outdoors This Earth Day!

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 08:44:04 PDT

Today is Earth Day, and if your skies are blue and bright, get outside to soak up the rays and create some art at the same time. The SunArt Paper Kit ($7) lets you create pretty stenciled art, thanks to light-sensitive paper and a few minutes of sunlight. The kit even tells you how to turn old film negatives into sun art prints with a bit more time.

PopSugar's Picks: Our 10 Favorite Eco-Loving Celebs!

PopSugar — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:04:12 PDT

In honor of Earth Day today, we're taking a look at the celebrities who love giving back. Whether they're thinking green in their own lives or promoting environmental habits and products, these stars do their part to help clean things up.

Click through our slideshow to see who made the list, and make sure to check out all of our eco content to check celebrate the holiday.

Get Stylish on Earth Day With These Eco-Friendly Fashion Finds

Allison McNamara — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 05:30:01 PDT

In honor of Earth Day, we've rounded up the most stylish eco-friendly finds out there. Whether you're in need of some printed flats, chic retro shades, or the perfect party dress, we've found some super-cute pieces that are as environmentally friendly as they are stylish. Watch today's installment of Fab Flash and go get shopping for a good cause. On Allison McNamara: Rebecca Taylor top, Belle Noel bracelet and ring.

How Do Your Beauty Choices Affect the Environment? Take Our Quiz

Jaime Richards — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 05:05:30 PDT

Earth Day (tomorrow, April 22) has been around for more than 40 years, but these days we're more aware of our impact on the environment than ever. How aware are you on the topic of eco-beauty and the footprints you leave behind? Take our quiz and find out.

Take the Quiz

13 Earth Day Freebies and Discounts You Can't Miss!

Emily Co — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:15:41 PDT

For those of you who missed out on Tax Day freebies, don't despair. The free loot you're getting for Earth Day and Easter is even better! Big-name retailers like Starbucks and Disney will be handing out freebies, so be sure to take advantage of them.

Amazon: The online retailer is offering four Earth Day-themed ebooks downloads for free.

Anthropologie: Check out these Anthropologie locations to see what Earth Day craft workshops will be held near you.

Caribou Coffee: Get a free cup of coffee at any Caribou location today when you bring in a reusable cup.

Disney: Get a free (and really cute!) tote bag at the Disney store in exchange for five plastic bags this Sunday.

Drugstore.com: Shop green products that are natural and organic at Drugstore.com today, and get 20 percent off.

For more great freebies and discounts, read on!

Celebrate Earth Day This Weekend With These Tips

Leta Shy — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:01:59 PDT

Earth Day is on Sunday. It’s a time to think about how our daily routines are impacting the environment, while also helping us remember that our resources are not infinite. If you'd like to green your life even more, here are some ways you can celebrate Earth Day this weekend:

Time to recycle: Have an old pair of running shoes that just aren't cutting it anymore, or a yoga mat that's seen its share of Downward Dogs? Before you chuck them away, read our guide on where to donate your used sneakers, yoga mats, clothes, and more, and spend some time this weekend culling and donating your fitness gear.

Shop smart: If you're stocking up this weekend at the grocery store, make smart decisions that will be good for you and the Earth. Don't forget your reusable bag, choose local, organic foods, and try to avoid products with too much packaging to shop eco-friendly. Read more tips for greening your grocery shopping here.

Green your fitness: This weekend, take advantage of the nice weather and move your workouts outside. You'll use fewer energy resources if you trade the treadmill for an outdoor run.

Shop sustainable: Besides donating old clothes for recycling, you can also take care to buy brands that are known for their eco-friendly practices. Many companies use recycled materials, sustainable fabrics, or resource-saving production practices to make high-quality fitness gear. Read our list of some eco-friendly fitness brands here, and shop our favorite eco finds here.

Check out more ideas to green your healthy routine here.