thanks to those who take time to read and thanks to Mother Earth News
How a non writer can with effort contribute in a small way. To read more on our life style go to www.brucecarolcabin.blogspot.com
Last week, while I was in Atlanta for Greenbuild, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to sit down with the editor and publisher of one of my very favorite magazines, Paste.
Reader Callout: Share your stories about the one thing you always make from scratch for Thanksgiving.
We’d love to hear about the homegrown veggies you served for Thanksgiving. What garden favorites always grace your holiday table?
Give thanks and give back to the earth this Thanksgiving by greening your celebration. Here are eight tips to get you started.
A New York Times article reports a recent, rigorous study confirming that acupuncture can ease chronic pain, including that from migraines and arthritis.
Check out our time-lapse video of peppers growing from seed to sprout.
Are you headed to (or just arriving back from) the MOTHER
EARTH NEWS FAIR at Seven Springs Resort in Pennsylvania? Share your favorite fair
experiences (and photos), and find out how you can keep up with what's going on
at this FAIR and future events.
Tips for driving safely and saving gas during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Tips on how to travel safely and save gas during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Many media outlets are pulling no punches when it comes to global climate change as a major factor in Hurricane Sandy's catastrophic destruction.
Whether you’re traveling or staying home, try these tips for a healthy & environmentally-friendly Thanksgiving. www.earthgauge.net/?p=33317
Choose a pastured turkey rather than an industrial turkey this Thanksgiving. Follow these turkey cooking tips and discover why heritage turkeys are a better choice than commercial turkeys.
Last spring, I decided to raise my own free-range turkey for Thanksgiving. Here’s how that project turned out.
Make your Thanksgiving day even more special by including your own home-grown goodness to the meal.
Two food and gardening experts share their favorite varieties of potatoes and sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving.
Earth floors are a durable, versatile and attractive option for new homes and renovations alike.
HOMEGROWN Life blogger and homesteader Rachel, of the Bay Area's Dog Island Farm, shares her method for cooking the very best Thanksgiving turkey ever.
A young homesteading family experiences their first harvest season and is able to preserve enough produce to last the winter.
As more people decide to pay a little extra for locally grown pastured turkey, demand may not meet supply. Make sure your bird is secure by buying farm-direct or shopping early.
The 2013 MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR in Puyallup, Wash., last weekend was again a source of great energy and exceptional education, thanks to 15,000 attendees, more than 125 presenters and some 300 sponsors and exhibitors.
It doesn’t matter how much you know already, there is always something to learn at the Mother Earth News Fair.
The Gourmet Butcher's road trip to the Fair.
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MOTHER EARTH NEWS Assistant Editor Heidi Hunt chats with Dan Lepinski of MOTHER EARTH NEWS RADIO about converting sunshine into electricity at the 2010 MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR in Seven Springs, Pa.
A brief preview of Cole's presentation at the Mother Earth Fair Sept 24/25 at Seven Springs, PA.
Thoreau, Rachel Carson, Bill McKibbon, Terry Tempest Williams. Do you have a favorite nature or environmental writer? A book or story you can get lost in, that inspires you to action, or simply reminds you of how incredible nature is? Post a comment to share the titles that invite you into the wonder of the natural world — or have maybe even changed your life.
Environmental journalist Simran Sethi stays thankful for what’s important in the midst of a big move.
Thanks to all the volunteers of the 2011 MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fair in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania. We couldn't have done it without all your hard work!
Homegrown, homemade pumpkin pies are becoming the starting event to the holiday season. This year we turned 8 winter luxury squash into pumpkin pie mix.
Time often isn't looked at as a resource - at least, not outside of corporate efficiency evaluations - but it's one of the most valuable resources any of us have. It's required for all the plans and hopes that we have, from learning to bake bread to building a self-sufficient homestead. How do you spend your time, and how would you like to?
Veggie meatloaf makes for a hearty, delicious entree or side dish perfect for vegetarians and vegans at Thanksgiving. Check out these three varieties: one features chickpeas, one lentils and one vegetarian meat substitute.
A new tool released by the U.S. Department of Energy allows drivers to compare fuel costs of electric cars with those of gas-powered vehicles.
On sunny days it delivers about a half a megawatt of electricity to the biodiesel plant, while providing strategic shade to plants below. Energy is produced above as farmers harvest below in a genuine double cropping scenario.
This garden is practically maintenance free as it produces some of the most beautiful and most beloved flowers. After you have tried it, you will wonder, why didn’t I start growing hardy annuals sooner? Don’t miss the opportunity to garden in the forgotten seasons.
In our culture we are used to government regulations telling us what to do – can we talk on our cell phones while driving? Or, should I wear my seat belt? Or has this food been properly processed? Raw milk is your chance to embrace your rights and freedoms and do your research and ask the hard questions – you have no one else to rely on to do this for you.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine comes to life in the recently released Wiser Living Video Series. Volume One of the Series features some of our most popular workshops from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIRS taught by members of the editorial team and expert community. Become more self-reliant in and around your home by tackling 19 projects ranging from keeping backyard chickens to making tinctures.
Learn about our experience attending a Mother Earth News Fair as an exhibitor.
Learn about what goes on at the Heritage Harvest Festival in Virginia and the Mother Earth News Fair in Pennsylvania, both held in September.
Green building guru Lloyd Kahn recounts his favorite new discoveries from the Puyallup, Wash., MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR.
A quick glance back at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR in Lawrence, Kan.
One of the favorite events among attendees to the Puyallup MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR was investigative author Doug Fine’s Hemp Bound talk. Here are his thoughts on why hemp matters so much, a belief that was translated into a passionate and funny workshop.
Our MOTHER EARTH NEWS library app acts as a virtual library for you to download and store all of our digital resources, including our gardening apps, canning how-to guides, digital issues, and more.
The dream, the drive and now the doing.
This video slideshow combines photos and video clips of heritage livestock breeds that were present at various Mother Earth News Fairs.
Download the MOTHER EARTH NEWS category-specific "Gazettes" apps, which are popular article collections for your mobile device that you can access on the go, no Internet connection required.
Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design and some assistants demonstrate her method of constructing strawbale walls with clay at the 2011 Mother Earth News Fair in Seven Springs, Pa.
Our MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR last weekend was full of great presentations about all facets sustainable living, including on learning how to garden.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS interviewed poultry advocate Oprah HenFree at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR.
The excitement at the FAIR is contagious, and our amazing volunteers are helping to keep it all running smoothly.
One workshop at the Puyallup, Wa., MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR was on learning how to make butter, hosted by Organic Valley.
Becky Venn of Alpacas of Wintercreek explains why these gentle critters make great livestock.
Our office was abuzz with bee activity this morning! We received four packages of bees today before they were delivered to their final garden homes.
Kids get to have fun, learn about gardneing and start veggie seeds at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR in Puyallup, Wash.
A MOTHER EARTH NEWS editor gets a chance to spend her birthday at the fair, surrounded by fun and inspiring people and activities.
Still looking to score free tickets to the 2012 Puyallup Mother Earth News Fair? Here's your chance! Tell us what you want to see at the Fair no later than Friday, May 25, and you'll be entered for a chance to win a pair of tickets.
GRIT Assistant Editor Caleb Regan catches Mike Ard, who has come to the FAIR from Ohio and has recently inherited a 60-acre dairy farm. Mike's main challenge is choosing between the numerous FAIR sessions.
Vegetarians and vegans can enjoy an excellent meatless Thanksgiving dinner. Check out these great vegetarian and vegan recipes and websites.
40 years of reading Mother, the value of accumulation of reading the contributions of others during that time.
Thoughts on managing an event with lots of people and having minimal or no trash.
Aside from the great stage presentations, the exhibitor booths have a lot to offer FAIR attendees.
World nuclear electricity-generating capacity has been essentially flat since 2007 and is likely to fall as plants retire faster than new ones are built.
Many readers can't say no to spouses, children, bosses, and so on. To please and care for others, we often sacrifice ourselves, working long hours, exhausting our energy. There is a cure. It's a two-letter word that starts with n. Try it.
Readers share tips and ideas for saving time in the kitchen.
Fermentation expert Sandor Katz (aka SandorKraut) gives a cultural and historical introduction to fermentation practices, including the nutritional benefits of homemade sauerkraut and other fermented foods.
At the Mother Earth News Fair, I always enjoy speaking with fellow farmers and gardeners about inputs, organic standards and sound practices in the field. At the OMRI booth, we always provide free OMRI Products Lists of approved input materials, to help you find the right fertilizer or livestock feed additive and keep your farm or garden truly organic .
Tired of pests? Here are five tips for knocking ‘em back without resorting to pesticides and toxic chemicals.
Have you ever dreamed of taking your part-time homestead to a full-time salary? What's holding you back? Business books say most people are more afraid of success than failure.
Learn how to pinch back basil tops for a particularly bushy plant, then make delicious pesto with your harvest.
Ford delivered more than 900 test-drives of its 2013 electric and hybrid vehicles to visitors at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR in Seven Springs, Pa.
Architect Debra Rucker Coleman shares tips for converting your home to passive solar energy.
This video slideshow reveals the sacred magic
contained in the Native American corn that sustained many Indian tribes for
thousands of years before professional plant breeders turned it into an
Every time I leave the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR I come home with a bag full of stuff that I have accumulated along the way. My youngest son typically tears into the bag, once exclaiming that my return from the FAIR is always “like Christmas.”
For three days before the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR, held at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort, John D. Ivanko and his family rafted, biked, toured some of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes, and savored farm-to-table cuisine that blew us away at The Historic Stone House.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS is proud to announce the release of the How to Can app, a free app to help you safely put up summer's bounty in a jar.
This free app puts the growing info you need right at your fingertips: cultivation guides for each major crop, plus how-to for invaluable gardening skills.
With more than 40 years of expertise on how to live on less (and love it!), MOTHER EARTH NEWS introduces our Guide to Self-Reliance and Country Skills app. This app, available for both Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, contains advice and how-to on organic gardening, raising backyard chickens, canning and preserving your harvests, and how to save money by applying a DIY mentality to your life.
Beehive happenings since my last blog post.
No matter your level of gardening expertise, our Guide to Organic Gardening app has the advice and how-to you need to dig in and grow a bountiful organic food garden. With articles on composting, beneficial insects, weed control and more, you'll have a wealth of organic gardening know-how at your fingertips after you download this app onto your Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.
When traveling, consider checking out the community gardens in the area. You can meet local people who are passionate about gardening and learn about the climate and crops that may be different than yours.
Stephanie Tourles, author and Seven Springs, Pa. FAIR Speaker, shares how to make a delicious, ice-cold watermelon cooler. Refresh after a day in the heat with this super easy and nutritious drink.
It's easy to get distracted and forget a few absolutes when it comes to food safety. Take this quiz and see if you know your stuff!
Andre Armantrout sent us this wonderful update from a Homesteading Education Month event featuring aquaculture at Snowy Pine Ridge, outside Spokane, Wash.
New technology achieves 80 percent energy efficiency during the coffee roasting process.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS Associate Editor Shelley Stonebrook offers tips for building permanent garden beds and paths. Shelley presented her workshop “10 Great Ways to Make Gardening Easier” at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR in Puyallup, Wash.
While many of those visiting our Hostel are farmers and homesteaders themselves, some come from that “city culture” and seem to take their first hesitant steps outside of a flatly paved driveway when they arrive at our place. Wide eyes, a sense of adventure.
This gift set of four farm-themed board books features illustrations that tell the story of a day in the life of each of four animals: chickens, goats, cows and pigs.
We learned a long time ago that we couldn’t attract an audience for our magazines unless we gave our readers tools they could use to improve the world personally. A backyard organic garden is the perfect symbol of positive vision and commitment.
Animal Husbandry tent experiences from Day 1 of 2011 Mother Earth News Fair.
We sat down for an interview with James Duft, the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fair Planner and Programming Manager. Read about what you can expect to see, do and participate in if you attend the upcoming Fair in Puyallup, Wash. Sheep dog training, cheese making, bread baking and antique tractors await!
Begin your garden planning with what,and particularly how much, you want to eat. Take a look at what you are eating now and go from there.
Claire finds a recipe for hard lotion and makes molded lotion bars to give as Christmas presents.
In my 7,500-plus mile adventure in MAX this summer, one lesson really stands out: Haste Makes Waste.
I was gratified when, two weeks ago, Consumer Reports announced that the Chevy Volt was the best-loved car in the world among people who drive one – for the second year in a row. I have never loved a car like I love this one. And I have loved some cars.
Back at the lab we are installing a new three inch line from the air dryers to the throttle body.
Jessica visits the 890-acre farm belonging to the nonprofit Seed Savers Exchange, the largest nongovernmental seed bank in the U.S. and a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving our nations heirloom seeds and biodiversity.
Our first experience as a vendor or spectator at the Mother Earth News Fair in Puyallup, WA
Although the Centers for Disease Control has launched a vigorous nationwide public health campaign urging everyone, particularly elderly and vulnerable people, to get vaccinated against the flu, some researchers disagree with the message.
Since her first house move, MOTHER EARTH NEWS blogger Cathie Ackroyd, has become so very conscious of the impact we humans have had and are having on our planet’s environment and hoped to find a place to settle that would allow us to gain an element of self-sufficiency in a relatively car-free community.
A surprising benefit of MAX's streamlining is the increased luggage space.
The Gluten and Allergen Free Expo provides a chance to be inspired and energized by the most passionate and creative gluten-free cookbook authors and bloggers.
Christopher shares an experience of painting his family farmhouse, but when he used flat, not glossy paint, his uncle was not happy. How could the uncle have responded in a more productive manner?
The beekeeping presentation in the kids' booth at the Tree House Club was filled with enthusiastic kids. Check out what one kid had to say about his time spent with the bees.
I’d like to introduce the words farmden and farmdener into the English language. I wonder if there are any other farmdeners out there. And just what is a farmden? It’s more than a garden, less than a farm. That’s my definition, but it also could be described as a site with more plants and/or land than one person can care for sanely. A gardener and garden gone wild, out of control.
This blog post describes the MOTHER EARTH NEWS staff's afternoon spent harvesting their homegrown garlic.
Across the U.S., voters of all political leanings gave overwhelming approval in the 2012 presidential election to taxing themselves and spending money for new parks in their communities, The Trust for Public Land announced. Of the 57 measures on local and statewide ballots, 46 passed, an approval rate of 81%.
Fresh apple cider is a traditional part of fall harvest celebrations - a part that we at MOTHER EARTH NEWS wouldn't miss! We put the Whizbang Apple Grinder and Cider Press to the test, and happily sampled the fresh apple cider as a result.
In the hollows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this true Christmas celebration was simple, inexpensive and rich with tradition.
Press Release about UNEP/GEF en.lighten initiative’s Toolkit, “Achieving the Transition to Energy Efficient Lighting.”
Skullcap is the best herb for calming nerves, according to Erin McIntosh at the Mother Earth News Fair in Puyallup.
Meeting in person a long time Mother Earth News reader.
Rescue stale bread and veggies and make homemade stuffing mix! You'll never look back!
This Thanksgiving consider opting for a pastured turkey instead of a commercially raised bird, and think about buying local Thanksgiving foods, too.
If Thanksgiving weekend left you craving light, nutritious meals, try these recipes for winter-friendly salads.
Simran Sethi takes a moment to give thanks.
Many criticize eliminating coal mining in West Virginia because of the amount of jobs the sector provides. A wind farm, however, would employ over 200 local residents during the two-year construction phase, and create 40-50 permanent maintenance jobs afterward. A wind farm would also allow the mountain to be used for other purposes, like sustainable forestry, mountain harvesting, and gathering of wild forest plants, creating additional jobs and the opportunity for stable income for locals.
A 2012 survey by Northeast Group LLC was published in October, claiming 95 percent of U.S. cities that have tried LED streetlights are satisfied with the results, saving nearly 60 percent in costs.
Always wanted to master the art of the perfect pie crust? With our step-by-step How to Make the Perfect Pie Crust app, you'll have the techniques and recipes you need at your fingertips. The app comes with scrumptious pie filling recipes, too!
The Classy Coop Giveaway grand prize was given a good home with our contest winner and her backyard chickens. We were happy to see this mobile chicken coop is already being broken in. Bring on the eggs!
The past year was a rewarding one for apple discovery, because I potentially found the apple that started my apple search about sixteen years ago — the ‘Harper’s Seedling’ apple.
How to make candles you can really light from the peel of Clementine oranges. A wintertime craft...just oil and an orange peel!
If someone told you that you were losing money just by sitting in your home, you would probably want to do whatever you could to change that. Well the reality is that your home is using up energy regularly, and there is a huge chunk of that energy that you do not even need. Luckily, we live in a time when technology is constantly coming up with ways to fix problems such as these. Here are some of the ways that technology can help to save the environment, as well as your wallet.
Mother has always known best, and these tips for reusing what would otherwise be garbage are as relevant today as they were in 1970.
Many years ago, years before I moved to the country, I was what would be considered "a prepper." I saw disaster every time I turned on the TV, or read the news on the internet, or visited forums that talked about stockpiling beans and bullets. I panicked, thinking I could never have enough control for the sake of my family, never be "prepped" enough.
A travel log of our family's mission to find local food sources on our trip to Puerto Rico.
The place I call home these days is The FarmSchool, a fertile 180-acre strip of ridge top in Athol, where 15 student-farmers are spending a year learning the ins and outs of growing food, managing forests, and raising animals for meat. I arrived at the farm in October, just as the leaves were reaching their peak brilliance. The Farm School — which offers three-day programs for schoolchildren, a summer camp, a full-time middle school, and the apprenticeship program I’m in — takes us through all seasons of farming, weaving together class work and on-farm training.
Docking of dairy cows serves no purpose and causes pain and discomfort for the
Cooking meals on a vacation can be easy. Bring some essential items with you and enjoy homecooking, on vacation.
Conergy Projects Group has broken ground on a 725 kw photovoltaic system for T&P Farms out of Arbuckle, Calif.
Discover some of the properties of essential oils, along with some tips for cleaning with them.
Keep your pets from licking off herbal ointments by adding a pinch of cayenne.
James E. Churchill’s advice for finding and preparing chicory, mint, catnip and blackberries, found in a 1970 issue of Mother Earth News, is timeless—and very timely right now.
Learn how to make an herbal tincture with The Herb Companion team at the Mother Earth News Fair.
Housekeeping tips mined from the second issue of Mother Earth News--published in 1970--are surprisingly relevant today. Use these to make this task--which we all have to do sooner or later--more efficient and enjoyable.
Monticello's Heritage Harvest Festival inspired us to keep at those challenges that frustrate us on the farm.
The ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder app uses your zip code to find sales tax exemptions, credits, or rebates on qualified products.
In this piece, author Mary Moss-Sprague discusses the simple pleasures of tasty, home-canned tomato preserves.
No one will miss the meat when you serve up fabulous vegetarian versions of Thanksgiving favorites. Try two versions of mushroom stuffing, mushroom gravy or delicious roasted Brussels sprouts this holiday!
Food preservation expert Sherri Brooks Vinton makes food preservation look easy and shares helpful hints about equipment and technique during a standing-room-only workshop at the Fair.
Visitors enjoyed hundreds of test drives of Ford hybrid and electric cars at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR.
Sorting through seed catalogs is one of the most entertaining tasks we have here at MOTHER EARTH NEWS. These garden seed catalogs come in handy when searching for just the right variety of heirloom veggies to grow, and they're fun to look at too!
Des Moines, Iowa, gardeners may soon find themselves in hot water with their City. A local resident recently took front yard veggie growers to task for what the resident feels to be unsightly lawn growth. Beets and berries, it seems, do not have the same aesthetic appeal as a green, freshly-mowed front lawn.
As part of the Obama Administration’s all-of-the-above strategy to
expand safe and responsible domestic energy production, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced Nov. 7, 2012, a lease for commercial wind energy development 11 nautical miles off the coast of Delaware.
Comly Wilson, Associate with CleanEdison, a solar installation training provider, offers her tips to remedy 6 common mistakes solar PV installers make when setting up new photovoltaic systems.
Bryan Welch's book, Beautiful and Abundant, provides a framework for understanding and evaluating ecotourism's impact on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula.
Jason Helvingston of Orlando, Fla., fights for his right to grow food in his front yard garden after the City of Orlando cited him for illegal gardening, pitting food self-sufficiency against city ordinance.
Solar Energy International is offering a free online course as an introduction to renewable energy. You will not walk away an expert, but will have learned the basics of renewable energy and be able to decide which technologies are right for you.
The Washington State Conservation Commission gave away trees at the Mother Earth News Fair as part of their conservation efforts.
Take a visual tour of the events at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fair in Puyallup, Washington.
Andrea Chesman, author of Recipes from the Root Cellar, shares one of her favorite winter vegetable recipes.
Locally grown, homemade, grass-fed, free-range and downright delicious food invades the 2011 MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fair in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania.
We dipped candles from our hive's beeswax to celebrate winter. Candlemaking is a nice seasonal craft. Here’s how we did it, plus some tips to get you started.
A Nov. 5, 2012, press release from consulting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP warns current CO2 reductions put us on target for 6 degree average global
More than 30 years ago, Michael Reynolds followed his vision of sustainable, energy-efficient homes that would work with nature. Today, his Earthships inspire green designers and architects.
Ken Ruck wants to build a fully self-sustaining earthship on New York's Lower East Side.
If you just happen to need white dinner rolls for a crowd at Thanksgiving, here's the recipe. Also, check out some really cool contests and special offers from King Arthur Flour.
From the outset, Earthineer was built to support and promote sustainability and homesteading as a lifestyle choice. Every feature we have planned has that goal in mind. What we have now is the foundation that we'll build off of.
One of the greatest needs in the world is disaster resistant housing – houses that can hold up against hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Properly designed structures can save millions of lives and millions of structures every year.
Use this chart to determine how long different foods should be cooked in a pressure cooker.
Precision Engineering www.structure1.com has generously provided drawings and specifications for building earthbag structures in seismic areas to meet code. The documents have been combined into one 6-page PDF and are now available online.
The earthbag/geotextile basement wall system described here has excellent potential to save on initial construction costs and long-term energy costs. No concrete is used. The same principles have been used to build retaining walls for decades.
We're getting revved up for winter seed swaps, and planning our tomato plantings to account for all the great tasting events next summer and fall. Find out how to find your own local events, or host your own!
Yes, unreinforced masonry is a risk in earthquake zones. Here’s how you can find the earthquake risk for your area, plus tips for making adobe houses more stable.
Sometimes the best activity on a rainy day is snuggling up with a blanket and reading a good book. Build your own reading nook with this tutorial, and you’ll be able to watch the rain from the warmth of your homemade paradise.
Every now and then we need to re-evaluate our thoughts, just as we re-evaluate our things. Learn about making cloth Christmas gift bags and find out how walking barefoot in the grass is good for you.
July is UV Safety Month. Don’t forget to protect your skin and eyes from the sun while enjoying long summer days.
Use programmable watering timers in your garden to help you maintain a regular schedule, keeping your plants well hydrated with less work.
Eight books that have had a transformative effect on our lives.
Earthbag building has just received engineering approval. This is probably the greatest news ever for earthbag building. With engineer-approved plans, we see unlimited potential for earthbag building for homes, shops, schools, you name it.
Three New Colors Provide More Options for Consumers
A few thoughts about the activities here in southwest Missouri this spring, including plans for a garden, thinning and pruning trees, and salvaging urban logs
Website links to earthbag building projects.
My inbox is stuffed this week with emails from bloggers and pundits heralding the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report confirming for the world that global warming is real and that we have, indeed, done our share to cause it.
Eco-Libris offers people the opportunity to off-set the books they read by planting trees in developing countries.
The cold, hard facts about how Annie Warmke, goat herder extraordinnaire, found her calling in a barn with Eleonore Rigby and her two tiny kids.
Whole Foods Market commits to verifying it products as free of genetically modified organisms. Natural Home editor-in-chief Robyn Griggs Lawrence explains the grocer's commitment to providing natural and organic products.
Whether you live in town or in the country, if you have animals (pets or livestock) you have humorous stories to tell.
Can you live on less? See how far you can make $20 go for a week or a day.
Concrete rubble from collapsed buildings is a huge problem in Haiti. It is blocking roads and hindering reconstruction. Instead of spending millions of dollars trucking the rubble away and disposing of it, why not use it to build affordable housing?
I had heard there are thousands of new earthen houses in Thailand. That really amazed me, so I set out to learn the details about the modern earth building movement in Thailand.
Cam is not a big fan of "ebooks."
Readers share their best tips for keeping food fresh longer. Learn how to extend the life of all kinds of food, and prevent spoilage.
Whether you're planning to install solar panels, or hoping to put up a backyard wind turbine some day, share your thoughts on the renewable energy projects that intrigue you most.
There are a growing number of small, solar-powered gadgets for sale including solar flashlights, radios, cell phone chargers, outdoor motion lights and more. Are you using any of these small solar products? Do you find them useful? Tell us what you think!
Consider substituting whole wheat bread for processed, white bread.
American Airlines is the greenest U.S. airline for the third consecutive year in Newsweek's Green Rankings List, an annual environmental ranking of the country's 500 largest publicly traded companies.
Describes two internet radio stations that provide environmental music.
Aquifer depletion, rising temperatures, population increase and ethanol production are conspiring to send grain prices soaring and could lead to a world food crisis, Earthwatch Institute president Lester Brown predicts.
Chicago has decided to convert its entire garbage truck fleet to electric trucks from Motiv Power Systems, making it the first city in the U.S. to have a zero-emission fleet.
Simone Swan built her off-the-grid domed and vaulted home in Presidio, Texas, as a model of how financially and thermally efficient adobe can be. For $50 a square foot, she built a masterpiece. She says you can, too.
You can "bootstrap" (put up the funding) a home-based business to get started. Then look for outside funding when you have reached a measure of success.
One of the easiest ways to make your own newspaper pots.
A number of tea companies are donating proceeds from sales to Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.
A Precision Garden Seeder can make planting seed crops quick and easy!
The growing bike boom may be more than just a fad. It may be a full-blown movement toward a more sustainable mode of transportation.
Don't like weeds? Well, maybe this will change your mind. An article in the New York Times, discusses possible ways that weeds could help fight global warming.
Easy to make and addictively wonderful, whole wheat English muffins are cooked on the griddle before they are baked in the oven.
Share your thoughts about natural building methods including straw bale building, cordwood construction, earth building and more.
Try this wonderful corn pancake recipe with flavorful ‘Floriani Red Flint’ heirloom grain corn.
HOMEGROWN Life blogger and Maine dairy farmer Dyan Redick discovers a kindred soul in E. B. White when she reads the essay Memorandum, from his 1944 collection, 'One Man's Meat.'
We are collecting Wit and Wisdom From Our Elders: tips and stories of how people took care of their homesteads in the past. Share your stories!
The Financial Times Climate Change Challenge winner is the Kyoto Box solar cooker, which uses no fuel other than the sun to cook food.
While there are plenty of great reasons to grow a food garden, we recently polled readers to find out their primary motivation for gardening. Read their interesting results, plus tell us more about your gardening philosophy.
A scientists who has studied plant pathogens for more than 50 years warns that Roundup Ready crops could cause "a general collapse of our critical agricultural infrastructure."
Learning the basics about electricity will help you conserve energy.
I learned life lessons early in life as a newspaper delivery boy. Valuable lessons that carried on though life.
Sometimes even — perhaps especially — those whose lives are full with experience, knowledge and good living can find that as their time begins to dwindle, there isn't quite enough. Not that that's anything other than as it should be.
Winter is over and the colors of spring are here!
A spray bar and squeegee for washing your pets, all in one tool!
Sowing confusion about wheat.
Does wheat wreck your health?
Trying out the new whole-grain bread recipe was a bit of a challenge; but in the end, the result was a delicious loaf.
Food is the most universal symbol of America’s age of excess. The average American’s dinner comes from five different countries, with a combined airfreight and ocean freight mileage tab that often exceeds 10,000 miles. At least three-fourths of that meal is processed and packaged, its nutrients stripped away and replaced by texturizers, sweeteners, and flavor “enhancers.”
Landscape designer Alma Hecht turned a tiny house into a welcoming home and studio with cozy outdoor "rooms" that extend her living space.
Don't like weeds? Well, maybe this will change your mind. An article in the New York Times, discusses possible ways that weeds could help fight global warming.
One of our family treasures is an old iron mill. We had an opportunity to get the old mill out this fall and grind some beautiful wheat that we had been gifted with.
Most Americans believe that cleaning products are required to list ingredients on labels. They're not. But Whole Foods is taking matters into its own hands with a color-coded rating system that holds manufacturers accountable for green claims.
Participate in our reader photo contest by showing off pictures of your permanent raised garden beds.
Send us your garden tips and you could win a free deluxe, ergonomic garden trowel.
Using newspaper, learn how to craft easy, biodegradable pots to start seeds.
Many people believe that their values define who they are. Unfortunately, many of our values don't translate into action. To live a fruitful, peaceful, and productive life, meld your values and actions. You'll be happier and content -- whole.
Building my own electric car seems to have caught the attention of the Media. As though getting on the front page of the County paper for a speeding ticket in my electric car wasn't notorious enough, now I'm getting calls from big-shot reporters!
Over the last 2 decades BeeWeaver has seen change in who keeps bees, and why they keep bees. The journey of the last 20 years has not been easy for the bees but the efforts of these New Beekeepers will keep the amazing honeybee a part of our word.
My husband Alan’s first gift to me was Helen and Scott Nearing’s Living the Good Life. The books we turn to regularly have changed, although some we go back to again and again, year after year. A list of our top 10 favorite books follows.
Where we find a wealth of information for projects and enjoyable reading.
Time management tools can help a homestead run smoothly as well as make the work more enjoyable. By focusing on different tasks in different seasons, assigning different tasks to different days and by sharing tasks, the work becomes both manageable and fun.
Taking a ride on an old steam engine.
That extra hour of sleep was great, but your animals may not think the same thing about that same hour.
Here's how to make truly unusual whole grain bread, with delicious results.
This post informs readers on the advantages of using whey in baking. It includes a recipe for whole wheat sandwich bread.
ECOvention, LLC announced today that as of August 2010, more than 30 Whole Foods Market locations in the Rocky Mountain region will use the multi-functional, eco-friendly GreenBox to serve take-away customers at their brick-oven pizza counters.
The "Almost No-knead Bread" technique from Cook's Illustrated Magazine is as much worth trying as the totally no-knead technique that has become so popular.
Ellen Allard, The Gluten-Free Diva shares a pressure cooker, gluten-free, whole grain breakfast cereal.
In this video demonstration, learn how to make a tasty variation of no-knead bread that incorporates steel cut oats.
DIY projecters have many styles of building, from using detailed plans to building by-the-seat-of-your-pants. What is your favorite style?
Are there any fix-it projects that you have taken on recently, that you previously would have hired someone to do?
Super Glue is a wonderful product, as long as it stays where you put it. But occasionally the sticky liquid escapes onto fingers or toes.
Should we all just grow our hair longer to save money on barber and hairdresser visits, or is cutting it ourselves a better way to go?
Harvest time brings back memories for many of us. What do you remember about the harvest?
Organize your home with simple household products.
Stumps, benches, lounge chairs and hammocks offer a place to contemplate the day’s activities.
You can fix breakfast (lunch or dinner) in a matter of minutes on this portable, easy-to-construct tin-can stove.
Wide-brimmed head gear can protect your face and neck from hot and drying summer sun.
Medical marijuana was a $1.7 billion industry last year--just shy of Viagra as pot-related businesses crop up across the country.
Wabi-sabi teaches us appreciation for the good energy and soul that handmade items bring to our homes. Etsy, the premiere source for handcrafted home goods, offers an extensive list of items whose sale will benefit Japanese relief efforts.
Chado-En tea company will donate 100 percent of profits from the sale of its special cherry blossom tea to Japanese relief efforts.
Monsanto's Roundup Ready system transformed typical weed problems into a national superweed crisis, only healthy farms can correct the damage done.
While it's almost impossible to completely avoid GMOs, you can minimize your exposure by eating organic and knowing which products are the worst offenders.
Monsanto, the world’s largest producer of genetically modified seeds and the toxic herbicides used to drench them, is calling itself a supporter of sustainability. You’re kidding, right?
Concerned about the U.S. Department of Agriculture's refusal to stop Monsanto? Here are four steps you can take now.
NaturalNews readers overwhelmingly chose Monsanto as the world's Most Evil Corporation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture deems Roundup Ready alfalfa safe, leaving organic crops vulnerable to contamination and paving the way for more superweeds.
Fearing a sugar shortage, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would defy a District Court judge's ban on Roundup Ready sugar beets.
Before winter's chill starts to compromise comfort and elevate home energy bills, there are 5 energy-saving upgrades you can complete.
Nordic Naturals introduces Vitamin D3 Gummies, the delicious, chewable, wild berry gummy that provides 1,000 I.U. of vitamin D in each serving and is sourced from cholecalciferol, the natural form of vitamin D preferred for optimal absorption. The pectin-based product is gelatin free and does not contain artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives.
A brief description of Manuel and Mary Ann's straw bale home and its efficiency.
How we persist until our 11 cords of firewood is accomplished and then re structure our lives.
In Japan, more and more people are combining farming with other work. My neighbors and I fit the pattern, but what's it all mean for the future of farming?
The experience of growing one's first garden is a thrill one will never forget.
Drag them... pull them... tie them to a chair! Whatever you have to do to get your family to sit around a table and eat healthfully--do it! We are losing the simple act as gathering as a family a sharing a meal. Do you hear the dinner bell? Let's go!
Where we go to reflect on life and relax.
Summer intern Megan describes her first time gardening at MOTHER EARTH NEWS, planting cucumbers for the first time and watering the office garden.
Bleached, colored, preserved and flavored, white bread is practically devoid of nutrition.
Tasty whole-grain crackers — simple to make, quick to disappear.
“Green,” sustainable homes that deliver low cost of ownership.
Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods announces the retail availability of four new delicious and all-natural granolas that provide perfect ready-to-eat options for the breakfast table or on the go.
Recipes for satisfying gluten-free breakfasts.
Amy Green shares a recipe for Gluten-Free Seven Grain Slow Cooker Breakfast Cereal.
Registered dietitian, Cheryl Harris, introduces gluten-free whole grains that add fiber and nutrition to the menu for those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance
These recipes with filling, protein-packed whole grains such as quinoa and millet are great options for no-meat or low-meat diets.
Concerned about Monsanto's Roundup Ready crops and genetic engineering of our food? Let President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack know.
Readers report on the types of flowers they grow to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Spring brings an abundance of arrivals and changes, from returning birds and newborn critters to budding plants and warming breezes. We want to know, what are you most looking forward to this spring?
Here's a helpful guide to help you make sustainable choices while shopping or out to eat. What else do you do to support sustainable farming practices?
Which is your favorite hatchery and why? If you need help finding a poultry hatchery or baby chicks, we have some resources for you.
Macrameing has been a popular craft medium for decades. Share your most outlandish macrame project.
Knowing that MOTHER EARTH NEWS readers are often health-conscious and choose to grow their own food, we're curious: Have you cut back or eliminated certain ingredients or foods from your diet? If so, why, and what effects have you noticed as a result?
Many people today don't know the basics of cooking. What culinary skills would you like to learn?
Whether you’re riding in a parade or watching from the sidelines, you might consider getting into the spirit of the day by letting your bike go red, white and blue.
Have you ever let your imagination run wild and built a fanciful, unique … (spinning wheel, bat house, garden tool)
Readers share information and recipes about their favorite eating and cooking greens.
Everyone gets stuck with a restless night from time to time, and some of us suffer from full-blown insomnia. We want to know, what do you do to make sure you get a good night's sleep? (Plus, check out a few tips from our editors.)
Readers share tips for saving money on food.
If you are planning to build a backyard deck, consider whether the best strategy for footings is using deck blocks or cement piers.
All the sights, sounds and smells of nature can create beautiful memories. Do you have a favorite nature memory that stands out from all the rest? Share your best nature memory in the comments, and check out other readers' favorites as well.
Use plants from the forest, field and desert as natural dyes to color your fine fabric creations.
Tell us about your ideal homestead. What would it be like?
Kids love to build forts and space ships, and create secret places to dream and imagine.
There are many ways to protect wood from the effects of weather, what is your favorite technique?
Share your thoughts about using a bicycle to get around town and your tips for less experienced bikers.
Wood pallets can be used as is or stripped and remade into new forms. What creative uses have you found for wood pallets?
Have you ever built a raft, boat, canoe or dugout? If so, tell us your tale.
Engaging in new projects around the house or yard can put us in unfamiliar territory where we might make mistakes that are potentially dangerous or just embarrassing.
Are we truly making a concerted effort to give up the convenience of single use products or is the practice so engrained in our culture we can't escape its effects?
Readers share their favorite garden irrigation methods.
Holiday gifts frequently come with "some assembly required" and can cause frustration for late-night Santas. What is your most memorable some-assembly-required experience?
Create a custom room in your home and express your creativity by decorating with stencils.
Keeping your tools in good working order saves time and money.
Having your own wind turbine can save you money on your utility bill and lower your impact on the environment. What are your thoughts on wind turbines in backyards?
If you’re growing food in the house through the cold months, our readers can benefit from your experience. Have you had success at indoor gardening before? What did you grow? Share your tips and tricks!
Does your family celebrate the season in a non-traditional way? Please tell us about it.
Once built, this window-mounted heat grabber should give you years of dependable service.
Purchasing the materials for a DIY project can involve making a number of decisions. When you’re deciding on the materials for an outdoor wooden project, are you more apt to be swayed by cost or durability?
Here are some ways to save on energy and money while keeping your home cool in extreme summer temperatures.
You don't have to be a master carpenter to take on a DIY project. What building project have you done all on your own that you are the most proud of the results?
Share your thoughts. What homemade and natural cleaning products do you find work best in your home?
The holidays are upon us. What traditions do you faithfully observe each year?
Do you use specialty salts in your cooking? Please share your ideas with our readers.
Have you ever been injured on the farm? Tell us how you're doing, and share your advice on how we can avoid the same accident.
Readers share regional gardening resources.
Parents share stories about getting better food into school lunches.
Readers share their winter gardening stories.
Wooden toys made by you for that special child in your life will be memorable gifts.
Denim is strong and durable, and used jeans can be recycled into all kinds of fun and useful creations.
Can the clutter that threatens to chase you from your workshop be remade into usable items?
To date, some research suggests vitamin D can help build bones, strengthen your immune system, and lower the risk for diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and heart and kidney disease. Have you had your vitamin D levels tested? How do you get your D?
Blizzards, bitterly cold temperatures — the past few months have been full of wild weather stories, shared in the news and at the local coffee shops. What is your best wild weather story?
Swings are a universal favorite of youngsters and oldsters and an easy-to-build backyard toy — if you have a big tree available.
This year Earth Day turns 40 and focuses attention to building a global clean energy economy.
Mama Chia organic chia seeds are infused with delicious fruits and vegetables to create a convenient, fun and tasty snack for active souls of all ages.
Getting started each day presents a major challenge to many people. With so many pressing demands, it's often difficult to know where to start. Feeling overwhelmed and panicked, you may end up frittering away your time. He's a trick to get you going.
Help us determine if a mixture of coffee grounds and eggshells can protect your cabbages from pest damage.
We’re looking for reader tips about the worst garden weeds and how best to manage them. Share you advice with us, and read how other readers are dealing with weeds in their gardens.
How often, if ever, do you check your the gas mileage of your car or truck? Did you know it's super simple to calculate mpg, and observing it over time can help you improve your gas mileage and save money?
On the farm their can be lots of animals. Do you remmeber your first farm animal?
Meet Kriste Misiak and her family, the recent winners of the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Ultimate Garden Giveaway.
The BP oil spill shocked the nation, but it’s not too late to take action. We want to know what you plan to change.
Help our readers solve garden pest problems without resorting to the use of chemical pesticides.
You can use the power of the sun to heat water for your home using manufactured solar hot water systems or one you build yourself.
There are thousands of organic products available today, and they're not limited to food. Tell us what you buy organic and why.
Home improvement stores offer free DIY classes. What project have you not started yet but dream of doing?
Readers share best pie crust recipes.
Readers suggest local food products and local food producers to our community.
You can't just hit the ground running when you make the transistion from rat race to homestead. There are lots of lessons to be learned. What wisdom can you share with the homestead hopefuls?
Share your fresh butter and buttermilk recipes.
Considerations of sustainability factor into countless supplies, tools and methods present in your garden. What do you do in your own garden to be a sustainable gardener?
DIY projects are great fun and can save money — unless you end up in the emergency room.
The walk on the moon on July 20, 1969 was a monumental event, which forever changed our world perspective. Where were you on that momentous occasion?
Readers share recipes for easy one-pot, crockpot and casserole meals.
Readers suggest sustainable oyster sources.
Natural Home editor in chief Robyn Griggs Lawrence suggests some tasty, eco-conscious recipes and tips for your Earth Day celebration.
Turn out the lights. Light the candles. Tomorrow night (March 28) from 8:30-9:30 (in your time zone) is Earth Hour.
This describes how older individuals can take steps to keep themselves cool on very hot days.
Build your own wood-fired earth oven for baking fluffier, more flavorful bread and other baked delights.
Mother's Day weekend brought lilacs, bedding plants, pie and a nap.
Passive solar design comes to Navajo families, as architecture students build homes on Utah reservations.
Tart, tangy and tangerine — Nordic Naturals new vitamin gummies.
KIOTI tractor company realizes significant growth in North American markets.
April is National Garden Month! Learn about the benefits of building a garden and tips on how to create one even if you don’t have a big backyard.
Over 100,000 thunderstorms occur each year in the U.S. Stay safe during Lightning Safety Awareness Week
This mesmerizing video shows city lights, wildfires in Australia, and even gas flares in the Middle East, all photographed from a satellite high over our heads.
Have you heard of “guerrilla gardening,” where folks toss flower seeds into vacant lots, or sometimes sneak in at night and plant flowers in unkempt highway medians or strips along city sidewalks? Check it out this year as a fun and fruitful way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
Here's where you can find or build a press for making compressed earth blocks, and some helpful advice on sealants.
My first blog for MOTHER EARTH NEWS takes me back to a time when I didn't know I had a love of gardening. One of my first gardening experiences came during an unlikely encounter with my curmudgeon grandfather.
In a recent survey, we asked our online readers if they thought genetically modified foods should be labeled. What do you think?
Tell us what you think! We'd like to know whether you're using compact-fluorescent light bulbs at home and why or why not.
Readers share reports about their favorite specialized kitchen utensils.
Readers share tips, tricks and recommended products for keeping produce fresh longer.
Readers share recipes and ideas for using up all those end-of-season green tomatoes.
We want to hear your county or state fair stories: What did you enter this year? How did you do? If you're still waiting for yours, what are you preparing to enter?
One great thing about gardening that goes beyond soil building and crop rotations is its ability to bring people together. As spring is now officially here, it’s a great time to revel in all the pleasures the season is sure to bring. Please share your thoughts and stories about how gardening has brought people together in your life.
When you run out of land on which to grow food and fuel in your own country, is it OK to buy cheap land in a third-world country?
Homesteads and farms often have fun or touching
names that etch themselves into our memories. Is there one that has stuck in
Have you had a home energy audit done before? A home energy audit can show you the best ways to make your home more energy efficient.
It can be challenging to stay physically healthy and keep your spirits up during the winter months. You tell us, what do you do to say healthy this time of year?
The negative effects of the recession are painfully clear, but is there a silver lining hiding among the clouds? There's some evidence that the recession might means good news for the environment, and you might find it in your own home. Check it out, and let us know what you think.
Do you have a woodstove or pellet stove at home? We’d like to hear more about your experiences with woodstoves and any tips you may have for heating with wood.
In May 2009, the Paid Vacation Act was presented to the U.S. House of Representatives. If passed, the bill will require that companies offer paid vacation time for their employees working 25 hours a week or more. What do you think of a paid vacation law?
Readers familiar with triple-digit temperatures share their best tips for gardening in the southwest. Get advice about what to plant, when to plant and how to plant if you live in the hottest areas of the country.
While some can't wait for the warmer days to return and others are invigorated by the seasonal briskness, most of us have some cold-weather habit, holiday activity or winter ritual that we hold dear. Whether it's burrowing under thick piles of blankets, watching for the first snow flakes or getting a head start on garden planning, what are your favorite winter moments?
Gardeners suggest gardening books for beginners.
Share your favorite places to learn about food preservation.
Readers share tips and tricks for storing green tomatoes and keeping them longer.
Legislation to control the use of antibiotics on the farm is gaining momentum in D.C., and emotions on both sides of the issue are heating up. Tell us what you think of the bill.
We know why we love heritage breed livestock, but why do you?
Recycling building materials from other sources is a great way to cut the cost and reduce the environmental impact of your DIY projects. We want to know where readers go to find reclaimed or used building materials, and how they use these materials in home projects.
Readers share tips and stories about wild food foraging.
Tips on how to control soil erosion and help protect one of Earth's most important natural resources.
Finding a company from an advertisement in Mother Earth News and how it benefited us. .
A mother's love is shown for her daughter by patiently crafting dress patterns from frugally saved fabric while the rest of the house is fast asleep.
Weather conditions impact spring migration – which migrants will you see this week?
Ready for summer recreation? Hit the water safely during National Safe Boating Week.
Captured rainwater off of roofs can save money and water use.
Create a pollinator-friendly garden to attract hummingbirds, bees, bats and other animals.
Are you Weather-Ready? September is National Preparedness Month.
One of the most recognizable features of wetlands is their smell. What makes these areas so pungent?
National Arbor Day is April 25. Celebrate by learning about trees, volunteering or planting a tree at home!
List of the Top 10 Apps for Taking Tech Outdoors.
Tips on how to test your house for radon during January's National Radon Action Month!
Join the Picnic for the Planet for Earth Day, April 22, to celebrate the planet we live on, its food and the people who live here.
Tips on how you can reduce your exposure to radon in your home.
Tips on how to feed birds during the winter.
The fourth annual Earth Hour is Saturday between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Turn off the lights and take a stand against climate change!
Tips on how to prepare yourself for a day of hiking!
How to save energy in commercial and industrial buildings.
You could spend a fortune on flowers from faraway for Mom--but why? This sweet bouquet made from fresh-picked flowers and flea market finds is cuter than anything FTD could deliver. This one's great for weddings and graduation parties, too.
Studies show unhealthy dieting kills more people than alcohol, cigarettes and drug use combined.
Wabi-sabi has infused Western design for centuries—though its advocates rarely knew it. It’s in the plain, efficient homes built by the Shakers, the unsentimental Arts and Crafts style, Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie houses and midcentury furniture.
We'd like to hear about projects you have planned that will help you save energy, save water or otherwise make your home greener.
Painted rocks or pebbles can potentially deter birds from pecking at ripening fruit. Tell us how this technique has worked for your, plus check out other readers’ tips and responses.
A recent poll asked you what percentage of people living in the U.S. you would guess grow food gardens. Most respondents underestimated the actual numbers of households with home gardens, a growing trend.
Believe it: With patience and pecking around, you can find low-voc paint for little more (maybe even less!) than you'd pay for conventional paint. What's your experience?
In light of the environmental, economic and other damage caused by the Gulf oil spill, has your opinion about increased domestic drilling changed? Yes or no, we want to hear your thoughts on the topic.
From books and blogs to television news and online media, there are dozens of sources for learning about global warming. We want to know: Where do you go for reliable information about global warming?
There are a lot of changes we'd like to see made to our food system this year. Add your own.
The pros and cons of nuclear power have been discussed in news and politics for years. We want to know what you think. Is nuclear power a viable and safe option for cleaning up our air? Are the risks of nuclear energy worth the potential rewards? Are there other energy alternatives that deserve more of our attention?
We’d like to hear more about your experiences with green power. Is it available where you live? How does the price compare to what you would otherwise pay for electricity? Why have you — or haven’t you — chosen this option?
Should we be building more garbage incinerators in the United States? Leave a comment and tell us what you think.
With the media reporting widespread vitamin D deficiencies and the Environmental Working Group's 2010 Sunscreen Guide reporting that some sunscreens may do more harm than good, there seem to be a few good arguments for getting a little exposure to unadulturated sunlight. What do you think? Will you change your sunscreen habits because of recent reports?
Rechargeable tool packages use the same battery to power multiple tools: saws, drills, drivers and flashlights. What are the benefits of these systems?
When we're trying to achieve our dreams, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by all of the steps between where we are today and where we ultimately want to be. MOTHER EARTH NEWS writer Jenna Woginrich suggests a great idea for a fresh perspective and making your goals more attainable. If you look at the next 60 minutes, what can you do in the next hour to get closer to your goals?
Environmentalists are in a debate about the Cape Wind project. We want to know what you think about the proposed offshore wind farm.
Let's dream a little dream of green home improvement, without worries about funding.
From carbon footprints to added wear and tear on everything from trails to monuments, travel of any kind leaves a mark on the environment. The difficulty of balancing the environmental effects of your travels with a desire to see and appreciate firsthand the natural and manmade marvels of the world isn't an easy task, and is an issue that's inspired a wealth of discussion. What do you think? Would you travel less, or otherwise change the way you travel, in order to protect the environment?
We received more than 900 responses to a recent poll about flu shots, and we want to know: Are you getting a flu shot this year, and why or why not? Plus, share your tips for staying flu-free, flu vaccine or no.
Water conservation can help you save big on money and energy. Here are a few ways to help you conserve water at home by simply using water-efficient appliances.
For homes in warm climates, white roofs, aka cool roofs, can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 20 percent.
A little pampering can go a long way in making you feel rested, cared for and treated — and it doesn’t have to be expensive or involve complex chemistry. Check out this recipe for homemade bubble bath, and share your tips for creating a do-it-yourself home spa experience.
Hosting a gathering for casual fun or big celebrations can use up a lot of resources and leave a mess. What are you favorite tips for keeping waste to a minimum without sacrificing fun when hosting a great event?
As H1N1 (also known as "swine flu") continues to spread, people are taking a variety of precautions to avoid catching or spreading the virus — from being more diligent about washing hands to cancelling long-awaited vacations. Tell us what you're doing, and find out more about H1N1 and how you can stay informed and healthy.
Share your opinion: Are you contemplating installing a solar-electric panel for your home?
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists recently moved back the minute hand on the symbolic Doomsday Clock by one minute, in part because of what they see as hope for mitigating catastrophic climate change. Tell us what you think about their decision.
Spotlight on Earth Stewardship pays homage to eco-conscious individuals by sharing their stories of hope, inspiration, challenges and insight into making the earth a better place for generations to come.
April 26, 2013 is National Arbor Day! Celebrate by planting a tree at home or enjoying trees where you live and learn about the many benefits they provide.
Protect and enjoy our nation’s 70,000 miles of rivers during National Rivers Month.
July is UV Safety Month. Stay safe in the sun with these tips.
Going to the beach? Get real-time info on Great Lakes beach water quality, weather and water conditions.
Buzz…sting…ouch! Why are yellow jackets more aggressive at this time of year?
What makes a piece of land a wet-land? Not all wetlands are wet for the same reason.
United Nations Climate Week invokes memories of first Earth Day and how far we have yet to go to clean up our environment.
Participate in Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count to help scientists study winter bird populations: www.earthgauge.net/?p=33409
Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a laptop for 5 hours! America Recycles Day is Nov 15.
Ready to decorate? Show your holiday spirit with LED lighting to save energy and money. www.earthgauge.net/?p=33327
WTAJ has partnered with the National Environmental Education Foundation and Project Noah to help show wildlife and the impacts of weather on living things in Central Pennsylvania.
Was it a teacher? A parent? A field trip? What was your Earth Changing Moment? Share your first connection with the environment.
Getting ready to carve a jack-o-lantern masterpiece? Learn how weather impacts the pumpkin harvest
Celebrate the 20th anniversary National Public Lands Day on September 28! Find a volunteer site.
Headed back to school? Protect air quality, save energy and recycle for a healthier, greener school year.
Fall is a great time to replace traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs. Save up to $50 per year.
We all have the responsibility to do are best to preserve the Earth and the environment in any way we can. Some people take it to the extreme, but that isn't always necessary. There are many ways we can make simple changes in our lifestyles to contribute to saving what's most precious for our children and future generations.
Protect our water supplies during National Groundwater Awareness Week by saving water at home: www.earthgauge.net/?p=23794
Small but mighty: birds have smart strategies for surviving cold weather.
Building a fire to stay warm? Use these ‘best burn practices’ to minimize smoke & protect your health: www.earthgauge.net/?p=17955
Whether you live on the beach or 1000s of miles away, there are easy ways you can protect coastal water quality.
Planting a water-smart garden with native plants can help you save water when temperatures heat up.
A cold winter and late-season snow in some parts of the U.S. could mean a rough spring allergy season.
Show us how you take a second to conserve water!
Memorial Day signifies the unofficial start of summer and onset of hot weather. Use these tips to stay cool.
August 3 to 9 is National Farmers Market Week! How does weather impact growth and harvest of fruits and vegetables? www.earthgauge.net/?p=36863
Tips on how to improve lakeshore habitat conditions by reducing nutrient pollution.
Planet Connect's Get Green Video Contest wants you to show how you can Green Your City with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
Tips on how to clean up after a hurricane.
Tips on how to protect children during Children's Health Month in October!
Tips on ways to use fallen leaves in the fall.
Tips on how to increase your car's fuel efficiency by checking the tire pressure.
Tips on how to help save fuel and money while driving.
Participate this year in the annual Christmas Bird Count from December 14, 2012 - January 5, 2013 and help scientists understand how bird populations have changed over the past century.
Tips on how to construct a compost bin and what to include in them.
Build a simple backyard barbecue pit with no more than a shovel and a good cover panel for your next barbecue party.
Tips on wasps and ways to get rid of nests around your house or property.
Tips on which birds to keep an eye out for in different weather conditions.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Target has opened recycling stations at each of its 1,740 stores.
November 11-17, 2012 is Geography Awareness Week and the theme is 'interdependency' this year.
Audubon's annual Christmas Bird Count allows citizens to help scientists understand how bird populations have changed over the past century.
Tips for water conservation during a drought.
Information on World Wetlands Day and their benefits and tips on how to protect your local wetlands.
Tips on how saving energy this fall and winter can help reduce nutrient pollution in water bodies.
Tips on how to protect water quality with phosphate-free cleaning projects during spring cleaning.
Tips to save energy and water during the holiday season.
Tips on what to do with all the fallen leaves this autumn.
Tips on how to protect local wildlife and water bodies during the spring thaw.
Protect your home and yourself by making your property Firewise! Here are explanations on how to think of your property in zones and additional tips for protecting your home property.
The 10 People's Choice finalists are great examples of the socially and environmentally responsible business leaders that meet the standards of Green America’s Seal of Approval.
Tips on what to do with leftover pumpkins during the autumn season.
Save water from March 12-18, 2012 during Fix a Leak Week!
Tips on how to celebrate National Wildflower Week, May 6-13!
Tips on how and where to view bald eagles.
Tips on how to compost, what is composting and reasons why you should compost.
Tips on how to stay safe and warm during extremely cold wind chill temperatures.
Tips on how to enjoy fireworks safely!
Volunteer to take care of the public lands in your area during National Public Lands Day on September 29, 2012!
Tips on how to be smart about salt this winter and protect water quality.
Does Punxsutawney Phil have competition for 'predicting' the weather? Take a look at these other animals and insects that can tell when the weather is changing, or can't they?
Explanation of what bioretention systems are and how they are used to reduce and filter storm water runoff.
Tips on how to improve air quality while driving your kids to school.
Tips on how to calculate your nitrogen footprint.
Tips on how to choose the best Christmas tree and what to do with it after the holiday season.
Announcing the 2012 Wildlife Conservation Youth Engagement Grants!
Tips on how to conserve energy and save money with compact fluorescent bulbs during shorter daylight hours.
Tips on how to replace driveways, sidewalks, patios and walkways with pervious pavements, materials that let water seep through to soil.
Tips on how to stay safe during clean-up activities after a tornado.
Facts on the links between weather and pumpkins and what you can do with leftover pumpkins.
Tip for avoiding lead sinkers when ice fishing.
March 10-16, 2013 is National Groundwater Awareness Week and groundwater provides over 40 percent of U.S. population with drinking water. You can protect water quality at home by conserving water.
May is American Wetlands Month. Find out the many environmental benefits of wetlands and find out how you can help protect them!
This will be an ongoing series, which pays homage to Eco-conscious individuals by sharing their stories of hope, inspiration, challenges and insight into making the earth a better place for generations to come.
Help measure the amount of 'light pollution' in your community and contribute to a growing data set by participating in Globe at Night.
Tips on how to reduce energy with lights during the holiday season.
The Great Backyard Bird Count in 2013 runs from February 15 through February 18! Help scientists gain a snapshot of how winter bird populations are changing across North America.
Consumer Reports has stated that it recently found arsenic in food, The United States' rice supply is contaminated with this "group 1" carcinogenic.
Cities such as Seattle and Portland, Oregon, are accommodating swelling populations by allowing backyard cottages in existing neighborhoods. The units accommodate renters, elderly relatives and even ex-spouses. Could they make a difference?
A Birth Altar is a space that will become a power symbol of one's birth. I have begun creating my birth space and bringing together objects that will become my collection of strength during my home birth.
As Congress considers the 2013 Farm Bill, it has the opportunity to enact legislation that protects and supports the nation's family farmers and market gardeners, in addition to protecting consumers and the environment.
As antibiotic resistant infections become more prevalent due to antibiotic use in livestock, health advocates turn to the White House for action.
Five people and two U.S. honey processors were charged with ‘honey laundering’. Investigators found illegally imported honey from China.
British scientists have found that many pesticides--including those commonly found in food and 16 that were previously considered safe--disrupt male hormones.
You can find great reports from the field and footage of rare bird species at the American Bird Conservancy's Bird News Network. Plus, find tips for winter birding and check out highly entertaining footage of the moonwalking manakin bird.
Sandy Boyce's sauerkraut was a hit, selling out each week, until her county health department asked her to stop. Across the nation, regulations can prevent small-time home producers from distributing their 'cottage foods' to the public.
Fracking, buying American, GMOs and unplugging topped the green news this week.
On Earth Day 2009, the Plastic Bag Reduction Act was introduced to the House of Representatives, proposing a five cent tax on single-use bags. We want to know, would you vote yes for the tax?
Tell us what you think. If you installed a wind turbine or solar-electric panels, would you want to be tied to the electric grid, or would you rather have a grid-independent system?
A new federal tax on soda and other sugary beverages has been suggested as a way to pay for part of the major overhaul of the U.S. health-care system proposed by the Obama administration. What do you think of the proposed soda tax?
Taking a bus or a train can be a great green way to reach your vacation destination. We'd like to hear more about your bus or train travels and what you liked, or didn't like, about the experience. Share your story here!
Readers share their best ideas for saving money on meat and their recipes for almost meatless, flexitarian meals.
PBS and Ken Burns’ new series, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” is stirring up interest in some of our country’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring nature, as well as its people. And it’s no surprise that many of MOTHER EARTH NEWS readers have fond memories of these wilderness areas. What are your favorite memories and stories regarding our national parks?
Bike-share programs are now operated in more than 500 cities in 49 countries. Most cities are finding that bike sharing leads to better mobility and safer streets.
How we built a cob oven and rocket stove hybrid.
Are you air aware? Learn how air quality affects your health during Air Quality Awareness Week.
Plant life along small streams starts a food chain that stretches all the way to the ocean.
Rain gardens provide many benefits including filtering out pollutants and keeping runoff out of city storm sewers.
We’re interested in how our readers have lessened their environmental footprint.
Headwater streams are small streams or tributaries that carry water from the upper reaches of a watershed to a river.
Help scientists study how bird populations are changing during the Great Backyard Bird Count.
MetLife Stadium is reducing waste, saving energy and saving water. Take a page from their playbook. www.earhgauge.net/?p=33964
Efficiency pays off! Resolve to save energy, water, fuel and money in 2014. Get started with these tools.
Try these simple actions at home that can help reduce water pollution.
Chase down household leaks and fix them to save water and money during the Earth Gauge #FixALeak Week.
Engineering is helping to solve some of our biggest environmental challenges. Learn more during EEWeek.
Spring is the perfect time to give your home cooling equipment a check-up before hot weather arrives.
Houses take a lifetime to pay off these days, and even a prosaic shed, barn or coop requires a heavy investment of money, time, skilled labour and imported materials. For thousands of years, though, people around the world used an ancient technique to build homes and other structures quickly, using nothing but local material and simple, easily learned skills.
Tips on how to use "best burn practices" at home to minimize wood smoke and protect your health.
Tips for saving energy at home while trying to stay cool.
Tips on how to prevent soil compaction on your lawn and reduce water pollution!
Plant a patio garden, get a more efficient TV and change your light bulbs, suggests eco-designer Sabrina Soto.
Tips on how to prepare yourself for a natural disaster during September's National Preparedness Month!
Some things have come full circle, so now we have a chance to fix it right this time!
Check out Earth's Journey for recycled, up-cycled and/or environmentally friendly art.
Installing a rain gauge can help determine how much water your plants really need.
Tips on how to properly maintain your home's septic system.
A look at the completed project and some of the features.
Today we officially celebrate Earth Day, but we can celebrate healthy soil and all that it contributes to our lives every day.
See nature work in this week’s Photo of the Week. Remember to submit your own pictures, and you could be the next Photo of the Week!
Tips on how to dispose of pet waste properly for National Dog Day!
Disneynature is premiering its new documentary, Oceans, on Earth Day 2010 to show the beauty and harsh reality of the Caribbean's threatened coral reefs. A portion of the proceeds from tickets purchased from April 22 thru 28 will go to support the preservation of coral reefs in the Bahamas.
Cam leaves his lights on during Earth Hour since he generates his own electricity with solar and wind!
Tips on how to protect your skin and stay safe in the sun.
Tips on how to save energy, water and fuel at home and on the road in 2013!
Tips on how to conserve water in the fall with weather-based irrigation controllers.
Tips to help wildlife beat the heat with fresh water.
Tips on how to protect naturally-beneficial estuaries.
Today as I was researching Habitat for Humanity, I learned how far its helping hand reaches. Even more interesting to me, though, was that Habitat continues to build in such war-torn counties as Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Tips for limiting your exposure to pollen to help manage allergy symptoms.
Tips on how to take part in citizen science projects during the fall!
Hold on to the holiday spirit while saving energy and money this season with holiday LED lights.
Learn more about the life and work of Malcolm Wells, the "Father of Earth Sheltered Design."
Evidently when it comes to visualizing our future, a lot of people expect the worst and are inclined to leave it up to God. It is up to God, of course, but God gave us two eyes in the front of our heads to look forward and prepare for what’s to come.
Tips on how to conserve energy at home with Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Columbia University's Earth Institute will hold an informational session on its Sustainability Management program on February 10.
How to avoid contacting poison ivy and poison oak.
Tips on how to save water at home and protect water quality during National Water Quality Month.
Tips on how to prepare for emergencies and/or natural disasters.
Are you ready for the kinds of severe weather that could impact the area where you live? National Severe Weather Preparedness Week takes place from Mar. 3-9, 2013. This is a great time for you and your family to “Be a Force of Nature” by learning the importance of planning for severe weather events and practicing how and where to take shelter before severe weather strikes.
Tips on how to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
World renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle explains the poor maintenance of the world's oceans, and necessary steps to take in order for this damage to be reversed.
Earth Gauge describes the links between geography and weather during Geography Awareness Week.
Tips on how to protect yourself form harmful algal blooms.
A new episode in the PBS series Journey to Planet Earth, hosted by Matt Damon, will feature Mother Earth News contributing editor and visionary Lester Brown’s “Plan B” on how we can save civilization in the face of global climate change.
You can save gas and money by keeping your tires correctly inflated. And now a group of high school students has launched a project to encourage drivers to regularly check their tires.
June is National Rivers Month! Help protect your local waterways with these simple tips.
Tips on how green roofs can benefit your wallet and the environment!
Information on how to volunteer on National Public Lands Day.
Check out these tips and share your ideas for welcoming 2010 with a green New Year’s Eve party.
Existing homes that are certified as “green” sold for 30 percent more than homes without such a designation, according to an analysis of the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan region released today by Earth Advantage Institute, a nonprofit green building resource. Newly constructed homes with a sustainability certification sold for 8 percent more than non-certified homes.
This result continues a four-year trend in which new homes with third-party certification for sustainable construction and energy performance have consistently sold for more than newly constructed homes that had not been certified. The term "certified home" includes homes that received an Earth Advantage New Homes, ENERGY STAR, or a LEED for Homes designation, or a combined Earth Advantage/ENERGY STAR certification.
Want to Save on Earth-Friendly Products? Check out Worm's Way's sale by clicking on the Earth Week banner at WormsWay.com and enjoy up to 20 percent off your purchases.
By focusing on environmental change this Earth Day, we can reach our green potential. Green initiatives need to be implemented, both individually and collectively, for us to reduce our environmental impact.
Don’t miss these featured documentaries showing on PBS’s Earth Day programming.
Great Quotations: the 4th installment in a series. This post features 14 fabulous eco-quotations, from thinkers such as Wendell Berry, Rachel Carson, Thoreau, Edison, and others.
Earth warming is causing rapid glacier melt all over the world raising the average sea level at an alarming rate.
Friends and I travel to the Open Source Ecology project in rural Missouri to take a tour and help out laying up earth bricks.
Let's stop for a minute and think about what we are doing!
Here's a chance to transform your home into the greenest one on the block and then pay it forward to your neighbors to help paint your whole town "green."
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program launched its 2011 Change the World, Start with Energy Star Campaign. This campaign encourages and inspires Americans to commit to energy efficiency by highlighting grassroots efforts of individuals all over the United States.
The environmental advocacy group, Earth Day Network, is rallying environmental activism through a climate rally and a new site where the environmental community can learn about issues and events. Learn more about their efforts and how you can get involved.
Lester Brown from the Earth Policy Institute held a teleconference on Dec. 11 to discuss the advantages of a green economy, for the environment and the U.S. work force.
As America’s fuel use continues to decrease, proposed solutions such as the Keystone XL pipeline and food-to-fuel conversions may be unnecessary.
Gather your friends to host a party or just enjoy the quiet as you turn off the lights for one hour to show your love for the planet.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) notes the environmental benefits of commuting and traveling on a motorcycle.
An amazing, off-the-grid Welsh hobbit house was built in less than four months and for less than $5,000.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says its first certification program for bio-based products will make it easier for consumers to identify biodegradable, renewable, recyclable and environmentally safe products.
Simplify the Christmas season with these 12 tips for gifts, gift wrapping and decor—as well as steps you can take to make your celebration light on the planet.
Another set of Great Quotations. These seven quotations have direct relevance to gardeners and farmers, but they offer wisdom that everyone can learn from and enjoy.
Earth Days, a poignant, 2009 Sundance Film Fesitval success, will premier on Facebook April 11, and on the PBS Network April 19.
For those of us who hate to use chemicals in our gardens, in our homes, or with our livestock and pets, diatomaceous earth may be a safe and efficient substitute. It may worm your animals, rid them of fleas and lice and even handle indoor pests.
Whether or not it was devised by clever Mexican potato growers, the cheap, easy to build, and space-saving potato tower is a unique alternative to rows, barrels, and other methods for planting, growing, and bringing in your season's spuds.