Fake plastic wishbones? Around Thanksgiving time last year, I read a post by blogger Rejin from Urban Botany blasting People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for promoting plastic Lucky Break Wishbones. She wrote: Hasn't PETA ever heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? They claim these wishbones and their packages are recyclable, but let's face it: 99.99% of them are going to end up in a landfill, or in the ocean, where they will probably be swallowed by sea turtles [And I would add baby albatross chicks] who will choke and die.... Animals, PETA, animals! Do you hear me? Apparently PETA did not because the organization promoted the wishbones again this year. Products like these are what blogger Linda Anderson from Citizen Green would call "stupid plastic crap."

Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, and dare I say that only in America could a day meant to celebrate bounty and thankfulness much more commonly devolve into stress and overspending. True, it may be the norm, but it doesn't have to be -- why not try a few simple modifications this year to stay on budget? You'll be glad you did, and chances are you'll enjoy the holiday a lot more, too.

It's time to get serious about turkey. Thanksgiving is approaching, and this is a great opportunity to make the centerpiece of your holiday table a local and sustainable bird. I'm no stranger to alternatives to the traditional industrial turkey from the grocery store. Last year, I hosted Thanksgiving at my then-fairly-new Oakland apartment. It was just me and my parents, so I announced an Asian twist on the poultry theme. "We're going to have Peking duck," I said. "Not turkey."

Research says that we cook the same 20 dishes again and again. Again and again. Again and again. (And again.) Sure, every six months, we drop one and replace it with another. Eating in rhythm with the seasons changes that. Each season, each month, there's something new to pique our curiosity and tickle our tastebuds, something that just last month wasn't available or wasn't at its freshest or had to travel from, alors, South America to reach your table. So, tis late fall. Tomatoes are two months gone and asparagus are five, maybe six, months away. What's special about what we cook in November? Here are three vegetables that will turn November into something special, something memorable.

Somehow it seems apt that the time changed for many of us at the close of October, the eve of November. The evening's darkness, it seems to signify a time for nesting, for nestling in with family and loved ones, 'not forgetting your own dear' self as my grandmother used to say. So what might we do -- food-wise, budget-wise, life-wise -- in November, stuff that fits the month like the gloves we'll soon be needing.

Today marks not only Halloween, but also the last day of the Eat Local Challenge -- and the last day of Fair Trade Month too. So I thought it'd be the perfect day to highlight some of the most eco-ethical coffees out there to go with your local, organic meals or fair trade chocolate desserts. Here are 3 tasty coffees that are not only all triple certified -- but have an additional little story to make you feel good about what you're drinking while jolting you awake too.

I hear it's gotten cold in some parts of the country, but we had a perfect summer day in Los Angeles today. So for those who live in similar weather -- or who just love chilled drinks whatever the temperature is outside, here are my top 3 recommended eco-ethical drinks to quench your thirst while supporting a good cause:

As October comes to a close, the Eat Local Challenge is thinking bigger and looking for ways to spread locavorism beyond our home kitchens. Week Four (October 24 - 31): Taking it to the Community Week four will focus on eating locally within our communities. We can host potlucks and eat local parties, we can check in with our schools to hear whether they are supporting local farmers with their buying decisions.

What's more ironic than local, organic, seasonal food encased in plastic? That's what I wondered back in 2007 when I first started my quest to eliminate unnecessary plastic from my life. A trip to my local farmers market revealed more than just fruits and vegetables. Have a look at a few photos I shot:

Each week, we're sharing our favorite links from our friends at Planet Green and TreeHugger. Enjoy! Pop quiz time! Which 5 states supply 73% of the coal used in America? It's No Impact Week. Here are some reasons why you should care.

This week, the Eat Local Challenge asks participants to look at how to expand the challenge to families.

The joy (and some times, the frustration) of eating in rhythm with the seasons is that there's so little repetition. Four times a year -- in truth, nearly each month -- the earth yields new foods for us to sample. In spring, we breathlessly await the arrival of asparagus and artichokes for salads. In summer, a salad comes without thought, throw a few tomatoes into a bowl, add a little onion and vinaigrette, it's a salad.