We know that industrial feedlots are harmful to both livestock and the environment, so many of us try to buy meat from small scale sources. But what about your pets? Pet food is a major source of factory-farmed meat, and even worse, animal byproducts that are not fit for human consumption. Loosely defined as 'heads, feet, bones, blood, intestines, lungs, spleens, livers, ligaments, fat trimmings, unborn babies, and other parts not generally consumed by humans,' these byproducts can even come from '4D' (dead, dying, diseased, disabled) animals. This may be why tests have found traces of a euthanasia drug in some foods.

Thankfully, there are high-quality pet foods out there that are both affordable and by-product-free. My dogs enjoy Pet Promise, which claims to be free of byproducts, antibiotics and factory-farmed meats. Plus, it doesn't break the bank.

Read more about pet food here and here.

Ah, holiday dinners. There's nothing better than gathering with friends and family for a delicious meal. Like the celebrations of years past, my family gatherings this year are sure to include a smorgasbord of meats, veggies and grains. I can't wait! But something is weighing on my mind — what can I do to ensure that my dinner didn't support the undue suffering of farm animals?

How can you confirm that you are buying products from producers that don't use gestation crates, overcrowded cages and the like? If you don't have access to a nearby farm, you can start by choosing dairy, eggs and meats with the Certified Humane seal; you'll know that the product you're purchasing was raised and handled with a firm, independently verified set of standards. Also, on their Web site, you can search for stores in your area that carry certified products.

It's the holiday season and — for better or worse — we are all affected by it. This is a time that some yearn for all year while others wish it would just never happen. Whichever side you are on, there is no denying that the holiday season can be stressful.

So, maybe this week you might consider chucking all of the shopping and planning and cooking, just for an hour or so, and take your family out for a walk — no, not at the mall! The mall can be a great place to exercise during inclement weather, but the goal of this walk is to relieve stress and spend some non-commercial time with your family.

No matter where you live, you can go outside and walk. Walk around the block, to the corner market, the school playground or your neighbor's house. Take a few deep breaths before beginning, walk with a long stride and notice the world around you. Look at the trees, listen to the birds and smell the aromas of winter — moist soil, crisp dry nose-stinging air or soggy aromatic air. For the more adventuresome, you might want to go to a park or find a quiet dirt road for your walk.

But sometime in the next few days, just for an hour, take a walk, I promise you will all feel better for doing so.

Keep your eyes and ears open for news on the 2007 farm bill. Rumor has it that the Senate will vote today, and pass the bill. Cross your fingers in hopes that, as they debated amendents last week, a few victories were won on behalf of our health as well as sustainable farming efforts across the country.

Read more about today's vote here.

Ice and snow are an expected consequence of winter weather and coping with them is just a fact of life for many areas of the country. But there are a few strategies that can make the task a little less of a chore.

Shoveling snow is a great cardiovascular workout, but can be hard on your hands and back. Check out the 'smarter' shovels, in the 'Get the Scoop' section of the 'Snowy Solutions' article, which are ergonomically designed to make shoveling less stressful on your skeletal frame.

Another consequence of wintery weather is a build up of snow and ice on your roof, called ice damming. Caused by the snow melting and freezing, ice dams can damage your roof by blocking water from draining into the gutters and off the roof. You can read about preventive measures for future winters in this 2003 article. But this winter, to alleviate ice damming, keep an eye on your roof. If you see that snow and ice are building up on the roof's edges, use a rake to pull the snow off. When the roof is bare, you might consider installing roof heat tape along the leading one to three feet of the roof to prevent ice from forming. This is not an inexpensive strategy, but it is less expensive that the damage from a leaky roof.

The Consumers Union, the Cornucopia Institute, and small farmers and consumers across the county all agree: The new regulations proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding the safe handling of leafy greens will give large industrial farms an advantage over smaller operations.

In response to a number of E.coli outbreaks that were traced back to packages of 'pre-washed' spinach, the USDA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and recently wrapped up an invitation for public comments.

The proposal, which many are referring to as 'one size fits all,' will require a uniform set of growing and harvesting rules that will be hard for small farmers to implement. This makes even less sense when you consider the fact that the E.coli outbreaks center around the processed bagged spinach, not the fresh greens that one finds at farmers markets. According to the Cornucopia Institute, the rules are likely to require testing for pathogens at every harvest, and ban the use of certain organic fertilizers.

We all agree that E.coli contamination is a problem, but is this the best way to keep the public safe?

Read more here, here and here.

Kid-friendly holiday decorations are fun to make and involve your children in the excitement and anticipation of the season.

One simple craft that requires almost no purchased materials is a pinecone/acorn wreath. The wreath described below is designed as a candle ring for your mantle or holiday table.

First, organize a family outing to a local park and collect a grocery-bag-full of evergreen cones and acorns — all sizes will work for this project. Back home, cut a nine-inch-diameter circle from stiff cardboard. Then, from the middle of this circle, cut out a three-inch-diameter circle. You now have the base for your candle ring.

Arrange the cones and acorns on the cardboard ring in a pattern pleasing to you and the children. After you are satisfied with their placement, put a dab of white glue on the bottom of the cone or acorn and stick it back onto the ring. Let the glue set for a few hours to harden.

Last, place a three-inch-wide candle in the center of the ring. You can make these candle ring/wreaths in a variety of shapes to fit any candle. The only requirement is that you and the children in your life have fun doing so.