I want to be environmentally responsible in my daily life, but still wear stylish clothing. Luckily, sustainable fashion made from organic and recycled materials is increasing in popularity. Here are some great websites featuring stylish, eco-friendly clothing and more for green fashionistas and their families.

Nau sells active wear and urban outdoor clothing for women and men.

Green with Glamour carries clothing for women, men, and kids. The site also sells jewelry and neat stuff for your home.

The Green Loop offers sustainable fashion for women, men, and kids.

Earthgirls boutique caters to fashion-forward, eco-conscious women.

EcoSkin designs sophisticated women’s clothing, but at a fairly decent price. Right now they have a holiday collection with clothing perfect for taking the kids to the Nutcracker or going to the company Christmas party.

Fashion and Earth sells women’s clothing made from bamboo, organic cotton, hemp, and soy.

I grew up fishing with my father and brother, and though much of the time I was bored to tears, catching a big rainbow trout would always give me a rush. I assumed fish from a pristine mountain stream to be one of the healthiest meals on the planet, but as pollutants seep into our waters, the once healthy freshwater fish may pose a threat to us.

A new EPA study shows the detection of toxic chemicals in fish sampled from lakes and reservoirs in all 50 states. Game fish in 49 percent of lakes and reservoirs nationwide have mercury concentrations above EPA recommended levels. Potentially harmful levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in fish in 17 percent of lakes and reservoirs. more

There are weeks when I become so busy that prepackaged processed foods work their way into my daily diet. At the end of these weeks, I feel guilty, somewhat lethargic, and in need of a big salad and a long session at the gym. Now, according to a study conducted at University College London, there is evidence suggesting processed foods are not only bad for your physical health, but they also increase risk of depression.

The study indicates middle-aged people who eat processed foods such as fried food, processed meat and refined grains are more likely to suffer depression than those who eat a diet of whole fruits, vegetables and fish. Many processed foods pose health risks due to additives and processing methods that change the make-up of the food. For instance, trans fats, which are linked to heart disease, can be found in many processed foods. Other additives such as high fructose corn syrup and sodium nitrite are thought to cause health problems such as diabetes and gastric cancer.

Researchers at University College London found that people who ate less processed food had a 26% lower risk of depression five years later, where as people with a diet high in processed food had a 58% higher risk of depression. Researchers acknowledge that more studies are needed to rule out factors not considered in the study, and to explore why certain foods may guard against depression, while others increase risk of depression.

To avoid processed food, buy whole vegetables, fruit, and lean meats. Be sure to check labels. If a jar of spaghetti sauce or salsa says it contains high fructose corn syrup, buy a different brand or make your own. If you’re too busy to cook every night, make extra when you do have time and put it in the freezer. For a quick snack, buy pre-cut vegetables or unsalted nuts.

Lowering cholesterol is no longer just about cutting out bad foods. Adding certain foods to your diet can actually help lower cholesterol levels, according to Harvard Medical School.

The October Harvard Heart Letter says some foods lower cholesterol levels by delivering soluble fiber, which binds to cholesterol in the digestive system and carries it out of the body. Other foods have polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL. Others contain plant sterols and stanols, which block the body from absorbing cholesterol. more

As a dedicated meat eater, I love sitting down to a thick, juicy hamburger with a pink interior. Unfortunately, as discussed in a recent New York Times article, the flaws in US beef inspection and the subsequent rise in E. coli cases over the past few years curbed my enthusiasm for this typical American meal. Luckily, there are several ways to continue eating burgers without fear. more

Cleaning your home could aggravate your child’s asthma, and not just because of dust getting into the air. Several ingredients used in many household cleaners are associated with health problems such as allergies, asthma, and reproductive and developmental effects, yet the labels do not disclose that these chemicals are present. Some ingredients, specifically those considered “hormone disrupters”, are also believed to disrupt the reproductive systems of fish, birds and mammals when they get into the water supply and then spill into rivers and lakes. Environmental groups and scientists worry that with the contamination of our water supply, humans will be affected in a similar way. more

What extra steps can you take to fight off illness during cold and flu season?

Dietitians say your diet can affect your body’s ability to fend off the flu. They recommend keeping your kitchen stocked with foods containing immune system boosters, such as allicin, vitamin C, zinc and probiotics. These include common foods like garlic, citrus fruits, seafood and meats, and yoghurt. Dietitians also suggest switching to vitamin D-fortified milk, since research indicates that vitamin D boosts immunity against respiratory viruses. more

People with celiac disease may benefit from taking certain vitamin and antioxidant supplements, according to recent research. Celiac disease is a digestive condition caused by intolerance to gluten. There is no cure for the disease, but it can be treated with a gluten-free diet. Celiac disease is considered a malabsorption syndrome, and those with the disease are at risk for various deficiencies. more

A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry shows that fruits and vegetables may contain more antioxidants than we originally thought. Antioxidants help reduce the effect that free radicals have on our cells. Our cells are exposed to free radicals every day through the food we eat, the water we drink, pollution, smoke and radiation. The effects of free radicals on our cells are linked to health problems, such as heart disease and cancer. Many types of food are antioxidant-rich, including vegetables, fruits and grains. more

Exercising more means losing weight. Few of us question this logic. The American Physiological Society just released an article on a study that says exercise can prevent weight regain after dieting reaffirming this assumption. So why did Time Magazine staff writer John Cloud write an article arguing that intense exercise can instead lead to weight gain, and who is right? more