We know that eating less meat is a good thing — it reduces your carbon footprint, lowers your grocery bill, and makes sense for your heart. But does it taste good? Vegetarian diets are often associated with a bland menu of tofu, sprouts, and brown rice day after day. Chef to the stars Tal Ronnen sets out to bust this myth in his new cookbook, The Conscious Cook — Delicious Meatless Recipes Read more

Everyone makes mistakes. Business Insider shares solutions for some common money mistakes people make. Recently, two friends confessed they live check to check — a revelation worsened by the fact that they only check their bank balance once or twice a month. RELATED: How This Writer Clawed Her Way Out of the Black Hole of Debt We called in the finance experts, and here's what we decided they Read more

If booze and male strippers don't sound like your idea of a good time, buck tradition by celebrating your bachelorette party in a healthy — but fun! — way instead. Here are a few ways to bond with your girlfriends while also burning calories along the way. Say om: Gather up your mats and have a private yoga class; it's a great way to enjoy the company of your gal pals while also Read more

Think twice about eating at that chain restaurant. Our pal Wise Bread gives reasons why you shouldn't eat there. I’ll reveal my bias upfront — I can’t stand chain restaurants. From their oversized, cheese-topped portions to the excessive use of adjectives in their menus, grabbing a bite at a big-box just doesn’t hit the spot for me. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the Read more

Between hosting parties, cooking Christmas dinner, and baking edible gifts, the kitchen is the workhorse of every holiday season. But just because you're making the most of it this time of year doesn't mean you're being as eco-conscious as you could be: kitchen and laundry appliances account for more than a third of household electricity consumption. To help reduce your energy expenditure Read more

Fat makes food taste good, but as we know, too much of this good thing is decidedly bad. A new study has even found that some people may be wired genetically to crave a higher amount of fatty foods than those who lack the fat-craving gene variation. Whether or not you're wired to crave fat, being more conscious of how much you are consuming can help you reduce those cravings. Take control of Read more

If the gift-giving season wreaked havoc on your bank account, follow these money-saving tips to recover from holiday debt and regain your financial confidence. Tweak your food routine. Make the obvious wallet-friendly changes to your meal habits: pack your lunch, cook dinners at home, and swap your Starbucks sip for the coffeemaker variety. Amp up the savings and avoid wasting money on Read more

Six holiday beers we're digging right now. Whole Foods cheese buyer Cathy Strange on perfecting the cheese platter. The simplest way to roast chestnuts this Christmas. Arnold's coming out with new pita thins in 2012, and they're pretty darn tasty. Where did these Christmas foods come from? Take a trip around the world with a different meal each weeknight. Maggi seasoning: where does it come Read more

Whether we're burning calories by sweating it out at the gym or resisting the call of the cupcakes, calories definitely affect our waistlines. Understanding the fundamentals of calories is about more than just reaching for the low-cal option. If you're watching your weight or looking to lose some, here's what you need to know about calories to keep you going. What's a Calorie? A calorie is just Read more