The following was posted by Lucy Postins, Co-founder of The Honest Kitchen

Recently my mother was forced to take the back seat of my car, because Mosi wanted the front, up next to me. She was planning to do a little shopping and he was on his daily commute to the office with me and his sister, Willow. They’re in charge of product development at my company. He’s a lean & muscular, 110 lb Rhodesian Ridgeback and so there’s not a great deal of arguing to be done. Not because my mother’s slight and in her 60’s, but because he’s my big, special boy, with melting brown eyes. He was here before my daughters, he’s my number one son and Mother knows it. Sure, he would move if he had to, but he’s an important chap with a lot on his mind and he simply doesn’t think of it.

We all spoil our pets, or at least we think we do. We’d love to know how you spoil yours, and just what she does to deserve it. Whether it’s home made treats, spa pedicures, joining you on vacations at pet-friendly resorts, or a specially made-up plate at Thanksgiving - the animals in our lives surely have some intriguing stories to tell about what the deal is, being a part of the family they’ve ended up with.

If your kitty or hound has a particularly discerning palate, sign up for our newsletter and become a part of our extended product development family. We have an exciting new recipe in the works and will soon be ready for nationwide, Round One taste-tests. Want to join us?

Visit our blog.

Okay, so back in the day Heather and I tried an all natural hangover helper that I found online, and well, while we had fun trying it for the first half (ie: the night before), the second half just sucked.  And it was a hot, sticky July day in NYC, and we had lots of work to do.  Eww.  Hell. 

Finally we found one that really works.  It is called Fight Back.  And it is my new best friend. 

Ever since entering my 30's, the saddest thing has been my loss of ability to drink all night and then go run and play and work just fine the next day.  Now if I have a bottle of wine, forgetaboutit. The next day is just toast.

However, being the diligent (and slightly drunkie) Biter that I am, I tried (and then retried) this product.  And it worked so well that I now tell everyone I know about it, because come on, who doesn't just LOATHE a hangover?   Sure, you could drink less.  But life is short and I am pretty good on the whole, so I am not about to take away one of my true joys... a good bottle of a wine and a good buzz. 

Off to make New Years plans... and yes, they will definitely involve making sure I take my Fight Back before getting too nuts that night.  - Jen

Okay so I have been kindling a new friendship with a certain gentleman.  We have known each other for a few years, and I have always had a crush on him since I saw him speak at a certain event that brought ranchers, environmentalists, developers, and old-time community members together... not only into the same room, but onto the same philosophical page. 

This certain gentleman is a tad older and reminded me of Richard Gere, and at the time, was married.  So I kept my batting eyelashes to myself.

Now however he has been divorced for about a year, and moved down the street.  We have gotten together for wine and cheese and eco-talk on multiple occasions.  He has called me his eco-soul mate, and well, I have confessed my crush ever since I heard him speak eloquently at the event.

Anyway, the whole point of this?  Recently we discovered we both came into the enviro movement because we both wrote a term paper on the destruction of the Brazilian Rain forest in high school.  (And being quasi-organized, I found mine and photocopied it for an Xmas present for him.)

I ended my term paper with "Clearly, the forest is more valuable when left standing than when cut."  How profound.  ;-)  But seriously, this little berry (the acai) is amazingly delicious and packs a punch of some of the most important nutrients and anti-oxidants.  What else has yet to be discovered out there?  We HAVE to figure out how to curb development and ranching in the forest... we still burn down like 50 acres a minute or something heart-wrenching like that.

Okay, I could go on for hours, but I think instead I will turn to my new eco-soul mate, open a bottle of wine, and bend his ear instead of burn your eyes.  ;-)

Off to find  him and that wine... Jen

OK, so sitting here, Christmas night, 6 bottles (not all organic) down, and it occurs to me that I owe a blog for tomorrow's tip. Thankfully, the stragglers at the table have agreed to help me in my time of need, and have agreed to listen to me reading my blog outloud so that they can input their own thoughts/edits.

HEATHER:

LOADS of body products. We all know that I am a products whore, but there's only so much lotion a girl can use.

I would also like to donate my mother's intense determination that I date someone appropriate and have a boyfriend by next Christmas so that when I throw the "I'm not looking for the effing cat again" fit simply because I am tired, there is someone to offset the emotion.

BRADY:

Brady, who is 3 going on 4(0) wants to tell you what he got and is regifting, but he had to run off to watch the Polar Express DVD, which is much cooler than blogging. BTW - he got 2 versions of the DVD, them, so we are keeping one tonight for Quinn.

JAMIE (my brother's friend and Brady's dad) takes over the blog:

The "fun" part about the holidays is that, in most cases, family is involved. Don't get me wrong, I have the best in-laws I could possibly hope for, but why is it that the holidays always seem to bring out the drama in all of them? Since I'm limited to one paragraph, I'll simply summarize that it seems that everyone's interesting family dynamic seem to be overly exaggerated during the holidays. In the meantime, I regifted pretty much everything our in-laws gave us, and I suggest you all do the same.

Hey Biters... how was your holiday? Any good in-law or regifting stories to tell?

-Heather... off to drink some more port and text more friends...

Sometimes, in the midst of a week of craziness, packets of information get dropped.  This is often uncomfortable and painful when it's something like "Ooops.  Forgot to write the blog," or "Damn! That email I was supposed to send to the Masters of the Universe is STILL in my drafts folder."

But the whole packet-dropping thing moves to downright ridiculous, when it comes to dropped packets of what you, yourself, said/wrote/requested.

And I find myself doing that all the time lately.

Case in point - today's tip.  When the tip idea came in, it was the end of the summer, and we were scheduling it, and one of you Biters sent some email about how ants came indoors in the winter, and could we help with all-natural ideas?  And Jen forwarded the email, saying that she, for one, voted to add it to the calendar.

So what do I do?  I send an email around, saying "Who the hell gets ants in the winter???"

I sort of have a vaguish kinda maybe recollection about a conversation about ants and winter and something after that point, and in the end, I said "Sure - against my will, let's write about freakin' ants in the dead of winter."  (Insert eye-rolling and huffy sighs for full effect.)

Fast-forward to a few weeks ago - final round of edits on this week's tips, and I think that it's the best tip EVER, because of course people get ants in the winter, and Jen fires a comment back to one of the tips:

"Who the hell gets ants in the winter?" (Apparently, I am not the only one packet-dropping, praise the lord.)

Well, dear Biters, I had an answer to that this time:

Answer?  Me.  I get ants in the winter. Not only whichever one of you requested this tip... They have decided my office is the PERFECT place to live. I got em crawling on my desk, across my floor, up my arm, and over my cat (who - bless him - doesn't seem to care unless they get in his ears).

So, I'm going after the borax thing after the holidays to see if I can't get rid of the little buggers.

In the meantime, I'll probably forget that I ever said that, so poor Snack will have to suffer for eternity.

-Heather... off to find some eggnog...

A few years back, I was lucky enough to stay at Sun Dance, which I really believed had Robert Redford's touch on everything.

It just seemed like we were in some movie set where everything was at once rustic yet perfect in the same breath. I was with one my exes (this one I have been thinking about a lot lately as this time last year his girlfriend hacked into his computer and wrote to me, using his email and acting like it was him, telling me that we can't ever be in touch ever again.)

Anyway, I was with this ex, and he knew Robert Redford from some Sundance TV stuff he had worked on.  So we got styled.  Rode horses, made soap, and ate like Kings and Queens.  It was there in that gorgeous cabin the sweetly straddled a creek that I discovered Natural Home & Garden, one of my favorite magazines.

As lovely as this all sounds, it was on this trip that I realized the ex was kind of a "woe-is-me" kind of person.  He found things to complain about... there!  And although the trip was amazing, it was maybe when things started to go downhill.  Ew, bad pun.

This year I am excited to get to know the slopes that are literally 15 minutes from my front door, Bridger Bowl.  I might even try to snowboard, as I am really into trying new things lately (you know when you go through stages for trying new things? I am in one so I need to optimize it.)

Off to get my season ski pass and my favorite hangover helper (holiday party last night where I had too much wine and not enough food!) : greasy egg sandwhich, coming up... Jen

I'm a salad purist, really.  If it can't hold its own with just olive oil and balsamic or lemon and some salt and pepper, in general, I think your salad probably sucks.  And for the most part, let's face it, bottled dressings just taste nasty.

No so, the dressings in today's tip.  Honestly. That peanut one - when put on cucumbers and grape tomatoes - will make you cry, it's so good.

And the fact that we found these dressings is a very good thing for me, since I am going to go vegan once a week for one of my New Year's Resolutions.  Since I even like bloody steaks, wish me luck.

Stay tuned for "Vegan Days" results.

-Heather... off to make a salad...

Recent email exchange with would-be date (names changed to protect the innocent) went something like this:

GUY:
Hey - we still on for drinks tonight?

HEATHER:
Sure.  Warning, though - I have a nasty cold.

GUY:
I'll leave where to meet up to you.  If you still have a cold, though, I dunno.  I hate germs.

HEATHER:
If you're one of those germaphobic types who carries that little hand sanitizer everywhere he goes, we can't be friends, since I'll pretty much eat candy after it rolls across the floor...

GUY:
No, I don't carry hand sanitizer in the little bottle.  I have a Camelback that I converted to dispense it that I wear on my back at all times.  I found I kept running out when I just carried the little bottle.  This way, I'm usually good for a few hours before needing a refill.  Plus it has a pocket for my latex gloves and dust masks.  It's very handy.

Needless to say, I went on the date.  In the end, if you wanna make out with me, really, all you gotta do is give good email. 

-Heather... off to use my EO Hand San (which is what I got my sis-in-law for Christmas)... 

I just did something so satisfying the other day. I got rid of all my tchotzkes.

Bon voyage, Eiffel Tower miniature! Auf wiedersehen, novelty Oktoberfest stein!

It's bad enough living in a city where most apartments are small enough to make Thumbelina claustrophobic. Accumulation of stuff that I don't need just makes it worse. That's part of the inspiration behind my extended fam's yearly Christmas donation. Instead of giving each other material gifts, one of us chooses a charity and we all write a check. It's waste-free and goes a little further than yule-themed handsoap or a fruitcake. Last year, I got to choose, so we all donated to Amnesty International. (Check out a few more of The Bite team's fave charities in our Giving It Away tip.)

Next time you're shopping for a gift, just remember that it's the thought that counts. Think before you buy, and you might save your friend a trip to Goodwill.

-Toshio, off to unload a big bag of stuff at the local homeless shelter...

Laura, my younger sister by 17 months, has always possessed (and regrettably will always possess) a much more astute fashion sense of style than I could ever hope for.  From a young age she was always fixated on fashion.  Laura was the one to ardently protest whenever our mother would dress us in sickening-sweet-matching outfits. (In every birthday / holiday picture that exist of Laura and I, we are painstakingly decked out in matching sun dresses, Easter dresses, and the like.  From time to time my one or both of my poor brothers also got roped in.)  Unlike Laura, back then my less-than-nascent fashion sense was never phased by being dressed to look the part of the Bobsi twins and, unlike my sister, I never took my mother's actions as a personal assault on my chic-ness.  Long after Laura rebelled and demanded to choose the outfits she wore to school, I was still quite content with dressing in the clothes that my mother laid out on my bed every morning.  Throughout middle school we started to develop our own signature styles.  This was the one time in her life that Laura made some major fashion missteps.  Whereas her style sometimes bordered on the line of decency that is all too common of preteen girls, mine always erred on the side of being too safe, too boring.  By the time we were in high school, she had given up her much-too-short-skirts and I my khaki pants, and our styles started overlapping again.  To maintain our own personal identity and fashion integrity during our teenage years, we depended upon on one very important rule: we agreed to NEVER buy (and certainly NEVER wear) the same shirt, dress, or any other clothing garment.   Most of the time we upheld this rule, but it was occasionally broken out of necessity - such as the time when Laura just had to have the same (exact!) Doc Martens as me.

As the years go on, Laura definitely continues to outpace me in all things fashion-related.  That is, of course, with the exception of eco-fashion, for in this realm I definitely have the upper hand and have taught her a thing or two.  I've got her hooked on a few of my favorite labels: Velvet, Stewart + Brown, and Anna Cohen.

This year I'm using my own wish-list to shop.  Here's a sneak peak on who's getting what on my Christmas list (sorry for ruining the surprise to any friends/family reading this):
My sis – This EDUN top
My friends – A Turk+Taylor organic tee and a bottle of Square One Vodka
My mom – A handbag by HER Design

Sara, off to be a good girl, so Santa brings her everything on her wish list.....

As far back as 5th grade I remember doing one of my first book reports on 50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save The Earth.  Chock-full of easy ideas like why you should cut the rings on plastic 6-pack holders and how to create a backyard composting pile, the book was my first introduction to living an eco-friendly lifestyle.  All through grade school, high school and even college, many of those simple (and now antiquated) ideas stuck with me and carried over into my everyday habits.  During these years I also began coursework in math, physics and engineering, and gradually my interest in the environment and my educational studies gravitated towards one another.

--- Skip a few years ahead ---

Which brings me to the above title - "Algea, Aerogel and Stirling engines..." - not usually the first words that come to mind when you think 'eco'.  Though strange, these terms ARE commonly used when talking about the next generation of green technologies....and 5,10, maybe 15 years from now these words may become as commonplace as 'solar panel', 'bio-diesel' and 'CFL bulb'.  Over time, tomorrow's cutting-edge technology becomes today's everyday-tech-gadget, and for someone like myself who's interested in this field, its always exciting to see a technology transition into the mainstream.  As an example, check out a few of my favorites like the Solio, Ecopod or an LED Lightbulb.  Several years ago these (and many, many, many other innovations) were nothing more than a far-out idea...

-Brett...off to ponder what tomorrow may bring...

P.S. - You can find more info on the technologies from the title here, here and here.

This post might be short because it is very hard to type with 4 inch arms with stubby paws at the end, but who knows, I could get into it, as this is my first blog.  (Yes, Mommy is taking pictures as I write.)

I like being the dog "tester" of products. I do have huge ears so it is easy to keep them open for the best things on the market.  And even though the job seems posh, sometimes it's hard.  Like the time I had to test some all natural teeth cleaning product for dogs.  They said the toothpaste tasted like meat, but it sooooo did not.

Don't get me wrong, when Mommy passes out on the couch with a half-finished Amy's organic pizza, I am the first to wake her up with sounds of my scarfing it down the other half. 

I now have two furry brothers, Froggy the cat and Tigger the kitten.  I use them as play toys, and they love it. The kitten can be a little annoying though when I am trying to sleep, jumping on me and such. I once showed my teeth at him for that, but quickly got a spanking.  Whatever dude.

Oh, and Lou the horse. Going to the barn is my favorite thing in the world (okay fine, not more than trying out organic dog treats, but a close second).  In fact, Mommy thought me how to ride the other day as we walked down the snowy road for exercise. It was hard to find my balance so I ended up turning sideways (not to be confused with side-saddle) .. I had to do something with my long bod to stay on!

Anyway, it's time for bed.  I do love mine from West Paw.  Mommy told me that it was expensive and that it was my Christmas and Birthday present.  Whatever.  I know I will get spoiled here in a few days when Santa comes to town.  I haven't been too naughty, except that time I jumped up on a small child and was caught nibbling from the compost.

Off to dream of more bison treats...  The Cricks

PS:  Jen here. Just wanted to pipe in about the fly spray we mentioned in today's tip. I have always hated that toxic stuff but never knew what else to use, especially because sometimes it seems cruel to not equip your horse with repellent with deer flies and the likes.  However, this one works as well if not better than conventional kind. Seriously.  It will not disappoint. So if you have any horse lovers on your list, this will be their favorite gift come spring.

My weekend was filled with altogether too much booze and not nearly enough sleep.  Don't get me wrong... it was pretty delicious, all around, and the reasons for said boozing and lack of sleep - from late night beer dates to hot champagne parties - are completely worth the sluggish Monday morning.

But today's tip is timely, since I can no longer party like it's 1999.  Oh, I can still do the actual PARTYING - I just don't survive the aftermath as well. In '99, I could bounce and rally.  On just 2 hours of sleep, I could be up, grabbing coffee, laughing with friends, planning the next thing, and (here's the rub), I could still look like I had gotten a full night's sleep.

Sadly, this no longer seems to be the case.  If I'm not careful, multiple sleep-free nights tend to leave me sallow and tired-looking (instead of sporting that strangely attractive exhileration flush that can come from weekends of too much sin).

Fortunately, however, the world is full of fantastic external cures that take the place of inner fortitude and leave you with an aura of health. See, I have a long-standing theory on attractiveness.  It's never what you think it is. It's not the makeup or clothes or accessories.  Fact is, when you see those people you think are hot, and you don't know why?  It's generally "the glow."  It's skin and hair that look clear and dewy, almost without fail. 

So - for the product whores in your life - check out some of today's skin and hair products.  All-natural, they  really work, and can get you through a still-no-sleep Sunday brunch with aplomb (and dare I say, a certain glow). But don't take my word for it - I suggest you test it out.  Show up at your friend's house with 2 presents: a bottle of organic vodka from Square One in one hand and one of the skin products in the other, and test the theory.  Drink away, dance until dawn, and see if you can wander the streets with a healthy glow the next day.  Betcha you can.

'Course, the resulting hangover is another topic altogether.

-Heather... off to make sense out of the jumble of cocktail dresses in the bottom of my closet...

Consumer advocates believe that conflict diamonds make up as much 10-15% of the world diamond supply.  That involve mines that blow up on innocent people, and working conditions not even suitable for a cockroach.  I won't name names but the most well-known retailers sell conflict-full diamonds, and they are the ones with the power to shift the industry.  I am definitely not going to marry some exec from those chain jewelry stores unless they clean up their act. (that will get 'em! ;-)

Anyway, this is a major issue and so happy that at least there is awareness being brought to the issue.  I know that when I find my prince charming he will totally "get it" and will no bat at eye at the importance of having a gemstone as meaningful as the relationship itself.

Yeah, you guessed it... off to find Prince Charming! - Jen

I love Christmas.  I love it more than I love Christian Bale as Batman, which is saying a lot.

But for whatever reason, I am simply uninspired to put a tree up this year.  Part of me is a little terrified of what Snack (kitten) will do to it, I gotta admit.  And part of me just finds it tough to be holiday-inspired when I can walk outside in a long-sleeve tee and only be a touch chilly (Brooklyn snow, anyone?)

Fortunately, Mom brought me a wreath from Montana when she came out for Thanksgiving, and it's hanging on my door.  Each year, she buys from the local high school band kids, who sell the wreaths to help fund band trips.  Thus, in my house, these wreaths are always simply referred to as "band wreaths."  My "band wreath" is hanging proudly on my front door (although I have to admit that we did "doctor it up" a little - adding a prettier boy and some apple thingies).

In the spirit of thinking locally, I recommend that you all find your own "band wreath" this weekend.  Buy candy canes from the kid next door who is heading to a debate match, troll around local craft fairs for handmade goods, or simply go to a neighborhood store and buy something from a store owned by someone you actually KNOW.

-Heather... off to hold my breath and see what Snack will do if I string some garland around the window...

Seems oxymoronic.  However, at the office and at home I have gotten it down pat since my free time is so limited.  (When Heather and I first started the company we would work out of our respective houses, jumping on the computer first thing in the a.m., not breaking for lunch, and the end up drinking wine in our PJs... yes all day without food or changing or sometimes brushing our teeth... I know, gross, but we were INTENSE and motivated to make the Bite take flight!)

So now I am greatly improved, usually eating 3 meals a day, and yes most of them are easy-quick-healthy-organic.  The thing that takes me the longest to make is my smoothie, and that is because I add about 7 different things.  However Brett says it takes him 3x longer.  Yes, I am quick, and I love quick food.  So what we have listed in today's tip is the best of the best.  However, I am sure you Biters have some more suggestions, so let 'em rip! 

Off to think about an Amy's Organic Frozen Pizza for Din-Din - Jen

Seriously, whomever invented the packing peanut should have his (or her) nose hairs plucked out one by one.  What a stupid invention.  I am wondering now about plastics too.... if our race survives past a few hundred years, they will look back at the archaeological records and say, "WTF - they invented this stuff that is designed to last to forever but yet they disposed of it after one use." 

I know I sound negative right now.  It is Sunday, and the world and week is in front of me, and I just hope that we don't invent anymore seriously stupid things, like plastic bottled water, Hummers, and packing peanuts.  What is your pet peeve invention?

Off to clean up yet more packing peanuts from my office... even the biodegradable ones are a bit annoying considering we have enough paper and such around to use for shipping purposes.  - Jen

The last time my cell phone and I were apart was...never. Close friends know that I even have a name for my cell phone, which I won't mention on this blog. So the idea that every time I drunk dial my BFFs to let them know that I care; every time that I text a blind date that I'll BE 10 MIN LATE. TRAFFIC. SORRY!; every time that I dial a wrong number and some crazy person who really wants to chat picks up - I could actually be helping to (albeit in a tiny, tiny way) save endangered species habitat or help build a village somewhere, it gives me something of a high. Unfortunately, it also makes me think once instead of twice about whiling away overage minutes talking to random strangers I meet while guest-bartending.

Regardless, Working Assets is a good thing. And the fact that there's no premium, price-wise, makes it a great thing. Giving back while doing exactly what I'd be doing anyways? Genius.

-Toshio, off to see about kicking that drunk dialing habit...