Spring is just around the corner (hopefully), which means more harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables to use in your outdoor cooking. Luckily, there are dozens of farmers’ markets right here in and around Atlanta to pick up some fresh, local treats. While some operate seasonally, most are open year round and only closed when necessary, like for the cold winter weather.

The DeKalb Farmers Market, located at 3000 E Ponce de Leon Ave, has been providing great service for 33 years. It is a family-run business that embodies all the principles behind a farmers market: organic, locally grown food and a friendly atmosphere. In addition to selling fresh food products, the Market also provides natural canned items, as well as caterers and an on site cafe. Plus, they have a recycling center where you can bring all of the goods you know you shouldn’t throw away!

Located in suburban...

A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: The hidden cruelties behind the wool industry

Chances are, if you’ve found yourself browsing through the Indie Peace blog,  you’ll agree with me when I say that wearing fur is cruel. Killing animals for the sole purpose of making a winter coat is callous, and well, just plain tacky. But what about shearing animals? Seems relatively harmless, right? Wrong.

So, what’s so bad about shearing sheep for wool? Aren’t farmers actually doing them favor by giving them a much-needed haircut for the summer time?

Maybe it was that way back in the day before the wool industry boomed. Now, most sheep are bred like slaughterhouse chickens, packed like sardines in factory farms and forced to live in their own filth. Many die in their holding pens before even being shorn.

And shearers aren’t interested in the sheep’s feelings. Since their...

There are more than 100 companies in Silicon Valley working on solutions to our energy challenges, none of which has been more secretive than Bloom Energy… until now! Funded by the same venture capitalist who made bets on Google and Amazon, the company has put about $400 million into creating the future of clean energy. Their potential revolutionary breakthrough? Powering your home with a fuel cell box barely larger than a Rubik’s Cube.

While the history of fuel cells may leave you skeptical, Bloom thinks this time will be different. For starters, the Bloom Boxes will create their own energy, enabling them to be set free from the grid. The boxes combine oxygen from the air with almost any type of fuel you choose (natural gas, bio gas, solar, whatever) in...

As we all know, there are a lot of misinformation campaigns being run to make the public skeptical of climate change. The folks running these efforts have deep pockets and have been purchasing a lot of ad time on TV and have well-paid lobbyists whispering in lawmakers’ ears. We have to admit, the people who have an interest in denying the existence of the climate crisis are doing a good job of getting their message to the public. So good, in fact, that they may have some of our friends, work colleagues and family falling for their baloney.

So what are everyday citizens supposed to do when they’re pitted against the efforts of well-funded lobbyists with years of experience telling whoppers? Well, there’s an app for that.

The next time you find yourself conversing with a climate...

If you are a self-proclaimed neat freak like myself, you look forward to (rather than dread) the inevitable spring-cleaning that happens sometime between when that frosty winter air begins to let up and spring break. But, if you’re a normal human being with a busy life, think of how great you’ll feel once it’s done and maybe reward your hard work with a get together at your sparkling abode. Here are my tips for a greener and more efficient spring cleaning:

1. Vinegar & water

take plain old white distilled vinegar and mix it with equal parts water in a spray bottle and voila! All-purpose cleaner in 5 minutes! I use this on windows, mirrors, countertops and other odds and ends. For tougher jobs (like cleaning the inside of your fridge) use vinegar, baking soda and hot water.

2. Use old shirts & fabrics as...