Would you drink milk from a bag? If you live Eastern Canada (and you're not lactose intolerant), you've probably been drinking bagged milk for decades. You may even think it's normal ... but it's not.

However, that doesn't mean that bagged milk shouldn't be more widespread. The bag o' milk phenomenon isn't limited to Canada by any means. South Africans, Hungarians, Argentinians and the Chinese all embrace the bag; and the UK is currently following suit. Are these nations blazing the eco-packaging trail, or simply clinging to a backwards milk-drinking tradition?

Packaging is one of those things that, once you start noticing it, you can't stop. Why does cereal need to come in a bag inside a box? Does that DVD really need to be shrink wrapped? And don't even get me started on wasteful individual serving packaging, like Starbucks Via.

I just read about an exciting development in liquid container packaging, over at Triple Pundit. Ecologic Brands is a new company that goes by the tagline, "packaging the Earth can live with" -- and it could change everything!

Ecologic created a recycled paper/plastic pouch "hybrid" bottle that can be recycled and composted. The outer shell -- the paper part -- is made from old cardboard boxes and can be composted. The inner pouch is made of highly recyclable #4 plastic and uses 70% less plastic than a traditional plastic jug.

Chocolate might not rank up there with steak in the "bad for the environment/animal cruelty" index, but it does usually contain animal by-products, including milk. So if you want to adhere to the highest standards of cruelty-free expressions of love, vegan chocolate is the way to go.

Farm Sanctuary is an organization that rescues, protects and advocates for farm animals. They are vehemently anti-factory farm (although really, is anyone pro-factory farms?!) and have a mission to educate people about the suffering that occurs on these farms. Cruelty-free is sorta their middle name!

All of their good work requires funding. One way that they are raising money is with a special box of Farm Sanctuary vegan chocolates in time for Valentine's Day.

If you are contemplating becoming a vegetarian, you might be feeling lost and unsure where to begin. The good news is that becoming a vegetarian is easier today than it ever has been in the past. More restaurants and grocery stores are stocking up on vegetarian-friendly cuisine, plus there are many sites to help deconstruct readily available recipes and turn them into vegetarian recipes. But before you decide to ditch the meat, you have to decide what kind of vegetarian you are going to become.

• A lacto-vegetarian does not eat any meat products or eggs, but does eat dairy products.
• An ovo-vegetarian does not eat meat products, but does eat eggs and dairy products.
• A vegan does not eat any meat, eggs or dairy products at all.

After you decide what type of vegetarianism is best for you, it's time to replace your typical menu items with those that meet your new lifestyle. When grocery shopping, stock up on meat alternatives, such as beans, lentils and tofu. You can easily switch out the meat if your recipe for one of these options. For example, if you're in the mood for tacos, trade the chicken or beef with black beans or vegetarian re-fried beans and you're set!

Horses are far from exotic -- you see them everywhere. Policemen ride them. They work on farms. Maybe you even ride them recreationally. But most of us never think about what happens to horses when they get old, or their owners can't afford to care for them. I know I don't.

Then I got an alert from the Humane Society of the U.S. about horses being trucked to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. For food ... for humans!. Even more distressingly, they are being transported to the slaughterhouses in squalid, unregulated, inhumane conditions.

Eating horses may be a cultural issue, but making them suffer first is inexcusable.

The classic recipe for beer includes four simple natural ingredients: barley, hops, yeast, and water. While many brewers already eschew any artificial flavorings, coloring, or preservatives, select breweries use only organic components in their brewing process. As more consumers purchase organic products, these breweries are meeting demand with several organic beer varieties. Try one of these organic beers.

Pinkus Organic Hefeweizen
Enjoy the mild, refreshing flavors of this German brewed hefeweizen. You'll notice its fruity aroma, with hints of banana. This organic beer boasts a clean finish and low bitterness. Despite going unfiltered, sediment is not substantial. Overall, this is a pleasant beer to relax with on a lazy summer day. Even if wheat beers are not your usual favorite, you will find this beer enjoyable.

New Belgium Brewing Company Mothership Wit
This beer is organic through and through, right down to its spices. Savor the notes of spice in its finish, particularly of coriander and nutmeg. You may also note the taste of cloves as you consume this beer. Somewhat milder in flavor than Hoegaarden, another popular beer in the wit style, Mothership Wit is a pleasing and flavorful beer. This selection from the New Belgium Brewing Company would complement a crisp fall evening by the fireside. An earth-friendly note, the New Belgium Brewing Company utilizes wind power at its facilities.

One of my resolutions is to be more sustainable in 2010 by making more meals at home. And while it's great that I'll be disposing of fewer take out containers, grocery shopping has a few challenges, too.

Namely, in these tight economic times, when is it worth shelling out for the organic stuff? Is "all natural" good enough, and does it really make a difference if the chicken got to play outdoors before it became dinner?

Actually it's easier than you might think to make good choices at the supermarket -- plus there's are even a few iPhone apps to help!

If one of your new year's resolutions is to avoid buying bottled water, I found a great way to inspire you to stick to your guns: these cool glass tap water bottles from Faucet Face.

As I mentioned before, part of the reason we're all so drawn to bottled water is because it comes in excitingly designed bottles which are carried around by cool celebrities.

But tap water is the way to go for several reasons, including that it's tested often and monitored for safety. Even more importantly, every plastic bottle you don't use, doesn't wind up as part of a giant plastic island in the Pacific.

While you're busy making New Year's resolutions for 2010, don't forget the one you made just before your guests started arriving at last year's shindig: Throw a greener New Year's party in 2009. Believe it or not, there's still time to check this one last resolution off your list.

Taking your New Year's Eve gathering to a greener level is easier than you think, especially if last year's party was as gluttonous as most NYE parties tend to be. The mixture of post-Christmas procrastination, alcohol and general euphoria isn't known to inspire thoughtful planning or execution.

Still, the keys to a smaller New Year's print can be summed up in three adjectives: local, reusable, and bikeable/walkable. OK, that last one's kind of two adjectives, but you get the point.

The annual December consumption-fest is wrapping up. The presents have been exchanged, left-overs eaten until we can't look at another ham sandwich or slice of cheesecake, and who can face the mall? Even if they were giving gold away for free! Yes, 2009 is wheezing to a close.

That means it's time to pull out your list of New Year's Resolutions!

Everyone makes "get healthy, save money" vows, but going greener can help you accomplish both of those goals, plus help save the Earth. Everyone wins! Try one, or all of these:

How's that last-minute holiday gift list going?There's still time to make a sustainable food-preferring person on your list happy this holiday season!

From food baskets to books or movies or even a live ewe, there are loads of creative and delicious choices that will surprise, delight and stimulate.

Consider something that will appeal to his or her intellect:

If there's one gift you know people will be glad to receive it's chocolate!

Chocolate is sweet, but the cocoa trade is rough on the farmers who work on cocoa plantations -- and most of those plantations don't have the best environmental record, either.

In the past few years several fair-trade, organic, delicious chocolate makers have emerged. So when you're looking for a sweet holiday surprise, consider one of these:

For over a half century, McDonald's has been known for it's in-your-face red and yellow red and yellow color scheme -- two colors that are commonly associated with warning signs and danger (think fire trucks and taxi cabs). After virtually writing the book on ridiculous catchy and successful marketing, why would Mickey D's want to change the formula now?

The answer: The burger giant wants to appear more eco-friendly, of course. According to TriplePundit, that's why the golden arches has embarked on a marketing metamorphosis in Europe McDonald's is changing its iconic logo, golden arches on a bright red background, to a more dignified and earthy hunter green background. Seriously.

Well, here's the thing ... isn't it just the same old McDonalds? Most companies that launch a green marketing campaign do so after changing their business model, switching their logos to represent their new core values. McDonald's seems to be coming at it from the opposite direction.

For the Eco-foodie in your life, there are plentiful and fun green holiday gifts available, in a range of prices.

A nifty item for people who love sparkling water or soda, but hate the plastic bottles, is the Soda Stream. You take regular water, add the flavoring of your choice -- or none -- and push a button. The Soda Stream gives the liquid a quick shot from the carbonator, and you've got bubbles!

Of course the best water comes from the tap ... and just to make sure, get a Brita pitcher or faucet attachment. Does your gift recipient already have one? Replacement filters make a great stocking stuffer!

During the holidays people pull out all kinds of fancy foods, like caviar. However, the "best" caviar is so extremely eco-unfriendly that new green versions are growing in popularity.

Black caviar is the roe of sturgeons, with the most prized coming from the endangered Beluga of the Caspian, Black and Adriatic seas. Because of its endangered status, the US banned the import of Beluga caviar in 2005, although it was partially lifted in 2007. Red caviar, which comes from the roe of endangered North Atlantic salmon, has its own set of problems.

These issues are part of the reason that people are turning to (literally) green caviar, which is actually a kind of seaweed. Jim O'Brien of James Cook University tells Discovery News that the vegan delicacy has a "peppery" taste and high nutritional value. This makes it appealing to the Japanese market, where it's known as Umibodo, and in "foodie" cultures in Europe and Australia.