Jared Koch, is the founder of Clean Plates NYC, a healthy, sustainability-focused NYC restaurant guide. Kind of like Zagats gone green and organic. Koch and food critic Alex Van Buren researched over 300 restaurants and chose 75 to review in their book,

Koch's philosophy is that everybody should be eating real, whole foods, namely veggies and fruits. His book is a way for busy New Yorkers to pick out restaurants that'll be easy to eat healthy at. With so many amazing bakeries offering up processed sugar and bleached flour on every corner sometimes it's hard to know what restaurants have healthy alternatives and use whole ingredients. Enter, Clean Plates NYC. 

The book consists of two parts–the first half is advice on eating well. Very simple and easy to follow, even for those of you who grab a coffee and croissant from your local cart and a slice for lunch–there are easy AND healthy options just around the corner. The second half is an awesome resource to help you pick the healthier options when dining out in NYC, which let's be honest is a good portion of the time (ahem, espesh for those of us working 2 jobs!). It just takes the guesswork out of going through Zagats and trying to find a review that mentions whole wheat or local ingredients. It makes it easier to eat well.

The reviews themselves are great. He spells out the bests and worsts and must-haves at each establishment. Each review is quirky and honest. He takes care to mention the ambience and even the drink list. Many restaurants in the book are very health-conscious even offering many vegan and vetarian options. However, he does throw in a few burger and pizza places that are done healthi-ER. He's honest and it's clear that he has a real passion for food and health. There is also a great little list at the end of health stores by neighborhood.

Clean Plates NYC, the book, retails for $13.95 and is well worth it in my opinion.

You can also follow Clean Plates on Facebook or Jared on Twitter

My fave celeb health and fitness guru, Kimberly Snyder is always giving me healthy tips on how to feel better inside and out. Today she shared a little gem about why you should give up coffee. She has completely converted me (not that I was the biggest coffee drinker) but she has also opened my mind to the wonderful world of Rooibos!

Did you know that coffee is one of the highest sprayed crops being doused in pesticide? Or that drinking coffee is taxing your liver? Or that decaf is made by lacing your beverage with chemicals? 

Read on dolls! Check out the whole article here.

Check out this fab roundup by Budget Babe detailing some excellent Lululemon alternatives that won't leave you wanting more!

For most American women, a trip to the nail salon or spa for a pedicure is not just a luxury – it is an accepted portion of their weekly beauty regimen! With so many women including pedicures as routine, it is no surprise that the bar has been raised when it comes to safety standards. According to New York City cosmetic podiatrist Dr. Oliver Zong, “a pedicure is something I recommend to my patients who want to maintain both the health and look of their feet, but I warn them to ‘proceed with caution’ when choosing a nail salon to frequent.”

Dr. Zong’s hesitation is warranted: in October of 2000, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention investigated the first known outbreak of Mycobacterium fortuitum cutaneous infections acquired from whirlpool footbaths. As a prominent podiatrist in New York City, Dr. Zong has seen countless patients who have developed infections in their feet as a result of spa pedicures.

Dr. Zong’s Pedi-Do’s:

• Do ask salon workers how the foot spas are maintained and how often they are cleaned. Take notice of their actions while they are working on clients to see if footbaths are disinfected with each customer.
• Do pay attention to the time spent cleaning footbaths between customers. The disinfectant needs to work for the full time listed on its label, typically 10 minutes, depending on the type of disinfectant. It is worth your health & safety to practice patience at the spa!
• Do check your skin for infection during the days following your pedicure. Open wounds may appear on the skin of your feet and legs and can look like insect bites, but increase in size and severity over time.
• Do visit your podiatrist or primary care physician if you suspect you may have a serious infection.

Dr. Zong’s Pedi-Don’ts:

• Don’t get a pedicure if you have cuts or abrasions on your feet or legs. Microorganisms living in footbaths can enter through the skin and cause infection.
• Don’t shave, wax or use hair removal creams within a day before getting a pedicure
• Don’t get a pedicure if you have bug bites, bruises, scratches, scabs or poison ivy.

Dr. Oliver Zong is a podiatrist in Manhattan's influential Financial District. As one of the premier cosmetic foot surgeons in the country, he serves as the Director of Surgery at NYC FOOTCARE and is on the Board of Directors at Gramercy Park Surgery Center. Besides traditional and cosmetic foot surgery, Dr. Zong is also an accomplished cryosurgeon and co-founder of the Podiatric Cryosurgery Center of New York. He is an attending physician at New York Hospital Downtown, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Cabrini Medical Center, and Gramercy Park Surgery Center.  Dr. Zong graduated as Valedictorian from New York College of Podiatric Medicine where he earned his degree, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM).

First of all, happy St. Patty's Day darlings! So I know that most of you are planning on eating corned beef and drinking green beer today but what if you didn't? What if instead you decided to go Green in a better way?

Clean Plates NYC, a guide to the healthiest, tastiest restaurants in Manhattan (for vegetarians and carnivores!), highlighting those that serve local, organic and sustainable foods.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Clean Plates NYC wants to make green eating even easier in NYC and is offering 20% off + free shipping with code "eatgreen" at checkout: www.cleanplatesnyc.com

So Go Green, because everyone's a little bit Irish on St. Patty's day!

Dick Luria/Getty Images

This is a must-read from the folks over at Planet Green! The Top 7 Foods that you SHOULD NOT be eating.

I know I feel like everyday they say something else is cancer causing but I truly think that these are things that are the biggest offenders.

Click here to read the article.

We learned a la Treehugger that many companies are using BPA in their canned goods. Not Cool! Here is a list they compiled of healthy BPA free canned goods.

I'm going to try to start using more jarred goods in glass. Jeez, I try to eat more vegetarian and enjoy beans and this is the thanks I get!

Click here to read about the FDA's current BS stance on BPA.