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Call me senile, but I was getting a little sentimental. On Sunday, I officially turned 30. "30" wasn't something I had originally feared, but I thought about what this nice, round, even number meant to me. Although I haven't made the 30 under 30 list for Forbes or Inc. magazine, I've learned a few things in my young life that I'll share with you. Read 30 Pieces of Advice from What I've Learned at Age 30, after the jump.

Does the snow, ice and cold weather make you miss the PHS Pop-up Garden? Good news: there's a new winter wonderland where you can ice skate and warm up with food and local craft beer afterwards. Find out about the skating rink and how to win a FREE VIP pack, after the jump!

Ohhhh baby, holiday season is in full swing. I really love this time of year but it can be hectic as heck. When it comes to meals and snacks I find myself doing two things - 1. Craving sweets in a major way  2. Turning to quick & easy recipes that taste deceptively decadent. This is where my gingerbread smoothie recipe comes in. My gingerbread smoothie was actually born out of a failed attempt at gingerbread protein balls. I followed a recipe but they tasted super overpowering and the texture was off. I had just purchased a jar of molasses and have a husband who goes bananas for gingerbread so I was determined to achieve gingerbread flavor bliss. After playing around with a few combinations I found it. This smoothie takes less than 5 minutes to make and it tastes like the holidays. The protein powder provides extra sustenance so you may just be able to say no to that third or fourth holiday cookie.

There's always a downside to a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Like most of those fragrances you see plastered with the gorgeous faces of Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian and Queen Bey have a dark side. The US National Academy of Sciences targeted fragrances over 25 years ago as one of the 6 categories of neutroxins (ie toxic to your brain) as perfume; are made from synthetic, petroleum-based chemicals and may contain cancer-causing toxins. So what's a green guy or gal to do? Local Company Spotlight: The Perfume Fountain

Looking for a unique gift for someone this holiday season? Think Green. But not money. Or 'green' like the environment. Giving a living plant is a great gift to help someone further their gardening, breathe fresh air into their office or home or lift spirits with a mini ecosystem. Have friend with a black thumb? Think low maintenance air plants or terrariums. You can even get craft and make your own succulent terrarium gift.   Readers, what 'green' gifts are you giving?

Woohoo! It's the time of the season for a lovely holiday bike ride! The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Holiday Lights Bike Ride is back on Thurs, Dec 12th (rain date: 12/19). This fabulous ride

After a surge of holiday 'theme' days... Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Giving Tuesday.. the holidays are sneaking up on us faster than ever. Yet ever consider how much disposables of boxes, wrapping paper, ribbon and bags are involved? Although you can reuse wrapping paper or go without, there's still something about having a gorgeous gift wrapped up in a colorful design. VZWraps: Greener than disposable wrapping paper VZ Wraps are the classy, reusable solution for gifts. Find out more about VZ Wraps after the jump!

Although Americans are notoriously lazy, maintaining plants in the house can get difficult. That's why there's a kickstarter created by two UC San Diego Students that is BRILLIANT for those even with a black thumb. EcoQube Aquarium Self Cleaning System EcoQube is a desktop ecosystem that uses plants like Basil, mint and flowers to filter waters for fish. Find out about the EcoQube, after the jump!

Need a healthy appetizer or snack? This flatbread uses foods in season that you can find at the Farmers Market, through this cold season. I went to Headhouse Square and picked up Birchhill Farms Blue cheese, red onions and a Romanesco cauliflower due to the sheer size of that monster veggie. I brought this cauliflower flatbread to Thanksgiving dinner as an appetizer and can confirm that it was family approved. The best part? It didn't take me super-long to whip together, and was less time consuming than the butternut squash flatbread I made. Cauliflower, Onion & Blue Cheese Flatbread Recipe, after the jump!