The Hostess brand is facing an uncertain future. What better time to learn how to make your own Twinkies? Umbra's here to fill you in. Some of the references in this video are dated. (For example, Michael Pollan's "new book" Food Rules came out in 2009.) But just like the conventional treats this recipe was modeled after, a good Umbra video never gets old: Umbra mixes up her cooking verbs a bit. Don't fold on trying out the recipe if you're confused: Get the text version here.

It's been a stressful few months. Every time a Republican made a rape comment, Grist's collective blood pressure went higher than a Coloradoan on election night. Now that the elections are over, we can all go back to fretting about greening every aspect of our lives, right? Wrong, says Umbra. She tells a sustainability-obsessed reader to chill the frack out. It's important to care about green causes, but if you're considering finding a support group, it's probably time to take it down a notch. After all, ulcers are never green.

These are tough times, what with the crazy weather, political shenanigans in full swing -- and the weekend coming up. You don't want to be caught having a bad hair day.

Then again, what is all that stuff in the ingredients list of store-bought shampoo? And do you really have to unload your bank account to get the products that don't contain crude oil?

Fear not, good people. Umbra Fisk, Grist's green advice columnist, feels your pain, understands your needs, and just wants to help your family. Here she is with a little advice for getting the scare products out of your hair products.

No pressure or anything, but the little monsters in your neighborhood are now in full freakout mode over what they're going to be for Halloween, and rest assured that they're scouting the streets, making predictions on who will be handing out the best goodies on the Big Night.

Don't Panic. Here's the key to surviving Halloween without ending up with a hurricane of t.p. and shaving cream in the front yard:

Are you tired of hearing claims that chemical-intensive monocultures are the only way to feed the planet's growing population? With the first in her series of "mythbusting" videos, Anna Lappé, author of Diet for a Hot Planet and occasional Grist contributor, takes on this point directly. She argues that, in fact, a network of small-scale, independent farms using diversified, sustainable practices and a shift in the way the food we already grow gets eaten will go a long way toward solving the problem without such a heavy reliance on corporate agriculture. Take a look and tell us what you think.

(Did we mention that today is Food Day? Find food-related activities in your area here.)

Writer Steve Hawk and photographer Ami Vitale traveled to the mountains of West Virginia, small-town Michigan, and a reservation in Nevada to match human faces and stories with the cost of coal. The resulting photos and interviews appeared in Sierra, the Sierra Club's monthly magazine. We picked out some of our favorite shots (you can check out the full slideshows and interviews here).

In this episode of Slow Ride Stories, the crew stops in Lee, N.H., to visit with Carol and John Hutton on their farm. Carol, an eighth-grade earth science teacher, has noticed the growing season getting longer, and she believes climate change is the cause. "Man has interfered," she says.

A hot September last year and a dearth of snow in December meant big losses for the Huttons' farm. On the flip side, says John, he's growing soybeans in New Hampshire -- something that was unheard of when he was growing up. "One door closes, another one opens up."

Watch as Erik and Albert chew the fat with the Huttons, then have an epic race through the corn maze.

We know, we know: Women look better without makeup and au naturale is the only way to go. But for all the painted ladies (and fellas) out there (including those with an "all natural" look), Umbra's here to help you sort out your makeup bag:

We believe in making green second nature. But the idea of eco-themed Halloween costumes feels a bit strained. Plus, they often tread into the depressing (zombee) and the requires-too-much-explanation (Count Frackula would shun disclosure, at least).

Umbra's taken on the issue several times. Here are some of our favorite suggestions:

• A glacier in 2050. Carry a glass of water.
• Cap-and-trade. Shuffle around a pile of hats. 
• A food villain. Ronald McDonald with a curled mustache. 

OK, so maybe Umbra hasn't hit her stride on this particular topic either. Any ideas, boys and ghouls? Leave your suggestions in the comments below.

Lunch. The eternal midday dilemma. Do I pack my own and take it to the office, or eat out and brave the world of disposable flatware? And what about the kids? Do I hand them a couple bucks and tell them, "Hope it's sloppy Joes today!" Or do I pack them a painstakingly prepared meal that they'll probably just trade to Jimmy Jones for a cookie and a bag of Fritos?

Luckily for you, Umbra is here with some thoughts on earth-friendly lunch packaging, suggestions for tasty (and meat-free) meals -- even a few words of wisdom about the lunch lady.