Most of us who have food blogs link our sites to social networking sites such as Twitter to showcase our content and photos to our followers and also attract new readers.  For most, it routinely tweets new entries.

InstaBG is a “free web based tool” which allows you to customize your Twitter page background. It is easy to use and there is no need to register. Simply sign in with your Twitter account information and you are all set. The best part is that you do not necessarily have to be an Instagram user to utilize InstaBG to create custom backgrounds for your Twitter page.

With InstaBG, you can easily customize your Twitter page background with Instagram photos. You can use yours or public Instagram pictures. Simply choose the photo of your choice using their easy to use categories or tags. All you have to do is login with your Instagram ID.

Personalize your photos easily by choosing the size of the photos, spacing and even background colors. Utilize their live preview button to make sure that your chosen background is perfect for you. The best part is that you can set it to update automatically. InstaBG can customize your Twitter page daily giving it a new look.

Now you can easily fill your Twitter page with food photos and it will only take a minute. Your readers can also see past photos which can entice them to visit your site. InstaBG definitely makes tweeting much more fun for you and your followers.

Reach a wider audience and increase traffic by signing up for a blog directory. BlogSearchEngine is one of the top web directories –a one stop shop for people looking for information. When you subscribe, you don’t just get listed, you also get a full reviewed description of your blog and a promotional link back to your site.

The redesigned BlogSearchEngine site currently offers 4 packages:

Standard Package     $14.99

• Blog Search Engine Review Listing

Silver Package          $24.99

• The Silver Membership Package includes the same offerings as the Standard Package plus a blog review which is written and published with permanent backlinks on Bloggy Award. You also get listed at Xfep.com –‘Uber Blogs’ for 3 months.

Gold Package          $59.99

• For the Gold Package you can get everything in the silver package plus a 30 day link on EatonWeb –a portal with the same functions as BlogSearchEngine.

Platinum Package      $99.99

• The Platinum Package is the ultimate member package because it is a combination of all three packages mentioned above. The best part is that you get a custom made banner that will be displayed in the top right ‘Featured Blogs’ section of BlogSearchEngine for 15 days.

Get featured now and become a member by choosing from the four packages. For as low as $14.99, get a chance to win a Platinum Package worth $99.99!

Here’s how:

1. Simply send out a tweet about this contest and include a link back to the following URL: http://bit.ly/rqPTDL
2. Copy and paste the full tweet you sent into the comments section on this page.

The contest goes until end of day 11/11/11 and the winner will be announced no later than 11/14/2011.

So you buy local produce (mostly), use fewer plastic bags, and eat low on the food chain. How else can you go green over the holidays? Here are a few more ideas.

Buy organic food.
To be honest, I sometimes think that buying organic products can be overrated. I understand the import of organic products and how much better they are for everyone involved – the environment included. However, I dislike the fact that there are some producers that are in such a hurry to label their products organic even when sometimes, they aren’t really. This is because organic products fetch a far higher price than the non-organic ones. Just make sure that you buy real organic products and that you understand fully why you are buying organic.

Buy sustainable seafood.
You know how illegal fishing has depleted a lot of our marine resources. This is why it is highly suggested that we purchase seafood that is acquired in an environmentally-friendly manner. This could either be farmed seafood or seafood that is fished under regulations. Again, this could be hard if you simply buy from the supermarket and they do not have any indications as to how the products are harvested. However, it won’t hurt to ask and to look around for sustainably harvested seafood. And if everyone did this, the chances are they would carry more “ethical” products.

These are only some of the ideas that I know which can help you help the environment in your own little way while at the same time enjoying great food. Any tips of your own?

Do you feel as if you have overindulged over the Christmas holidays? Perhaps it is time to go the healthy route for the New Year! I would love to go the green way for the celebrations next week so let me share some of the tips that I will be following.

Stick to the lower ranks of the food chain.
That simply means eating more plants than animals. The fact is that it takes more fossil fuels to raise animals, whether they are fish or pigs or cattle. We all know that fossil fuels are fast running out and as such, every little thing that we can do to help would be significant. I am not saying that you should totally rule out the meat – I know this is impossible for many people but trying to consume less meat and more grains, beans, and other plant products would be easier on the planet.

Buy local and use less plastic bags
I was outside of the city in the past few days and I noticed something in their grocery stores – something different from what I normally experience here in the city. They have a very big section for local produce and they do not give out plastic bags anymore. I know that there are some supermarkets here that do the same thing but I haven’t seen a lot of them do that. It may be inconvenient not to have plastic bags in the beginning but I guess it just takes some getting used to.

(to be continued)

So, what exactly is Foodie Fight and why am I devoting a post to it? Foodie Fight, as I only recently discovered, is a game which ALL food lovers in this world should have. It is much like Trivial Pursuit – and all the other spin offs from that game – except that Foodie Fight is all about food, food, and more food!

If you like playing trivia games – and I sure do – then you will certainly love this one. It contains all sorts of information – from the trivial to the useful –on anything and everything foodie. From science of cooking to recipes to celebrity chefs to exotic cuisines – you can find tidbits old and new in this game. It is the perfect gift for that foodie in your life this Christmas, don’t you think?

The game is available at Napa Style for $18.95.