With gas prices constantly on the rise and the state of the environment a major concern, purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle is a great way to conserve the amount of gas you use every day. And this handy tool from FuelEconomy.gov will help car buyers to compare the fuel efficiency of just about any car on the market to ensure that you make the smartest choice.

Many people know about hybrid cars as fuel-efficient options, but electric, bifuel natural gas, diesel, ethanol-gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and natural gas vehicles are also available from all of the major car manufacturers. This online guide allows users to compare different features of each of these types of vehicles to find the best one for your lifestyle, from MSRP to MPG.

EPA SmartWay certified cars have been proven to emit less greenhouse gases and smog-forming tailpipe emissions than other vehicles. If you’d like to purchase a vehicle with this guarantee, the EPA’s guide also includes full lists of all of the SmartWay certified vehicles for every year. Simply choose vehicles from that list, search the make and model in the guide’s comparison tool, and you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect environmentally friendly vehicle for your lifestyle.

Find and Compare Cars [FuelEconomy.gov]

Public Domain/Public Domain

The V Eatery and Brew House, which opened in the fall of 2012, seeks to be more than just a bar/restaurant. With an outdoor dining area featuring fire pits and cabanas and a tented outdoor live music venue, Vibe, this spot has a trendy feel – a place to see and be seen. The craft beer selection (including Merry Monks and Left Hand Wake Up Dead on tap) and cocktail menu was created to complement the menu, which is best described as approachable with a twist. The butternut risotto is a popular item, as is the fall-off-the-bone pork chops with mustard sauce.

This Ashburn restaurant has happy hour from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through  Friday, which is calls Cocktails and Conversations, with food and drink specials. Some items include the chicken chipotle wrap, grilled cheese sandwich and bacon cheese fries, with $2 craft beers,  $4 select glasses of wine and specialty martinis for $5, including the spicy mangotini and the peach creepertini.

The V's hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday.

The V Eatery and Brew House
44630 Waxpool Road
Ashburn, VA  20147
(703) 723-6500

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/ninacoco

You want to lose weight and begin a healthy workout routine, but going to the gym seems so intimidating. If you’ve ever felt discouraged or frustrated with working out, this motivational guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will help you get up off the couch and onto the treadmill.

Whether you’re just getting involved with a fitness routine or simply trying to get back into the habit of working out, this guide will help you to make exercising fun and approachable. By simply replacing a few nights of watching television after dinner with a walk around the neighborhood, you can greatly improve your health and lose those excess pounds.

Many people are faced with obstacles in either their lives or their bodies that prevent them from getting enough physical activity. This guide will help you overcome obstacles like not having enough time to exercise, feeling tired and worrying about injuries, and it will even show you how you can take your children with you as you work out if you’re a busy parent.

Now that you have the motivation to make time for physical activity, you’ll start to feel better about your health and your appearance. 

Getting Started with Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight  [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/timtak