It's hard to believe that in 1980, there were less than a half dozen natural food markets in the U.S.  In that year, Whole Foods opened its first store with a staff of only 19. Since then, Whole Foods has become much more than a mega market purveyor of organic food.

With its Green Mission, it has become a user's guide to sustainablilty and the consumer consciousness. The website is an encyclopedia of a "Do The Green Thing" how-to: Consumer Recycling Guide, Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator, Vehicle Emissions Guide, Community Giving tips (humane societies!) and a lengthy list of core green values.

Whole Foods also walks-the-walk. It's the first major retailer to offset 100% of energy use with wind energy credits.  Their luscious vegetarian pizza beckons.

This Offer: $50 Whole Food Gift Certificate