July 2010
68 posts
Hollywood Foodies: Sigourney Weaver
Whether she’s playing human-turned-beast Dana Barrett in _Ghostbusters, _primatologist Dian Fossey in _Gorillas in the Mist, _badass commander Ellen Ripley in the _Alien _franchise or Dr. Grace Augustine in _Avatar, _actress Sigourney Weaver leaves an indelible image on screen. The lithe actress, still gorgeous at 60, has finished shooting the Touchstone Pictures comedy _You Again, _with Kristen...
Frisky Felines—and Their Owners—Enjoy Organic...
Most cats have a visceral reaction to catnip _(Nepeta cataria)_, whose aromatic oils entice them to eat it, rub up against it, roll around on the floor and/or drool. (This is your cat on drugs…) Outdoor/Windowsill Gardening Growing your own organic catnip is a breeze. Tolerant of virtually any type of soil, the perennial thrives outdoors and in windowsill gardens. You can buy a packet of 450...
How Should Federal Menu Labeling Requirements Be...
Healthcare and America’s obesity epidemic have been high priorities for President Obama. On March 23, he signed a law that requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement a federal menu labeling program, which applies to certain restaurants, coffee shops, delis, movie theaters, bakeries, ice cream shops and vending machines. Specifically: *
Citrus Salad with Avocado
An all-natural sweetener, honey shouldn’t be limited to dessert recipes. As today’s recipe demonstrates, it works beautifully in salad dressings. When shopping for honey, follow the same guidelines used for pure maple syrup: The lighter the color, the milder the flavor. And with more than 300 honey varieties available—from blueberry and buckwheat to orange blossom and wildflower—you’re sure to...
Asian Carp Gets a New Name, “Kentucky Tuna”
In the United States, Asian carp is an invasive species, i.e. not native. And when you abruptly introduce a foreign species - either plant or animal - into a existing ecosystem it usually wreaks havoc. And the Asian carp is doing just that. The fish is thriving in places like Kentucky and Illinois, so fishermen looking to catch catfish end up snagging more carp than catfish, which wouldn’t...
Don’t Mess with Texas by Littering
You’re no doubt familiar with the warning “Don’t Mess with Texas,” but do you know the slogan’s roots? In 1986, late jazz guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn filmed a “Don’t Mess with Texas” public service announcement for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), designed to reduce the ever-increasing costs of litter pickup. In short order, the slogan made its way into U.S. pop culture, and over...
Bravo’s Top Chef Tom Colicchio Supports Better...
Tom Colicchio, the head judge of Bravo’s popular Top Chef show, came out in support of the Child Nutrition Act currently in a House committee. Colicchio is the son of a lunch lady himself, and he said that he’s never had any trouble getting kids to eat healthy food—it just has to taste good. http://dlvr.it/2PSZM
Cows Quarantined After Exposure to Natural-Gas...
I recently urged you to watch GasLand, HBO’s outstanding documentary on “fracking” (hydraulic fracturing)—a dangerous drilling procedure that allows natural gas to infiltrate our water supply and create pools of toxic wastewater. Since my June 28 blog post, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has quarantined 28 cows from a Tioga County farm, as they were exposed to a large pool of drilling...
Kids See Fewer Sweets/Beverages Ads, But More Fast...
A new study reveals that children were exposed to fewer TV ads for sweets and beverages in 2007, but more fast food ads (as compared to 2003). Past studies have demonstrated that TV advertising influences the short-term eating habits of children ages 2 to 11, and some research shows ads can also influence daily dietary intake. That’s why major U.S. food companies adopted the Children’s Food and...
National Zoo Welcomes New Baby Red Pandeh
For the first time in 15 years, Smithsonian National Zoo can say, “I can has red pandeh.” Last month, resident red pandas Shama and Tate had their first cub. Red pandas, native to the forests of the Himalayas, are classified as a “vulnerable” species, with anywhere from 2,500 to as high as 20,000 still living in the wild. Red pandas are difficult to find, so it’s hard to obtain accurate...
Naturally Treat Summer Corns and Calluses
About 10% of American women (and 5% of the general population) have unsightly, often painful corns and calluses. Extreme weather—hot summers and cold winters—exacerbate the problem, as skin tends to become drier during these seasons. “Corns and calluses are caused by friction and pressure on the feet, either from wearing shoes that don’t fit properly or from conditions such as arthritis, trauma,...
We Need a Timeout from Oil Drilling
After the catastrophic BP oil spill, President Obama declared a moratorium on permits for drilling new offshore oil wells. But reports indicate that federal regulators have granted at least five environmental waivers and seven new permits for various types of drilling—some in waters deeper than BP’s Deepwater Horizon site. These permits and waivers were huge mistakes, according to A. James Barnes,...
Grilled Portabella Mushrooms
Nix the burgers and hot dogs this Fourth of July in favor of today’s more healthful, bun-free option. Hearty portabella mushrooms can stand up to the heat of the backyard grill. In this recipe, they’re artfully topped with a savory tomato blend and garnished with toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. Prep time is 15 minutes, grilling time is 10 minutes, and all of the ingredients should be...
Grill Over Corncobs for Extra Flavor
Known for his sustainable cuisine, Chef Kurt Michael Friese of Iowa City’s Devotay uses the finest local ingredients. To add a smoky flavor to chicken and pork, he grills them over leftover corncobs, he recently told Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine. To use them: *
Study Compares Mercury Levels in Freshwater vs....
While mercury concentrations in freshwater fish are much higher than in saltwater fish, Duke University researchers have found that saltwater fish—including tuna, mackerel and shark—are a greater health threat to humans. In freshwater, harmful methylmercury latches onto decayed plants and animal matter, which sunlight can more easily break down. But in seawater, methylmercury latches onto chloride...
Jamie Oliver Salutes DC Schools for Banning...
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution marches on! Better School Food announced that Washington, DC public schools will stop serving flavored milks this fall. Here’s why: chocolate and strawberry milk, usually sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, has as much sugar, ounce for ounce, as regular Coke! In the fight against childhood obesity, it’s an obvious target. Jamie applauded the DC...
FDA Advises Livestock Producers to Limit...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a draft guidance on limiting the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals. By definition, organic meat and poultry are free of antibiotics, pesticides and hormones. The agency wants to ensure animals remain healthy, while decreasing human and animal resistance to these drugs—a growing public health hazard. http://dlvr.it/2BqYV
People Think “Organic” Means Low-Calorie
We wouldn’t be the American public if we didn’t confuse, misconstrue, misunderstand, not pay attention too, overlook, or ignore the details. When it comes to the fine print, we’re a bunch of Mr. Magoos. It’s doubly bad when it comes to diet and health. We don’t read the instructions. My grandmother has been drinking a tall frosty glass of Slim Fast before breakfast...
June 2010
52 posts
HBO Documentary Exposes Natural Gas in Water...
Ever try to light your tap water on fire? Josh Fox has witnessed the phenomenon firsthand (see photo, above). The filmmaker chronicles the largest natural gas drilling boom in U.S. history in his documentary GasLand—and the environmental ramifications aren’t pretty. The film premiered on HBO last week and will air through 2012. (Click here to view the trailer.) http://dlvr.it/26H7y
8 Water Conservation Tips
The BP oil spill reminds us that our oceans are precious and water is not an infinite resource. The Nature Conservancy and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power offer the following tips for conserving water: *
