December 2011
94 posts
5 Chapters to a Cozy Reading Spot
When chilly winter weather arrives, we tend to go into semi-hibernation, avoiding the outdoors and sticking to the warmth of our homes. What’s the bright side to not being able to do your favorite outdoor activities? Winter offers up plenty of time to snuggle in and read a good book.
Before you dig into that latest bestseller or a read-it-20-times classic, you need to craft the perfect...
No Rest for the Resistant: Deadly Salmonella...
Increasingly high levels of antibiotics fed to livestock animals are causing antibiotic-resistant bacteria to become more potent, raising concerns from the Center for Science in the Public Interest via a petition to the USDA to prohibit the sale of contaminated meat and poultry. http://dlvr.it/12vrWx
Short Rib Stew with Paprika Sour Cream
Short ribs braise slowly in the oven and come out caramelized and tender. This savory stew uses the shredded meat and the braising liquid. This is a great way to use leftover short rib meat (and if you don’t have any leftover braising liquid, you can use beef broth).
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/12mM8b
2012 May Bring the Apocalypse, But Mercury...
Closing out 2011 on something of a high note, the EPA revealed new standards that would dramatically limit emissions on mercury and other toxins allowed by coal and oil plants. http://dlvr.it/12mM8x
The Buzz on 3 Organic Coffees
People have differing opinions about coffee; I’m one of those people who can’t live without it. The smell of coffee brewing in the morning makes my day, and a bad or bitter cup can ruin it. Which is why I’ve taken the time to seek out three different organic coffees that are tasty and pack the punch to get you going in the morning.
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/12mM8D
Travel Eating: Healthy Vegan Meals on a Latin...
The Colombian rainforest smell sweet. Dewy flowers burst with fragrances that made me think of warm apple pie, juicy ripe fruits and a steamy cup of tea. But the retreat kitchen served deep-fried plantains and flavorless iceberg lettuce drowning in raw onions at every meal. Just outside Mexico City, the pyramids of Teotihuacan conjured images of a civilization thousands of years gone, and the...
Smell You Later: Frankincense Trees Facing...
Incense lovers, you’re on notice: Frankincense trees are facing serious threats according to a new study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. http://dlvr.it/12hZsS
3 Natural Ways to Tame Static-Crazy Hair
You’re pretty sure you didn’t get electrocuted, but no one would know that by the state of your hair. Dry winter air can turn your usually sleek tresses into a frizzed out, static-y hairdo that refuses to be tamed.
With bits and pieces sticking out like a mad scientist’s mane, you’ve got some serious static electricity going on. You don’t want to drown your hair in chemical-laden hairspray,...
Yes, You Can Have A Healthy Mouth Without...
Crushed shells and bones along with sticks, barks and leaves were the first human forays into oral hygiene that later gave way to the more modern toothpaste applications popularized in the 19th century. The significance of oral health is not to be overlooked; dental issues can cause—or be indicators of—other more serious health problems that lead to early death and a number of preventable...
'Ethical' or Not, Is Caviar Still A Relevant Food?
Caviar has always been a ruse. It was fed to Middle Eastern and European royalty to boost the image of the higher classes (who seemed unfazed by the gross factor of eating fish eggs); 19th century U.S. saloon patrons were given free gobs of it because the salt content increased their beer consumption; in the late 1800s, U.S. production dominated the world caviar market so much that exports to...
4 Fresh Ways to Use a Serving Tray
Perhaps you own a serving tray that, except for the occasional party or breakfast in bed appearance, usually sees the inside of a cabinet most of the year. When not using that cute item on those one or two occasions, don’t shove it out of sight. You can easily vamp up your home décor with those pretty platters.
Serving trays often come in fun patterns, and in every shape and size. Whether...
New GMO Soybean Approved by the USDA
Claiming that the Vistive Gold genetically modified soybeans will significantly extend the fry life of products made with Monsanto’s newest crop, the largest seed manufacturer in the world has received another deregulation by the USDA and no objection from the FDA on the GMO seed. http://dlvr.it/12Xtdm
FDA Sets No Limit on Antibiotics Allowed in Meat
As concerns grow over the safety of consuming conventionally raised animal products, the FDA announced that it would withdraw a long-standing proposal that would essentially limit the amount of antibiotics allowed in livestock animal feed. http://dlvr.it/12NsSS
Black-Eyed Peas for New Year’s Day
In the southern United States, a New Year is always met with a generous serving of black-eyed peas for good luck.
Actually a bean, the black-eyed pea was first cultivated in western Africa before spreading to Asia, and was and brought to Virginia in the 17th century. The bean quickly became popular in Florida, Georgia, Texas and the Carolinas for its drought-resistant qualities. During the...
Soup of the Day: Orzo, Delicata Squash & Chicken...
Hot, cold, smooth, chunky, creamy, brothy—soups come in myriad forms, yet always delight. Considered by many to be the ultimate comfort food, they are welcome additions to the dining table throughout the months, marking seasons and occasions with flavorful flair.
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/12BGHr
The Key to Cold Prevention: Food, Wine &...
A miserable winter cold can prevent you from doing all the things you love: going out with friends, enjoying the outdoors, getting intimate with that certain someone… Lucky for you, those same activities can actually keep a cold from surfacing in the first place. In fact, there are plenty of ways to ward off sickness that might seem more like plain old fun. Here are a few.
READ THE...
You Are Your Food: Making Sense of Macrobiotics
The word “macrobiotic” is Greek in origin and means something like “large life,” but it’s connected with a way of eating that is focused more on Asian food and culture. The Kushi institute describes it as a “view that we are the result of and are continually influenced by our total environment, which ranges from the foods we eat and our daily social...
USDA Investigates Salmonella Outbreak in Beef
The USDA is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella that originated with beef products sold throughout the Northeast at Hannaford grocery stores. Tracing the outbreak source up the supply chain is complicated by weak record-keeping standards for grocers’ beef products. http://dlvr.it/124RVW
10 Lessons I Learned from My Wiener Dog
For years my primary mantra has been: SLOW DOWN. I am one of those people who speeds through life like a whirling dervish, driven by an internal motor set to full tilt 99% of the time. However, no matter how many times I repeated this mantra to myself in attempt to force a slower self into reality, nothing has EVER slowed me down like teaming up with a life partner whose legs are two inches...
Kale Bait: Vermont Backs Local Business in...
Chick-Fil-A sues Vermont artist and small business owner Bo Muller-Moore to squash his Eat More Kale merchandise line, which the restaurant says violates their rights to the slogan “Eat Mor Chikin.” VT Governor Shumlin supports the artist and raises money for his legal defense fund. http://dlvr.it/11xQRx
Getting Toasty with the Family? Homemade Holiday...
Chances are that you won’t make it through the holiday season without encountering at least one cold glass of eggnog. The spiked egg and milk cocktail dates back to 17th century Europe, where it was enjoyed as an indulgent upper class drink. Today, it’s been diluted down to little more than cheap, sugary milk with artificial flavorings and additives—most commercial eggnog doesn’t even have real...
4 Ways to Avoid the Winter Blues
The calendar only recently changed from fall to winter, but watch out — cold weather blues and blahs are sneaky little devils. The grumble-y feelings in your brain tend to spread throughout your body and infiltrate your psyche with ease this time of year. Stop those silly, out-of-character feelings by taking up one (or all) of these winter blah busters, and change your lifestyle in a...
Austrian Apple Strudel & A Spot of Tea
Crisp apple strudel is on the list of everyone’s favorite things, up there with raindrops on roses and schnitzel with noodles. A Viennese classic that is popular all over Austria and in much of central and eastern Europe, “Apfelstrudel” is a classic dessert that is not too sweet and thus well suited for teatime or even breakfast.
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/11mBgf
Get Crafty! From Old Calendars to New Cards
A new year means out with the old and in with the new… calendar. For those of you who still prefer hard copy calendars to digital versions, what do you do with your favorite calendars when a new year rolls around? Do they get tossed in the recycling bin? Or maybe, like me, you stash them in a drawer somewhere—not willing to throw them away, but also not exactly sure what to do with them?
...
Yoga for Digesting that 3rd Piece of Pie
Holiday time is often synonymous with overeating. Reunions with family and friends afford us excuses as to why two desserts are not only acceptable, but healthy, with the insistent invisible voice that floats somewhere just above our ears reminding us that we’ll change this wicked habit “in the new year.” For many, stuffing your belly might be inevitable. That does not mean...
Don't Waste Your E-Waste: A Recycling Guide for...
Okay, who’s willing to admit you asked for an iPhone 4S for the holidays even though there’s a perfectly fine iPhone 4 residing in your tote? We’re all guilty of coveting new technology this time of year… but make sure you recycle your old stuff. While recycling or finding homes for old iPods, phones and computers used to be a drag, it’s no longer so difficult, at all. A myriad of...
People’s Tribunal Indicts 6 Pesticide Giants for...
The Permanent People’s Tribunal indicted the Big 6 transnational pesticide companies - BASF, Monsanto, Syngenta, Dow and Bayer - for violating internationally recognized human rights. While the PPT can’t enforce legal penalties, the trial could set precedent for future legal actions. http://dlvr.it/11fmgY
On-the-Go Goodness: Healthy Snacks to Stash......
You never know when you’ll be in an emergency-snack-needed situation. Okay, sometimes you know it’s coming (the two o’clock hour at work…), but what happens when you’re on an all-day errands extravaganza or you miss the bus at the end of the day and have a wait ahead of you? It’s good to have a few purse-worthy snacks on hand to avoid getting, shall we say, moody.
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A Very Retro Christmas Dinner: What's Changed...
Christmastime and food are inextricably linked, not only in our hearts and homes, but in pop culture. “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”… “I brought some corn for popping”… “The Wassail Song”… all elicit food memories as they are tied to the holiday season, and they are almost all references of foods from days long ago. In our kitchen’s today, we expect to find a very basic list of...
Army’s New Sandwich Fights Decay, Stays Fresh for...
The US Army’s new pocket sandwiches evade moisture and bacteria with high-tech preservation techniques that stifle bacteria and mold growth. Packaging and ingredients reduce waste and offer more portability and flavor for soldiers in intense combat situations. http://dlvr.it/11VDKP
3 Ways to De-Stress Your Pet This Season
Feeling anxious about crafting the perfect holiday meal? Are you worried about that looming Christmas shopping deadline? You might not be the only one in the family feeling a little freaked out this time of year. Our four-legged friends can sense our emotions. So, chances are if you’re stressed out, your pets are feeling the blues too. Poor Fido or Smokey.
Don’t let your furry friends suffer...
Food Suppliers Star in McDonald’s New Transparency...
McDonald’s is set to launch a new ad campaign in January that features four of the restaurant’s beef and produce suppliers attesting to the quality of their ingredients. http://dlvr.it/11Kj1z
Decorate Your Holiday Table Vintage-Style
When you think of a vintage table setting what comes to mind? Frou-frou lace tablecloths and flamboyantly patterned dishes anyone? That’s the old school way to decorate vintage-style.
Vintage doesn’t need to be frilly or fussy. Incorporating select vintage elements (think classic silver candlesticks and eclectic tableware) into your holiday table setting can create a timeless tablescape that...
Pig’s Head for Dinner?
You’ve probably heard about the current food trend of “head to tail” eating, but have you sat down to dine on pig head for dinner?
Currently at The Gorbals restaurant you can order a half-cut, roasted pig head for $52. The dish takes 60-90 minutes to cook, so you probably want to save this indulgence for a long, lingering dinner with friends. In the meantime, nosh on confit of cow tongue,...
4 Kid-Friendly Holiday Drinks
Back when you were a kid, cookies and milk were _de rigeur_ for Christmas Eve. Somewhere along the way, you developed a more sophisticated palate — that is to say, you started boozing. Take a break from the brandy-laced nog, the mulled wine and the peppermint martinis with these traditional recipes that are suitable for kids and well-behaved adults alike.
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Most Biomedical Research Chimps Can Retire, Panel...
A new report from the Institute for Medicine calls for the retirement of most, but not all, of the 600 chimpanzee test subjects held by the National Institute for Health. NIH asked The Institute for Medicine for advice last December after NIH ordered a group of retired chimpanzees back into active research, sparking widespread protest. http://dlvr.it/118n20
4 Ways to Get Off Your Butt This Winter
Winter blues? More like the winter blahs. When the skies turn icky gray and cold weather moves in, getting off your couch to head to the gym becomes a near impossible feat.
Before you start to convince yourself that you probably actually need the extra fat… to stay warm… try these four motivators to get yourself to exercise despite the chill. (Don’t worry, we think you’re beautiful as-is,...
Waste Not, Date A Lot: Dating Site Matches You By...
With recent studies suggesting that half of all food produced is wasted on the planet—as in uneaten despite the 1.2 billion hungry people struggling with little or no food—getting creative in how we break that wasteful cycle is a significant consideration. A Swedish farmers cooperative, Lantmännen, may have one clever answer: A dating website that pairs singles based on their leftovers.
READ...
4 Ways to Get Off Your Butt This Winter
Winter blues? More like the winter blahs. When the skies turn icky gray and cold weather moves in, getting off your couch to head to the gym becomes a near impossible feat.
Before you start to convince yourself that you probably actually need the extra fat… to stay warm… try these four motivators to get yourself to exercise despite the chill. (Don’t worry, we think you’re beautiful as-is,...
Label It Today! GMO Salmon Up for FDA Approval,...
There has never been a better time to assert your right to an informed choice in food. The FDA may be finalizing approval of genetically engineered salmon, the first GE animal for human consumption, and there is one team working hard for consumers’ rights to know. The Just Label It! Campaign is calling for support for their legal petition urging the FDA to require mandatory labeling of GE...
Busted: USDA Finally Enforces Organic Standards at...
Shamrock Farms is under fire from the USDA for questionable “split operation” livestock management practices that could get their organic certification revoked. The USDA investigation is in response to a formal complaint by the Cornucopia Institute, an organic industry watchdog that first inspected Shamrock in 2008. Cornucopia found “inadequate, overgrazed pasture adjacent to their milking...
4 Bookish Ideas for a DIY Holiday Tree
Need a last-minute holiday tree? Any old books gathering dust around your home can supply you with the eco-makings for an adorable tabletop Christmas tree. Just make sure you use books that won’t leave you feeling guilty for ripping their pages out.
These four inspiring ideas will have you rethinking all of your future holiday trees. Ready to get crafty you bookworm?
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Hawaiian Families Sue Dupont’s Pioneer Over GMO...
Families on the “Garden Isle” of Kauai are suing the Dupont-owned Pioneer seed company for failure to investigate the danger posed by open air testing of genetically modified crops. http://dlvr.it/10ql8L
Foraging for Mushrooms: The Guide
In the 21st century, living in France isn’t really all that different from living in America. You can track down most of your favorite foods in the grocery stores here, McDonald’s are ubiquitous, and American sitcoms grace the French channels every night. But there are a handful of French traditions that leave me simultaneously giggling and wondering how I can get involved when I...
2011's Top 10 Healthiest States -- Did Yours Make...
The United Health Foundation has released its state health rankings for 2011, and if you think your state made the list, you might just have a surprise coming.
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/10hbKf
The 'Red Goddess': KitchenAid’s 7-Quart Bowl-Lift...
I confess: I am a huge KitchenAid fan. When I registered for my wedding, at the top of my list was the KitchenAid Stand Mixer. The woman at Bloomingdale’s who walked me through the store, actually tried talking me out of registering for the stand mixer saying, “you should only register for this if you do a lot of baking… and you really need to do a lot of baking.” And she repeated again,...
Not Your Gramma’s Fruitcake: Gluten-Free and...
This recipe is not your Gramma’s fruitcake. It’s gluten-free, using ground almonds in place of flour, and is packed silly with dried fruits, nuts and holiday spice. Not for the faint of heart, this intense cake is loaded with sweet flavor, nutty crunch and incredible comfort. Serve sliced with butter, jam and spiked cocoa for the ultimate Christmas dessert.
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Harness Your Inner Chef: 6 Utensils Every Kitchen...
Whether you’re like an Iron Chef in the kitchen or could use a few more hours in a Home Economics class, there are some kitchen utensils that are invaluable.
The more time you spend in the kitchen, the more you come to rely on certain utensils. Sometimes you can make due (like using a travel mug as a rolling pin), but often, there are items you just can’t cook without. Whether you are a...
40% of All Cancers Are Caused by Things We Have...
The British Journal of Cancer recently published a review that links cancer rates in the UK to various lifestyle and environmental factors including diet, exposure to hormones and radiation, and tobacco and alcohol use, among others. While the reviewing doctors emphasize that lifestyle choices aren’t the only determining factor in cancer risk, it’s hard to ignore the indications of personal...
Is Ketchup A Superfood? Only If It’s Organic
Higher levels of healthy polyphenols were found in ketchups made from organically grown tomatoes than from conventional tomatoes, according to new research published in a recent issue of the _Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry_. http://dlvr.it/10VPw5
