May 2011
112 posts
New Study Suggests Food May Play Larger Role in...
It was Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, who made the simple observation more than 2,000 years ago: “Let thy food be thy medicine”. And now, there seems to be a good deal of science to back him up. http://dlvr.it/QDMgQ
April 2011
95 posts
9 Fruit and Veggie Snacks to Feed Your Dog
We always hear about the people foods not to feed our four-legged friends, but there are lots of tasty human treats that are actually good for dogs. Next time, instead of pulling out the pet store-bought snacks, try these delicious fruits and veggies. And remember, your dog’s digestive system is even more sensitive than yours so get them the good stuff and go organic!
\READ THE REST…...
The Many Uses of Borax
Chances are, even if you’re a green cleaning pro, you may never have heard of borax. Next to the colorful bottles of (chemical-laden) laundry detergents in the grocery store in its nondescript box, borax is easy to miss. Borax, or sodium tetraborate, is a natural mineral similar to baking soda. This powerful little compound works great to naturally clean problem areas around the home. Give it...
6 Spring Kitchen Finds from Etsy
Spring is all about bright colors –greens, blues, pinks, and yellows! Bring that festive feeling into your kitchen with these finds from Etsy, a website where artisans sell their unique handcrafted goods.
\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/sanctuary/5-spring-kitchen-finds-from-etsy.html] http://dlvr.it/Q5hXZ
NYC Farmers Markets Without Farmers?
What does it say about our food practices if f_armers_ are having trouble getting into a farmers market?
File this one under outrageous. Last week, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer discussed a new study that detailed the obstacles in farmers gaining access to NYC-based markets on Brian Lehrer’s NPR radio show.
\READ THE REST…...
'Be Optimistic, Don't Be a Grump,' For Your Health
Today scientists seem to agree that your overall health and longevity is based on three things. The first factor is unchangeable; Genetics. The second factor that affects your health is your environment; how you take care of yourself and what you put into your body. The third factor that seems to greatly predict current and future health is 100% up to you; your attitude.
\READ THE...
Glamping: Glamour Camping [How to Camp and Still...
With warmer weather and an upswing in energy, spring is the perfect season to load up the car, pop up the tent and sleep under the stars in Mother Nature’s arms. Whether you are hiking in the mountains, taking the family to the lake or attending an outdoor music festival by a national park, camping is an inexpensive and enjoyable way to bond with your friends and family.
However, when you...
3 Studies Link Most Common Insecticide to Severe...
The results of three studies published earlier this month in the journal _Environmental Health Perspectives, _show a direct link between exposure to organophosphate (OP) insecticides and neurological damage to babies while in utero. http://dlvr.it/Q12Wb
7 Reasons to Grow Edible Plants
Nature is not just a situation that’s happening _around_ us; it_ is _us. After all, we’re not born somewhere else and dropped onto the planet. We are born out of it just as trees and lakes and giraffes are. We often forget this important fact, which is why you might want to consider these seven reasons for growing edible plants.
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Coca-Cola Shareholders Demand Answers on BPA in...
Coca-Cola, the number one selling brand of soft drinks in the world, is under pressure to publicize a plan of action over shareholder concerns about bisephenol A (BPA), a toxin found in plastic bottles and can linings, which make up a core market segment of the manufacturer’s offerings. http://dlvr.it/PvV0t
7 Natural Menstrual Cramp Remedies… Period!
It’s that time of the month again. You’re plagued with monster cramps that just won’t let up. Instead of popping aspirin like candy for a little relief, try curing your cramps naturally with these tips.
\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/health/natural-menstrual-cramps-remedies-period.html] http://dlvr.it/PsVVP
The Straight Scoop on Composting Human Poop
That well-worn saying — ‘waste not, want not’ — is bandied about with reckless abandon on countless eco-lifestyle websites, but today we’re going where very few of our eco-compadres dare… behind the closed door of your bathroom. This is a snicker-free zone, _people_. Surely you’ve wondered (at least once?) if you could do something, um, a bit more practical with what you’d normally...
USDA To Allow Biotech Companies to Conduct Their...
In the wake of the controversial unconditional deregulation of Monsanto’s genetically modified alfalfa seeds, the USDA has announced plans to allow biotech companies to conduct their own Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) instead of those commissioned by the USDA. http://dlvr.it/PkpLR
Doing the Right Thing: An Interview With Sea...
To many, he’s known as the face of _Whale Wars_, the award-winning Animal Planet program that follows the efforts of the Sea Shepherd organization as they battle illegal fishing and whaling all over the planet. But Captain Paul Watson is most concerned with those who do not know his name—the billions of oceanic and land animals he works to save from egregious slaughter and loss of natural...
Week 2: Yoga for Balance
When I first started doing yoga, in the simplest of balancing poses, I’d topple over again and again. And years later, there are days when I still do. What I’ve found is that the balance that I can maintain on my yoga mat is directly related to the balance I am experiencing in my life. With too little sleep, too much coffee, sugar and stress, I don’t stand a chance. That...
New Study Finds Mercury Toxicity in Seabirds on...
A new study released by UC Berkeley and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that over the last century, levels of mercury have risen dramatically higher up in the food chain, specifically in some Pacific seabirds. The study suggests that the poisonous effects of mercury toxicity, which makes its way […] http://dlvr.it/Ph58f
Medical Marijuana: Could It Help You?
When you hear the term, “marijuana,” does it bring to mind images of stoner buddies giggling over a bong, munching on cookies and falling over in a haze of smoke with their eyes half-closed? If so, it might be time to update your opinion of this natural herb, whose identity has been stigmatized since the government criminalized it in the 1920s.
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Natural Beauty Secret: Argan Oil
Argan oil comes from the Argan tree grown almost exclusively in Morocco, making it a delicacy among skincare. What’s truly amazing about this nut and its byproduct of an illustrious oil goes far beyond its anti-aging, skin rejuvenating effects.
\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/delicious-beauty/argan-oil-natures-beauty-secret.html] http://dlvr.it/PXGb0
Whole Foods Launches Household Product Rating...
Earth Day may be over, but there’s a lasting celebration for the green movement: Whole Foods Market, the leading natural food chain, announced the launch of its Eco-Scale program. http://dlvr.it/PRxGP
5 Spring Snack Ideas for The Whole Family
Spring makes us want to renew everything—from decluttering the garage to replanting the flower beds, clearing out the closets and cleaning out the refrigerator. Since we can’t change all the routines in our life, why not give those routines a bit of a makeover to keep up with the spring spirit? Here are five ideas for kid-friendly, spring-friendly snacks that can rejuvenate the...
Earth Day Roundup
Earth Day is here! This is the time of the year that we look back and reflect on some of the decisions we have made, and learn how to make simple changes that can make the world a more sustainable place. We have gathered five great articles that can make it easy and fun to make your life greener, and why you don’t need paper towels or plastic bags to clean or carry. Make a vow to do...
Texas Factory Farm Workers Caught on Video Beating...
Earlier this week, the animal protection organization, Mercy For Animals, released undercover video footage of serious animal abuse at a Texas factory farm. http://dlvr.it/PLMNZ
Diaper-Free Baby, Really?
While still pregnant, an environmentalist friend of mine announced that she was going to skip diapers altogether and go straight to communicating with her baby about going to the bathroom on the toilet. Say, _wha_?
\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/kids/diaper-free-baby-really.html] http://dlvr.it/PLMNR
Organic Olive Oil: The Facts
When people first learn of my combined Jewish and Greek heritage, the general response is along the lines of, “Holy mother of food.” With such an overflow of Mediterranean influence, though, the reality is much more, “Holy mother of olive oil.”
\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/organic-olive-oil-the-facts.html] http://dlvr.it/PLMNF
Thanks A Latte! Green Up Your Java Ritual in 5...
Are you a slave to your cup of joe? Of all the vices to indulge in, it turns out that that the humble bean – when roasted and brewed to perfection – offers health benefits well beyond the obvious jolt to your system [http://submitinfographics.com/all-infographics/the-health-benefits-of-coffee-vs-tea-infographic.html]. Knocking back a few cups a day not only aids the liver, enhances memory and...
Trans Fats Decrease Sperm Levels, Says Study
A study released by Harvard scientists and published in the journal _Fertility and Sterility_ suggests that a diet containing trans-fats can have a negative effect on a man’s sperm levels. http://dlvr.it/PDLqx
The Truth About Irradiation and Your Food
We often pay so much attention to what we want to keep _out_ _of _our food (trans fats, artificial colors, GMO ingredients, high fructose corn syrup, excess salt) that we can so easily overlook what health risks may be going on_ to_ our foods. Irradiation is a process that affects more than 40 types of food products. It’s approved for use in 37 countries with each nation producing at least...
Secrets of Gluten-Free Baking
Gluten-free baking, when done well, is looked upon by some as art even finer than the Mona Lisa. Many of us have experienced the worst of it, from cupcakes with the density of a sponge to cookies with the flavor of sidewalk chalk.
\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/secrets-of-gluten-free-baking.html] http://dlvr.it/PDLq1
Wendy’s Natural Cut Fries With Sea Salt, Dextrose...
Last fall, the fast-food chain Wendy’s, introduced its Natural Cut Fries With Sea Salt, promoting with ads pointing to the more natural look (they leave the potato skins on) and the better tasting product. But, as it turns out, the product is anything but natural. http://dlvr.it/P6Vnm
5 Natural Remedies for Allergies
We welcome Spring. On the one hand, warmer temperatures, melting snow, sunshine for more than an hour at a time. And those breezes, the flowers and green things appearing. Soon we’re fantasizing about our farmers market finds and our own perfect gardens. And then we start sneezing, and we remember: oh, yes, the allergies.
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If Wes Anderson Was A Gardener: Strange Fruits and...
Gardens are a lot like films: Similar to the schedules for making movies, there’s a brief window of time where certain foods will grow; selecting seeds is a lot like choosing the right actors and actresses; and there’s the details of the scenery and plot—do you plant hydrangeas next to roses? Will cucumbers be better off near the peppers or corn?
Hmm… actually, _maybe...
Virgin Coconut Oil: Yesterday's Devil, Today's...
I’m pretty sure you’d be hard-pressed to find a coconut oil aficionado or self-proclaimed VCO devotee who is… well, fat. Not simply because the kind of saturated fat (no need to cringe) present in coconut oil has actually been found to aid in weight loss, but because this oil is the new “it” fat for health conscious foodies everywhere.
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Bacteria Laden Meat in Question, But Don’t Eat...
A study conducted by the Arizona-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGRI) and released last Friday found that nearly half of all meat products sampled contained high levels of bacteria and some strains were resistant to multiple types of antibiotics. http://dlvr.it/NzqJk
Roaming Hunger App Herds the Mobile Food Truck...
Hungry? Of course you are. What to do? Take it to the streets, my foodie people…as in, chase down one of those trendy mobile food trucks. Can’t seem to find one? Yeah, you guessed it, there’s an app for that.
\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/roaming-hunger-app-herds-the-mobile-food-truck-masses.html] http://dlvr.it/NzqJd
Spring Cleaning: 3 Ingredient Homemade Furniture...
In my spring cleaning routine, polishing my furniture into a shine is the finishing touch after giving the whole house a scrub down. It reminds me of layering on a piece of jewelry after carefully choosing the perfect dinner outfit—while not completely necessary, it adds a little something extra.
\READ THE REST…...
Week 1: Yoga for a Powerful Core
Welcome to week one of our series on yoga, kicking it off with the all-important core.
When it comes to the core, in yoga, it’s much more than the appearance of rock-solid abs. The core of our body is just that - our center. In yoga, we are encouraged to move from our core, a place of strength and stability and centeredness, where our self empowerment resides on more than simply a...
Organic Egg Salad Recipe
A good egg salad combines the creamy texture of boiled eggs with chunky, crunchy bits of veggies and sets it all off with a tangy punch. This recipe for Organic Egg Salad puts a delicious twist on an old favorite and fits the bill but won’t break the bank.
\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/salads/organic-egg-salad-recipe.html] http://dlvr.it/NzqJS
Do You OatShake? How to Beat the 3pm Crash
Do you ever feel like mid-afternoon is the toughest part of your day? I know I do! Even the healthiest of us seem to know when 3:00 rolls around without looking at our watches—our bodies weaken, our focus drifts…sure, you ate a full lunch, but oh how quickly that satisfied feeling wears off as you rush to finish up the day. For me, my stomach rumbles, my head feels light, and energy starts to...
Skip the Skippy: Is Your Peanut Butter Full of...
Alas, we’re learning more about our foods—ingredient by ingredient—and sometimes what we discover isn’t pretty. Sometimes it isn’t even clear. Such is the case with peanut butter and the carcinogen aflatoxin. This cancer-causing chemical is produced by naturally-occurring fungus in the soil, where foods like peanuts are grown. Peanuts, unlike hard-shelled nuts, are encased in a rather soft,...
The Chemicals that Dirty Your Cleaning
Welcome to Paul Ciofalo and his guest post!
There are 80,000 chemicals registered for use in the United States and less than 1% have ever been tested for human toxicity, while an estimated 2,000 new chemicals are registered each year.
I have worked in the supermarket industry my entire life and spent many years working for a large Midwest retailer. But it was not until I began working...
Plant a Container Garden with Old Dresser Drawers
Classic box-shaped dresser drawers reclaimed from a dresser on the curb bound for the dump or your own worn out dresser work perfectly as planters. As a repurposing junkie I adore the idea of reusing well-loved (i.e. worn out) furniture for new purposes in the garden.
Alongside the usual terracotta and clay containers used to hold plants, repurposed old dresser drawers can add diversity...
Are Canned Foods Healthy?
Canned fruits and vegetables have long been a staple of the American kitchen, but there is something far more devious inside than high levels of sodium or even the artificial preservatives that come along with easy preparation.
\READ THE REST… [http://www.organicauthority.com/health/are-canned-foods-healthy.html] http://dlvr.it/NsKPM
USDA Decision Nears on Deregulation of Genetically...
The emergence of the plum pox virus is one reason scientists have created the genetically modified (GM) HoneySweet plum, making it one of only two USDA approved GM fruit trees. http://dlvr.it/NpPLJ
15 Chores a Preschooler Can Do
Helping out around the house is a normal part of being in a family. And for preschoolers, getting to help like the grown-ups do can seem as wonderful as a trip to the toy store. Unfortunately, what’s tough for most parents is finding stuff that a preschooler can do without creating a bigger mess or requiring constant help.
Here are fifteen ways you can let your preschooler get...
Get It Organized: 5 Ways to Declutter Your Bedroom
It’s so easy to let a bedroom turn chaotic, tossing your clothes around as you slip into PJs. As the room of the home where we spend little of our conscious time, the bedroom often gets placed last on that never-ending organizing to-do list. And it never seems to move up on the list. Instead, the bedroom becomes a catch-all for everything you didn’t know where to put in the rest of the house....
Hipsters & Outhouses: Urban Farming in the Modern...
The move towards urban homesteading is a trend that is taking root in the counterculture twenty-something demographic in cities around the country, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. http://dlvr.it/NgKD8
Lettuce Wraps Done Right
There are plenty of reasons to give bread a rest for awhile (um… thigh one and thigh two?). And with spring officially underway, there are so many tasty and healthy lettuces to enjoy, making it a terrific time to experiment with fresh and satisfying lettuce wraps. Essentially, anything that you’d cram in between two slabs of carb-heavy bread can go into a low-calorie, fiber-rich leaf....
Vegan Hot Dogs: Healthy or Unnatural?
The lean, long frankfurter is ingrained in the American imagination right up there with apple pie and baseball. A regular at sports stadiums, ballparks and street corners around the nation, you can buy them wrapped in bacon in Los Angeles, stuffed with cream cheese in Seattle or served with barbeque sauce and cole slaw in the South – regional twists on the wiener-and-bun combo. And they are...
Farmers File Class Action Lawsuit Against Monsanto
Monsanto, the biotech giant at the forefront of the ever-expanding genetic modification of foods largely through their glyphosate pesticide resistant Roundup Ready seeds, is now facing a lawsuit filed by a group of 60 farmers and agriculture businesses. http://dlvr.it/NZ6xj
Forget the Juice Box: Brown Bag Lunches Banned...
With a number of regulatory efforts underway to guarantee that school lunches are becoming more nutritious, one obvious issue had been overlooked until now: the brown bag. http://dlvr.it/NXvj5
