July 2011
98 posts
Homemade Black Bean Burgers (Vegetarian!)
This is a perfect recipe for Meatless Monday or any night of the week you want to go vegetarian (or even vegan, just make appropriate substitutions). Black beans are super affordable (look for them in the bulk section) and high in protein!
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/dGD9V
Purge Your Home of Pesky Fruit Flies—For Good
Doesn’t it just bug the heck out of you when you see a swarm of fruit flies attacking the produce you recently pulled from your garden or brought home from the farmers market? Don’t those critters know those are your hard-won (or hard-purchased!) fruits and veggies they’re chomping into? Talk about some pesky pests. Check out these natural tips (no pesticides here!) to chuck fruit flies from...
How To Make Reusable Versions Of The Top 13...
Ever try to go one day without chucking a used paper towel or the plastic wrap covering your last portion of spaghetti and meatballs directly into the garbage can? It’s easier said than done. Loving the earth is one thing, but draping soaped up-rinsed out yet still pomegranate-stained Bounty paper products along the length of your dish drainer with persistently grungy low density...
California Strikes Gold: $200 Million for Access...
Californians may have just spotted a gem amidst the rubble of America’s crumbling economy: The California FreshWorks Fund is a $200 million public-private partnership aimed at increasing healthy and affordable food for the state’s most challenged communities. http://dlvr.it/d92XP
How to Clean Sometimes Not-So Stainless Steel
Sometimes stainless steel doesn’t quite live up to its name. That durable material can stand up to tough corrosion and rust, but over time those little blemishes and grime can build up—and stick around.
What a sad-looking kitchen when your stainless steel appliances, sinks and cookware look dulled out. How can you create inspired culinary masterpieces (or, you know, just a tasty dinner) in...
Would You Walk 313 Miles to Stop Monsanto?
In an effort to raise awareness about the lack of labeling of the controversial and widespread use of genetically modified foods, a coalition of advocacy groups, organizations, businesses and concerned citizens will march 313 miles from New York to Washington, D.C. in October. http://dlvr.it/d5h0G
9 Ways to Give Sun-Scorched Skin Naturally Cool...
Deep down, perhaps it’s everyone’s secret dream to enjoy positively glowing skin, but sometimes an innocent little UV-saturated nap can make all the difference between being a golden girl or an all-out barbequed babe. But that’s what lotion is for, right? This time, instead of reaching for the drug store stuff, all the ingredients you need for cool, soothing and absolutely...
Which Fast Food Menu Items DON'T Contain GMOs?
Don’t believe the GMO experiment is on? Try this: Flight delayed. Starving. B-rated airport at best… and all you have around you are fast food restaurants. Ugh. Is there anything you can eat that’s healthy? Sure, some things would vaguely fit into the category, if your qualifier is simply ‘not deep fried’. But, what if you’re sick of being a guinea pig for...
Billions of Blueberries Pie
Apple pie gets all the patriotic props, but perhaps blueberry pie should be our new national pastry. The little blue balls are native to North America and pack a powerful dose of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants. This is Billions of Blueberries pie, a simple, summer dessert that has been served for generations – and tastes best warmed up and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
READ...
Instant Iced Tea: A Refreshing Glass of Potential...
What instant iced tea is lacking in nutrition and antioxidants, it makes up for in potential dangers. Researchers have found that instant iced tea mixes, unlike freshly brewed teas, contain little to no antioxidants in their chemical makeup. What they found these commercial drinks to contain, however, are things we aren’t so sure we want to be drinking: Fluoride, artificial sweeteners and...
Are Walnuts Drugs? The FDA Thinks So
The hairy line between what a food manufacturer can and cannot say about their products has landed walnut producer, Diamond Food, a number of violations that by FDA standards would classify its offerings amongst prescriptions drugs. http://dlvr.it/csyZ2
China’s Organic Standards in Question, Exports to...
Growing concern over mislabeling and loose organic standards throughout China has led to a significant decrease in exports to the U.S. and European markets. http://dlvr.it/cnMdK
4 Retro Health Food Trends Making a Comeback
You’ve tried all the latest health food products on the market: Fermented berry juice, vegan meat replacements, probiotic-enhanced yogurts, hemp-flax-acai smoothie powder… you name it. The health food industry is exploding today with new products, trends and diets. But among all of these new-wave health foods, there’s another health food wave going on: The revival of...
5 Ways to Smell Good, Without Deodorant
Smelling good is just as much about what you put into your body as what you put on your body. Sure, we’re all rocking our favorite body soap (Dr. Bronners anyone?), and you may even have given our _Gettin’ Pitty With It: The Best DIY Deodorant_ a crafty try, but we’ve got five healthy habits to, well, get in the habit of, if smelling oh-so-good is on your agenda…...
OA's Guide to Quick Pick-Me-Ups When You Need 'Em
From time to time we can all use a pick-me-up. That’s life, right? Up, down and all around. Luckily, even the smallest of things can make all the difference. Just taking some time out to give yourself a little _me time_ and things might be bouncing back quickly. So, we’ve collected together a roundup of ten ways you can change your life - or at least feel better - because...
Livestock Operation Has Organic Certification...
The controversial case surrounding Promisedland Livestock’s organic certification came to a close last week as the operation’s organic certification was officially ordered suspended, effective July 28, 2011. http://dlvr.it/cctcC
How To Grow Lettuce All Summer Long
“Lettuce is like conversation,” wrote humorist Charles Dudley Warner. “It must be fresh and crisp, so sparkling that you scarcely notice the bitter in it.” As the weather heats up, lettuce tends to become acrid, tough and sun-bleached, eventually bolting or going to seed. Luckily for fans of summer salads, there are a few tricks to keep your greens tender and refreshing...
5 Super Cool Reusable Bags To Make Today
Isn’t it great when you’re standing in line and you notice that more people than not are carrying their own reusable bags? Unless you forgot yours… in which case, you just feel guilty. If you’re still toting around those snoozeville bags that always seem to deteriorate or sustain puncture wounds in all the wrong places, this is your reusable bag intervention. You don’t...
Say 'No' to DEET: DIY Bug Spray
Valuing life in all its forms is important to living healthfully, organically and in harmony with nature. Right? Absolutely (for this vegan anyhow). But (and it’s a big ‘but’), when out in the the proverbial Mother Nature - whether for a shindig in your backyard or some bonafide camping excursion - and those mosquitoes start relentlessly going for the blood, it’s on!...
Sneaking Veggies into Processed Kids Food:...
If there’s one rule of thumb every diet (and Mom) always mentions it’s: Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Much to the chagrin of American households raising children in a Happy Meal colored world, pre-teen palates are tainted early on with a hard to erase sugar coating that vexes parents and concerned First Ladies eager to improve the dietary choices of our obese, pre-diabetic...
Lessons from the Forests: 'Medicine Hunter' Chris...
FOX News calls him ”The Medicine Hunter,” but his name is Chris Kilham. From a young age, Chris has been drawn to the world of shamans, crediting the Carlos Castaneda books among other triggers. He’s recognized nowadays as a chief among the South Pacific island of Vanuatu, a “Maxipe” or “black vulture” by Macuxi Indians, and spends most of his time with...
5 Steps to a Pretty-Feet Natural Pedicure
Finally freeing your feet from the binding shoes and socks of winter feels _oh-so_ delicious. Toes just need to be naked sometimes… or all summer. Walking around with your tootsies completely bare except for a pair of flops can make you feel light and airy—and no summer feels complete without squishing sand between your toes or splashing your unbound feet in some sort of cool, refreshing body...
9 Tips to Make the Switch to Natural Beauty...
Did you know that cosmetics are one of the least regulated consumer products on the market today and that most ingredients have never been assessed for safety in the US? According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, only about 13 percent of ingredients used in personal care products have been reviewed by a _self-regulated_ industry, and more than 1 in 5 products contain chemicals linked to...
From Sweet to (Really!) Spicy: Your Guide to...
With all the _oohing_ and _aahing_over summer garden darlings—those delightful tomatoes, berries, peaches and melons, we often overlook another very versatile summer fruit: The pepper. Eat them raw, add them to just about any dish, and make the finest pepper relishes, sauces and jellies to last you until next year. However you like them, there’s no shortage of uses.
Hot peppers—while...
Hungarian Farmers Lose Thousands of Acres of...
Nearly one thousand acres of genetically modified corn discovered growing throughout parts of Hungary were destroyed earlier this month, according to the deputy state secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Lajos Bognar. http://dlvr.it/cGC6d
20+ Different Ways To Repurpose Old Books
Electronic readers are officially taking the world by storm, and while the technology is really very cool, is that hunk of plastic _really_ going to keep you warm at night? Not a chance (um… unless you give it such a workout that the battery overheats). Bibliophiles claim that the tactile sensation of cozying up to a first edition leather bound text is unparalleled, but you really don’t have to...
Ever Get a Mouthful About Eating Organic Food?
Finally the workweek is over! It’s Friday night and you’re out with a group of gal pals. After a few cocktails you’re ready to eat. As you look over the menu you think, “Not many (fill in the blank) vegetarian/vegan/organic options.” So you ask the waiter for an easy menu modification and, out of the corner of your eye, you see it – the oh-brother-here-we-go eye...
7 Foods to Eat For Healthy Eyes
Despite the many eyesores of modernity a la strip malls, parkng lots and drive thrus, we actually do live in a breathtakingly beautiful world worthy of wide-eyed ogling. But, many of us miss out on the majestic beauty as more than 150 million Americans struggle with poor eye health. While some conditions are hereditary, many of our eye woes come as we age (especially since we now spend so much...
Is This What America’s Come To? Fried Kool-Aid?
Americans love their fried foods. Not just fried chicken, French fries and potato chips, but now, thanks to county fairs across the nation, fried Coca-Cola, fried beer and the latest craze—fried Kool-Aid. The round, donut-like balls, made of Kool-Aid powder, flour and water, have gone viral on news and social media outlets. Everyone’s talking about the fried Kool-Aid craze. Is this what...
Would You Smoke Marijuana Patented by Monsanto?
Speculations that California state senate bill SB 676 on industrial hemp farming has the potential to regulate seeds through the largely corporate agriculture industry has pro-cannabis activists concerned that it could lead to the genetic modification of marijuana and hemp crops on par with corn, soy and cotton. http://dlvr.it/c7NpN
The One-Day Staycation, Where Vacation Meets Home
Recently, my husband, Andy, and I talked about going away for the weekend. But, with the cost, the packing, the organizing, the hiring of dog and cat sitters and the travel arrangements, it seemed more like a headache than a vacation. So, ,we decided to commit to a stay-cation. As in, remain in our own house. For two days. Without the kids. I found myself lounging around my house in a way that...
Kids Who Choose Their Own Vegetables Eat More,...
Contrary to the classic image of a forlorn child sitting in front of an uneaten plateful of Brussels sprouts long after everyone else has eaten dessert and left, parents who underestimate the ability of their children to choose healthy food instead of junk may be surprised at the results of a new study published in the journal, Brain Research.. http://dlvr.it/c0Cfh
What's Up with Making Gardening a Crime?
Gardening doesn’t usually make the news — but when it does, it can be surprisingly scandalous. Take the two recent cases, one in Michigan and one in British Columbia, where residents were cited and threatened with jail time for growing vegetables in their front yards.
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/c0CfY
The Food Chain’s Downward Spiral
A report recently published in the journal _Science _suggests that the number of large animals disappearing from the food chain is creating an imbalance that could wreak havoc on ecosystems across the planet. http://dlvr.it/bwpvB
Extra Special Homemade Henna
Henna is not simply gorgeous, but symbolic, too. The art of temporarilly staining the skin (called Mehndi) has roots far and wide that date some 5,000 years back, used in various cultures with various significances. In India - where we tend to associate these breathtaking designs - henna most commonly marks the celebration of love, one of the most important rituals done before a wedding.
...
Take 2 Strawberries and Call Me in the Morning
Move over chocolate. Step aside red wine. Have a seat, green tea. Make way for the strawberry? It’s not too surprising that this strange member of the rose family has just proven itself to be quite superior. After all, it’s the only fruit that has its seeds on the outside of its skin (Mother Nature loves breaking her rules!). There are more than 600 strawberry varieties (wow!), and...
7 Ways Baking Soda Makes You Beautiful
Anyone who tries to live an eco-lifestyle probably already knows about the almighty powers of baking soda. This handy white powder deodorizes refrigerators, unclogs plugged drains, relieves itchy bug bites, cleans tough spots everywhere from the kitchen to the bathroom and makes cakes, breads and other baked goodies uber light and fluffy. But, what can it do for you’re beauty routine?...
An Eco Yoga Mat Review
I know they’re cheap. But those PVC yoga mats sold all around town are toxic, unsustainable and the last place you want your precious body glued to for hours at a sweaty time. Besides, investing in a quality yoga mat is like making a committment to your practice. And you’ll love your new eco mat the same way you do your newest workout duds.
READ THE REST…...
Monarch Butterflies: Latest Victims of Monsanto
The rampant planting of genetically modified seeds is threatening the survival of monarch butterflies, the orange and black speckled species common—and critical—to Midwest farmers, according to a new study published in the journal _Insect Conservation and Diversity_. http://dlvr.it/bkcwD
Organic Whey: Not Just A Protein Food, but a Super...
When my naturopath suggested I start taking organic whey to boost my glutathione levels while on a heavy metal detox cleanse, I thought, “glutathione levels, what’s that? And isn’t whey the stuff of bodybuilders and protein fiends?” That hardly seemed right. But as it turns out, high quality whey contains what some have dubbed, the “super” or “master” antioxidant.
READ THE...
OMG! GMO Seed Savers Sued by Monsanto
AS if Pennsylvania doesn’t have enough woes with all the fracking making much of its rural areas unlivable, Erie County farmers are now facing a lawsuit filed by the mega biotech corporation, Monsanto for re-planting genetically modified seeds. http://dlvr.it/bfzp5
Obesity: The Chemical Industry's Secret Side...
A Harvard University obesity expert, Dr. David Ludwig, made headlines recently when he suggested a startling approach to reversing extreme cases of childhood obesity, which currently affects approximately 2 million American children. Ludwig stated that letting a child become so overweight is child abuse, and those minors should be removed from their homes just the same as if they were found to...
7 Compost-Free Ways To Get Scrap Happy with...
Been to the farmers market lately? Then it’s probably safe to say that you’ve been busy chopping and prepping your heart out while making all sorts of 5-a-day veggie delights (your doctor would certainly approve). After all the peeling, removing of stems, scooping of seeds and trimming of extraneous material, now you’re swimming in what probably seems like tons of biodegradable scraps – all of...
Do Fat Substitutes Make You Fat?
How’s this for irony: Foods that contain artificial fats intended to help people prevent weight gain may actually _make you fat_, says a recent study conducted by Purdue University.
The study researchers looked at Olestra—the faux fat used in processed junk foods like potato chips and cookies (bad for you on a whole lot of levels regardless of fat content!). “When we get cues...
Sip on This: Coffee Decreases Risk of Antibiotic...
More interesting news to ponder over a cup of coffee: new research shows that coffee and tea drinkers have lower levels of an antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their noses than non-coffee or tea drinkers. http://dlvr.it/bXMN9
Got Old Belts? Here Are Some New Ways To Use Them!
For a long length of material designed to secure various types of garments around the waist, the humble belt has been a veritable wardrobe workhorse from biblical, Grecian and Roman times all the way to modern day society. A modesty savior for tubby-bellied fellows as well as those who were once (or still) down with the scrunchy-undie, droopy-drawered look, belts have also found an equally...
4 Natural Ways to Keep Colors Bright
It’s an inevitable cycle. After constant wearing and never-ending rotations through the washer and dryer, your favorite t-shirt has faded to a dulled out version of the bright hue it once proudly flaunted. You’ll probably wear it anyway (_It’s a classic!),_ but how do you keep your other colors from succumbing to the same shabby fate?
You could pump the wash cycle full of the petroleum-based...
Why Antibacterial Soaps Do Us No Favors
A bar of soap used to be a relatively uncomplicated affair, designed solely to purge our bodies of dirt, oils, dead skin cells and other particulates that manifested throughout the course of a typical work day. Somewhere along the line, however, manufacturers began realizing that they could capitalize on a tremendous void in the market. While plain Jane bars that boasted 99.44/100% pure...
UK Bans Organic Food Ad
Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority banned an ad that claimed organically raised animals had higher welfare standards than those conventionally raised. http://dlvr.it/bFsrc
Why Do Supermarket Tomatoes Suck?
Ever wonder why it is that those perfect looking but totally flavorless supermarket tomatoes kind of… suck? Well, you’re not alone. _Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit_ is a new book by Barry Estabrook that explores the tragic demise of what, at its finest, may be the most incredible tasting and versatile fruit, and at its worst, a despicable,...
