January 2012
103 posts
Common Chemicals Decrease Immune Function and...
A recent study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston and featured in the recent issue of _Journal of the American Medical Association_ is the first to link chemicals to immune problems in children. The study revealed more concerns about exposure to common chemicals as the research team found contraindications with routine vaccinations. http://dlvr.it/18LFHw
Top 9 Cities to Live the Organic Foodie Lifestyle
According to the Organic Trade Association, U.S. sales of organic food and beverages have risen from $1 billion in 1990 to nearly $27 billion in 2010. The benefits of organics can’t be overstated: From flavor and quality to free of pesticides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers and genetically modified ingredients, there’s no question that organic is here to stay. But despite the...
So You’re Sick: 5 Cold Remedies from Around the...
‘Tis the season for sneezin’, and despite your best precautions, the signs have arrived: You’ve caught a cold. Along with sneezing comes a runny nose, sore throat, sinus congestion, annoying cough and an overall feeling of malaise. While colds often just have to run their course, people have been putting up with the common cold for many centuries, and each culture has a unique way of...
7 Non-Dairy Sources of Calcium for Healthy Bones
Many of us have been told since infancy to drink our milk to grow up and have strong, healthy bones. But milk isn’t the only way to get this vital mineral in your diet. A number of vegetables, legumes and even fruits are rich in calcium, and they also offer a more robust portfolio of minerals and nutrients within. Check out these seven non-dairy sources of calcium that have been scientifically...
Grandma on A Mission: Pamm Larry Vs GMOs
While many countries around the world have serious bans or restrictions on genetically modified foods, the U.S. has none, but not if Pamm Larry has anything to say about it. She is the force behind the LabelGMOs campaign aiming to give Californians the right to have foods containing GMOs labeled.
Read more… http://dlvr.it/1893cK
Why 'Natural Flavor' Isn't Necessarily Natural
It’s at the end of many ingredient lists in processed food: “natural flavor.” But what substances fall under this benign label? What natural sources are they extracted from? If you shop in the center aisles of the grocery store, chances are those natural flavor ingredients came from an unexpected source and spent some time being swished around in a beaker.
Read more…...
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? To Get a...
A bill introduced to the House last week could mean major housing upgrades, if you’re a chicken. Titled H.R. 3798, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, the bill was crafted in partnership by the Humane Society of the United States and United Egg Producers. http://dlvr.it/182L7d
Organic Cotton: The Fabric of Our Lives Rises...
Ninety-three percent of cotton grown in the U.S. is genetically modified, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, but that isn’t stopping the market demand for organic cotton. http://dlvr.it/17x8qK
The 5-Part Art of Letting Go
When you are struggling to grow past a bad experience in your life and leave it behind you, everyone will have the same advice:
“You have to let go.”
“You need to move on.”
_Everyone_ can tell you _what_ to you, but _nobody_ can tell you _how_ to do it. How exactly does one “let go” of emotions that course through the body, saturate the spirit and even inform one’s identity?
Read...
From Your Recycling Bin to... ? All You Need to...
Throughout the week you diligently placed your used glass, aluminum, steel, plastic and paper items into your recycling bin. No junk mail got tossed in the trash. No wine bottle went astray. And you even remembered to set your bin on the curb ON pick-up day (yes!).
You have the consumer recycling procedure down pat. But does a meticulous recycler like you ever wonder what actually happens to...
We Throw Away, 1 Billion Starve: UN Takes On Food...
Earlier this month, countries including Germany, France, Japan and the U.K. signed a joint declaration as part of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture efforts to reduce food waste. http://dlvr.it/17kGYl
Lather Up with 4 Homemade, Skin-Loving Recipes
You’re taking big steps, maybe even some huge strides: You’re shopping at local, seasonal, taking care to buy organic… maybe you’ve even started using homemade household cleaners. But what about your skin? Unless you were a chemistry major, about half of the ingredients on your body wash container probably make no sense to you… luckily, that’s an easy thing...
5 Ways to Reuse Old Dressers
Craving a space-enhancing island for your kitchen? What about an entertainment center for your living area? Look no further for your furniture needs than a forgotten dresser. With a little do-it-yourself lovin’ you can transform an old dresser into the functional furniture item of your choice.
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/17kGYj
Alas, Major New Regulations for America’s School...
First lady Michelle Obama and the USDA’s Tom Vilsack announced a list of new nutrition standards for public school meals earlier this week with major health upgrades for the nation’s children, earning applause from consumer health organizations and advocacy groups. http://dlvr.it/17cYp4
Revamped Recipe: Dairy-Free Pumpkin Alfredo with...
Fettuccine Alfredo is a guilty pleasure for anyone indulging in the traditional butter and cheese-laden pasta dish. It’s incredibly thick and creamy, oozing with comfort and warmth. In this completely dairy-free version, a butter-less _roux_ and pumpkin puree are called upon to make an Alfredo sauce no less pleasing or comforting. This wholesome entrée is packed with leafy greens and...
The Green Way to A Romantic Getaway
Romantic getaways are always desirable no matter the time of year. But come February, couples retreats are in high demand. Everyone wants to hop on a plane (lots of fuel!), buy a box of chocolates (saturated fats!) and purchase a bouquet of roses (pesticides!) for their sweetie. In reality (and sarcastic parenthesis aside), couples retreats can be a tad expensive and not-so sustainable. Green...
5 Tricks to the Living-Without-Money Trade
We’ve all heard stories about people who live without spending money. You’re probably thinking, “Yeah. I know someone who lives without money. My mother’s friend’s son lives in her basement. I’m pretty sure he lives for free.” This isn’t that type of story.
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/17X0Tb
More Miracles from the Rainforest: Yerba Maté...
Yerba maté, the national drink of South American countries Argentina and Paraguay, has been shown to kill colon cancer cells in a recent University of Illinois study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition; Food Research. http://dlvr.it/17QFPP
If the World Is Ending in 2012, Dig This Checklist
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_Carpe Diem _gains clear meaning when tomorrow will never come. Many people believe that the calendar of the ancient Maya people predicts that The End Of The World is right around the corner, and on the eve of the apocalypse you are probably wondering how you will ever finish all the things you need to do before The End arrives.
Fear not! Whether you believe that the world will end on...
The Fifth Flavor: A Brief History of Umami & MSG
Salty, sweet, sour and bitter have been recognized as the four pillars of taste for centuries. All other tastes were thought to come from a combination of these flavors. But what’s the word for the savory roof-of-the-mouth sensation of parmesan cheese, beefsteak tomatoes, and seaweed? Borrowed from a combination of the Japanese words _umai- _(delicious) and _mi_ (taste), umami describes the...
5 Forgotten Food Writers of Yore (They Didn’t Even...
M.F.K. Fisher, Ruth Reichl, David Lebovitz, Anthony Bourdain… these names ring with familiarity as famous food writers. They fill our kitchens with stories, recipes and inspirations to become better cooks ourselves. But these are just the modern bigwigs, those of the last century. Before Jamie, before Rachel, yes, before even Julia, there were food personalities just as prominent in the...
Will Hot Dogs Become Illegal? EPA to Announce New...
The EPA is expected to publish an updated position by the end of January on what the agency determines to be acceptable levels of dioxins based on the Reanalysis that began last August. The report is expected to set upper limits on what is considered safe dioxin consumption levels. http://dlvr.it/17CB1K
4 Local Cheesemongers - Northeast
Where I live, in France, people don’t tend to take too kindly to the idea of American cheese. In fact, I know a lot of Americans who don’t think much further than plasticky American singles. Their loss: Artisan cheesemakers in America are becoming more and more well-known, with local cheesemakers in nearly every region of the United States.
READ THE REST…...
Foraging Frenzy: Is Eating Wild Food Safe?
Foraging for edible wild foods is exciting, sexy, free. And, it’s big business: from hunting truffle mushrooms that sell for thousands of dollars to the waiting list for reservations at Copenhagen’s Noma, which is considered the world’s greatest restaurant due in part to chef René Redzepi’s fixation with foraging for wild foods. They make up at least five to six menu...
McDonald’s Twitter Campaign: Fans Not Loving It
“Liquid chicken nuggets. Who’s hungry for @McDonalds? ” That’s a tweet released by the animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) directing anyone following the McDonald’s #McDStories hashtag short-lived campaign that went live last week to learn more about the chain’s ingredients, and just one of the many examples of how...
Maca: The Ultimate Warming, Energizing, Get...
The Peruvian Incans relied heavily on maca, a tuber related to the radish that grows at a higher altitude than any other food on the planet. Anything that can endure the cragged peaks of the Andes is sure to be full of magic, and it’s no wonder maca is often referred to as “Peruvian ginseng”—not for any botanical similarities to ginseng—but for its variety of benefits that...
When It Comes to Sodium, Are All Salts Created...
We know that too much sodium is linked to hypertension and heart disease, but recent studies show that for some individuals with hypertension, a salt-restricted diet alone may not lower blood pressure. So what’s the deal with salt? Does table salt have more sodium than gourmet sea salt? As a recipe developer and resolute sea salt-lover, I had to get to the bottom of it. After some serious...
Strawberries ‘n Cancer: Methyl Iodine’s Future...
Methyl iodine, the neurotoxin chemical used to fumigate strawberry and tomato fields before planting, is at the heart of a growing debate in California just a year after former Governor Schwarzenegger approved its use. http://dlvr.it/16hwhV
Ditch This, Stock That: The Perfect Pantry in 5...
Are your pantry shelves lined to the edge and piled high with items you’ll never use? Maybe you have some unhealthy things lurking about, too. Your pantry doesn’t have to look like you’re ready to feed the neighborhood in case of an emergency. A well-stocked pantry loaded with healthy food and convenience is just a few simple steps away.
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/16hwfY
7 Dirty Secrets Fast Food Chains Don't Want You to...
“Convenient” is the moniker of fast food, but it’s a deceptive one when you look closer at the wasteful and toxic industry that’s highly problematic. From disingenuous marketing, littering, unfair wages and hidden ingredients, there are more secret layers to the fast food industry than there are layers in a Double Whopper with Cheese. Here are seven secrets you may not know...
4 Steps to Setting Fearless Goals
If your dreams do not scare you, then they are not big enough.
Everyone has dreams, big and little, from daily goals (eat healthier, exercise more) to big ideas (write a book, visit Paris) and life-long projects (raise a family, have a successful career). Goals are there to keep us going, to motivate us to work when we’d rather sleep, and to shine a light at the end of the tunnel.
READ...
3 Orgs Address Human Animal Conflict Sustainably
All of us appreciate wildlife, animals and sustainable practices here, right? Without a doubt! So, naturally, we want to respect and not sully animals’ land and wildlife. In our modern times, humans and wildlife tend to come into conflict more often, which causes the following: Destruction of crops, buildings and land; Death of animals.
Thankfully, there are organizations dedicated to...
10 Ways to Sneak Those Fruits & Veggies Into Your...
Almost everyone would like to eat more fruits and vegetables. A fresh and colorful diet is one of the biggest contributing factors to overall health, and fruits and vegetables deliver powerful doses of the nutrients and minerals needed for our bodies and minds to function at optimal levels.
The problem is that eating fruits and vegetables can be a pain. Produce must be washed, cut, prepared...
It’s A Drug, It’s A Vitamin, It’s Super Broccoli?
British scientists have created a type of broccoli that reportedly contains three times more _glucoraphanin _than regular broccoli—an active chemical compound that may help decrease the risk of developing chronic illnesses including heart disease and cancer. http://dlvr.it/16XH52
British Doctors Accused of Creating Prescription...
The rise in use of prescription sedatives such as Valium have led to claims in the UK that doctors are inappropriately prescribing the meds and causing patients to become addicted, cites a report issued by the nation’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Misuse. http://dlvr.it/16S01W
What Is Gluten, Anyway?
Unless you have been living on a faraway island, you have no doubt encountered healthy eating’s latest trend: Gluten-free. Many consumers are under the opinion that gluten-free food is healthier or maybe even organic. Most don’t really have a clue what gluten is or why it is the new evil on the grocery shelf, with numerous products from popcorn to pineapple claiming proudly, “GLUTEN-FREE!!!”
...
3 Natural Remedies for Stanky Breath
Sometimes your mouth can take on an unpleasant resemblance to a trashcan. You know the feeling. Whether you ate a potent meal of onions and garlic recently, or that less-than-fresh afternoon mouth just hit, your breath is _stanky_.
READ THE REST… http://dlvr.it/16B1vQ
Major Transit Agencies Increase Seat Size to...
Just as a recent study published in_ The Journal of the American Medical Association_ indicates that rates of obesity in the U.S. are not declining, the _New York Times_ reports that major transit operations are working to increase the size of commuter seating to accommodate the number of obese Americans. http://dlvr.it/16B1vR
Brown Rice and Beet Risotto with Coconut Milk
Risotto, the creamy Italian rice dish, is a simple recipe that, when done right, oozes luxury. In this health-spun version, brown rice replaces the usual Arborio rice, and we’ve added grated raw beets and luscious coconut milk. This is a gorgeous dish that tastes as good as it looks. Get your protein, fiber and antioxidant boost all in one rustic meal, perfect for a chilly winter night with a...
Yielding a Sustainable Menu in Happy San Francisco
San Franciscans, as a rule, are very happy people. With an unseasonably warm January, it seems that, these days, the city’s lifestyle allows for little complaint. It was during my most recent visit there that a taxi driver concisely summarized the widespread contentment: “It’s because we get to go outside, we get to eat good food, and we know that life is good. That’s why...
Sustainable Fishing Methods 8 Ocean Orgs Want You...
Eight ocean conservation organizations have joined forces to launch a social media campaign titled “Be Happy,” in order to promote the importance of choosing sustainable seafood. http://dlvr.it/1643Wp
Medicine or Poison: What's Really In the...
The United States leads the world in pharmaceutical sales—an industry estimated at more than $300 billion annually. So it’s no wonder we’ve come to rely on the convenience of over-the-counter medications much in the same way we rely on fast processed food. While some items can offer us relief from mild aches, pains, colds and heartburn, when you find out what’s in those...
Truffle Oil: Chemical Concoction Disguised as...
“It’s the biggest scam in the gourmet food world.” This is the voice of Rosario Safina, owner of daRosario Organics, the only producer of USDA 100% organic truffle products. Safina recently spoke with us about commercial truffle products sold here in the States—and in the rest of the world, for that matter—where gourmet “truffle” products contain little more than chemical additives,...
Sustainable Food & Wine Tasting Event Pours into...
With more and more research illuminating the varied health perks found in drinking wine, you don’t need much of an excuse to seek out the best vino in town. And if you’re in the Los Angeles area, that can be easily done by heading over to the restaurant a/k/a An American Bistro in Pasadena on Saturday, January 21st for a sustainable table interactive demo, wine tasting and wine...
Really Reuse Reusable Utensils: 7 Ways to...
You’re a long-lived greenie, so when you order takeout, you always tell the person on the phone that no, you don’t need those pesky plastic utensils. Every so often, though, your favorite delivery person lets you down, and you get another set of that useless, plastic cutlery. Fret not! There are many ways to reuse plastic utensils, and no — we aren’t including eating.
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The 8 Most Nutrient Dense Foods on Earth
We all know which foods we do best to avoid (right?). Despite the alluring appeal of Oreos, Mountain Dew or _McAnything_, processed foods provide little nutrition and a whole lot of risks. But when it comes to the good stuff—what are the best foods to put into our bodies? While experts all agree we need a variety of foods for a healthy diet, do you know which are the healthiest of the bunch?...
Exercise of the Future: Could a Hormone Pill...
What’s easier than dieting, less strenuous than exercising and helps you lose weight? A research team from Harvard Medical School claims it’s a pill that contains a hormone that could have the same effect on your body as exercise… without the workout. Really. http://dlvr.it/15nHsW
Saving the Environment Is ‘Simple’, Cites New...
Multitaskers take note: Simple is in, at least as far as reducing global warming says a new study published in the journal Science, led by NASA scientist, Drew Shindell. http://dlvr.it/15b7j9
2012 Has Arrived: Did the Mayan Calendar Predict a...
Historians have done their best to piece together a picture of the Mayan civilization that disappeared around 1,000 AD. Where they went—or why—still remains a mystery. But what they left behind (great pyramids, temples and stories), offers glimpses of an advanced culture that had a unique relationship to the world—one unlike the awkward and seemingly ill-suited connection modern culture...
Alternative Work for the Un and Underemployed
While we’re all hopeful about 2012’s job outlook, it’s safe to state that the overall employment forecast is a bit panic educing. Employable people still have trouble finding work, full-time jobs are scarce, and “layoff” is a word some of us hear far too often. We un and underemployed people can breathe a sigh of semi-relief, though. There are some interesting...
