Organic vs. Local Produce: How To Choose, When You Have To
It’s a bourgeois dilemma, to be sure, but it’s one many produce-loving healthy eaters face: If your neighborhood farmer’s market only sells local blueberries grown with pesticides and the organic ones at your grocer have been flown in from Chile, which do you buy? In an ideal world you’d always have access to berries that […]
Stinging Nettle: How To Identify, Harvest, and Eat
It’s unbelievable how much food you can collect from the wild! Our society is so accustomed to running to the grocery store for food that foraging for wild edibles has become a novelty instead of a necessity. Our ancestors not only knew how to identify wild plants that were edible, but they also wisely used […]
Bananas just as good as Gatorade for sports performance
As the battle between naturally functional and functionally fortified rages on, a recent study scores a hit for bananas. A recent study recruited 14 trained cyclists to ingest either bananas or Gatorade during 75km of high-exertion time trialing to see how each carbohydrate and nutrient source affected performance and recovery. They found no difference in […]
Safe Natural Alternatives to the Flu Shot
Pharmacies have already begun promoting walk-in flu shots for the “flu season”. The late and early months of each year seem to be when more of us catch colds and come down with the flu. So what measures can you take to ensure you are not sidelined with nagging colds or a debilitating flu episode? […]
The Wonder Spray of Organic Gardening
Though you may not see it advertised much or stacked on pallets at the big box stores, there is a pesticide out there that is non-toxic to humans, rarely harms beneficial insects, and is very effective against a wide range of garden pests. Neem oil. Neem oil is extracted from seeds of the neem tree […]
Healthy Seasonal Alternatives to Potato Chips
A recent study linked potato chips and fries to weight gain. Three registered dietitians give us their advice on replacing that serving of spuds with healthier seasonal snacks. It’s time to portion your potatoes. Before you reach for an extra helping of fries, consider this: a recent study published by the New England Journal of […]
How to Ditch Your Cravings for Sugar, Salt, and Fats
According to a recent article in the New York Times, “Food Corporations Turn to Chefs in a Quest for Healthy Flavor,” Big Food companies like PepsiCo, Kellogg’s, and even fast food giants like Taco Bell, are changing their ways in response to the increasing public demand for healthier food options. To improve their image as […]
Eco-Friendly Allergy Treatments
Allergic To Pollen? Worst Year Ever in U.S. EcoExpert has Eco-Friendly Solutions. It’s the “worst year ever” for allergy sufferers in the US. Of course this is often said. Worst year or not, it can be useful to know which are the worst cities for allergy sufferers. And you need to know how to deal […]
Organic vs. Natural: They’re Not The Same!
There’s a lot of confusion out there about the distinction between organic and natural, and we think it’s a shame, because the differences can be huge! The first thing you should understand is that, except for meat, “natural” doesn’t have a set, strictly defined or regulated definition, while “organic” does. When you see the word […]
Natural Remedies First Aid Kit Checklist
1. Valerian Tincture The sedative properties of valerian make it useful for relieving anxiety, insomnia and tension; it may also provide mild pain relief. 2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil A potent antibiotic and antiviral, eucalyptus is excellent for treating colds and sinus infections when used as a steam inhalation. 3. Witch Hazel Extract Distilled witch hazel […]
Top 10 Natural & Organic Food Trends
Sterling-Rice Group (SRG) has identified the top 10 natural and organic food trends that will influence mainstream grocery shelves soon. With a breadth and depth of culinary experience, the brand strategy, innovation, and communications firm has counseled and created foods for several of the largest food companies in the world. Wholesome Foods Just for Men: […]
Natural Remedies for Summer Skin Problems
Sometimes summer can be tough on your skin, especially if you’re fair-skinned or sensitive. Between insect bites, rashes, and summer acne, it can be enough to make you want to cover up and hide out. Common Summer Skin Problems • Sun AllergyThere are three different types of sun allergy; polymorphous light eruption, solar urticaria, and […]