Food and Health

Stevia is one of the most popular natural sweeteners around. But a new GMO version, from the food and agriculture conglomerate, Cargill, is invading the marketplace with claims of being “non-artificial” and “sustainable.” See why you should take note and protect yourself and your family from this unlabeled GMO food product.

Many aspiring plant-based eaters and vegans stumble over cheese. The thought of giving up their ooey-gooey pizza topping or caprese salad has proven just too much. But fear not, cheese lovers: A new hero has arrived! Welcome to the wonderful world of nut cheese.

What are nightshade vegetables, and do they cause inflammation or other adverse health effects? Should you avoid them in your diet? This article wades into the controversies to discover the truth about this much-debated plant family

Once a self-reliant agriculture-dependent economy, Puerto Rico now imports the majority of its food (including, unfortunately, fast food). But some residents in a rural Puerto Rican community are reviving a historic botanical garden to serve as an example of and inspiration for bringing back local and sustainable farming — and for the purposes of cultural and historical preservation.

Are you interested in eating more plant-based foods, but can’t imagine giving up your family’s special holiday meat meal? Don’t despair; it turns out that pretty much every culinary tradition can be enjoyed, sometimes with a bit of modification, by those who choose to eliminate animal products from their diets. This article shares some of the easiest, fanciest, and most delicious, traditional recipes from around the world, with all of them suitable for even the strictest vegan. And meat-loving friends probably won’t complain either!

Every year more than 30 million microwave ovens are sold. And there’s no question they can add a measure of convenience. But are they safe? And are they a good way to cook? Here’s what we know (and don’t know) about microwave ovens and the health effects of using them.

Matt Frazier wanted to add a bit of healthy protein to complement his athletic kids’ wholesome plant-based diet. So he started researching the available options - and he was horrified by what he found. Most of the protein powders on the market were contaminated with dangerous heavy metals and PCBs, not to mention fillers, sweeteners, preservatives, and gums. In this article, Matt exposes what the protein powder industry doesn’t want you to know.

Many processed foods and even cosmetics and personal care products are rife with synthetic food dyes. Made from petroleum products, these dyes wreak havoc on our health and well-being. But thanks to the natural rainbow of foods available in our world, safe, homemade alternative food dyes are possible. Find out how to make some of your own!

For many people, chocolate is one of the special pleasures in life. It tastes delicious, it’s connected to many favorite holidays, and it can immediately lift your mood. But what are the health effects (positive and negative) of chocolate? And can you enjoy it without contributing to slave labor and environmental degradation on cacao plantations? In this article, we’ll share the research on chocolate’s surprising health benefits, and how you can partake ethically and healthfully.

Do you look forward to the holidays? Unfortunately, too often we end up stressed out and upset at the end of holiday meals and gatherings with family and friends. Whether it’s rising to the challenge of putting together the “perfect” menu, or dealing with everyone’s different diets and personalities, we can lose sight of the meaning of the occasion. Here are some tips - and amazing recipes - for a holiday gathering sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Fish and seafood are often recommended as good sources of healthy nutrients like protein and essential fatty acids. Some research even suggests that fish may help you live longer, with a lower risk for disease. But how much truth is there to these claims? What about contamination with mercury and other heavy metals? And what about the ethical and sustainability concerns?

Do you ever come home from work after a hard day and wish that you could push a button and have a healthy, delicious, home-cooked meal magically appear on your table? Well, modern science isn’t quite at the “Star Trek” level of technology yet, but we do have the next best thing: “freezer meals” that you can make in advance and simply reheat in a fraction of the time it would take to create the whole dish from scratch. In this article, you’ll discover the joys of freezer meals, and get introduced to seven of our favorite recipes from around the web.