The marketing of many organic foods leads consumers to believe that they are supporting family-owned, smaller and local businesses. But with the fast-growing demand for organic food, many of the top food producers and big box retailers now own one or more organic brands and are rapidly developing their own organic product lines. Dr. Phil Howard, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University's Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies says that recent trends in the organic food industry have both, positive and negative effects: On ...

A shot of wheatgrass might just be one of the healthiest beverages to have. Wheatgrass refers to the grass of the common wheat plant. It can be grown indoors in trays for 7 - 14 days until it is approximately 6-8 inches tall. It is then harvested and pressed into fresh juice. Winter wheat takes more than 200 days of slow growth in cold temperatures to reach its peak nutritional content. Wheatgrass is harvested, dehydrated at a low temperature and sold in tablet and powdered forms. Wheat grass juice powder (fresh squeezed with the water removed) is also available. Some ...

Health Canada is the first regulatory body in the world to declare Bisphenol A (BDA) dangerous. This initial assessment is considered a step toward a ban. The Canadian government is expected to ban baby bottles containing the controversial chemical within the next few months. A draft report by Health Canada found the chemical to be potentially dangerous to infants and the environment. A study in the US found that 95% of people tested had been exposed to BPA. The chemical is most commonly found in food cans, plaster water containers and baby bottles. Health Minister ...

Organic food has made its way from the shopping baskets of a few health conscious to the mainstream consumer and has become the fastest growing food category in supermarkets. According to the Whole Foods Market Organic Foods Trend Tracker more than 50 percent of Americans have tried organic foods, with nearly one-third claiming to consume more organic foods and beverages than one year ago. According to QMI, an US registrar for businesses and services, the organic industry is growing at a rate of about 20 percent annually, making it the fastest growing agricultural sector in the United ...

Goji (pronounced go-gee) berries have been used in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine for hundreds of years in form of raw berries, teas, soups or liquid extracts. They are used to enhance the immune system, protect the liver, improve circulation, improve vision, help eyesight and promote longevity. Several test tube studies show that the goji berry contains antioxidants and that goji extracts may prevent the growth of cancer cells, reduce blood glucose, and lower cholesterol levels. The berries are rich in nutrients, offering phytochemicals, including ...

Most of the home cleaning products available contain toxic chemicals. Some of the harmful ingredients to watch for and to avoid are: chlorine bleach formaldehyde, petroleum-based solvents, phosphates, and synthetic fragrances. These products can pose health hazard for humans and animals, are a threat to the environment, including fish and plant life, and release fumes into the air. Just watch your pets move away from the dishwasher after opening the door and hot air with a noticable strong cent coming out. Make your own safe, simple and effective cleaners ...

Many manufacturers of home cleaning products now offer greener products. However, not all products deserve the label to be environmentally friendly and natural. When selecting a cleaning agent, choose one with the least toxic cleaning agents and use small amounts to get the job done. Avoid products containing ammonia or chlorine, or petroleum-based chemicals. They can contribute to respiratory irritation, headaches, skin irritation and even more serious conditions. Look for bio-degradable products. The safest natural cleaners for your home are simple and long-time ...

Spring is rejuvenating and energizing. It awakens in us the desire to take out the old and move in with the new. Just as spring cleaning includes airing out the bedding and wiping off windows and corners, it also calls for cleansing our body to support health and longtivity. And according to Chinese medicine, the liver’s detoxification process is most active during spring. Why fast? Due to daily exposure to environmental poisons, drugs, and pesticides, we all have toxins in our bodies. Therefore it is good practice to cleanse and detoxify the body on a regular basis. ...

What do acai, blueberries, cabbage, eggs, flax, honey, kale, pomegranate, spinach and walnuts have in common? According to nutritionist David Grotto they could save your life. In his book 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life, he states that a handful of tart cherries before bed can help you sleep better, hot peppers may fight skin cancer, potatoes may reduce the risk of stroke, grape juice may be as heart-healthy as red wine, and honey can help wounds heal faster. David Grotto is the national media spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, ...

People have a lot of bad theories about happiness and what makes them happy. That’s among the research findings of Harvard University psychologist Daniel Gilbert. "When we try to predict what will make us happy we're often wrong," he says. The numbers of pharmaceutical sales confirm his theory. Americans spent $750 million on self-help books in 2006 and more than $1 billion on motivational speakers. Gilbert, in his book "Stumbling on Happiness," writes that our culture associates happiness with buying bigger, better, newer things. However, research indicates that things don’t buy happiness. ...