5 Ways to Enjoy Dandelions
Dandelions have a lot more to offer other than just being an annoyance to those who strive to have a perfect lawn. Most yards have them, providing a free source for a wide range of health benefits, inside and out. All parts of the dandelion are edible, offering medicinal and culinary uses. They can be harvested during any frost-free...
This Dangerous Bacteria Could be Lurking in Your Cheese
In 2009 and 2010, two strains of the potentially fatal pathogen Listeria monocytogenes infected 34 people in Austria, resulting in eight deaths. The source of the outbreak was contaminated Quargel, a traditional Austrian curd cheese, produced at a Hartburg dairy. Recently, experts from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna analyzed the contaminated cheese in an attempt to uncover the...
Are Dates Really A Natural Weight Loss Food?
Dates have been prized since ancient times for their sweetness, their versatility in cooking and their health benefits. These tiny fruits also have several properties that could add a boost to your weight loss plan. The connection between dates and weight loss, however, depends on how you use them. Few fruits are older than the date, which dates back to...
4 Uses for Calendula
While many are drawn to the vibrant flowers of the calendula or pot marigold (though not to be confused with the annual marigold plant that inhabits many gardens), this centuries-old plant has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Traditionally cultivated in northern Mediterranean countries, the plant was most commonly used to treat digestive problems, ulcers and female menstrual...
Is Your Well Water Safe?
Drinking water for most Americans is regulated by state and federal government, as it’s received through community supplies, but for approximately 15 percent of Americans who get their water through a private well, there are no experts regularly checking its source and the quality before it gets to the tap. This makes it essential to take precautions in order...
6 Ways to Fight Spring Allergies Naturally
We’ve reached that time of year that many people turn to over-the-counter or prescription meds to fight uncomfortable spring allergies. Over 35 million Americans are said to suffer from allergies during springtime, due to various pollens in the air triggering allergic reactions like runny noses, watery eyes, sneezing and coughing. While medications are readily available and generally affordable to fight...
Eat This to Cut Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Yogurt fans, you may just have one more reason to stock up on those cute cups. A recent study, published in the Journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, found that consuming low-fat fermented dairy products cut the risk of developing type II diabetes by up to 28 percent. Earlier inconclusive evidence linking dairy products with...
Dark Chocolate and Your Gut: The Final Verdict
Thanks to unhealthy processing methods, chocolate has earned a reputation as a ‘junk food.’ While the candy bars lining the supermarket shelves are certainly not good for you, organic, raw dark chocolate has many surprising health benefits, and is even considered a superfood. But do you know why it is so good for you? The ancient Mayans referred to cacao,...
Living in a Small Space May Improve Your Mental Health
The notion that bigger is better may ring true in some areas of life, but more and more Americans are finding that when it comes to housing, the notion of living large isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. People opt to own large homes for many reasons. For some, it’s the investment factor. Many theorize that they will get...
7 Spring Foods You Don’t Want to Miss
With the change of season comes a delicious bounty of new crops. While the colder months offer an array of root vegetables perfect for hearty stews, the spring harvest boasts a variety of light and tasty produce perfect for whipping up easy dishes for picnics and barbeques. Take a look at some of what you will soon be seeing...
