What is Brown Fat and Why do I Want It?
Ask anyone if they want more fat on their bodies and most likely the response will be a resounding “no way!” But before you shun the notion of added body fat, you may want to ask for clarification as to which color fat we are talking about here. Yes, there is a difference between a fat’s color and its...
Overweight Americans Who Choose Diet Drinks Eat More Food
If you needed more evidence to show that diet soda has no place in your diet, this is it: a new study performed by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that overweight and obese individuals who drink diet soda take in more daily calories from food than those drinking regular soda. While neither type of soda is healthy, and drinking any...
Growing and Using Sage: An Aromatic Mediterranean Herb
Sage, an aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe and Asia Minor, has been used for thousands of years medicinally. Egyptian women would drink sage tea for fertility and Hippocrates himself prescribed it for healing. The ancient Chinese valued the herb so much that they were willing to trade four times the weight of their tea for...
Could a Toilet Water Project in Texas be the Answer to Dwindling Water Supplies?
According to ThinkProgress.org, over 7 billion gallons of drinking water are wasted each day in America. While some areas of the country do not feel the direct impact of all of this waste, other areas, which are prone to drought, certainly do. One US city that has been suffering the effects of drought for years is Wichita Falls, Texas,...
Healthy Fish vs. Unhealthy Fish: Which to Eat
Not only is fish a great source of protein and a multitude of minerals, some types are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which offer a variety of important health benefits. However, some fish are significantly better than others for health, and certain species may contain hazardous substances. In deciding which fish to eat, another factor to consider...
4 Healthy Reasons to Read
For any self-proclaimed bookworm, the thought of going more than a few days without a book in hand seems downright unthinkable. Unfortunately though, according to a recent poll, a whopping 28 percent of individuals failed to read even one book last year. While taking on an epic novel or tackling the latest autobiography may be the last thing on your never-ending...
9 Ways to Resuse Your Tea Bag
After you have finished the last soothing sip of your tea, do you ever look at your still-aromatic tea bag and think it is such a waste to throw it in the trash, or even the compost pile? Even after they have been steeped, tea leaves have been prized since ancient times for their many secondary uses. The following are...
Five Ways Crafting Reduces Stress
If you find yourself barraged by anxiety, or facing a difficult life situation, finding a healthy way to rise above the chaos is key. Chronic, or ongoing, stress has been scientifically associated with a weakened immune system, poor sleep and greater susceptibility to a variety of illnesses. While there are many time-honored ways to tackle both everyday stress and severe...
Does Playing Contact Sports Impair Memory?
Participating in organized sports is a great way to get exercise while reaping all of the social and mental benefits that can come from being part of a team. Some sports, however, are more dangerous than others, and head injuries you may experience in contact sports could have serious effects on your brain. Researchers from the Geisel School of Medicine at...
Fresh Spring Greens are On the Way – Make Your Own Mix
Spring is almost here! Along with longer hours of sunlight, warmer weather and brightly colored tulips, the arrival of spring signifies the arrival of fresh spring greens to your local farmers market. The peak of spring green season is between late March and early April (depending on your local climate, of course). One of the most exciting things about spring...
