When I first moved to California, the house we rented had a mature Fuyu persimmon tree in the front yard. I had never tasted them before and didn’t know what to make of them or even how to eat a persimmon. It wasn’t long before the tree’s boughs began to bend with the weight of
10 Probiotic-Rich Foods That Are Even Better Than Yogurt
Move over, yogurt! These probiotic rich foods are even better.
The Anise Plant
Brooke Medlin is an Ohio horticulturist with experience growing both edible and ornamental plants. She really likes anise and is a fan of the plant’s medicinal and culinary benefits. She also loves its decorative value in the garden. “The plants grow to about 2 feet tall with graceful white umbels and fern-like leaves. I have
20 Smoker Recipes
Heat, air, and smoke. There’s something almost primal about the satisfying taste experience of eating food infused with the flavor of wood smoke. As Chef Ben Vaughn says of smoking, “it only takes a little effort to turn the average cut of meat into something spectacular.” Not just a flavoring technique, smoking is also a
How To Make Homemade Coffee Creamer
If you’re like me and can’t imagine starting the day without a cup of morning joe, you’ll be glad to know that health experts start their day the same way. What they don’t do, however, is add artificial coffee creamers. What is it about that special sweet liquid we stir into our coffee? Maybe it’s the rich,
7 Effective Mosquito Repelling Plants
Looking for a mosquito-free garden? We know that plant extracts and oils are effective as mosquito repellents, but there’s a variety of mosquito repelling plants also help keep pesky insects away. “Mosquito repelling plants tend to be highly aromatic,” says Amy Lawhorne, Vice President of Mosquito Squad, a national tick and mosquito control company. “Some have
Plantains Vs. Bananas
Ever wonder about the differences between plantains vs. bananas? Which is more nutritional? Tastier? Easier to store? In the plantains vs. bananas debate, you no longer need to wonder. Everyone loves bananas. According to government data, bananas are the world’s favorite fresh fruit. In the United States alone, each person eats more than 11 pounds
Cabbage Vs. Lettuce: Important Differences You Need To Know
Ever wonder whether to serve cabbage or lettuce? Well, in the cabbage vs. lettuce debate you need wonder no more.
The World’s Best Juice Bars
London, Paris, Melbourne, Boise. Wherever you live — or travel to — there’s bound to be a top notch juice bar near you.
What You Need To Know About The Health Benefits Of Pomegranate
Some pomegranate health claims are accurate. Here’s the skinny on what the real health benefits of pomegranate are vs. the ones marketers overstate.
Girl Scout Cookies News: Gluten Free Cookies, Thin Mints Now Vegan
Exciting Girl Scout Cookie news: Thin Mints are now vegan and the Girl Scouts have launched a new gluten-free toffee cookie, the Toffee-tastic.
Is Coca-Cola Vegan? Yes and No.
The Coca-Cola Company claims that the “vast majority” of their drinks are vegan. Is it true? Is Coca-Cola Vegan?
Josey Baker’s Scrumptious Gluten-Free Bread Recipe
This incredibly delicious, yet incredibly healthy, gluten-free bread recipe comes from Josey Baker Bread, the fun, new eponymous cookbook from the charming San Francisco–bread maker. With thirty-eight core recipes and lots of variations this new cookbook will teach you how to think like a baker!
Coke – Not Pepsi – Removes Carcinogenic Caramel Coloring
According to CEH, last year both Coke and Pepsi agreed to remove 4-MEI, a known carcinogen, from its caramel coloring, but only Coke has fully followed through.
Skinnygirl Exposed (Again): Not-So Naturally Flavored Vodkas
Bethenny Frankel recently unveiled four new Skinnygirl flavors: Mojito, Sweet ‘n Tart Grapefruit Margarita, Moscato and White Cherry Vodka. And while all of them sound kind of suspect, I am particularly suspect about the “natural” flavored vodkas. As I wrote in Skinnygirl Wine Exposed, the Skinnygirl wine’s low-calorie positioning is nothing more than marketing and promotional bluster (low calorie
Bel Brands USA Responds To Red Wax Wrapper Question
A few weeks ago I posted about Mini Baby Bel’s red wax wrapper and how the company could not confirm that the red dye doesn’t leach into the cheese it contains. Here is the response I received. Dear Miss Kaplan, Thank you for contacting us. Our wax is composed of fully refined paraffin wax, micro-crystalline
5 Things You Absolutely Need To Know About GMOs
What’s all the fuss about? Even if you’re out of the loop on the GMO debate, here are five things you want to know about GMOs and the food supply. 1. GMOs are hidden in many foods. It turns out that genetic engineering is used in the production of countless products. For example, additives made from GM
Laughing Cow Mini Babybel Red Covers May Leach Dye
According to a recent email from the Feingold Association of the United States, Laughing Cow Mini Babybel Mild Cheddar suggests that Laughing Cow “was unable to be sure if the dye in the red plastic cover will leach out into the cheese.” You know which red plastic (I thought it was wax!) covers we are talking
