Yard trimmings, which include grass, leaves and tree and brush trimmings, accounted for 34.7 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2015, which is 13.3% of total MSW
Fallen leaves act as a natural mulch that will break down and fertilize the soil while helping to keep weeds in check
While it’s true that a thick layer of leaves can smother your lawn, this is easily remedied by running over them with your lawn mower to create mulch
Turtles, toads, birds and mammals such as bats use leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material; insects, including moth and butterfly caterpillars, also rely on leaf litter to overwinter
If you have a compost pile or bin, fallen leaves are a welcome addition and act as “brown material” that should form the bulk of the compost
When shredded into small pieces and left on the lawn, different leaf types offer different benefits; maple leaves reduce weed seed germination while honey locust leaves are known for adding nitrogen
The humble cabbage is an economically important plant with European origins.1 While eaten all over the world, it has a reputation of being boring because it’s often used as a simple side dish for gatherings such as backyard barbecues.2 However, ignore it and you’ll miss out on its culinary potential and health benefits. Continue reading →
In a recent analysis of tea bags, researchers found that those sealed in plastic release billions of plastic particles with every cup that’s brewed. The plastic caused aquatic organisms to behave abnormally
Tea is an ancient beverage, recognized for the positive impact it has on health and the important role it plays in cultures around the world. While tea sold in plastic tea bags increases your toxic load, paper tea bags are not safer because they are infused with a known carcinogen
One study found humans excrete microparticles of plastic in stool, which is not removed during processing in wastewater treatment plants. These particles may then end up in municipal water supplies, giving a whole new meaning to recycling
There are significant health benefits to drinking tea, so it would be wise to continue the habit, while substituting loose leaf tea for tea bags. Tea may help develop better brain connections and improve cardiovascular health. It’s believed to also reduce beta-amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer’s disease and reduce the development of atherosclerotic plaques
When it comes to foods that people miss most when giving up red meat for health reasons, burgers are firmly at the top of the list. That’s why some food companies have been putting so much effort into finding meatless alternatives. While products from Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods might look and taste like the real thing, they’re hardly the healthier alternative their manufacturers would like you to believe. Continue reading →
No matter what you do in terms of choosing a cancer treatment you need to start treating yourself at home. Even if you plan on going away to the best clinic in the world, as you prepare for your trip you need to start taking care of yourself and continue when you get home. Failure to understand this could mean the difference between life and death.Continue reading →
(Detroit) – The nurse at the hospital assured Jose Aquila that if he returns tomorrow, they will have a Spanish speaking interpreter or maybe even a Latin care provider. With Spanish as the second most spoken language in the country, it’s not hard to understand Mr. Aguila’s confusion and frustration at being turned away from health care because of language.
Many people, especially those who follow busy schedules, prefer preparing and eating their meals as quickly as they can. But did you know that there’s an advantage — and a whole lot of flavor — when you cook your food slowly? One way to do this is to use a slow cooker. There’s a lot you can do with a slow cooker, and there are numerous recipes out there that can help put this handy cooking equipment to good use. If you’ve got the time and the patience, here are a few slow-cooked recipes that you can try to make. They’re certainly worth the wait!Continue reading →
A panel of experts found plant-based milks, such as rice, nut and seed milk, or milk made from oats or peas, should be avoided by young children
For infants aged zero to 12 months, the panel stated plant milks are not recommended; for those aged 1 to 5 years, plant milks were also not recommended for exclusive consumption in place of dairy milk
One major problem with plant milks, particularly if you’re giving it to a child as a significant portion of their diet, is that they don’t offer much nutrition and may contain added sugar and unhealthy additives
From zero to 6 months, infants need only breastmilk; at 6 to 12 months, breastmilk along with a small amount of pure water (one-half cup to 1 cup a day) can be given
For those older than 12 months, the panel recommended a combination of pure water and milk — raw grass fed milk is the best choice, but you can also obtain all of the nutrients found in milk via other whole foods
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the U.S. The incidence of the disease is rising, but researchers find you may reduce your potential risk by 67% when you eat raw garlic and onion daily
The study analyzed the rates of breast cancer and food intake in women living in Puerto Rico where many women eat raw garlic and onion daily. The high levels of flavanols and organosulfur compounds in the ingredients drew the interest of the research team
Garlic and onion have demonstrated protective effects against other cancers, heart disease, long- and short-term memory, healthy gut bacteria and a reduction in neurodegenerative disease. Optimizing your vitamin D levels is also associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer
If supplementing with vitamin D, also include calcium, magnesium and vitamin K2 MK-7 as they work together to ensure calcium is directed to your bones and teeth and not into your blood vessels or kidneys. Consider adding sofrito, a popular raw condiment made with garlic, onion and cilantro, to your diet
Insect Allies is a $45 million, four-year program that was launched in 2016
Insects such as leafhoppers, whiteflies and aphids are being used to carry GE viruses intended to quickly act on plants that are already growing in fields
The purpose is publically stated as being intended for routine agricultural use, with corn and tomato plants reportedly among the first crops being used in experiments
Public debate and research about the consequences of using GE viruses to modify plants, not to mention releasing insects to freely carry them, are conspicuously lacking
Five European scientists sounded an alarm that the “agricultural research” could easily be perceived as an effort to “develop biological agents for hostile purposes and their means of delivery”
This would be a breach of the Biological Weapons Convention, which prohibits parties from developing or producing agents that have no peaceful purposes
There are serious issues in the food most people eat. Evidence reveals that toxicity levels in food are rising. It is no secret that conventional agriculture has become a leading cause of environmental pollution and destruction. Toxicity in food comes from many sources. Some toxins are accumulated during the growth phase, others are added during harvesting and processing, and yet others are introduced when the ingredients are manufactured into their final processed food form. Continue reading →
