Ayurveda attributes seasonal allergies and caused by a reactive type of digestive toxin called amavisha.

Ama, the simpler initial form of digestive impurities, is created because of imperfect digestion.

If the accumulation of ama in the digestive tract is not corrected, the ama eventually travels to different organs or tissues in the body and over time gets transformed into the more reactive amavisha.

Allergens such as dust or pollen interact with the amavisha, creating an allergic reaction. Wherever they interact and interfere, these toxins make it hard for the cells to function properly in that part of the body. …read more of Ayurvedic Remedies for Allergy Season here

“A garden is one of the few things in prison that one could control, being a custodian of this patch of earth offered a small taste of freedom.”
Nelson Mandela

These words penned by Mandela in his autobiography made me wonder about the inmates on the infamous Alcatraz Island, which housed some of America’s most notorious criminals until the 1960’s.

The popularity of the TV series by the same name has renewed interest in the prison and for me was a reminder of the garden I visited when I was last in San Francisco.

Prison gardens are not something new, in fact they’ve been around nearly as long as people have been incarcerated. Certainly an important part of time spent “inside” for many, the gardens are a symbol of hope for some and a means of healing for others.

Gardens in correctional centers provide fresh produce for the sustainable running of the facility and outdoor activity that many of the prisoners haven’t experienced before.  Many inmates are known to suffer from depression and high levels of personal insecurity because they have often been told (or they simply believe) that they could not produce anything of any benefit to others. …read more of Doing Time in the Garden: The Gardens of Alcatraz here

Cleaning the house can certainly be a chore, but it shouldn’t expose you to health risks and foul the earth.

The issues associated with toxic chemicals found in household cleaning products that line store shelves across America are a concern to health conscious consumers.

A recent Product Report from the Organic Consumer’s Association stated that the chemicals in many cleaners that foam, bleach and disinfect to make our dishes, bathtubs and countertops gleaming and germ-free, also contribute to indoor air pollution.

Fragrances added to many cleaners may cause acute reactions such as respiratory symptoms, allergy and asthma, headaches, sneezing and eye irritation.

Oftentimes common household cleaners contain substances that are poisonous if ingested and/or harmful if inhaled or touched and many are among the most toxic products of any found in the home. …read more of Tea Tree Oil: Effective Alternative to Hazardous Household Cleaners? here

Whenever I sell organic seeds at the farmers’ market, I usually sell out of the typical seasonal vegetable seeds by the end of the day. Lately, however I have been selling all of my kale seeds within the first hour or two.

Why is it that kale has become so popular?

Generally, kale has not been among the most popular of vegetables and most mothers have to nag their children to eat their greens. These days, however there seems to be a real rush on this green vegetable.

Many nutritionists and natural therapists recognize the health value of eating kale. Baby boomers are not prepared to simply accept declining health and the younger ‘green generation’ is becoming more aware of the dangers of a nutrient-poor fast food diet.

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Green it is!

The deeper the color, the more beta-carotene and kale has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Kale provides many health benefits and its dark green color is a good indicator that it is rich in iron, potassium and calcium as well as vitamins A and C.

Kale comes up quickly and is really easy to grow at home. It’s like having a power pack growing right at your backdoor. …read more of Grow Your Own Superfood: Kale here

I am often asked about the fat content of various foods and about the difference between the fat derived from calories and the total fat. It is really so valuable to be able to understand the information in the nutrition facts panel on food labels and how to avoid being fooled by them.

Determining the significance of the fat grams versus the calories from fat is not terribly complicated, if you know where to look. It’s important to pay attention to the serving size usually listed at the top of the nutrition facts and to keep that in mind when looking at the numbers.

You cannot compare foods without understanding the label and knowing the difference between calories from fat and total fat.  This key information will help you to determine whether a food is low fat or not. …read more of Finding The Hidden Fat on Food Labels here