• prepared
    Preparedness

    Being Prepared

    Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the US Government has taken steps to encourage all citizens to make their own survival preparations, and since 2004, September has been officially designated as National Preparedness Month.

  • petfood
    FOOD,  Pets,  Think Piece

    Feeding Your Pet Healthy Food

    There have been recalls in the past, and there is a lot to say on this subject regarding the pet-food industry and the standards — well, the lack of standards — for quality control within the industry and the FDA.

  • food chemistry symbols
    FOOD,  Safety

    Food Chain Safety

    In the past I have written about changes in food chain safety and the forces that affect the food we consume. These changes are most often the resultof political and economic powers that influence public policy. With a different approach by the new administration to keeping our food chain safe for consumers, it is important that consumers “Be Prepared” for further changes in food safety regulations: SNAP Cuts Summary from the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities July 19, 2017: ” President Trump’s 2018 budget proposes to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) by more than $193 billion over the next ten years — a more…

  • natural
    FOOD,  HEALTH & HOME,  Organics

    The Trouble With Natural

    Natural foods have been popular with consumers for a long time now, and both consumers and food businesses have been interested in their appeal. Seems natural enough – why not eat naturally and avoid unnatural (or added chemical) ingredients?

  • Alternative Medicine,  Education,  Herbs,  Home Garden

    Local Medicine: Preserving Medicinal Herbs

    “Herbal medicine provides relief while also assisting our immune systems do their jobs.” Herbs offer us many gifts: culinary seasonings, teas, and nutritive medicine. Even though we are nearing the end of the growing season, there is still time to harvest and preserve herbs for use throughout the winter months. Be sure to dry herbs for culinary use and for teas, store them in glass jars to protect their aromatic oils. In this article, I describe a favorite way to preserve medicinal herbs for winter use. Upper respiratory viruses are the most common ailments during the colder months, and we are most vulnerable during the seasonal transitions of fall to…