Olive oil, like wine, has been around forever. For people of the Mediterranean, it has had medicinal, even magical powers through the ages. The olive tree is considered a symbol of peace and glory. Olives were first cultivated in the eastern part of the Mediterranean around 5000 B.C. Cultivation spread to Turkey, Greece, and Egypt before it reached southern Italy, Africa, and southern France. Italy was producing olive oil by the first century A.D. (more…)
Glutamate is a natural amino acid found in foods containing protein, like milk, mushrooms and fish. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), manufactured with only the sodium salt of glutamate, is designed to be a flavor enhancer and is found in many foods. However, clever labeling practices and deceptions serve to camouflage its presence. (more…)
You only need to walk past a coffee shop in any American city to see that our country loves Java. With so much coffee being consumed on a daily basis, it's encouraging to learn that there is a productive use for all those grinds. Next time you make a cup, save your coffee grounds and add them to the soil in your garden. For best results, use organic coffee if you will be consuming the fruits or vegetables you fertilize. Approximately 60% of the world's coffee beans are sprayed with […]
Numerous reports, campaigns, and studies have evaluated the health risks of aspartame. You may not even be aware of it, because the campaigns are normally directed at the brand name under which it is sold. Names like Equal and NutraSweet are more known as the artificial sweeteners that are often claimed to be a healthy alternative to sugar. Now, Phoenix Organics, a beverage company based in New Zealand, is launching their own campaign to warn people of the dangers caused by aspartame. Their campaign, "Think Before You Drink," will see […]
Earlier this year, the American Heart Association (AHA) called for a nationwide reduction in daily salt intake, along with tighter government and industry regulations regarding the levels of standard table salt (Sodium Chloride) found in everyday foods. (more…)
