Some people hate them because they taste a bit too earthy, while others love them for the same reason. If you fall into the “love” camp, then growing your own beets make a whole lot of sense. Not only do homegrown beets taste leaps and bounds better than those purchased in the grocery store, but they are tons of fun to grow. Here are some tips for growing the biggest and best beets ever. Beets can be cooked in a variety of ways and pack a nutritional punch. Though the bulbous parts of beets are

Don’t let the word “hydroponic” scare you. Although large-scale growers use this system to grow massive amounts of produce in a short period of time, the system is not limited to commercial agricultural use. You can make your very own inexpensive hydroponic system at home and get started right away to grow tasty produce all year long. While there are many variations of hydroponic systems, one of the easiest ways to make one at home is using what is known as DWC (Deep Water Culture). This is whe

Deodorant is an $18 billion industry in America, with 95 percent of us using it every single day. Most of us don’t think twice about swiping our underarms every morning, but did you know that your deodorant likely contains a number of harmful ingredients that can have long-term negative health effects? For starters, most deodorants and antiperspirants contain parabens as well as phthalates, which are well-known endocrine disruptors. This means that they can interfere with the synthesis, secreti

Have you ever spent a long Friday at work getting excited about kicking back with a bowl of nacho chips and freshly made guacamole…only to find that your avocados are still green and inedible? This much-loved and delectable fruit carries perhaps the greatest risk of bad timing. Similar to bananas, you really have to eat them within that perfect window of ripeness. This is exactly the reason why most people, when shopping for avocados in the grocery store, will spend considerable time looking at

Do you want to lose weight, gain muscle mass and strength, or improve your metabolic health? Then make sure you’re getting enough protein in your diet. Protein is a vital macronutrient needed for every part of your body. It’s used to build and repair tissues, make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. In fact, if you’re not getting enough protein, you likely have flabby muscles, are generally weak, and have brittle bones — among other issues. Here are the reasons you need more protein in

Are you sitting more than usual? Does your job require you to sit at a desk for long periods? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you should listen up. Research has found that sitting for long periods can harm your health. There is, however, one thing that you can do daily that may help offset the damage caused by sitting. Dangers of sitting for long periods of time Self-quarantine and stay-at-home orders have forced millions of Americans indoors and into a work-at-home situ

Before you grab your weed-killing tool of choice and get to work eradicating the dandelions from your garden, you may want to continue reading. Dandelion is actually an incredibly healthy edible plant with several surprising benefits. Here are our favorite and how you can enjoy this yellow weed today. This weed is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene (which turns into vitamin V), vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, potassium, iron, calcium, fiber, magnesium, zinc, and

During these uncertain times, fear and anxiety for the future are commonplace. If you’re struggling to relax and find that you can’t unwind, it may be time to plant a lovely, aromatic patch of chamomile in your herb garden to help ease your worries. Here’s why we love this useful herb and how you can grow some today. There are two types of chamomile, so it is important to understand exactly what you are planting. German chamomile produces long, flimsy stems and tons of delicate white flowers th

Peonies remind me of my grandparents and my mother, who always had these beautiful anchor flowers in their gardens. My mother even had an offspring of one of her father’s best peony plants right outside of our living room window. Not only can peonies continue to grow and bloom for over 100 years, but they have a unique vintage look and feel that makes them such a joy to grow. Peony flowers have truly show-stopping blooms and come in three main types: herbaceous, tree, and itoh. The most common

There’s nothing enjoyable about being sick and struggling with chest congestion while coughing up phlegm and battling a sore throat and lack of sleep. In fact, that is the perfect combination of symptoms to ensure that you will stay sick for as long as possible. If you’re tired of just waiting out upper respiratory infections, longingly remembering your mucous-free days, and hoping that your lungs will clear, you’ll love these natural methods will help you get back on your feet in no time. Dry

Living a plastic-free life in this day and age is not impossible, but it’s not easy either. If you have decided to make an effort to reduce plastic consumption this year, keep in mind that baby steps are everything. You are not going to go from living a life filled with plastic products to not using a bit of plastic in a day. The important thing is to be mindful of your contribution and help educate yourself and others on the environmental dangers of this harmful substance. Note: It is critical

Are you not always spot on with washing your hands after you use a public restroom but somehow religious about putting down that thin layer of paper between your bottom and the toilet seat? While you should certainly wash your hands thoroughly after using a public restroom, the whole paper thing…Well, it looks like it is quite overrated, and there are more important things to be concerned with! Although you may take a certain about of comfort in placing the very delicate paper seat cover just w

As cold and flu season waits around the corner, you may be preparing to protect yourself from catching a bug. No one wants to come down with a yucky sickness, and we all know that colds, the flu, and painful strep throat are all contagious. Most of us try to do all we can to protect ourselves from these germs, such as backing away when someone coughs or sneezes for fear that their germs will land on us. But, what if we told you that, like a common cold, cavities are contagious? Blame it on the

Although meatless burgers are not a new concept, there are more and more meatless products hitting the shelf daily, enticing vegetarians and even meat-eaters to give them a try. Producers of such meat-free burgers claim that these burgers not only taste good, and are healthy, but that they also can save the earth. So, what is the real truth behind these new burgers? Let’s dig in to find out. Most of us are aware of the horrors that factory farming inflicts on animals. We’ve also reported on the

Coconut oil is one of nature’s greatest miracles, with millions of people across the globe experiencing the real power of this tropical treasure. If you’ve been a fan of coconut oil since it gained popularity in the early 2010s (or even longer), you’re probably tired of hearing about all of the different ways to use it for a hair mask or add it to your diet. Today, we’re going to be looking at a few of the lesser-known uses for coconut oil; specifically, why you should slather this useful oil be

Chances are, you rarely think about or hear about your pancreas. Most of the time, you simply go about your daily life, and it does its work with no effort on your part. However, when the pancreas is mistreated and stops functioning correctly…you’ll notice right away. Unlike many other high profile organs such as the heart and lungs, the pancreas is often overlooked and isn’t even considered as the cause of many internal issues. Here are a few ways to give your pancreas some love and why this or

Turmeric is an herb, also known as Curcuma longa, that is a member of the ginger family which has been used throughout India and the Orient for thousands of years. The astonishing health benefits of this golden spice have not gone unrecognized by scientists. There is one thing, however, that you must always eat with turmeric in order to capitalize on its therapeutic properties. Historical records note that ancient Polynesians took turmeric with them when they sailed across the Pacific Ocean to H

They are pretty, they are fragrant and they are oh so powerful. Although you may be used to lemons as a garnish to brighten up your culinary favorites, they are a nutritional powerhouse that should not be ignored as a main event. Be sure to stay stocked up on this citrus superfood and learn how you can improve your health with a simple squeeze! Here’s the key: Lemons are healthy because they’re high in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and B vitamins; they contain an impressive collection of ess

What if it was possible to stop a hot flash in its tracks, or ease frustration and pain of PMS? The trend of seed cycling is on the rise, but what exactly is it, and is it effective? It involves eating seeds, including flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower at different times in the month to balance hormones. It is said to be effective for women who are menstruating, pre-menopause, postpartum, and post-menopause. While there is a boatload of anecdotal accounts of its effectiveness, the scientific