As I sat among my peers during a college study group, I secretly tucked my hand inside my zippered UC Davis sweatshirt and gently massaged my aching stomach. “Who knows the answer to question B?” a classmate asked … I raised my free hand and confidently answered the question, almost forgetting about my throbbing abdomen.…
As the title of an August 2021 study published in the journal Nature Food states, "Small targeted dietary changes can yield substantial gains for human health and the environment." In other words, if every American replaced a few of his or her favorite foods — especially conventionally grown beef and processed meats like hot dogs —…
Turnip plants, which have the scientific name Brassica rapa, belong to the cruciferous (or Cruciferae) plant family, a nutrient-dense group of vegetables that includes other disease-fighters like kale, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage — and of course turnip greens. Why are turnip greens healthy? Like all leafy greens, they are among the richest food sources of…
Holy basil, otherwise known as tulsi, is known for its therapeutic power when it comes to maintaining homeostasis and fighting the effects of stress. The tulsi plant has a rich history dating back 3,000 years ago to ancient India. It’s long been considered an "adaptogen" and medicinal, sacred herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Historically, it was…
You are designed to survive. Your body comes with complex protective mechanisms that developed to keep you alive in the face of danger. But that drive to survive at any cost comes with its own costs. And that includes blocking your natural ability to heal. Think about our most famous survival mechanism: The fight-or-flight response.…
Sensory deprivation tank float centers are popping up all over the United States and Europe, especially in urban areas where the demand for holistic healing surges. According to annual official Float Tank Industry reports, the U.S. was home to more than 300 float centers in 2015, up from about 85 in 2011, and the trend continues to grow.…
It's mentioned time and time again: It's normal to gain weight with age because of metabolism changes. Some blame their increasing age for excess body weight, even when their diet hasn't changed drastically. But a new enlightening study shows that what we thought we knew about how age impacts metabolism may be all wrong. A…
As gluten-free baking and cooking become more popular, people want to know: What are the best healthy starches and grains to substitute for wheat flour? Potato starch is one type of wheat substitute. What is potato starch used for? It's a starch derived from potatoes, and it’s often used to a thickener for sauces, soups and…
If you've been feeling fatigued and can't quite seem to drag yourself out of bed lately, you may be wondering, "Why am I sleeping too much?" Given how common insomnia and sleep deprivation are, we don't always hear about the potential harmful effects of oversleeping. However, sleeping too much can be a real concern if it's brought about…
If you follow a vegan diet, one challenge you might deal with is finding replacements for eggs, such as in baked goods and omelets. Lucky for you, people who avoid eating eggs for one reason or another have come up with a number of clever "vegan egg" substitutes, and vegan eggs are becoming more and more…
