From banquets to oyster bars to cocktail parties and beyond, bivalve varieties like clams, mussels and scallops are popping up just about everywhere. It's easy to understand why; not only do they have a distinct and delicious flavor, but they are also versatile enough to add to pastas, soups and sauces. While there's no doubt…
If you've ever transitioned to a plant-based diet, you're probably all too familiar with the first question that everyone asks: "Where are you getting your protein from?" While meat supplies a good amount of protein (as well as other important vitamins and minerals), there are many meat substitutes available that can easily provide a similar…
Unlike other vitamins and minerals that are present in just a few select sources, sodium is found in abundance throughout the diet. In fact, it's one of the few micronutrients that doesn't have a set minimum daily intake but instead has a recommended amount that you should try to stay below. This can make it…
Hypotension is low blood pressure. Because healthy blood pressure can vary from person to person, hypotension is defined as a blood pressure that is lower than the expected normal value for a particular person. Blood pressure can change throughout the day and is based on many things, including activities, medications and age. It’s important to…
What is the healthiest cheese to eat? The healthiest type of cheese is debatable, but there are certainly cheeses that are clearly healthier than others. There are also specific qualities — such as certified USDA organic and raw — that can make a cheese more health-promoting in our bodies. Is cheese bad for you? Like…
In industrialized nations today, synthetic hormonal oral contraception (aka the birth control pill) is the most common practice for preventing pregnancy. Despite evidence suggesting that there are many possible dangers of birth control pills, millions of women choose to take these hormonal medications every year. In fact, 67 percent of all women who report "practicing contraception" currently…
Venison is one of the more underappreciated types of game meat on the market. Unless you've grown up around hunting or have ventured out of your comfort zone when ordering at a fancy restaurant, there's a good chance you may not have even tried deer meat before. That being said, there are plenty of reasons…
Researchers first identified alcohol as a fetal toxin only in the early 1970s, after an association was made between fetal exposure to alcohol during pregnancy and certain physical and mental impairments. (1) Today fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and related fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are considered prevalent, life-long disabilities that are difficult and costly to…
Ever wonder, "What does alcohol do to your body?" Particularly, how does alcohol affect the brain? The truth is the damage goes far beyond a headache and brain fog you experience the morning after drinking too much. The effects of alcohol on the brain are profound, and heavy drinking can set you up for some…
From soft, squishy marshmallows to sweet, fruit-filled gummy snacks, gelatin is pretty abundant throughout the food supply, which can make it challenging if you're on a vegan diet or looking to limit your consumption of animal products. Enter agar agar, a plant-based food thickener that's both versatile and packed with health benefits. Not only is…
