Last week, I received an email from a representative of Bertolli Olive Oil threatening to sue me for reporting on a UC Davis study years ago that found their extra virgin olive oils were not up to standards. Instead of pulling this post, what I've decided to do instead is take a closer look at Bertolli, the olive oil industry and issues around …
How to Can Tomatoes to Avoid BPA–Canning 101 for Beginners
Did you keep a garden this summer? Have too many tomatoes on your hands? My favorite part of this time of year is preparing foods from my garden, local farmers, or the surplus from my gardening friends and family. I can the leftover tomatoes to use during the winter. When you garden from your backyard, you know exactly what has gone into the food …
“Made in USA” Label Legally Used on Grassfed Beef From Overseas
Hey Hipsters! You like your grassfed meat, right? Well from now on we are going to pretend that "Made in the USA" sticker actually means what it says. You won't need to feel guilty about that rancher in California who got screwed because "Made in the USA" now means that meat can actually be from other countries with cheaper land. The global market …
12 Reasons to Avoid Plastic Utensils in the Kitchen
I bought a beautiful hand-carved wooden cooking spoon at our local farmer’s market when my son was a toddler. It is one of my favorite cooking utensils and we have used it ever since for baking, cooking and stealing tastes from the bowl. Today, I still have that wooden spoon but have banned all other plastic kitchen utensils from my kitchen because …
WARNING: Toxic Electronic Chemicals Found in Black Plastics Used for Food
Just when you thought that organic TV dinner was a good idea, a study published in the journal Environment International released shocking information about what is inside black plastics. It draws attention to our circular economy of plastics and the recycling of plastic where we use plastic, throw it away, and then recycle it into new things. …
Thousands of Doctors Blame Obesity on Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals Called “Obesogens”
Just when you thought it was those french fries making you fat, an organization representing thousands of endocrinologists, aka medical doctors specializing in the body's hormonal system, announced in a press conference they blame hormone-disrupting chemicals on an increase of obesity rates worldwide. Okay, now you have my attention. *puts down …
Chemical Linked to Degraded Sperm Higher in People Dining Out More
According to a new study, dining out at restaurants increases a chemical in your body called phthalates (said "thal-8s") which has been linked to degraded sperm, obesity, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and malformations of the penis. And this whole time you thought it was the french fries making you fat. Phthalates are used to make plastics soft and …
“Grab & Go” Food Investigation: Breaking Down Meal Replacement and Protein Bars
Do you eat protein bars? They can get addicting. Stash a bar at your desk, slip one into your purse, or have one handy in your gym bag for after your workout. Sometimes protein bars can be filled with filled with sugar and regret, while other times they are good in a pinch. But how to make sure your choice isn’t any better than that homemade …
Greg Horn & Sexism Flourishing in the Natural Industry
I've got a bone to pick with the organic and natural industry. You guys, yes guys, let sexism reign in your industry and it's hurting women. Some questions I have: Where are all the women in leadership? Where are the female CEOs and women sitting on boards? You've disappointed me and I'm going to share a personal story I have of aggressive sexism …
Top 50 + Organic Snacks
When it comes to convenience, there's just something about snacks. Everyone loves them. Just ask any kid who says they're not hungry at breakfast, lunch, or dinner time. Merely mutter the word snack and they'll jump at the chance to shovel their own body weight in snacks into their mouths. We've covered different grocery store investigations like …
How to Make Your Kids Enjoy Gardening Even in Winter
Gardening in the winter with kids is both fun and educational. They get to witness the natural growth of plants while also learning their importance. It’s easy to imagine hanging out with your kids in the garden when the sun is up during the spring and summer seasons. Still, what about the winter season? Yes, it is a cold season and is not the best …
Improve Your Winter Meals With These Vegetables
As the winter season approaches, you might be thinking of what winter meals you can prepare using your own homegrown crops. After all, winter isn’t the season when most vegetables are available for harvest. It's also a time to think about saving money with shopping looming and extra energy bills making their headway. While Mamavation brings you …