• Freshness. Locally produced vegetables, fruits and crops are delivered to the market right after harvesting so buyers are safe that they are buying fresh produce. Produce from other locations or other countries may not be as fresh.
• Taste. The taste of freshly produced fruits and vegetables tastes better when eaten right away.
• Nutrition. The nutritional content of fruits and vegetables may significantly reduce during long time of travel so locally produced goods are more nutritious that goods from other locations.
• Purity. Locally produced crops, especially organic ones, are free from fungicides and pesticides. Some crops being delivered to other locations have pesticides and fungicides to avoid decaying during the travel period.
• Regional economic health. Buying locally produced foods is like helping your own community. This is because the money is kept within your neighborhood making your health sector benefit as well as the people within your community.
• Variety. Farmers in your community are not limited to planting various types of crops because they know that they have their own market, besides, they will not worry about planting crops (especially green and leafy vegetables) that easily perish. Usually, they plant goods that are not available in the groceries.
• Soil stewardship. A healthy soil is important for every community. If your people are patronizing locally grown foods, then their soil is healthy because it cultivates continuously.
• Energy Conservation. Consuming locally produced food may conserve energy because you do not need fuel for transporting goods to other location. It also reduces the use of pesticides and insecticides on food.
• Environmental Protection. Organic growing can protect the environment because you eliminate soil erosion; you also reduce the use of chemicals such as insecticides and pesticides.
• Cost. Cost of locally produced foods may be cheaper because the suppliers do not have to add costs of other expenses like fuels, fertilizers, etc.

Black rice is mainly used in Asia for food decoration and to make noodles, sushi and desserts. There are several varieties grown in Asia, most commonly in Indonesia, Thailand and of course, China. Black rice is high in nutritional values and is neither glutinous nor rough like other rice varieties found in the Asia region. It does have a slightly chewy texture when cooked and smells like young, glutinous rice that is pounded into flakes. Its pleasing, nutty flavor is a tasty alternative to the usual bland white rice that people are accustomed to, and provides another healthy alternative to brown rice. Many health food stores and organic markets now offer it – priced  little bit more than brown rice, but the extra cost may be worth it.

B vitamins, vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Zinc are among the nutrients found in black rice and in much higher levels as compared to those in white rice. Black rice is low in sugar and packed with healthy fiber and plant compounds that combat heart disease and cancer. Moreover, this black grain is specially fortified with a plant compound called “Anthocyanin” one that can mop up harmful molecules (free radicals) caused by such things as stress, excessive alcohol, unhealthy foods, environmental pollutants, cigarette smoke, ultraviolet light and X-rays.

Black rice is a superior antioxidant.

In reality, it is unlikely there is a single food type out there that will have the greatest impact on lowering your risk of diseases. Healthy eating is about an overall balance diet. It’s most helpful if one would eat more healthy foods, such as maintaining five portions of fruits and vegetables a day. But on a complementary basis, since there is near-conclusive evidence that a change in carbohydrate intake alone can make a difference to health, including black rice in today’s diet could be a definite plus.

A food-combining diet was developed about a century ago by the American physician William Howard Hay, who divided foods into three groups: protein-rich, carbohydrate-rich and neutral. Protein rich foods such as meat, fish, cheese and eggs require acidic digestive juices, he said, while carbohydrate-rich foods such as potatoes, rice, noodles and bread require bodily-modulated, non-acidic alkaline juices.

It is a proven fact that some people whose diets follow the food combining principle lose weight, but this is mainly because they practice healthier nutrition. Eating foods separately or together makes no difference. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, less meat, and to avid heavily processed foods. Food combining diets can be beneficial but not as influential as is claimed.

For you to establish a personal opinion, it is recommended that he or she conduct personal research on food combining and observe the after-effects in each case.

The bottom line is that there is no need to complicate the matter. Eat healthy food that is prepared properly, in a way that you enjoy and do so with care, in good company and not in a hurry. This will help digestion to a greater degree than stressing out over what to eat and when. Naturally, if you come to observe that certain combinations of foods seem to consistently disagree with you, then try eating them separately.

Next, you may want to learn whether your meal portions are too large for your needs, so it’s time to go a step further and examine the notion and details involved in the determination of correct food portions. After all, there is nothing like living and learning to eat healthily and in harmony with your body’s own workings.

What is GMO? It is defined in Wikipedia as:

A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are organisms which have inserted DNA that originated in a different species. GMOs are the constituents of genetically modified foods.

Where can we possibly find these GMO foods? It could be on the soy and other seasoning products that you are using as flavoring for your meat. Perhaps you will find them on gravy that you have bought from the market. You can also find it on the pre-made crust or fillings for your dessert. And obviously, you can find it on cranberry relishes that contain corn syrup, salad dressings with canola, corn or soy oil and a number of added preservatives or flavor enhancers, canned soups, margarine and soft drinks.

So, how can we get rid of those toxic GMO food products? The answer is fairly simple. Go for organic food products. Better yet, prepare food from scratch, and avoid those instant preservative-loaded garnishes or any flavor- enhancers on your menu. If you didn’t do it last Thanksgiving, you may want to consider having a GMO-free Holiday Feast this year.

If you live in a house, condo or apartment that has a chimney of any kind, please make sure that whoever is in charge knows that now is the time to get your chimney serviced and taken care of. It really is a matter of life and death but we don’t think about that when it’s cold and we want to have the warmth of a roaring fire.

However, every year we hear about someone who was or almost killed from a chimney fire that started sometime after they had gone to sleep and you don’t want it happening to you and your family. The quick answer is simple, call a chimney services company in your area and schedule your annual maintenance before you actually want to use your fireplace. It’s amazing how many people just forget to take care of this every year. It’s easy to forget because it’s that old “out of sight, out of mind” thing.

Another way to find a company is to go to Google and type into the search bar something like “chimney sweep Charleston” and see what companies come up. Take the time to visit each company’s websites to see what their reputation is because all chimney companies are not the same. Some simply use sight to examine your chimney walls while others use cameras they run up the chimney to exam the mortar joints and see the creosote buildup that can be a main cause of fire. You wan the company that has the cameras because it costs the same amount of money and you deserve the best technology can give you.

The most important thing is to not put this off. There’s been to many people who have said after the fact, “I meant to…” Please don’t take the chance of being one of those people.

If you are interested in raising chicken in your backyard in an urban setting you must first find out if you are able to do so under the current laws of your city, county and state. Once you have determined that you are legally able to have chickens in your backyard or current setting, it’s good to check with your neighbors to make sure they are on board. Letting them know you are willing to share a few eggs from time to time can go a long way on getting them on your side. Also know that you don’t have to have roosters in order for your hens to lay eggs. I would invest in a few things before making the final decision such as a good book on general practices for raising birds for meat, eggs or both as well as blueprints or plans for various chicken coops so you can get an idea of the space you need and the design that you like.

There is a lot of information on the internet and in books so you won’t ever feel you are doing it alone. Another great source is forums on raising chickens. You will discover what it takes to raise the birds organically and determine if you are ready for that challenge. You will also find out if you have the room to “free range” your chickens and all that entails. However, what you will know in the end is where your chickens come from, how they have been fed and that they were treated well by you and your family. You will have better health because of it and will be able to teach your children valuable lessons from where their food comes from to appreciating all life.

Have a great experience and let us know how your chicken raising experiences go.

Getting a regular massage is a great way to relieve soreness from work strains, manual labor, exercise and other daily activities that can damage our bodies. Many people feel that regular massage also releases toxins that become trapped in our body. From deep tissue to sports massage, there are also different types of massages that are specifically tailored to your needs. Some people prefer to get massages to physical therapy and other more mainstream forms of medicine because it is less invasive and is more affordable. As healthcare costs increase, people are searching for alternative forms of medicine. Determine if massage therapy is an appropriate way for you to relieve pain in your life, or simply enjoy the occasional massage to relax your body and ease your stress.

You may have arugula in your backyard garden, and if you don’t it is easy to find at the farmer’s market. Take arugula and radishes and chop them up with some lemon juice for a refreshing spring salad. Another refreshing salad is to slice some snap peas, carrots, and onion and toss them in a light vinaigrette for a light and healthy take on coleslaw. Many fresh herbs are starting to grow, including chives, basil and parsley. If you have these herbs in your backyard garden, be sure to add them to all your spring salads for a bright flavor that’s fresh and natural. Feeding your family great salads that are good for them all spring long is easy when you take advantage of all the vegetables and herbs available in the spring.

Beets are deep colored root vegetables that are great in salads and stir-fry, as well as pickled. Beets are high in folate and Vitamin C, making them a great choice for a healthy diet. Also in season during early fall is cauliflower. Cauliflower has a bad reputation because of its strong smell, but is great roasted and served over pasta, or breaded and fried! Cauliflower is also a great source of folate and Vitamin C, as well as fiber. Apples and pears are great fall harvests, and great fruits to bake with. Both are great raw, and both are known for their abundance of fiber and Vitamin C. Don’t forget the pumpkin! Pumpkin can also be roasted and served for a great source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Take care to feed your family the best nutrition this fall season. As the colder months approach, cook warm and hearty meals with these great fall fruits and vegetables.

Wooden Herb Garden

Whether you eat them fresh, dry them for cooking, or use them in your favorite soaps, herbs are a great way to live naturally and take advantage of all that nature has to offer. If you’re considering starting your first herb garden, there are a few things you need to learn. Afterwards, you will be enjoying wonderful herbs for many months.

If you’re starting your herbs from seedling, don’t overwater them. When the soil feels dry, give your herb garden a little water. It is also important to have proper drainage in your herb garden. If you want to give your herbs room to grow, as well as provide ample drainage, add crushed rocks or gravel to the bottom of the herb garden. If you are starting your herb garden in separate pots, place rocks on the bottom, and then place soil on top. Recommended herbs for your first herb garden include chives, rosemary, basil and thyme, as these are heartiest and easy to grow. Make sure these herbs have plenty of sun, healthy soil, and the appropriate amount of water to enjoy growing, and cooking with these herbs.