Consumer Reports (CR) found heavy metals in dark chocolate bars from various brands. Although dark chocolate can contain health benefits, these products can potentially cause many health issues. The Consumer Reports researchers tested 28 dark chocolate bars and found cadmium and lead in all of them. These included products from five of the most well-known...
Whether you are in or out of the housing market, there’s no doubt that you’ve seen the rise in alternative housing. These creative and ingenious options will have you reconsidering traditional houses as you know them. From shipping containers to pallet homes, tiny houses to mobile homes, and earth berms to treehouses, there’s one more...
We’ve all had days when the morning didn’t go well. We woke up tired, weren’t sure which task to tackle first, ate a poor breakfast, procrastinated, and the dreary mood continued into the afternoon. These days are unproductive slogs; we don’t get much work done, and we can’t enjoy any rest or self-care since we...
Rob Osman of Bristol, England, suffered from anxiety and depression since his 20s. The 38-year-old had hit rock bottom when he had no choice but to live in his sister’s basement. There were no windows, only enough weed for Osmond to forget his troubles. He managed to pull himself out of this descent and has...
At 96 years old, Iris Apfel is not what you would picture any other 96 year old to be. Her signature big glasses, flashy clothing, and confidence have defined her as an icon for all those who want to stand out and be different. Not only has she become an icon in fashion, modeling for...
Burning sage is an ancient spiritual practice from different cultures, including certain groups of Native Americans. Historically, it’s been used in spiritual rituals, to connect to a mystical realm, enhance intuition, and reflect on inner dilemmas. It’s also traditionally used for healing, whether for physical, mental, or spiritual ailments. As burning sage becomes more mainstream,...
Blueberry season feels too short. Yes, international farmers keep the berry section stocked for several more months, but there’s nothing like the fresh and local versions. If you enjoyed tasting blueberries straight from the bush, you know there’s no comparison. Fortunately, you can have that experience from the comfort of your own home. Growing blueberries...
Many people are in the habit of washing poultry before cooking it. After all, rinsing chicken and turkey helps remove bacteria, just like with produce, right? However, this is far from the truth. Raw turkey and chicken can be contaminated with bacteria like campylobacter and salmonella, which can cause foodborne illnesses. But rinsing poultry doesn’t...
Elderberry juice is easy to notice because of its intense blue-purple color. But its deep hue is not the only notable thing about this fruit. It’s full of vitamins and minerals that make it popular in traditional medicine. But you can’t enjoy its tart, rich flavor in the form of supplements and tablets. Instead, you...
The next time you’re cutting into a pineapple, don’t toss the spiky top. Instead, turn it into a houseplant that can eventually grow you another pineapple. You don’t need a tropical climate for this project, just plenty of space and bright light. If you don’t have much experience growing fruit, don’t worry. These plants are...
Vegetable broth is the core ingredient for many types of soups, stews, even risottos. It’s typically in grocery stores in the form of cans or powder cubes. But if you like soups and other hot dishes as the cold weather rolls in, store-bought broth can become pricey. But you can make your own at home....
It’s a weed of many names, including common nettle, stinging nettle, nettle leaf, and burn nettle. But don’t let some of these names scare you. Nettles have six subspecies, and only five sport hollow stinging hairs on the stems and leaves that are painful to touch directly. Nettles are found all over the world, and...
