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Giant hogweed, which can rather appropriately reach impressive heights of over 4.3 meters (14 feet), is a white-topped plant that, at a glance, looks entirely innocuous. Sadly, Heracleum mantegazzianum is actually capable of causing serious injury to anyone that touches it. The Twitter account of the Massey Herbarium at Virginia Tech University explains that 30 of these monsters have been found...

Maria Sykes

Maria Sykes

The Hearty Soul Team

The world is full of fascinating facts, some well-known, others hidden in plain sight. Have you ever wondered why we shouldn’t interrupt conversations to move out of the way, or why the “Happy Birthday” song was under copyright? Perhaps you’re curious about the difference between a font and a typeface, or maybe you never knew...

Cody Medina

Cody Medina

Environmental Activist

Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. As the disease advances, it gradually diminishes one’s cognitive abilities, memory, and daily functioning. Eventually, dementia will lead to the end stages of life. Recognizing the signs that death may be near for a person with dementia is important in order to provide...

Julie Hambleton

Julie Hambleton

Health & Wellness Journalist

In a culture where the daily shower has been regarded as a hallmark of cleanliness, recent discussions among experts have called into question its necessity for overall health. Dubbed “perfume-ative hygiene,” this emerging perspective challenges the societal norms surrounding daily bathing practices. It invites individuals to reconsider their bathing routines. The Social Shower Phenomenon Environmentalists...

Chantel Brink

Chantel Brink

Family & Lifestyle Journalist

People have eaten peanut butter for generations. For many of us, it is a comfort food. We grew up eating peanut butter and jam sandwiches, ants on a log, peanut butter Ritz Bitz, peanut butter cups, and the list goes on. It is loved for its creamy texture, rich flavor, and ability to be paired...

Julie Hambleton

Julie Hambleton

Health & Wellness Journalist

So much for health: A study published in the Journal of Hepatology found dietary and herbal supplements lead to liver damage 20 percent of the time. “While many Americans believe supplements to be safe, government regulations (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994) require less safety evidence to market products than what is required for conventional pharmaceuticals” Dr....

Gemma Fischer

Gemma Fischer

Freelance writer

You should be peeing in your shower – not just for the liberating, rebellious adrenaline rush that you may or may not get from it, but because you could save the planet, just a little bit, by doing so. Peeing In The Shower Is Good For The Planet Let’s think about it for a moment, mathematically. Every...

Chantel Brink

Chantel Brink

Family & Lifestyle Journalist