After writing a number of posts about how voluntary programs by the food industry aren’t enough to curb high obesity rates in American, it was good to see two government actions to improve the food we eat. The New York City Board of Health voted to cap at 16 ounces... Read more →

Several people have asked me about the Stanford University study findings released earlier this month that said there isn’t much difference between organic and conventional foods, if you’re an adult and making a decision based on your health. Much of the media coverage, including stories in the New York Times,... Read more →

Legrand Wiremold is recalling about 14,200 under cabinet power and lighting four outlet power strips. The electrical wires are reversed on the receptacles on the power strips, posing a risk of electrical shock, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement. One incident was reported, with... Read more →

By Rita R. Robison This week, I loved winning a gift certificate, while I struggled with lawn edging from Home Depot. My best consumer experience: Winning a $25 gift certificate at a local winery I won a $25 gift certificate to winery of my choice on South Sound Wine Trail.... Read more →

Since I’ve been a consumer journalist for many years, I’ve written a number of articles about memory mistakes after 40. What I learned is that it’s typical for busy people to begin making memory errors around age 40. What is recommended is that people stay active and engage in activities... Read more →

When the temperature starts to go down, many people turn to rich fall foods such as those served for football games, hayrides, and fireside meals. While fall foods can be comforting, it only takes an extra 100 calories a day to put on 10 pounds a year. Registered dietician Felicia... Read more →

By Rita R. Robison Anne Maxfield of The Accidental Locavore is the host for this week’s Blogging Boomer Carnival #276. The carnival is a collection of like-minded blogs cooperating to share their best stories of interest to the Baby Boomer Generation. Topics on boomers’ minds this week are: How making... Read more →

Bind Xpress, based in Livonia, Mich., is announcing the recall of about 139,000 custom-made vertical and 315,000 horizontal blinds. In 2009, a 2-year-old girl from Commerce Township, Mich., reportedly strangled in the loop of a vertical blind cord that wasn’t attached to the wall or floor, Blind Xpress and the... Read more →

By Rita R. Robison The holidays are coming so I worked this week on getting a ticket to visit my daughter in Sacramento. My best consumer experience: Learning about one-way tickets I couldn’t get a free, round-trip ticket through the rewards program of either of my credit unions. See below... Read more →

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., a producer of pesticides for commercial and consumer uses, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to pay a $4 million fine and perform community service for 11 criminal violations of the federal pesticide laws. Scotts pleaded guilty in February to: Illegally applying insecticides to its wild... Read more →