On Saturday afternoon, I mailed in my income taxes for 2018. Instead of getting a refund of around $1,000 like I do most years, my refund was $170. The TurboTax representative I spoke to said deductions that were helpful to me in the past, such as for my small business... Read more →

The Trump administration violated the law when it rolled back nutrition standards for school meals, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court. The violations occurred when the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a final rule that weakens nutrition standards on the amount of whole grains and sodium served... Read more →

Last week, I was coming home and I realized I forgot to stop at the local co-op to get the ingredients I wanted to make a crockpot stew. Instead of driving back across town, I decided to stop at Safeway and shop there instead. My priority in buying groceries is... Read more →

Every time I hear about how research shows a food, such as coffee, is good for you, I wonder who paid for the research. Marion Nestle, consumer activist, nutritionist, and professor, looks at research paid for by food companies in a new book. In “Unsavory Truth: How Food Companies Skew... Read more →

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned seven chemicals used in artificial flavors that have been linked to cancer in animals. “Chemicals that could cause cancer should never have been allowed in our food in the first place, especially not hiding behind the confusing label of ‘artificial flavors,’” said... Read more →

A new study finds there’s no safe level of drinking alcohol. The study shows that in 2016, nearly 3 million deaths globally were due to alcohol use, including 12 percent of deaths in males between the ages of 15 and 49. The report was published Thursday in the medical journal... Read more →

The Cheesecake Factory Breakfast Burrito The Cheesecake Factory’s Breakfast Burrito is the “winner” of the 2018 Xtreme Eating Award for the Worst Way to Start the Day. It’s the nutritional equivalent of seven Sausage McMuffins from McDonald’s. The burrito is one of two Cheesecake Factory items among the awards issued... Read more →

The Food Tank is recommending 20 new books on food and agriculture to celebrate spring. Topics include the paradox of obesity and malnutrition, building strong communities through socially-conscious food systems, and the essential link between food and healt Books are from Italy, Puerto Rico, Australia and many other countries. The... Read more →

All adults and children should eat more fruits and vegetables, whether they’re organic or conventionally grown, most diet plans and health care professionals recommend. The EWG’s 2018 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce can help you choose healthy produce while cutting down on unwanted doses of toxic pesticides. Pesticide residues... Read more →

By Kevin Rodrigues, a developer-turned-blogger, blogging at Gardening Mentor It’s your dream. You want to grow an awesome vegetable garden and reap the benefits. But, growing a vegetable garden is much more than just getting vegetables. Sure you’ll be enjoying a harvest of wonderful food on your plate. But, planting... Read more →