Latest Articles:

Last week on our blog, we discussed the Clean Fifteen, Dirty Dozen, a nifty list revealing which conventionally grown crops are cultivated with the largest quantities of dangerous pesticides. Discussing the issue of pesticides in modern agricultural techniques sparked further discussion about the innocently masked veggie-chemical cocktails we find in the produce aisles of the grocery store: what about genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

There is just something about ice cream that’s simply irresistible. Perhaps it’s the delightfully smooth texture, subtly blended flavors, or just the sweet simplicity of the tradition. Even as long August days begin to fade slowly on the September breeze, we have decided it isn’t yet time to put the scoop neatly back in the drawer nor to say goodbye to licking the ice cream drips from our fingers. Earlier in the summer we shared one of our favorite ice cream recipes from Nourishing Traditions, which we continue to savor as a refreshing treat. However, inspired by our new line of Radiant Life coconut products, we decided to try something new altogether and combine two of our favorite indulgences into one frozen treat. This Coconut Milk Ice Cream from The Naked Foods Cookbook combines beloved coconut, delectable fresh avocados and soaked cashews into a gently sweet, palate-pleasing natural dessert. Topped with slightly chewy coconut flakes, this frozen dessert is an innovative spin to heavier classic homemade ice cream and well worth the experiment.

Has anyone ever off-handedly recommended that you take zinc? Most frequently zinc is remembered as an ingredient mixed into glossy, fruit-flavored lozenges to help prevent a pending attack of the common cold, or as packed into synthetic multi-vitamins concoctions for “muscle-bulking.” It is a supplement that seems to be tossed about frequently in conversation with a reputation for general “helpfulness,” but with little clarity regarding it's actual importance. However, mysterious zinc is in fact a very powerful mineral that has wide-ranging functions in the fundamental biochemistry of the body. It is integral for proper cellular metabolism and contributes to the make-up of more than 300 enzymes in the human body. Zinc is also involved in complex life-sustaining reactions such as the immune response, protein synthesis and cell division. It is therefore crucial for growth and development, wound healing, energy level maintenance and mood regulation, among other things. Thus despite the common dogma that zinc should only be consumed when about to get sick or after a good work-out, this mineral is actually needed in our everyday activities and is certainly not one to be ignored.

Castor oil is a traditional healing oil derived from the seed of the castor plant, Ricinus communis. Unique in composition and diverse in effects, it has therapeutic roots dating as far back as Ancient Egypt, where castor beans were ceremonially included in tombs from 4,000 BC. Though the castor seed plant is native to India, most parts of the castor plant have found a useful place in industries across the globe: stems are heavily used in textiles and the oils have long been used as medicinal rubs. Global folkloric healers have used the oil of the castor seed for centuries as a gentle remedy to bring about general well-being, digestive aid, pain relief and skin condition clearing, among other things. Edgar Cayce brought the “mystical” therapeutic remedy to 20th century America, resulting in alleged health recoveries for many individuals. However, in the highly technical system of Western Medicine this simple complementary adjunct therapy has been long forgotten in a popular context. Thus, informed by the research of modern science, it is important step back and consider: what exactly is the reparative magic that sustained castor oil in it’s place as a healing elixir for centuries?

Who can resist the innocent delight of garden fresh fruits and vegetables? Served raw with satisfactory crunch or sauteed piping-hot with butter, produce is a treasured cornerstone of a nutrient-dense diet. However, the problem today is that most crops are not as "fresh" or "healthy" as we may think. While major growers claim that produce is 98% pesticide residue-free, analytical contamination studies suggest dramatically otherwise. In the midst of an era of convoluted marketing and misinformation, making healthy diet choices can be a head-spinningly complex task...even when it comes to something so simple and honest as veggies. For this week's recipe blog, we put together a formula of things to look out for when gathering produce for your cooking, keeping both health and budget in mind. Next time you find yourself lingering in the produce aisle, gripping the cart and calculating differences in expensive organics or their cheaper conventionally grown alternatives, you'll have some important guidelines that may make choices a bit easier.

"Believe it or not, every thought or feeling you have affects everything around you. Think about it. What happens when you smile at someone? They smile right back! When you share joyful feelings you pass on positive energy and help create joy in other people. And your feelings don't affect just people. They affect the entire planet..."

~Masaru Emoto

Every once in a while, I am inspired to pick up a children’s book.  As a researcher accustomed to reading complexly detailed scientific articles from renowned health journals, the simplicity of children's books is altogether refreshing from time to time. And though seemingly juvenile, they are often far more informative than we sophisticated adults give them credit for. Children's books frequently remind of the creative and whimsical simplicities of life that "grown-ups", entranced by to-do-lists and stymied by deadlines, forget. 

While cooking traditional foods is vital at all times of the year, the idea of standing in front of the oven and fanning yourself with a pot-holder on a beautiful afternoon is not always appealing. This summer we have found that bone broths are a perfectly simple and nutritious food for such occasions. Preparing broths or stocks doesn't require a lot of your time- just a bit at the beginning and the end of the process, and with farmer's markets in full swing bone and meat scraps are quite easy to come by. The bulk of the process can be completed unattended, allowing for you to enjoy the sweetness of summer outdoors. For us, the light aroma of bone broth curling up from a tea cup and brimming with zesty fresh herbs has become a treasured breakfast tradition, especially when enjoyed outside on a still August morning.   

Perhaps you’ve been there before: frantically looking into the depths of your bag or glove compartment to find that elusive little tub of lip balm. In desperation, you start to lick your lips furiously to find relief from the raw and painful chapping, but this only makes the irritation worse. All logic aside, you start considering options, and seriously contemplate making an illegal u-turn to get back to the store for just one more chapstick. But not so fast...the ingredients in many lip products are actually harmful and can cause greater irritation to your already tender lips. Not to mention, they are downright expensive and always seem to get lost or tragically melted in the wash. So, instead of running to the store next time you are feeling the urge to smack smooth lips, try this nearly effortless recipe for Homemade Extra Virgin Coconut Oil & Lemon Lip Balm. Blend your favorite healthy oils and luscious essential fragrances for a delightful healing remedy in just 10-15 minutes!

" —We need to keep our eyes on the goal- which is healthy children" ~Sally Fallon

After a month of accumulating stories and joyfully collecting the most adorable baby photos from the Radiant Life community, we are excited to share our incredible Radiant Life Healthy Baby Photo Gallery! These touching snapshots of bright, thriving children show the loving work of families dedicated to helping their babies enjoy the gift of health and happiness with whole food based diets. Nourished through breastfeeding or with the Nourishing Traditions Homemade Baby Formula, the brilliance in each one of these little one's eyes is enough to melt your heart. We recieved so many amazing pictures that we are working on building a webpage to display the photos and stories- stay tuned for updates! In the meantime we have put together a flip-through gallery with a photo from each baby to share: