Doesn't lounging around in a hammock while gazing for hours on end at the dreamy turquoise-painted ocean of an unspoiled tropical island soundrealllllly good right about now (especially with an ever-replenished beverage in hand)? It's the kind of half-daydream, half-goal that helps so many of us get through what often seems like a never ending work week, and while it's hard to deny the restorative power of pure, unadulterated relaxation, there's a new kind of vacation that's making seriously notable waves -- voluntourism.

\READ THE REST...

Summer movie blockbusters are irresistible: the chase scenes, special effects, those superstuds in superhero costumes. What's not to love? Oh, right. The overwhelming stench of that chemical-laden artificial butter poured over genetically modified corn. It's bad enough that they charge as much as the ticket price for a bucket of the stuff—it could at least be healthy! Whatever. Sneaking your own food into the theater is way more fun anyway. Read on for some worthy faves.

\READ THE REST...

Monsanto, the world's largest biotech manufacturer of widely controversial genetically modified seeds and companion pesticide, the glyphosate-based Roundup, announced that it is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for offering customers of its pesticide financial incentives.

Charles Darwin was the first scientist to identify the necessity of earthworms—citing that every living thing on Earth once passed through the digestive system of an earthworm. Whether they give you the willies or not, they're some of the cleanest creatures on the planet, and a new skincare product says worm castings (a.k.a. worm poo!) are actually beneficial in an entirely bizarre way... they do wonders for your skin. Seriously.

\READ THE REST...

Perhaps you have a garden, and you've already thought about how to get your organic garden started. Or, if you live in an apartment, you might have considered setting up a windowsill garden or a container garden, or you may even be lucky enough to live near some fantastic vertical urban gardens!

However, if you don't have a community garden nearby and don't fancy making one yourself, then take a look at some of these super innovative design ideas for gardens inside your home. Some of them are available to buy now and others are just fantastic concepts, but either way they should definitely be marvelled at!

\READ THE REST...

Glossy fashion ads, movie billboards and magazine covers feature our cultural icons at their very best – with seemingly flawless skin, enviably toned bodies and most importantly, superstar, high-wattage smiles – because it’s easy on the eyes and the entire powerhouse package helps sell whatever product is being hawked. Even if we pride ourselves on resisting superficiality, in all honesty, none of us would ever want to find out the real truth behind Victoria’s Secret if her posse of pouty beauties sported gnarly yellow teeth.

\READ THE REST...

Raw or cooked? Health advocates on either side could argue until the grass-fed cows come home. But while no dogma may either be proven as the best, scientists have identified certain foods that are more nutritionally-available to our bodies if they are cooked—versus those that should be eaten raw. Read on to find out what foods to cook for optimal nutrition absorption, and which to consume raw.

\READ THE REST...

Many of us tremble in the presence of red hot chili peppers, Anthony Kiedis included, but Scoville-unit intimidation really shouldn’t prevent us from throwing caution to the wind and chomping down. Whether you’re triple-dog-dared by an apparently iron-stomached arch enemy or you finally decide to confront your chili pepper demons as part of your personal plan of empowerment, the initial pain is always followed by an oddly cooling and come-hither type of pleasure, which could just be Mother Nature’s cleverly strategic way of hooking us in for a second helping.

\READ THE REST...

In what looks to be the final episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution (at least as far as ABC is concerned), the clever chef pulls one last stunt in the name of healthy kids: He duped several of L.A.'s top chefs into a meal made entirely of Los Angeles Unified School District cafeteria food, a.ka. majorly, seriously gnarly stuff…

\READ THE REST...

A portion of investments from the U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation will begin to go towards projects focused on healthy and affordable foods, the organization announced earlier this month.