I’m reading Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, a hilarious account of his adventures on the Appalachian Trail (AT). Of his first day on the trail, Bryson writes: It was hell. First days on hiking trips always are. I was hopelessly out of shape — hopelessly. The pack weighed way to much. Way too…
Is depression a disease of modernity? That’s what Dr. Stephen S. Ilardi, a clinical phsychology professor at the University of Kansas, argues. According to Ilardi, depression was almost unheard of in traditional aboriginal cultures, and the depression rate in 1900 was around one percent. Yet today 23 percent of Americans will suffer major depression during…
Recently the Environmental Working Group (EWG) assessed 1400 of the sunscreens on the market. Shockingly, they recommend that consumers buy almost none of them. For instance they recommend only 39 of 500 “beach and sport” sunscreens. Their report raises concerns about retinol palminate, a form of Vitamin A found in 41% of the sunscreens. It…
For years, making vegetable stock sounded like a good idea, but it wasn’t something I would actually do. It seemed difficult, like something I would need to buy a new pot for. But now I make it on a weekly basis, and I can attest, it is incredibly easy. And it’s a great way to:…
So maybe you read this post and simplified your personal care? Now how about your medicine cabinet? The other day I realized that I haven’t taken any kind of medication in three years, because I was pregnant and then breastfeeding. I’ve had a few mild illnesses during that time. But I was able to treat…
The seeds, roots, and bark of various plants have inspired trade, battles, discovery, and poetry. They’ve flavored dishes. They’ve served as currency. They’ve bought serfs’ freedom. They’ve created empires. They’ve been touted as miracle cures and aphrodisiacs. They’ve helped preserve food – and human corpses. Arguably, the history of world trade is the history of…