6/9/13

There are no added health benefits of buying organic spirits like tequila or vodka. In the distillation process, any trace pesticides are removed, and drinking spirits has never been considered good for you anyway. When it comes to wine, however, organic varieties do have some benefits, since vintners are unable to add additional preservatives like sulfites to ones labeled organic. There are naturally occurring sulfites in the winemaking process, but people with sulfite allergies may find organic wines are less likely to trigger allergic reactions.

6/8/13

The chemical bisphenol A (or BPA) has been used in plastics and as a coating inside tin cans for decades. A suspected endocrine disrupter, many plastic products today are 100 percent BPA-free due to outcries from the public. But did you know many tin cans -- like those for beans and soup -- are lined with BPA? Even certified organic food products are often packaged in the potentially carcinogenic containers. One way to avoid chemicals is to look for Tetra Pak-packaged goods. Tetra Pak containers are made of sturdy paperboard and are greener alternatives to tin cans. You can find soups, broths, tomato sauces and more at stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

6/7/13

You may have heard that honeybees are dying. As more bees die and no answer as to why is found, there are small things you can do at home to help our bees. The easiest: Let your lawn grow with dandelions and clover flowers. While many of us think a deep green, weed-free lawn looks great, the reality is it's the wildflowers the bees look for. Leaving them alone and keeping your lawn herbicide free will go a long way to help these important insects.