Foraging for edible wild foods is exciting, sexy, free. And, it's big business: from hunting truffle mushrooms that sell for thousands of dollars to the waiting list for reservations at Copenhagen's Noma, which is considered the world's greatest restaurant due in part to chef René Redzepi's fixation with foraging for wild foods. They make up at least five to six menu items each night at Noma, often harvested that same day. Fresh and local = healthy and sustainable, but is it actually safe to eat wild foods?

Back in 1981, "organic wine" was a somewhat outlandish idea. Sure, some growers had committed to growing organic grapes -- but few could turn out a reliably drinkable wine without sulfites, fining agents and other chemical additives. Tony Norskog, a new graduate of UC Davis' esteemed wine program, wound up going organic by default when he decided to interplant his family's vegetable garden with his grapevines.

Today, Tony is the world's largest producer of USDA-certified organic wine.

Where I live, in France, people don't tend to take too kindly to the idea of American cheese. In fact, I know a lot of Americans who don't think much further than plasticky American singles. Their loss: Artisan cheesemakers in America are becoming more and more well-known, with local cheesemakers in nearly every region of the United States.

The Peruvian Incans relied heavily on maca, a tuber related to the radish that grows at a higher altitude than any other food on the planet. Anything that can endure the cragged peaks of the Andes is sure to be full of magic, and it's no wonder maca is often referred to as "Peruvian ginseng"—not for any botanical similarities to ginseng—but for its variety of benefits that support energy levels, hormone regulation connected to fertility and aphrodisiac-like qualities.

We know that too much sodium is linked to hypertension and heart disease, but recent studies show that for some individuals with hypertension, a salt-restricted diet alone may not lower blood pressure. So what’s the deal with salt? Does table salt have more sodium than gourmet sea salt? As a recipe developer and resolute sea salt-lover, I had to get to the bottom of it. After some serious research (and turning up many conflicting studies), I made some headway on the question: Are all salts created equal?

Happy Chinese New Year, and welcome to the year of the dragon! As we let go of any ill will towards the previous year and ask for power, respect and positivity in the year of this mythical creature to come, why not make it a Meatless Monday, and celebration? Here are some of the most recent Chinese-inspired recipes to honor this cultural holiday full of good fortune and festivity, that also happen to be either vegetarian or vegan. 

Who says cowboys have to rough it? Not my pal Spoon (aka Scott), who's spent many years cooking for rafting expeditions, hunting trips and dude ranches. Along the way he picked up a few tricks, like this Mason jar version of Kahlua. It's easy to make and great for gifts. In fact, Spoon gave me a jar this year, and it was so delicious I thought I'd pass the recipe onto you.

If your dreams do not scare you, then they are not big enough.

Everyone has dreams, big and little, from daily goals (eat healthier, exercise more) to big ideas (write a book, visit Paris) and life-long projects (raise a family, have a successful career). Goals are there to keep us going, to motivate us to work when we’d rather sleep, and to shine a light at the end of the tunnel.

Are your pantry shelves lined to the edge and piled high with items you’ll never use? Maybe you have some unhealthy things lurking about, too. Your pantry doesn’t have to look like you’re ready to feed the neighborhood in case of an emergency. A well-stocked pantry loaded with healthy food and convenience is just a few simple steps away.

"Convenient" is the moniker of fast food, but it's a deceptive one when you look closer at the wasteful and toxic industry that’s highly problematic. From disingenuous marketing, littering, unfair wages and hidden ingredients, there are more secret layers to the fast food industry than there are layers in a Double Whopper with Cheese. Here are seven secrets you may not know about what's really going on inside your favorite fast food chains.

Almost everyone would like to eat more fruits and vegetables. A fresh and colorful diet is one of the biggest contributing factors to overall health, and fruits and vegetables deliver powerful doses of the nutrients and minerals needed for our bodies and minds to function at optimal levels.

The problem is that eating fruits and vegetables can be a pain. Produce must be washed, cut, prepared and eaten before it goes bad, which it will before anything else in the refrigerator. It often seems like our busy lives don’t have time to prepare fruits and vegetables, but there are many ways to sneak them into your diet. Here’s how.

Are you passionate about health? Do you have a strong desire to stay abreast of the latest cutting edge information on nutrition and health from leading experts? Or, have you ever thought about becoming a certified Health Coach? Well, now is your chance to personally check it out for free, and join the movement for health and happiness.

All of us appreciate wildlife, animals and sustainable practices here, right? Without a doubt! So, naturally, we want to respect and not sully animals’ land and wildlife. In our modern times, humans and wildlife tend to come into conflict more often, which causes the following: Destruction of crops, buildings and land; Death of animals.

Thankfully, there are organizations dedicated to curbing human animal conflict.

Unless you have been living on a faraway island, you have no doubt encountered healthy eating’s latest trend: Gluten-free. Many consumers are under the opinion that gluten-free food is healthier or maybe even organic. Most don’t really have a clue what gluten is or why it is the new evil on the grocery shelf, with numerous products from popcorn to pineapple claiming proudly, “GLUTEN-FREE!!!”

What is gluten, anyway? And should you avoid it?

After the CDC's announcement last week that one in six Americans "binge drink" on a regular basis, you might be reassessing your relationship with cocktails. Not a bad idea. Besides being addictive, alcohol in excess is undeniably bad for your body. Unfortunately, there's an entire industry to come up with fun alcohol-centric drinks, and "virgin" cocktails can seem a bit... dry. It's time to experiment with beverage combinations that are party-friendly and booze-free. You'll come up with plenty of fun combinations on your own -- here are a few ideas to get you started.

We have a great installment of From Our Friends this week, dear readers! Great articles with info on yoga, simple seasonal meals, what to know when ordering raw food online, BPA-free water bottles, and how to soothe that sore throat. We hope you enjoy reading these as much as we did, and have a great weekend!