Standing upside down may seem like a stunt limited to the seasoned yogi, but inversion therapy could do us all some good. Posing with your heart higher than your head strengthens the mind and body and relieves you from the compressive effects of gravity. So, don’t just stand there – do a headstand!

You've just started a veggie garden. Made your first batch of jam or kraut or dare I say it…kombucha. Getting involved in making as much of the food as possible that you consume is more than just fun…it's downright addictive. And in the best possible way. What to add next to your repertoire? Why, making your own flour, of course.

Quesadillas are a great way to sneak more vegetables in your diet. The Mexican sandwich of sorts doesn't have to be an indulgence, and all it takes is replacing the obvious culprits -- white flour tortilla and meat fillings -- with their body and animal-friendly counterparts. This vegetable quesadilla recipe does just that, and it's ready in minutes!

Would you love to grow your own herbs, veggies or flowers, but just travel way too much or seem to forget about watering your plants far too often? Chicago-based Modern Sprout has come to your rescue with an attractive solution for style savvy plant lovers that is simple, self-sustaining and fertile with success. The concept behind Modern Sprout is a planter that contains a hidden hydroponics system that automatically feeds and waters its plants, making it the ideal bit of garden for city-dwellers, the forgetful type or those that are often away from home.

Maui’s lush and versatile landscape, ideal crop growing conditions, serene atmosphere and receptive people provide the means for a rich restaurant culture. You’ll find local strawberries, apples, greens, tomatoes, root vegetables and meats from the cooler Upcountry region, tropical fruits from the Hana side of the island, and fresh seafood straight from the sea. Check out our 8 favorite restaurants on Maui below, all of which are offering up delightful culinary creations made from local ingredients.

The island air carrier Samoa Air recently made headlines by announcing that it would start charging fares based on weight. Travelers will now pay a price that is based on the total weight of their person and their baggage. Is this a fair practice due to the different amount of fuel required for different weights, or is this just another proof of the rampant fat discrimination facing the world today?

In this corner: Weighing in at just one vote short of champion, the Montana Alliance for Raw Milk, which just lost the right for small farmers in the state to sell raw milk directly to consumers. The loss means raw milk is still illegal in Montana, just as it is in much of the rest of the country. And weighing in at the other corner: the recent New York state judge's hefty ruling that Mayor Michael Bloomberg's soda ban is “arbitrary and capricious” despite soda's many known health risks. It's gonna be quite a fight! Welcome to Battle of the Ridiculous Beverage Bans!

Peas and spring onions are sure signs that spring has sprung. Farmers markets will be boasting these early crops, which are packed with phytonutrients and vitamin K. We’ve combined the two in creamy Indonesian pilaf that is delectable paired with chutneys, yogurt, tropical fruits and a colorful side salad. Traditional snap peas are used in this recipe, but feel free to substitute with any other type of pea that is available to you.

Welcome to this week's installment of From Our Friends, our weekly roundup where we highlight some of our favorite posts from the past week and more from our friends and partners around the web. This week's edition includes articles on the courage of a professional surfer, ingredients to avoid in dish soap, leafless salad recipes, yin yoga, the memory boosting power of herbs and what we should do about the increase in road traffic. 

Health starts in the gut – in the body’s so-called waste bin. It’s thus super important to take care of your digestive tract and feed it the appropriate food so that it can function at its best. Probiotics and prebiotics play a vital role in keeping your gut in top shape.

When you wash your clothes with conventional laundry detergents, you’re getting a lot more than just soap. Laundry detergents that claim to brighten clothes actually include optical brighteners, which are chemical residues that stick to clothes and make colors appear brighter. Often, there’s also synthetic dyes and fragrances, preservatives and other harmful chemicals in your detergent. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released 10 low-scoring laundry detergents from its database of cleaners. Find out what makes these laundry cleaners the worst of the worst.

Are you overwhelmed with digital media and e-content on your computer? Are your photos, movies and music in a giant digital cluster with an astute lack of organization? Is your overflowing email inbox threatening to destroy your motivation and consume your spirit? It’s is the perfect season for digital spring cleaning. Make it an annual task and you’ll stay organized all year round. Clean up your email inboxes, social media sites and media content and commit to better management practices to get a handle on your digital life.

Whether you enjoyed studying chemistry in your scholastic past or not, there is a method for making good ol’ fashioned organic fertilizers, for all experience levels. Because, as the saying goes, “you are what you eat,” you’re also, “that what you eat, eats, as well.” Clearly its a good idea to start participating more in what your plants are consuming. Here's a few tips to get you started.

You can’t get more up close and personal than your clothes. If you wash your clothes with conventional laundry detergents, harmful chemical residues go right onto your skin—and into your body. Get your clothes fresh with a better laundry detergent. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released 10 top-scoring products for doing laundry from its database of cleaners. Find out what makes these laundry cleaners the best of the best.

Who doesn’t love trees? They provide shade in the summer, beautiful, bright scenery in the fall and are fun to climb year-round (yes, even adults can have fun climbing trees). And now trees have gained another wonderful, positive point. Engadget.com recently reported that trees are now responsible for a new, clean fuel.

Eggplant parmesan is one of my favorite treats when going out to eat. But when I'm at home I avoid frying at all costs. Yes, mostly for health reasons. But also because I've been known to forget about frying oil and nearly set my kitchen on fire. So, I opt for baked non-breaded varieties of parmesan dishes and one of the surprisingly perfect marriages of tomato sauce, cheese and vegetables is asparagus parmesan.