The term “smog” is a combination of the words “smoke” and “fog,” and that is essentially what it is. Smog forms when particles of dust, smoke, industrial emissions, or other pollutants mingle with water droplets in the atmosphere. Because it is heavier than smoke or fog alone, it tends to collect in valleys and hollows.

Smog can, in fact, be harmful to your health. Read the rest of this entry

Berries are some of the most healthful foods, and summer is the season of the berry. From strawberries to blueberries to cherries, summer brings these healthful fruits to our tables. They are more affordable in summer, being in season. Here are some of the more commonly available berries and their health benefits. Read the rest of this entry

Sea vegetables are not, botanically speaking, really vegetables. But they can be eaten as or with vegetables, they are green and leafy, and “sea vegetable” somehow sounds more palatable than “seaweed”! Sea vegetables are amazing foods. In Japan, they are a staple food that is fried, steamed, boiled, toasted, etc.

Sea vegetables are eaten by coastal-dwelling people all over the world. Practitioners of a macrobiotic diet – a Japanese-based, vegetarian diet and overall lifestyle that has been reported to alleviate cancer – incorporate large amounts of sea vegetables into their dishes, often serving them in some form for every meal. Read the rest of this entry

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 18 million people around the world who are blind due to cataracts. Five percent of those 18 million people can attribute their cataract-caused blindness directly to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also notes the correlation between ultraviolet radiation and eye problems, including cataracts. Read the rest of this entry

Eco-therapy is an application of eco-psychology. It is geared toward helping people learn to cope by forging a connection with nature. Specifically, eco-therapy addresses clients’ anxieties and fears about the environment (eco-anxiety). People who practice eco-therapy are called eco-therapists, although some conventional therapists integrate eco-therapy into their practices. Read the rest of this entry