Many microwave popcorn manufactures have known for years that employees in their factories may be at risk for a debilitating lung disease.  Yet it wasn’t brought forth in the media until diacetyl, the chemical used to create that buttery flavor, was singled out as the cause of an overzealous popcorn consumer’s lung disease.  Now the nation’s leading popcorn manufacturers (from Orville Redenbacher to Weaver) are working diligently on a plan to remove this chemical from their ingredient lists.  But really, what ever happened to homemade popcorn?  The safest of all, completely natural, and relatively easy to make, all you need is a good set of instructions (and perhaps some tasty seasonings) and you are ready to pop!

Can't find your favorite Amy’s Kitchen product at your local market? No need to fret. The nation's top-selling brand of natural and organic vegetarian and vegan convenience foods is pleased to announce free shipping on any order over $30 at its online store.  The online store stocks a complete line of Amy’s grocery items - including many dairy-free and gluten-free choices, from salsa and tomato sauce to soups and beans, ranging in price from $1.89 to $6.39. More good news: this offer has no expiration date.

Rob Benes, Kids Cuisine - I’m a big proponent of healthy eating, particularly when the eating focuses on children. So, I want to pass along some news coming from the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH). These two groups want parents to think about what they are packing into their children’s lunch bags when heading back to school. Going a step further, the CDC and PBH want school administrators to carefully consider what is planned for in-school lunches.

Tomatoes have been enjoying a seasonal high, as evidenced by overflowing amounts of virtually every variety (from Roma to Heirloom) at local markets and numerous bloggers displaying photos of the red-ripe (and green) fruits of their gardens.  Of course, we can always count on Jackie at The Vegan Diet to capture the essence and history of a single food in writing, plus we love the dairy-free recipes she always shares.  Whether you harvested them yourself, or couldn't resist purchasing a cart-full, Jackie will make you feel more virtuous for consuming tomatoes, and give you numerous mediums (aka dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and raw recipes) to do so....