Speaking of the Fresh Express mobile deliveries in the Phoenix, Arizona area, Elyse Guidas says, “For a lot of our customers, this is one of their only lifelines and access to healthy food.” And it's not only inner-city lives that are affected. When we traveled across the United States a couple of years ago, along the East Coast and through the back roads of the Midwest, there were many rural, desolate areas where factory farms grew food for people far away and the people who lived there had to travel long distances to find anything other than convenience-store food. 

This new economic model, developed by Kate Haworth, takes into account the finite limits of our one planet and the basic needs that humans must have to live safely to show the "sweet spot" for how our world economy must function going forward. To learn more, see the TED Talk video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BHOflzxPjI

She says, "​There are one billion people globally that live without adequate shelter, and a rapidly growing proportion of this population that are being forced to live semi-permanently out of their environment or who are transient. So this whole idea and focus of researching a shelter building process with several communities has really been integral to the development and research I’ve been conducting."

She plans to join a team of women on Mt. Everest next year on an expedition led by fellow Jordanian, Mustafa Salaamed. She will be bringing a prototype of her tent not only to test it in the harshest of circumstances, but to raise awareness of the global need of so many for safe and comfortable housing.

You always knew it, but now science is providing evidence to prove it: going for a walk in the woods is good for your health. The essential oil, "phytoncide," not only helps the tree protect itself, it helps humans who stroll nearby strengthen their immune systems. Even going for a walk in a city park in the vicinity of trees will help you. Hugging a tree doesn't sound so weird now, does it? 

The mighty plantain is a leafy champion that doesn't deserve its reputation as a weed in your yard. Crushed, chewed, or made into a poultice or tea, it can help you with bug bites and stings, digestive distress, arthritis pains, and more. You can learn more in the article above.