3 unexpected foods that can help you beat the blues

Who hasn't, at one point or another, battled with depression? That unmistakable energy-zapping, soul-crushing and utterly unpleasant state. In these uncertain times of economic failure, joblessness and threats to home and food security, it's no wonder rates of depression are on the rise. But before relying on risky pharmaceutical antidepressants, consider food-based solutions instead.

Nature's antidepressant

A nutrient dense diet can go a long way in fending off, if not downright curing, fits of depression. Be that as it may, certain edibles are better at targeting the blues than others. The following three examples have shown exceptional promise in helping to defeat depressive mental states.

Make a Biogas Generator to Produce Your Own Natural Gas

(Mother Earth News) You can use many household organic “waste” materials to produce your own natural gas for cooking, lighting, and space and water heating. This gas, known as “biogas,” can also replace fossil-based natural gas to fuel an engine or an absorption cooling system, such as a gas refrigerator or chiller. Some gasoline engines are designed for or can be modified for use with natural gas, propane or biogas. Diesel engines can accept up to 80 percent biogas.

Biogas is a mixture of primarily flammable gases — mostly methane — along with carbon dioxide that forms anywhere organic material decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), such as in water, deep in a landfill, or in the guts of animals, including you.

Love coffee but not the toxicity? Minimize health risks with these tips

Coffee beverages are big business in America, generating a whopping $30 billion in annual revenue. Controversy continues to plague this beloved drink, however, with reports of toxicity stemming from dangerous growing methods and the roasting process. Then there's the addicting properties of caffeine, as well as the issue of acidity. In spite of the bad rap, research has shown that coffee also lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, stroke, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and asthma, along with cancers of the of liver, colon, kidney and prostate. Coffee contains a hearty dose of beneficial antioxidants too. Fortunately, we don't have to banish coffee completely from our lives - a happy medium can be struck if we pay attention to the bean type, growing practices, roast and brewing technique.