Oxytocin spray may encourage a brighter outlook for troubled marriages

An unusual scientific experiment involving the hormone oxytocin sheds new light on the dynamics of relationship. Known as the 'trust hormone,' oxytocin is usually associated with childbirth, lactation and bonding. Researchers are now studying the influence oxytocin has on happiness and contentment as well as harmony in partnerships.

Created in the hypothalamus region of the brain, oxytocin is responsible for a sense of love, connectedness and kindness. Research has also found the hormone to be involved in feelings of fulfillment and well-being.

Celebrate the holiday season with a colorfully healthy twist

As we enter into winter, many cultures around the world pay tribute to the shortest day of the year and the coming of the light. The time-honored observance of the winter solstice is closely tied with nature, the life-giving properties of the sun, family and connection. Traditionally, the food used for the festivities was far from healthy. By adapting the spirit of these gatherings with a modern approach, the festival of peace and light is transformed into a colorful (and guilt-free) celebration. To symbolize darkness and the return of sun-filled days, black, purple, orange and yellow edibles share the spotlight.

The £150 hobbit hole: Farmer builds a cosy cob home using materials he recycled from skips... and the tenant pays the rent in MILK

(MailOnline) By David Wilkes

It looks like something straight out of Middle Earth – and the story behind it is almost as fantastical.

This cottage cost just £150 to build, using only natural or reclaimed materials, and is now rented out for a fee of fresh milk and cream.

And with no mains electricity, gas or water, the bills don’t come to much either.  He also made the simple wooden roof frame and thatched it himself with straw from his fields. The 300 sq ft of floor space features floorboards rescued from a skip, while an old windscreen from a lorry provided glass for the windows.

With no central heating, you might think it would be a bit chilly, but he says the cob walls and thatched roof make it incredibly well insulated – and the ceiling is stuffed with sheep’s wool from a nearby farm to help keep the heat in further. Continue »

Transform your life in 10 minutes with ancient 'youthing' practice

If you need more zest and zip in your life, the secret to these states and more can be found in a set of simple (yet profound) yogic exercises known as the "Five Tibetans." Developed by Buddhist monks and brought to the West in the 1930s, Tibetan yoga is a series of five movements that improve digestion and circulation while dispelling fatigue and depression. Advocates of the practice rave about the boundless energy, clarity and vitality the short daily sessions produce. And many also believe Tibetan yoga reverses the hands of time, promoting an ageless and disease free body.

Yoga and health

Yoga in general has long been associated with reduced tension, stress and anxiety in those who regularly practice. A study in the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health found that a single 60-minute session of yoga once per week improved feelings of clarity, energy, confidence and resistance to workplace stress after six weeks of participation. Since stress strongly contributes to the development of disease, the health implications of yoga are impressive.

Victory! Man protests TSA with 4th Amendment written on his chest—Wins civil rights lawsuit against the agency

The Travel Security Administration (TSA) isn't exactly known for its respect of the Fourth Amendment and many bizarre abuses have been well documented. Yet justice is rare where the agency is concerned. This is why the victory of Aaron Tobey in a civil rights lawsuit against the TSA is so sweet.

Molestation, coercion and other 'security' methods

The out of control search protocol of the TSA is rife with abuse, maltreatment and intimidation. Unfortunately, stories similar to that of Erin Chase are not uncommon:

Tunisian Pumpkin Soup with Spelt Irish Soda Bread

As the days turn blustery with a sharp note in the air, I couldn’t resist adding a warming recipe to our collection. There’s something about a spicy, pureed soup with fall vegetables that I find especially inspiring at this time of the year. If you need a more tame version, skip the pepper flakes—the soup is just as wonderful without the kick. I’ve also included a quick and simple spelt soda bread, which rounds out the recipe for a complete light meal—especially when accompanied with a nice smear of pasture butter. For those of you unfamiliar with spelt, it’s a wonderful, heirloom grain related to wheat, yet usually well-tolerated by those who have a sensitivity to run-of-the-mill varieties.