"The Economics of Happiness" — A new documentary on how globalization destroys inherent joy—and how we can reclaim it

"A powerful new film that cuts deeply to the heart of the global crisis. Magnificent!"

              – David Suzuki, Television presenter and environmentalist

The Economics of Happiness describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. On the one hand, government and big business continue to promote globalization and the consolidation of corporate power. At the same time, people around the world are resisting those policies – and, far from the old institutions of power, they’re starting to forge a very different future. Communities are coming together to re-build more human scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm – an economics of localization.

The top 6 inflammatory foods + how to detox from them

(MindBodyGreen) There are a multitude of diets to choose from, or exercise programs that run the body ragged. The simple truth is that our bodies weren't meant to eat Lean Cuisine meals or to be engaged in hours and hours of intensive exercise. If a person examines the evolution of our body from the caveman days, they would see that the body thrives off of whole foods, clean meats and exercise that involves lots of walking.

Tasty, healthy and sustainable fast food? One chain is on a mission to revolutionize the way we eat on the go

Many of us who value health have resigned ourselves to forgoing the convenience and speed of fast food. Beside the horrendously unwholesome menus, most chain restaurants embrace dodgy practices -- such as massive disposable waste, factory farming and questionable additives. Not to mention hormone and GMO-laden meats, pesticide-doused produce and heaps of sugar in pretty much everything. Despite the stigma associated with this American institution, a trio of enterprising young men have set out to shatter the myth of unhealthy fast food with their own brand of earth-friendly fare. Enter: Sweetgreen.

A new approach

During their senior year at university, three collage friends saw a need for healthy, eco-friendly, locally sourced food that would fit fast-paced lifestyles. With a vision in hand, the team created a business plan and, through financial contributions from family, friends and business associates, they opened their first Sweetgreen store in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. on August 1, 2007. By 2009, two additional stores were up and running. To date, a total of 28 Sweetgreen stores can be found in the Mid-Atlantic states, from Boston to New York to Philadelphia. But the real success behind their story is the business model that changed the way we eat on the run.

10 reasons not to vaccinate

By Michelle Goldstein

The decision to vaccinate is yours alone, but it is a decision that should not be taken lightly or done under duress or pressure by others. Once vaccinated, the potential side-effects cannot be easily undone, if at all. These include death, sudden infant death syndrome, auto-immune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, asthma, ADHD, autism, Guillian-Barré Syndrome and other neurological damage.

Your physician will most likely NOT connect the development of these unnatural disease states with vaccination, whether they occur immediately after vaccinations, several days or months later. You alone will be responsible for treating your child or yourself for these life-long diseases. The decision to vaccinate SHOULD include extensive research to determine if it is right for your family.

Breast cancer awareness grande dame Susan G. Komen claims organic food may be harmful

(MassReport) Before we start, let me give you a little bit of background information on Susan G. Komen. Komen is an organization that emerged in 1982 who’s mission was to fight breast cancer. In fact, their original name was “The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation”. Since 1982, they have donated over $1 billion dollars to breast cancer awareness, support, and research programs. They’re even responsible for the famous pink ribbon logo you see everywhere during breast cancer awareness month.

A hug a day … boosts your immune system

By David R. Hamilton PhD

I’ve written about hugs in some past blogs and books, in particular about how they produce the hormone oxytocin, which is good for the heart. I coined the term, ‘A hug a day keeps the cardiologist away’. I love hugs so I couldn’t wait to share some exciting new research about how they can protect you from the common cold.

Michael Pollan: Cooking for yourself is the real independence

(The Splendid Table) Psychologically and socially, cooking is good for you and your family -- not to mention the health benefits. But it’s also a political act, according to food writer Michael Pollan, author of Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation.