I’ve just been introduced to Phil’s Fresh Foods burritos, and I have to say I’m a fan. Apparently they’ve been available regionally (Colorado, Texas, and environs) for seven years, but I’d not encountered them; now they’re getting national distribution in the frozen foods section of stores like Whole Foods and City Market. I’ve chewed through lots of store-bought, doughy burritos in my time, and these are definitely a cut above; you get more filling than tortilla. Real-food ingredients (including organic fillings and hormone-free meat), handmade, inexpensive ($2.99; sometimes on sale 2 for $4!), portable, quick to heat and eat, and delicious; it all adds up to a winner. Try one of the nine flavors; I love the spicy Green Chile Breakfast burrito, as well as the vegan Veggie Fajita.

I’ve decided to try it: going wheat free for a week or two. I got inspired by our recent podcast about food sensitivities and how they can make you tired, bloated, headache prone, etc. Actually, I don’t think I have celiac disease (which affects approximately two million Americans), and I’m not even sure I have a wheat sensitivity. What I do have—for sure—is a wheat dependence. more

So you don’t belong to a CSA (community supported agriculture), and you’re just not sure what to pick in your natural food store’s sprawling veggie section? Here’s a tip: Go online to find out what foods are growing in your neck of the woods. Log onto the NRDC Food Miles page, enter in your state and the season, and the site will tell you what local foods are available this time of year. more

Yes, I said “yummy.” I’m licking my lips as I write — in fact, I’m liking everything about this new line from LA aesthetician, Maki Maodus. Usually, I’m skeptical of products marketed to moms and babies, but Mambino’s offerings are so delectable, even those of us of the non-Mom persuasion will be enticed. (To wit, I’m eager to try out the Mommy Time’s Organic Body Wash — it’s refreshing mandarin scent would smell delicious on anyone of any age of any sex.) more

NYTimes wellness blogger Tara Parker-Pope recently interviewed health expert Jonny Bowden (who we talked with about “Food sensitivities” for our brand-new weekly podcast series featuring updates from wellness experts, healthy chefs, and green living gurus — check it out!). Parker-Pope got the lowdown from Bowden about “The 11 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating”. Or are you? more

Last Friday I got to visit the campus of Sunset magazine and wandered around its absolutely lovely test garden, where vegetables, herbs, flowers, and more grow in beautiful profusion. Talking with their food editor, Margo True, I learned that the August issue would feature this garden as part of an 18-month-long project: the One-Block Feast. During those months, the staff grew or produced all the food on site that they wanted for a summertime celebration, including grapes (they pressed their own wine!), honey from beehives, salt, olive oil, and eggs from some adorable red chickens housed in the garden. It’s an inspiring story, with lots of good ideas for getting closer to your food. Maybe I’ll try growing edamame, which they say has a high yield, because I love this recipe for Edamame, Cranberry, and Feta Salad.

Here’s a compelling graphic , put out by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), that shows America’s weight gain, state by state, from 1985 to 2007. Wow; clearly we have issues with food (and lack of exercise).

What are some simple ways to stem this trend? Common-sense, intuitive-eating wisdom still holds true; my favorite approach, reflected in DL’s tagline, is to eat REAL FOOD instead of fake stuff — it tastes better, has usable calories, and is better for you. That’s why I love our recipes; they prove that real food, eaten in moderation, is not only healthy but DELICIOUS.

California continues to demonstrate that it’s ahead of the curve — make that bleeding edge. As of July 1, 2010 (why so long?), LA — the second-largest city in the country — will ban all plastic bags from retail stores. Is this the true makings of a nationwide trend? Anyone want to take bets on how long until major national chains pick up on the idea and actually implement it?

What’s the difference between sweet potatoes and yams? I often get asked this question and I almost always get the answer backwards, so I thought I’d write it down. Sweet potatoes are the tubers you can buy here in the U.S. Pale yellow sweet potatoes, which aren’t really sweet (even after cooking), act more like a regular russet potato. Where it gets confusing is with the dark-skinned, orange-fleshed ones — it’s these that are often erroneously called (and labeled, even in cans) “yams” — including in some DL recipes, such as this really good one more

My family and I just returned from a whirlwind one-week trip to Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Flying from Denver and then road-tripping with a one- and four-year-old, this was no real vacation, let me tell you! But we managed pretty well—and it was rejuvenating nonetheless. A few things helped us get through. more