As a lifelong vegetarian, it has fascinated me to watch the meat vs. no-meat debate ping-pong from the nutritional (can a vegetarian get enough protein?) to the ethical (should we eat meat raised in feedlots?) and the environmental (what’s the impact of raising animals for food?). There are food thinkers who side with ethically raised local meats (Pollan) and those who largely oppose eating animals (Safran Foer), those who have strayed from the vegetarian diet and those who have gone from merely vegetarian to vegan. And then there are the many many “flexitarians” that fall somewhere in between. Most nutrition experts agree that a diet rich in a variety of whole plant foods, with lesser amounts of dairy and meat, can significantly lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. A few days ago, I got this email from a friend. more

The latest in Chocolove’s delectable chocolate line: A dark chocolate bar with almonds and sea salt. Aside from having the perfect Valentine’s Day packaging (each Chocolove bar includes a love poem inside the wrapper), this bar features everything I like: a sweet-dark taste and good antioxidants, due to the 55 percent cocoa content, heart-healthy almonds, and a touch of sea salt for a zippy contrast. (Other great Chocolove flavors include Chilies & Cherries and Toffee & Almonds.) You’ll find them nationwide at Whole Foods, Target, and other major stores. Love it.

In addition to pushing for nutrition labeling on the front of packaged foods, the FDA is also hoping to tackle misleading portion-size information, the New York Times reports today. “The problem is important because the standard serving size shown on a package determines all the other nutritional values on the label, including calorie counts. If the serving size is smaller than what people really eat, unless they study the label carefully they may think they are getting fewer calories or other nutrients than they are.”

Accurately and prominently displaying serving size on foods could go a long way toward helping people avoid excess calories by understanding and practicing portion control … for example, seeing up front that a muffin you’re about to eat is actually “supposed” to serve 2, or knowing how much is considered a single serving of chips or ice cream.

Have you heard of the Guiding Stars nutrition rating system? Look for the Guiding Stars logo (below) on all kinds of foods (fresh and packaged), which are evaluated using an algorithm that assigns credits based on the presence of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and whole grains … and debits for the presence of the trans fat, saturated fats, cholesterol, added sugars and added sodium. Rated foods are awarded zero, one, two or three stars; zero means no nutritional value (e.g., fishy crackers); one star means good nutritional value (e.g., oat-bran pretzels); two stars, better nutritional value (e.g., raisins); and three stars, the best nutritional value (e.g., oranges). It’s simple to understand, and the scientific experts they use are reputable (I checked). Guiding Stars recently ran a “Big Game” recipe challenge for readers to come up with a three-star entry for Super Bowl Sunday, and Mindee Curtis of Omaha, NE, submitted the winning entry of Baja Barley Salad, bursting with great ingredients like bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, garlic, jalapeno, and lime zest. I’m going to try it this Sunday while cheering the Saints! And try our Super Bowl party spread for even more delicious, healthy, and unusual finger foods to cheer.

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Certain healthy foods are traditionally considered aphrodisiacs, and what better time than Valentine’s Day to try them out? Add these aphrodisiac foods to your grocery cart, suggests the fortuitously named Melody Hart, ND, PhD, of ChicagoHealers.com.

1. Nuts and sesame seeds. These, says Hart, contain the amino acid L-arginine that enhances blood flow throughout the body. Try our nut-and-seed-laden Coconut Almond Crunch Granola for your Valentine’s Day breakfast in bed.

2. Dark chocolate (70% or more cocoa). Chocolate “releases pleasure-enhancing endorphins in the brain, plus contains the feel-good chemicals phenylethylamine and serotonin, released by the brain when you are happy or feeling loving or passionate,” says Hart. These Chocolate Lava Cakes ought to do the trick.

3. Oysters. The richest food source of zinc, which does good things for sperm, oysters also boost blood health with iron. Try one of my favorite Valentine’s Day recipes, Warm Oysters on the Half Shell with Spicy Ponzu — it’s easy, and a showstopper.

4. Licorice improves circulation, acts as a stress reliever, and has a stimulating smell, especially for women. Anise, an herb often mistaken for licorice because of the similar smell, adds a wonderful scent to these Anise-Orange Rye Rolls, perfect to serve with dinner. And look for Panda all-natural Licorice Chews at your natural foods store.

5. Chile peppers. Capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers hot, increases circulation and releases feel-good endorphins. For a spicy and superhealthy vegetable dish, try Kale with Ginger and Chiles.

Check out even more libido-loving foods … and get cooking!

As I started testing products for the 2010 Beauty and Body Awards, I repeatedly asked, “What makes a beauty product green?” Long ago, I made what I thought to be a brilliant discovery: What’s good for the environment is also good for our bodies. That was about food, good, fresh food that doesn’t make you cringe or feel ashamed when you eat it because it doesn’t contain pesticides, synthetic preservatives, or unpronounceable ingredients. Take a broad look at our food system. Pesticides sprayed on produce can kill wildlife and harm ecosystems, contaminate drinking water, and affect our health. I have realized that certain foods make me feel better, too. Pure food, free of harmful residues and filled with nutrients, benefits your body, while being gentle on the earth. But that’s food. more

Although I do not love winter, I love soups, and with six more weeks of cold weather predicted (darn that oversized rodent!) I thought I’d share some of my favorites. These are all chock-full of vegetables and nutrients and are hearty enough for a meal (or two). (Want to share your own homemade soup recipe? Please post below in comments!)

#1 Black Bean and Shiitake Soup. Rich, earthy flavors make this quick-cooking soup a welcome treat after a day outdoors.

#2 Autumn Harvest Minestrone. This hearty recipe incorporates root vegetables, but you can also make it in the spring or summer with asparagus, green beans, fresh peas, and tomatoes.

#3 Lentil-Vegetable Stew. Banish the cold weather with this versatile stew, packed with heart-healthy fiber, vitamin C, folate, vitamin A, iron, and B vitamins.

#4 Gluten-free Red Lentil Soup. Not just for gluten-free folks, this one-pot meal provides both nourishing protein from lentils and antioxidants from superfood spinach.

#5 Toasted Tortilla Soup with Fresh Cheese and Pasilla Chilies. Top with avocado, cilantro, or fresh salsa for an extra flavor (and nutrient) boost!

#6 Wheat Berry and Wild Mushroom Soup. Significant fiber and plenty of antioxidants make whole grains like wheat berries (barley, bulgur), as well as beans, lentils, and split peas, key players in the arsenal of heart-healthy foods.

This luscious recipe for Heart-Shaped Pasta with Proscuitto, Peas, and Arugula is courtesy of Colorado chef Eric S. Lee, author of the new book, Sweeping Her Off Her Feet: The Ultimate Guide to Romance and Seduction in the Kitchen (Dreamworld, 2010). With his simple directions for combining delicious, real food, even a novice cook can make a “wow” dinner for his or her sweetie. Look for heart-shaped pasta at your natural foods store; it’s often carried seasonally. For more great Valentine’s Day menu ideas (including breakfast!), go to deliciousliving.com and search for “valentine.”

Heart-Shaped Pasta with Proscuitto, Peas, and Arugula

6 ounces heart-shaped pasta (or bow-tie noodles)

1/3 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 cup white wine

Optional: 10 large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 cup chicken broth (or 1 teaspoon bouillon dissolved in 1 cup warm water)

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch (dissolve it into chicken broth)

6-8 paper-thin slices prosciutto, cut into 1-inch ribbons (ask for it this way at the grocery deli)

3/4 cup frozen peas

2 small Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced (just cut into quarters and scoop out the seeds)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 cups roughly chopped arugula or 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

Salt and freshly cracked pepper

4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Cook pasta until just barely tender. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.

2. Preheat a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. Add oil and garlic, and sauté garlic until it begins to soften, approximately 20-30 seconds—do not let it brown. Add white wine and cook until reduced by half. (If using shrimp, add now; stir for 2 minutes, until nearly opaque.)

3. Add broth with dissolved cornstarch and bring to a boil; add reserved 1/4 cup pasta water, prosciutto, peas, and tomato, and cook for about 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice, remove from heat, and let stand another 30 seconds. Fold in cooked pasta and arugula or basil. Salt and pepper to taste, divide between two dinner plates or pasta bowls, and top with shredded Parmesan.

Suggested wine – Sauvignon Blanc, Vouvray

From our sister publication Natural Foods Merchandiser comes this blog on the recent passage of bills in Washington and Wisconsin, banning bisphenol-A (BPA) from baby bottles and other food-contact applications. They’re the third and fourth states, after Connecticut and Minnesota, to enact a BPA ban, in a flurry of legislation mere days after the FDA issued its new turnaround position on BPA on January 15 that admits “some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children.” Illinois, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Oregon are also considering bans on BPA (which is already banned in Canada). Here’s hoping we’ll start seeing cans labeled “BPA free” nationwide in the near future.

Items about pets in recent news include: disparity in calorie content of “low-calorie” pet foods; the importance of dental health; trends for the pet industry; toy hazards for pet owners; new dog treats, and a pet-friendly dorm.