Over the past month or two I’ve devoured loads of zucchini from my backyard. (More experienced gardeners warned me this might happen!) Last night, inspired by food blog 101 Cookbooks, I threw this Zucchini Ricotta Cheesecake together and served with roasted organic purple potatoes on the side. It was a big hit with my husband. And thanks to all of the readers who responded to my zucchini recipe request, I’ve had no shortage of creative ways to use this year’s crop. Check out Zucchini Bread with Pineapple and other reader recipes in our Recipe Swap forum.

Yes, now it’s our turn: My son is trying a dairy- and gluten-free diet to see if that will clear up the persistent nausea he has had for a year and a half. We’re thinking a food intolerance could be the culprit. He’s also taking probiotics and DGL for inflammation. So far (after 4 days), he’s feeling better than he’s felt in a long time, but not perfect yet. Any other ideas out there?

This morning I bought Food for Life brown rice bread, which is dense but really yummy.

We’ve gotten so much great feedback on our June story “Running the Numbers” about Chris Jordan’s photographs — we’ve received dozens of letters from readers galvanized to help change the cycle of wastefulness in their communities. Check out this new post about Jordan on Ethicurean today.

Incense might do more than just smell good. In a study, to be published in the October issue of the journal Cancer, that involved more than 61,000 Singaporeans, incense burning nearly doubled the risk of upper respiratory cancers — whether subject smoked cigarettes or not. Although there was no evidence to suggest that incense burning increased the risk of lung cancer, the American Lung Association plans to add incense burning to the list of risk factors for the disease. But casual incense users don’t necessarily have to stub out that sandlewood: Only people who burn incense regularly and heavily are at risk. Casual use is probably harmless.

The FDA announced today that it has approved irradiation for iceberg lettuce and spinach. Irradiation, which is prohibited under the USDA Organic label, is a process by which food is exposed briefly to small doses of radiation, killing insects, bacteria, and other germies that have found their way into produce and animal products. Currently, irradiation is used on spices, red meat, poultry, and shellfish. Check out our September Organics issue — hitting stores in two weeks — for more on the facts and controversy surrounding irradiation.

I’m never more tempted to throw in the towel and order pizza than when I’ve worked a long day, picked up the kids, and am faced with a half-stocked fridge and about 45 minutes before the family begins to melt down. You know the feeling. It’s DINNER BURNOUT. In capital letters. Sometimes I give in. (It’s inevitable.) But mostly I muster my creative spirit and start by ransacking the freezer. more

My latest snack fave: Justin’s Nut Butters are awesome. You may have seen our inclusion of the nut-butter packets in a recent issue; they are tidy and perfect for squeezing onto apple slices or celery sticks, even in the car, when you or your kids need a healthy after-school boost on the way to soccer practice or piano lessons. I’m such a nut butter fan, and there are so many great nut butters out there … pick one up today and have fun taking your PB&J to the next level.

Good news! I’ve found a hands-free bug-repellent product that works: Herbal Clear is worth searching out. I’m not sure why the company chose to double this as a deodorant (bugs rarely get me in the pits). But I suppose if you really love that citronella smell, wearing this stuff as a deodorant isn’t a bad option. Leave it for the trail, though. You don’t want to repel your office mates, now do you?

My hometown is gearing up for the biggest event of the next four years: the Democratic National Convention, to be held in Denver, August 25-28. Notably, Denver has made a big push toward greening the convention by providing local, organic food, for example, and urging states to make their visit “carbon neutral.” But while you, me, and the rest of the state might not be able to get in to see “The Speech” or participate in the convention itself, the city is holding a number of open-to-the-public events around town, including Green Frontier Fest on August 24. more

Obesity has been linked to a seemingly endless array of negative health consequences (heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and the like) but you might want to think twice before you judge a person’s health by their weight, says another new study reported on the NYTimes Well blog this week. more