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While reading the food section of the afternoon edition of the newspaper, I came across a comment about "heirloom" seeds--not their qualities or anything, but just a suggestion that one hoard a few in a general pantry. Now, I was born and raised alongside the Platte River of Nebraska, farming country (and then as a teenager, the Sandhills of Nebraska, ranching country), and so matters agricultural and horticultural are not exactly alien things to me. But on the Head of St. John the Baptist, I must say the first time I ever saw the term "heirloom seeds" was when I...

Five Easy Ways to Go Organic Switching to organic is tough for many families who don’t want to pay higher prices or give up their favorite foods. But by choosing organic versions of just a few foods that you eat often, you can increase the percentage of organic food in your diet without big changes to your shopping cart or your spending. The key is to be strategic in your organic purchases. Opting for organic produce, for instance, doesn’t necessarily have a big impact, depending on what you eat. According to the Environmental Working Group, commercially-farmed fruits and vegetables vary...

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma already has a state fruit, so legislation given final approval by the state Senate on Tuesday declares the watermelon as the official state vegetable. The measure was introduced in the state House by Democratic Representative Joe Dorman of Rush Springs, site of an annual watermelon festival in August. State Senator Don Barrington, R-Lawton, sponsored the bill in the state Senate.

CHICAGO - Buying organic milk these days - or organic apples, eggs, or beef - no longer has to mean an extra trip to a Whole Foods supermarket or the local co-op. Organic products now line the shelves at Safeway and Costco. And Wal-Mart - already the nation's largest organic-milk seller - says it wants to sell more organic food. Large companies including Kraft, General Mills, and Kellogg own sizable organic- and natural-food brands. Now, they are developing organic versions of their own products, too. Still, while some organic-food fans welcome its broadening appeal and availability, others worry that the...

Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower: the vegetables that may prevent cancer · Foods contain chemicals that help repair DNA· Study backs link between diet and disease Ian Sample, science correspondent Wednesday February 8, 2006 The Guardian (UK) Natural chemicals found in soya beans and vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower boost the body's ability to repair damaged DNA and may prevent cells turning cancerous, scientists said yesterday. Studies have suggested that eating vegetables appears to provide some protection against certain cancers, but until now the reason why has been a mystery. Researchers at Georgetown University in Washington DC believe the answer...

Public execution Mark Steyn New Hampshire Do you remember a fellow called Robert Wendland? No reason why you should. I wrote about him in this space in 1998, and had intended to return to the subject but something else always intervened — usually Bill Clinton’s penis, which loomed large, at least metaphorically, over the entire era. Mr Wendland lived in Stockton, California. He was injured in an automobile accident in 1993 and went into a coma. Under state law, he could have been starved to death at any time had his wife requested the removal of his feeding tube. But...

"Basically we are going to fight tooth and nail to save Terri from starvation," Terry said. "Part of this has to do with who has the will to save her and who has the will to kill her and whose will is stronger."

CLEARWATER - Terri Schiavo returned to her assisted living home Tuesday after a hurried round of hospital tests were conducted to determine the cause of five puncture marks found on her arms. A toxicology test came back negative, meaning there's no evidence that Schiavo, 40, was secretly injected with a foreign substance. Clearwater police "have found no evidence of a crime and no evidence of an attempted crime," said spokesman Wayne Shelor. And Schiavo's personal doctor, summoned to her bed in the assisted living facility Monday night, said Tuesday that he's not "100 percent sure" the marks were even made...

In 7:25 break, anchor reported "Terri Schiavo was rushed to a Pinellas County emergency room last night after nursing home staff noticed puncture wounds on her arm. The wounds appeared to be caused by a hypodermic needle! Toxicology tests were conducted but the results are not available yet!" This could open a huge new round in this case. What did tests reveal? Who was last person in room? When was husband there? Was staffer trying the Angle of Death routine? This will be developing hard all day!

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Police in Florida say a 2-year-old girl survived by eating mustard, ketchup, rice and raw pasta -- after being left alone in an apartment for nearly three weeks while her mother was in jail. Jacksonville police say the toddler was watching cartoons when she was eventually found by her father, who's separated from the girl's 22-year-old mother.