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Burgers that include insects blended with meat can be a tasty way to eat healthier, help the environment, and still get high levels of protein. (Photo by Charoen Krung Photography on Shutterstock) =============================================================== Two billion people regularly feast on bugs around the world. Is it time for the rest of us to adapt our diets? In A Nutshell * Researchers are testing burgers that blend insect protein with meat or plants. * Lab studies suggest up to 25% meat replacement is possible without losing taste. * Insects offer protein with lower land, water, and emissions than livestock. * Consumer acceptance,...

“Dare to Ukraine” is The Kyiv Independent’s wartime travel series that shows the country beyond the war headlines. In Episode 5 of “Dare to Ukraine: Village,” Masha’s journey reaches its final chapter. Before leaving, she brings everyone together for a shared meal, stories, and moments that reflect her month-long experience. From morning fishing to dinner-table singing at night, this episode captures the warmth, connection, and memories that make rural Ukraine unforgettable.

Every so often the media rolls its sleeves up and tries to once again get us all to eat gross, filthy bugs instead of delicious, healthy, clean meat. CBS ran this segment over the weekend arguing we should eat bugs because soybean farming is bad for the planet or something 🥴 Sadly, 2025 is no exception, with NPR once again making a bid to have us eat literal larva: In markets in the capital Kinshasa, tubs full of writhing white maggots line the alleyways, and women traders fry caterpillars, spiced with chili, over charcoal fires. "The more you eat caterpillars,...

A new study shows that mangoes, despite their high sugar content, may help prevent diabetes more effectively than low-sugar snacks. Credit: Shutterstock A pioneering study by a George Mason University researcher demonstrates the benefits of foods containing natural sugars compared to those with added sugars. If you were offered two snacks, one with seven grams of sugar and another with more than 30 grams, the healthier pick might seem obvious. But the choice is not always so straightforward. Having less sugar does not automatically make a food better for you. For the nearly 100 million adults in the United States...

“Dare to Ukraine” is The Kyiv Independent’s wartime travel series that shows the country beyond the war headlines. In Episode 4 of “Dare to Ukraine: Village,” Masha’s quiet rural routine is interrupted by a new mission: uncover the local history and debunk Russian propaganda myths about Ukraine. What starts as a simple day in the countryside turns into a journey through Ukraine’s past and present — proving that even the smallest villages and communities carry stories of independence that shatter Russian lies."

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will use tariff revenue to offer cash bailouts for farmers who are struggling with trade uncertainty and other economic headwinds. “We’re going to take some of that tariff money that we made, we’re going to give it to our farmers, who are, for a little while, going to be hurt until the tariffs kick into their benefit,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “So we’re going to make sure that our farmers are in great shape, because we’re taking in a lot of money.” Trump officials expect that Congress will need to...

Recent research suggests fermented kimchi may improve key markers like blood sugar and blood pressure, hinting at unexpected health benefits hidden within this traditional Korean food. Credit: Stock Research shows that eating fermented kimchi can help improve fasting glucose, lower triglycerides, and reduce high blood pressure. Researchers at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) conducted a review examining the health effects of kimchi, a traditional Korean dish that has seen rising popularity worldwide. Kimchi is typically prepared from fermented cabbage and radish, seasoned with salt, chili powder, garlic, and ginger. Although it was once relatively uncommon in...

NATIONAL CHERRIES JUBILEE DAY On September 24 we are serving up a tasty dessert to celebrate National Cherries Jubilee Day. Smitten with this simply elegant dessert, cherry lovers celebrate this sweet holiday with delight. #CherriesJubileeDay Auguste Escoffier receives the credit for the Cherries Jubilee recipe. Since he knew Queen Victoria's fondness for cherries, Escoffier prepared the dish for one of her Jubilee celebrations. However, his original method didn't include ice cream. Instead, the chef poached the cherries in a simple syrup and poured warm brandy over them. Then just before serving, dramatically set the alcohol aflame. Later recipes added the...

2-Year U.S. Study Shows Daily Cocoa Flavonol Supplement May Lower Inflammation In Older Adults In A Nutshell * A 2-year U.S. trial found cocoa extract lowered hsCRP, a key inflammation marker in aging. * Participants taking cocoa flavanols saw an 8.4% yearly reduction vs placebo. * Benefits were strongest in people with higher baseline inflammation. * Supplements, not ordinary chocolate, provided the tested flavanol levels. ==================================================================================== BOSTON — A daily cocoa extract supplement rich in flavanols lowered a key marker of chronic inflammation in older adults, according to a major U.S. clinical trial. The study offers rare long-term evidence that...

Billions of people regularly eat insects. In the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, chapulines – toasted grasshoppers – stand out as a beloved seasonal treat that follows the start of the rainy season, a period that runs from late May through September. My new book, “Eating Grasshoppers: Chapulines and the Women who Sell Them,” dives into the history and cultural significance of entomophagy (eating insects) and this unique snack. Chapulineras – the women who sell chapulines – often learn their craft from their mothers and grandmothers. Most will use nets or mesh bags to capture grasshoppers in their “milpa” –...

Despite being a staple food for millions of people worldwide, the genetic secrets of the sweet potato have long remained a mystery to scientists. That is, until now. New research has revealed the complexities behind the genetic makeup of these tubers, widely considered to be a superfood for their health benefits. What science reveals about them is surprising, revealing a previously unknown evolutionary history involving a “hybrid ancestry” behind the beloved vegetables. The research, led by Professor Zhangjun Fei at the Boyce Thompson Institute, was recently published in Nature Plants. The Hybrid Ancestry of Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes carry six...

NATIONAL CHEESE TOAST DAY On September 15, National Cheese Toast Day savors the cheesy goodness of this classic dish. #CheeseToastDay Simple but delicious, cheese and toast go well together. A little butter helps everything meld together nicely, too. The crustier the bread, the better. It makes an excellent side dish, but cheese toast also serves up a satisfying snack. While food holidays aren't in short order on the calendar, we can't surpass them because of the carb count. Cheese and toast perfectly combine to dunk into soup. In the middle of dinner conversation, a chunk of cheese toast waved in...

"If something online pisses you off, please recognize you are witnessing social engineering." They Are Sowing Chaos. "I will not let anything electronic decide who my neighbor is. I will not let political violence become normal. I will no longer let propaganda tell me who to hate. I will never cheer for blood. I will choose sanity. I will choose unity. I will choose to see the humanity in people before I see their politics.."

Surprising Study Shows Plant Protein Didn’t Extend Life — But Meat Might In A Nutshell * A study of nearly 16,000 U.S. adults found no link between animal protein intake and higher death risk from cancer, heart disease, or any cause. * Animal protein showed a modest protective effect against cancer deaths, with each gram linked to a 5% lower risk. * Plant protein showed no survival benefit in this dataset, despite previous studies suggesting advantages. * Results challenge a 2014 study that had claimed high animal protein dramatically increased cancer mortality. ============================================================================== HAMILTON, Ontario — Animal protein isn’t linked...

How does life in a Ukrainian village compare to life in Kyiv during the war? In "Dare to Ukraine: Village," host Masha Lavrova leaves the capital and moves to a village to explore authentic Ukrainian rural life. With no prior experience, she faces the challenges, the charm, and the unexpected surprises of the countryside. The first episode of "Dare to Ukraine: Village" is now available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eAl1_3xHxY

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

Researchers found PFAS in 95% of tested beers, with the highest levels linked to contaminated local water sources. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), better known as forever chemicals, are gaining notoriety for their ability to linger in the environment and for possible links to health problems. Now, scientists are finding these chemicals in surprising places, including beer. A study published in ACS Environmental Science & Technology analyzed beers brewed across different regions of the United States. The results showed that the highest PFAS levels appeared in beers made in areas where local water supplies are already known to be contaminated....

A large package set for delivery has caused quite a stink for one courier company, causing it to dial in the help of the police. After the box was dropped off at New Zealand Couriers in New Plymouth, an employee noticed it was emitting the “distinctive odour” of cannabis. But the police didn’t have to look far to figure out who was behind the package, with the source having provided his name and contact details on the package receipt. Today, Anthony Ellison, 40, appeared in the New Plymouth District Court charged with possession of cannabis and cultivation of cannabis, to...

The first time I ate a raccoon was about 11 years ago. Some were raiding the chicken coop where we lived, so my roommate and I were charged with dispatching. We trapped one in a Hav-a-Hart, killed it, and being equal parts curious and broke, we cooked it. We braised the first raccoon with a bunch of chili peppers, aromatics, and stock. I was honestly conflicted about the whole ordeal. On the one hand, it smelled damn good as it was cooking. On the other hand, I had a mental block on raccoon as a food. I was brought up...

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted two separate shipments of bushmeat at Detroit Metropolitan Airport last month, including one haul of primate meat, in seizures officials say highlight the dangers of disease entering the United States. Bushmeat—defined by U.S. health agencies as meat from wild animals such as bats, monkeys, and cane rats—is illegal to import into the country. CBPOps and DFODetroit announced the discoveries Saturday in a joint post on Instagram, writing, “Scary!!! @DFODetroit CBP agriculture specialists intercepted back-to-back bushmeat at @DTWShots. Bushmeat poses serious risks to public health and violates federal regulations. CBP remains vigilant in protecting...