Chances are your kitchen is filled with fruits and veggies that come from trees, bushes and gardens -- but don't forget about those that grow under the surface. Root vegetables -- like beets, radishes, turnips and carrots -- are just as delicious, equally nutritious and less expensive, which is always welcome during these tough times. Over at Calorie Lab, registered dietitian Karen Collins is raving about roots -- here are some things you should know about them:

• They're high in nutrients. For example, beets and parsnips have high levels of folate, and Jicama and celeriac have vitamin C.
• They're cheap and readily available, even in winter.
• They're easy to cook -- you can steam them in the microwave or bake them.
  
• They taste good on their own -- just add a bit of olive oil and some spices and you've got a great side dish.

For more dirt on roots, head over to Calorie Lab and let us know how you like to prepare yours.

Source

In a study called "Healthy People, Healthy Country," researchers looked at the connections between indigenous populations of people and ancestral lands or the physical areas in which they lived -- and the health of both seems to go hand in hand. Although in some areas both the people and the land were very healthy, in others neither were thriving at all. The trick for these populations seems to be finding a balance between modern social benefits and health care, and traditional living with cultural history and roots.

The basic findings of the study was that increasing natural and cultural resource management activities in target areas (more remote or isolated groups) could significantly improve overall the health of both the people and the landscapes. And this, obviously, would benefit everybody.

Source

There is nothing worse than that horrible stinging piercing grating nerve pain that comes right when you bite into something hot, or cold, or sweet, or sour...you get the idea. Sensitive teeth stink.

There are some things you can do to make them less bothersome, though, like simply switching to a softer toothbrush and using toothpaste and mouthwash specifically designed for sensitive teeth. Other than that you'll probably have to ask your dentist for advice, and learn what's causing your sensitivity in the first place. Usually it's receding gums exposing roots, in which case working to prevent that from getting any worse becomes a priority. There's no easy fix, so maybe finding and avoiding problematic foods could help? Any ideas that work for you?

Source