The answer is both yes and no. Red wine is full of empty calories, like soda. However, it also contains modest amounts of the chemical resveratrol, which researchers believe may play a large part in maintaining a healthy diet. A university in England studies the effects of resveratrol on the human body and has come to the understanding that the chemical may someday bu used as a dietary supplement. Resveratrol works in conjunction with a gene in the human body that helps promote longevity, which means good health and the possibility of weight loss. The chemical can be found in high levels in red wine, but even if you drink the same, safe amount every day, the amount of resveratrol you're taking in isn't enough to help you maintain or lose weight. 

There are a few scientific studies that indicate that in some cases genetically modified foods (GM foods) can harm human health – which is clearly a topic of concern with this new technology. Studies strongly suggest that GM food crops may harm animals and the environment. Many of the fears about GM foods and how they may affect human health have thus far failed to materialize in the real world but there are still many actions that the agricultural industry can do to better ensure that a health crisis sparked by GM foods does not occur.

Food products routinely arrive on store shelves before they have been thoroughly tested. Since GM foods are a relatively new food source, there have been no long-term tests thus far. America's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed three corn crops to be sold that later were proven to cause internal organ damage in laboratory rats. ('A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Crops on Mammalian Health;' François Roullier, et al; 'International Journal of Biological Science'; 2009.)

Mexican cooking at home doesn't have to an impossible task to accomplish. Try using the following kitchen equipment for the next in-home Mexican meal.

Comal: Basically, a comal is a cast iron griddle and is used without oil. It's flat with a handle and is used for making tortillas and roasting foods that require no oil. Mexican comals also can be made of clay.

Molcajete and Tejolote: Mortar and Pestle, these are used for crushing and grinding herbs, spices and seeds. The bowl and grinder are made from porous volcanic rock and are still used today. You can also make traditional Mexican salsa in the Molcajete and Tejolote.

The smoky and fragrant taste of Earl Grey is a unique experience that many people can not get enough of. Described as a spicy citrus flavor, Earl Grey is a hard to describe taste that is unforgettable once tasted. Apparently Captain Picard of Star Trek fame will not drink anything else!

Although many people consider Earl Grey as a type of tea, any black tea with bergamot flavor added is in fact Earl Grey. Some manufacturers will even use their lower quality black tea to make Early Grey in the belief that the strong flavor of bergamot will mask the poor taste of the tea. Mostly taken black with maybe a slice of lemon added, Earl Grey is nevertheless one of the most popular of all the flavored teas in the world.

Growing herbs in pots is as easy if not easier than growing herbs directly into the ground.  Culinary and medicinal herbs are the best herbs to grow in pots and for obvious reasons as plants grown in pots are transportable and very easy to access when you need them.  The great part about growing your herbs in containers too is that you do not have to be experienced at gardening and to be quite frank this method is the best in my opinion for the beginner gardener.

In this article, I will talk about some common herbs that are ideal for growing in pots whether indoors or outdoors.

You've sent out the invites, you've ordered the champagne, and now to the food! Party food needs to be that little bit special, delicious (of course) but fun and fabulous enough to get people talking too.

If you can make your food about sharing, then the party is already in the swing of things! Dishes with dips and skewers are ideal and encourage people to graze and congregate around the food. Tasting plates are a great idea too – lots of little portions of different things for people to try (a bit like tapas). And bowls dotted all over the house or venue can encourage people to move around and socialise while they eat.