Gone are the days when the hovering bumble bee flew abundant in our gardens, fields and meadows. Now, instead of an image that depicts bees as cute cartoony natural wonders more people are realizing

With the world’s growing population, it is often argued that factory farming is the only way to ensure that enough food is being produced in a large-scale. However, with the increasing awareness of the dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), there has been a rise of not only the organic food movement, but also the return to locally grown food.

Organic can mean many different things depending on whom you ask. Any chemist, for example, will tell you that all food is organic because it contains the element carbon. The USDA, on the other hand, uses a list of criteria to parse “clean” organic food, from chemical-ridden inorganics. As far as the USDA is concerned, a commercial food product can be labeled “organic” as long as:

• The food was grown without the use of human waste as fertilizer.
• No chemicals were used at any stage of the growing process (the USDA maintains a list of permitted and prohibited synthetic substances).
• The food product’s genotype does not include genetic modification (no GMOs).
• The farmland utilized in the food’s cultivation has been chemical and pesticide free for 3+ years.
• The food producer maintains a standard on-site inspection schedule with regulators.

Having a healthy digestive system is crucial for our health. Going from a flat stomach to a bloated belly throughout the course of a day is linked  to the kinds of foods we consume. Unhealthy foods, such as those that are fried, salty, or artificially sweetened take longer for your body to break down and digest, causing gas to build up.

Bloating occurs when there is gas in the intestines. Overeating, constipation, hormonal changes, or irritable bowel syndrome could cause this. However, more serious illnesses such as Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or colon cancer could also be the problem. If you suffer from consistent bloating, gas, and abdominal pain, you are advised to seek medical attention.

Would you prefer meat that isn’t really meat? Tell us your thoughts!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rahimkanani/2014/03/06/the-future-of-meat-is-meatless-just-as-tasty-and-about-to-change-the-world/