By now, most people are aware of the controversy surrounding genetically engineered (GE) foods. You know: giant tomatoes designed to taste super-sweet, corn that naturally repels insects, and virus-resistent papayas. As debate continues over the safety of our nation’s genetically modified grains and vegetables, a new type of genetic modification is…

In the not-too-near-future, your next home or office lobby may not be painted, or even decorated with wall paper. It could be alive.Alive with plants, of course. But before we go planting gardens indoors, perhaps we should start with “living” exterior walls and roofs, first. Here, in South Florida, the…

Want to incorporate healthier foods into your diet but don’t have the budget to be splurging on expensive organic eats? That’s OK. We feel you. Instead of buying expensive food, we suggest growing your own. Even if you weren’t blessed with a green thumb and don’t have an inch of…

What do you start your day with? If you’re like half the US population — about 150 million Americans — it’s the first thing you reach for every morning. No, it’s not the alarm clock, or your toothbrush. And it’s not breakfast. It’s the coffee pot. Because, let’s face it, that…

When it comes to food, nothing says Valentine’s Day like a big box of chocolates, an indulgent dinner and a bottle of wine or champagne.Funny that — from a health standpoint — it’s possible each of these things can ruin the mood for love faster than a punch to the…

Over the years, we’ve seen some pretty random things swirled into milk chocolate bars and dark chocolate chunks. What began with safe and acceptable pairings like fruit, nuts, candy and cookies has over the past decade graduated to bold new flavors. Now, you’ll find chocolate loaded with bacon, spices, herbs…

Sweetwater Executive Chef Alberto Diaz has always enjoyed cooking. Originally from Puerto Rico, he was always looking to perfect his craft at home, preparing standard Latin cuisine for his family.”I was always trying to make the perfect mofongo, the best braised pork shoulder, or the quinitessential rice and beans,” Diaz…

Aloha, South Florida. This June Fort Lauderdale’s Mai Kai will once again be hosting the annual Polynesian pop-lovers paradise, The Hukilau. This year marks the 13th annual Hukilau, a four-day tiki fest that draws all manner of tikiphiles from across the globe to kick back and revel in all that retro…

Field of Greens (or FOG, for short), Palm Beach County’s healthy salad and sandwich shop offering nutritious, made-to-order dishes, has relocated its original location to downtown West Palm Beach, and made a few improvements while they were at it. The family-run business began in 2003 when owners Debbie and David Steinhardt…

Health News is a new feature series focusing on raw, vegan and alternative diets.What does the word “diet” mean to you? Is it a temporary change in the way you eat, a way to shed a few pounds and slim down? Or it could be a lifestyle choice, like vegans,…

So, you consider yourself a foodie. But are you an adventurous foodie? You haven’t really taken the plunge into becoming a full-fledged gastronome until you’ve traveled to some far off destination with stories about how you hand-picked coffee berries straight from the tree in Costa Rica.If you think you have…

Don’t just live más. Celebrate Live Más Monday at Taco Bell Feb. 4 and get a free churro — a Spanish “doughnut” sometimes flavored with cinnamon and sugar — with any purchase.We’re pretty sure you’ve already seen Taco Bell’s Super Bowl “Viva Young” video commercial, which the fast food restaurant…

This year, why not make your Super Bowl party extra sweet with a fresh-baked batch of chicken wing, salsa and chip or pepperoni pizza-flavored cupcakes? With bleu cheese buttercream frosting, beer flavored batter or salsa-infused cakes, these specialty desserts aren’t really dessert at all, but more like a mini-meal in…

In Hollywood, California, there’s an explosive trend happening in the culinary world, one that is taking over tables everywhere from the high-end restaurants in West LA to the lunch spots in Beverly Hills. It’s not the rise of smoked meats or bite-sized servings; it’s the raging popularity of plant-based diets…

There’s barbershops. And then there is The Barber’s Bar, a place for those looking to get more than just a shave or haircut. According to owner and Fort Lauderdale native Lee Garpoli, a trip to either of his establishments — Mankind or the newly opened Barber’s Bar — is more…

South Florida may not be hosting the Super Bowl anytime in the near future, but at least we have the chance to host another kind “bowl” this year.Panera Bread and The Pap Corps are teaming up for a second-run with a food-focused fundraiser, a promo event that aimed at raising…