Gift baskets attract far too much flack at Christmas time, and in some ways, they’ve deserved it purely on the basis of presentation. Thankfully, they’re no longer designed with a complete lack of inspiration, and since everyone loves a dash of extravagance and deliciousness, they make the perfect gifts. Spa Delights If your loved one prefers scented delights, give them …

Protein shakes rarely have enough flavor to be enjoyed without the help of a spoonful of peanut butter or a cup full of fruit, and the manufacturing process has much to do with the problem. A delectable recipe won’t go far if your manufacturer lacks the turnover and planning to produce fresh powders every time. Retail shelf life is unpredictable, …

Informative labeling allows people to make healthy food choices, so the nutritional facts panel has a core role to play in American wellbeing. The FDA is hoping to extend compliance dates for its new nutritional labeling regulations to 2020. The new regulations include: New Measurements Vitamin A should be measured in micrograms per retinol activity. This allows consumers to view …

Johnson and Johnson is facing 5000 lawsuits related to baby powder’s relationship to cancer, but thus far, its plaintiffs aren’t making much progress. A judge overturned a $417 million verdict for lack of evidence. Baby powder is made of a clay containing cornstarch, magnesium, and silicone—minerals that are part of a perfectly benign western diet. It contains talc. Concerns about …

Reverse osmosis can take you beyond standard softened water, offering more stability, control, and safety. It removes 90 to 95% of microbes, giving you superb levels of purity. Raw ingredients are isolated and your product is kept sterile. How Reverse Osmosis Works Reverse osmosis pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane using a high-pressure pump. Salt concentration changes according to the …

Google receives more than four billion searches for “beauty” every year, and ready access to online information has changed shopping habits drastically. Consumers spend more time on the evaluation phase of their purchase than ever before. In an environment crawling with savvy buyers, your ingredients have become all the more important, and they need to evoke an emotional response in …

The organic beauty market is booming. It’s expected to reach revenues of $22 billion by 2024 as consumers become increasingly conscious of harsh ingredients. The growth is showing itself across the board, from hair care to cosmetics. Brand titans like Estee Lauder are paying attention, and it’s revolutionized the way people think about their skin. Risky Synthetics in Skin Care …

Of all senses, smell is the most mysterious. A scent can take you back in time to a piece of nostalgia you’d relegated to history, warn you of danger, and even provoke action and lift mood. Essential oils are concentrated botanical extracts that add a new and luxurious dimension to your baths. They won’t cure cancer any time soon, but …

Colds and flu are caused by hundreds of different rhinoviruses, all of which survive best in the cooler ecosystem of the nose. Everyone has their favorite remedy, but the vast majority do little more than lighten your wallet. 200,000 Americans are hospitalized each year for illnesses caused by rhinoviruses, so that common cold deserves to be treated with care. Separating …

The supplement industry is rife with myths, largely based on vitamins’ dramatic effects on patients who have deficiencies. Here are some of the myths and facts about common vitamins: Vitamin C and the Common Cold Vitamin C’s influence on seasonal flu has proven to be underwhelming in human trials. Taken early, it can shorten your illness, but it won’t cure …