New research throws mud at old thinking about sterile environments. Put down the hand gel for a second: a new study found infants who encounter a wide range of bacteria are less likely to develop allergies later in life. Pair that with past research that says the germs and microorganism that enter a baby’s body … Read more

13 to 18 months “I’m outta here!” When baby wants to make a break for it.  –Anitasethi Ph.D As your 17-month-old becomes more mobile, he won’t want to be defined. The little guy who was content to watch the world pass by his stroller would now rather get our and push (which is a challenge … Read more

“I’m so sorry!” Jessica Alba is late – and looks frazzled. “My washing machine exploded and my 3-year-old fell down the stairs wearing my high heels. We had to have a chat about why we don’t wear heels on the stairs.” It’s a sun-soaked Santa Monica, California, day at the offices of the Honest Company … Read more

Over the past century, the food industry has developed or repurposed a number of chemicals to address the issues of scaling created when producing food in large quantities. Preventing illness, maintaining freshness, controlling costs, and meeting changing consumer demands have all presented challenges. Producing larger quantities of food increases the time between harvest and consumption, … Read more

2. Colloids One of the more common uses of industrial chemicals in food is to form colloids. A colloid is any mixture of two substances—gas, liquid, or solid—where one is uniformly dispersed in the other, but they are not actually dissolved together. That is, the two compounds in the mixture don’t form chemical bonds, but … Read more

We all hear about “going green,” but it’s hard to know what we can do to truly make a difference – not to mention the cost and time commitment. To help, we’re put together an easy plan: make one (really!) simple change each day for a week, and you’ll be on your way to a … Read more

How a little do, re, mi may boost baby’s learning skills. Of course, lullabies soothe babies – but research shows that listening to music boosts his memory, attention and even language skills later. A recent study at Brigham Young University showed music even helped the physical development of premature infants. To help your baby get … Read more

More and more parents are incorporating organic foods into their family’s diet. Here are the top reasons why: Safer for little bodies Organic food is especially good for babies, whose developing digestive tracts and kidneys are more vulnerable than adults when exposed to pesticides. Research shows an organic diet can drastically reduce pesticide content in … Read more

On retreat, food is fresh, simple, and surprisingly sumptuous. Why not try it at home? People go on a retreat to open to something new in both body and mind,” says Hugo Roberto Gutierrez Marron, the chef at Haramara, a yoga retreat center near Sayulita, Mexico, known for its fresh, inventive natural cuisine. “The food … Read more

Seek contrast Retreat-center chefs know that one of the keys to making healthful food appealing is to include a variety of colors and textures in each dish. “That old saying ‘We eat first with our eyes’ applies to everything I prepare,” says Roa. “The bold use of color is very appetizing and so easy [to … Read more

Mushrooms with wilted spinach Makes 2 servings Xinalani’s chef serves juicy roasted mushrooms and wilted and wilted spinach over coarsely mash potatoes for a satisfying entrée with a variety of flavors and textures. You can also it with quinoa. 2 Tablespoons olive oil 21/2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 Portobello mushroom caps (31/2 to 4 inches … Read more

3.2. Making gels: Carrageenan Carrageenan has been used in food as far back as the 15th century for thickening dairy products. Commercial mass production of carrageenan gums became feasible after World War II, and now it shows up in everything from cream cheese to dog food, where it acts as a thickener. Modernist cuisine dishes … Read more

3.4. Making gels: Sodium alginate The gels covered so far are all homogenous, in the sense that they are incorporated into the entire liquid and then set with heat. Alginate, however, sets via a chemical reaction with calcium, not heat, which allows for an interesting application: setting just part of the liquid by localized exposure … Read more

Although you are likely to receive plenty of clothes for your new baby from well-wishers, it makes sense to have the basics ready before birth. Try to restrain yourself, though—babies outgrow their clothes very quickly. If you want to invest in an expensive outfit or two, buy them in bigger sizes so that he will … Read more

Choosing diapers can be something of a minefield. The good news is that there are now plenty of options, and you can make informed choices that are right for you and your family. Whatever you choose, remember that babies go through 10 or more diapers a day in the early weeks, and you’ll need to … Read more

Bathtime Essentials It’s easy to get carried away and think you need a truckload of supplies to get your tiny baby fresh and clean; however, you probably need to buy much less than you think. Baby bath—choose a sturdy plastic model that will not bend and spill its contents when moved; fill using a hose … Read more

4. Making Things Melt in Weird Ways: Methylcellulose and Maltodextrin At a high level, making gels is about transforming liquids into solids. In addition to creating gels, though, modern food additives can be used to alter other properties of foods, and another area of play in the modernist kitchen is that of melting. How can … Read more

4.2. “Melts” in your mouth: Maltodextrin Maltodextrin—a starch—dissolves in water, but not fat. In manufacturing, it’s spray-dried and agglomerated, which creates a powder that’s very porous on the microscopic level. Because of this structure, maltodextrin is able soak up fatty substances (they won’t cause it to dissolve), making maltodextrin useful for working with fats when … Read more

Transporting your Baby There are literally hundreds of products on the market for getting your baby from A to B, and some of them are extortionately expensive. Try to remember that almost everything your baby needs for getting around will need to be replaced in a few short months, as he outgrows them. So go … Read more

Your Baby’s Nursery This is where the fun starts! Although the expense of furnishing a nursery can be daunting, most parents enjoy the process of decorating. There are plenty of ways to get the baby equipment you need on a budget, and also lots of things to bear in mind to ensure that the décor … Read more