It’s true that as we age, we don’t sleep as well or as long. Why is that? Scientists say several changes occur with aging that disrupt our natural sleep cycle.

That’s why I was intrigued with an ad on television for a product that claims to have been “clinically tested” and “proven effective” to help one fall asleep faster and ...Read more

Readers Letters

Talk about personal. A handwritten letter on lined tablet paper came to me from a “nearing 90 year-old widower just past six years and a month” who signed his note “CJS.”

“This is my observation on your recent article (Lima Ohio News) on the Pros and Cons of Pork,” he began. He then described in intricate detail his...Read more

This may be my favorite time on the ranch. Mother cows are happily nursing their newborns in pastures finally green after much-needed rain. Branding and spring vaccinations are behind us. And ranch duties have slowed down — at least for a couple of weeks.

I’d say it’s a perfect time to visit my daughter in New Mexico. It’s her birthday,...Read more

With the recent recall and subsequent shortage of certain infant formulas, parents are scrambling to find appropriate alternatives. Are there any?

For moms who breastfeed their babies, keep on nursing. Breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of life provides the best nutrition and health protection for babies.

From 6 to 12 months, mom...Read more

In response to a recent column where I mentioned how genetic research is beginning to show us how our DNA may influence our dietary needs, reader Ann F sent me a slew of questions:

"Could race, hair color, eye color, ancestry help you choose the best diet? What about your gender? If you do have DNA information, how much would you be able to ...Read more

I was not aware until I heard it from my buddy Bob at Dole. May is National Salad Month. Lettuce celebrate!

I’m reminded of a story a friend told me several years ago. Her family was visiting her small hometown and visited a local restaurant for lunch. The limited menu featured two salads: regular and deluxe.

“What’s the difference ...Read more

This is how old I am: A few decades ago, I sat in on a nutrition debate between Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Robert Atkins, well-known cardiologists with polar opposite views on the best diet to lose weight and prevent heart disease. Each of the heart doctors was passionate about his diet plan, though the diets were/are in hard contrast to each ...Read more

Valerie T writes: "I am emailing you on the request of my dad who is 88 and has several health issues. He read what you had to say about beef and fish. He wanted to know about pork and the pros and cons of it.

He has diabetes, heart problems, circulatory problems due to the diabetes, kidney problems due to the diabetes, and arthritis. So just ...Read more

Why is it that, real or not, we tend to reject things that associate us with being old? Case in point: A little over two decades ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a petition to allow prune producers to market their product as “dried plums.” They hoped the new designation might help remove any stigma for those who think ...Read more

“I need to reschedule my appointment today,” a pained voice informed my answering machine. “I’m not feeling so good…maybe I shouldn’t have eaten that whole bag of grapes.”

When I called this patient—who is working hard to replace fresh fruit for her usual candy bar snacks—she explained further.

“I was playing on the ...Read more

Did you ever think that strawberries, spinach and kale would be called “filthy”? Or leafy green vegetables “repeat offenders”? That’s exactly how these especially nutritious fruits and vegetables are described in a recent article in USA Today.

What’s the reason for this scandalous charge? A nonprofit organization called the ...Read more

It’s calving season, my favorite time of year on the ranch.

I never get tired of watching a cow know instinctively just what to do when her time approaches. First, she finds a private place in the pasture away from the herd. Then she delivers her baby, usually with no help from us, thank you very much.

Right after birth, she licks her ...Read more

After a recent column on food relief organizations that serve victims of Ukraine, some readers urged me to add World Central Kitchen (https://wck.org) to the list. Here’s why:

“They go anywhere in the world when people are desperate for food to survive disasters (like Ukraine is facing now)!” writes JT from Salinas, California.

That is ...Read more