Overview: A few FDA researchers emailed whistle-blower groups and members of Congress, warning that devices that had been approved by the FDA “missed signs of breast cancer, falsely diagnosed osteoporosis, and used such heavy doses of radiation that it risked causing cancer in otherwise healthy people.” These emails were sent using personal Google accounts.

The FDA monitored the researchers’ accounts, intercepted emails, and even made alterations to emails. As it all comes to light, the FDA isn’t claiming that the former employees made false accusations or claims. The FDA is just saying that they had the right to intercept and monitor personal emails.

Read the full article for details.

To uniformed consumers, the FDA label is taken as a sign of safety. It says, “This product has been thoroughly tested and approved to be as safe as possible for your use.” That simply isn’t true. Like any other institution, there is room for corruption, a lack of transparency, and selfish gains at the expense of the public.

Situations like these are one reason why I don’t scoff at natural remedies that don’t “earn” the FDA’s approval. The FDA approves harmful nonsense all of the time. Yet they can’t sign off on the calming properties of chamomile tea or high-dosage Vitamin C to fight cancer?

I encourage readers to think twice about the FDA label. Don’t turn down a natural remedy because it hasn’t been approved and don’t thoughtlessly buy into medicines and procedures that have been approved. The best that we can do is educate ourselves.

Dr. Bombay's

There is nothing wrong with Celestial Seasonings and Twinings. For the price, they’re good. But that’s a bit like passing up a steak because hot dogs are good for the price, or like passing up a trip to Fiji because Panama City Beach, FL is more affordable. Sometimes, higher quality is simply worth it.

And higher quality spoils you. I’m a bit bourgie now. I’ll drink store bought, boxed teas yet I’ll be lusting after my whole leaf collection at home.With the price tag comes a higher quality leaf (not just the dust the bottom of the bin), finer blends, more complex flavors, and greater variety. You get all of this on top of the other benefits of tea.

Here are my favorite tea rooms and tea shops in Atlanta. They’ll spoil you rotten:

Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Room is effortlessly cool. It’s full of comfortable couches and old world charm, great for passing a few hours with friends. I enjoy the library area the most. I feel smarter just sitting there. As for the tea, there are about 30 varieties to chose from in addition to a delicious bakery. They serve high tea from 3:30pm-5:30pm!

If you’re near the Chamblee Antique District, try eZenTea. It’s an intimate venue that relaxes you the instant that you walk through the door. They offer tastings almost daily. They’ll also connect you to yoga, tai chi, and meditation classes.

TeaFuse in Vinings has earned a place in my heart. I’m rarely in Vinings but I try to stop in when I can. TeaFuse is so cute and quaint but it’s also quite girlie so I have difficulty dragging my boyfriend there.

Speaking of that dude, I’m in Lawrenceville a lot because of him. That’s how I discovered Aristeacrats. The owners are super cool and the shop is always quiet and comfortable. And I think they know everything about tea.

Tea Fuse

Though it’s a chain I’d be amiss not to mention Teavana‘s locations. The one in Buckhead/Lenox has terrible reviews so I’ve stayed away but the one in Perimeter is pretty cool.  You can also order online. The teas are amazing though the prices are a bit steep.

Adagio.com is more affordable but they don’t have any brick and mortar stores so you’ll miss out on the tea room experience and you won’t have someone to answer your questions. They’ve got versatile sample packages for those who’re getting their feet wet in the tea world.

Photo by Emery

It has been proposed that the Atlanta Falcons need a new stadium. The current stadium does not have enough luxury box suites. Without these, Atlanta can’t host a Super Bowl (read: can’t get tons of cash from tourists).

Building the stadium would cost $400 million dollars; the article doesn’t state how much hosting the Super Bowl would bring in but one commenter provided a link to a Wall Street Journal article that suggests new stadiums are rarely profitable for taxpayers (especially in cities that already have a stadium).

Yes, I mentioned taxpayers. The new stadium would not be constructed with the private funds of billionaire Arthur Blank. The bill would be on taxpayers in the area. In the minds of Blank and his posse, there would be a tax increase on hotels and other tourist-related goods and services.

I agree with the editorial board that taxing tourists is a relatively easy way to fund a project. I also agree that, if we were to raise $400 million in tax dollars, it could be spent on other things that the city needs more than a new stadium: “How about paying down the city’s $922 million backlog of sidewalk, pothole, and bridge improvements? [...] Or, as conservative columnist Charlie Harper recently suggested, running cash-strapped MARTA’s trains and buses. Or the Atlanta Beltline. More affordable housing? Or public safety?”

I strongly support the development of our public transportation and infrastructure. More bike lanes, while we’re at it! And why not add more recycling programs and services? There are so many products that can’t be recycled in Atlanta simply because we don’t have the means of processing them.

Marta stations could use a few upgrades. Photo by Jeherv.

Or what about education (ah!), hiring more teachers so that we don’t have 30+ kids crammed into a classroom fighting for the attention of one, overwhelmed teacher?

Why not just renovate the current stadium to add those luxury seats? That’s gotta be less than $400 million and we could still potentially get the bid for the Super Bowl.

If we ever vote on this issue, I ask you to rise up and make your voice heard!

Ford Fusion Energi

FORD 2013 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid is one sexy car. It was revealed to a chorus of oohs and aahs. This plug-in hybrid can get up to 100 mpg! There are plenty of goodies on the inside, too, such as Sync voice control, a blind-spot monitor, and an automatic parallel parking system. (It’s like the Jetsons!) I, personally, wouldn’t trust the latter but it’s nice to know that it’s there.

How much does it cost? That depends on the platform that you get. Ford has made the car customizable, offering five power trains to choose from.

Volkswagen E-Bugster

VOLKSWAGEN Volkswagen was also at the show presenting the E-Bugster. The vehicle is clearly a more grownup version of the Beetle, boasting 114 horsepower from its electric motor and a 659-pound lithium-ion battery. Drive 100 miles before you think about a charging station. When you need to recharge, you can charge up to 80% of the battery in as little as 30 minutes. LED Headlights and a tablet PC are icing on the cake. Too bad the name is such a tough sale.

SMART Smart is not a tough sell. Even with a pleasant name, I don’ t know how the Southern market will receive the vehicle. It’s called the For-Us Mini Pickup. Most of us think “…like pickup truck? It looks like a golf cart. Where is the truck bed?”It’s not that kind of pickup.

Smart For-Us

The For-Us is intended for off road action. The interior is spacious (considering) and you can explore nearly 90 miles before stopping to refuel. It can go 0-60 in five seconds but taps out at 75 mph. A lithium-ion battery and magneto-electric propel the vehicle.

Most Smarts don’t sell well below the Mason-Dixon line but maybe this hip, off road beauty will touch the rugged hearts of Southerners more than the manufacture’s predecessors.

Source and Image: Inhabitat.com

For those reasons, I’m quite passionate about volunteering. It’s important to keep the city (and our state overall) in tip-top shape so that we and those around us can continue to enjoy it for centuries.

Volunteering in Atlanta is beneficial on a deeper level as well. Studies show that volunteering can help you maintain and improve your health. According to Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research, people who volunteer have:

• lower mortality rates
• greater functional ability
• lower rates of depression

Those who volunteer can also:

• expand their social network
• enjoy a good workout without a gym membership
• get multiple hits of dopamine for a natural high
• not feel like a social moocher

There are volunteer opportunities to fit every personality. Arts, athletics, environment, animals, social service (volunteer firefighters are delicious!) building and demolition—everything. If you just hate people, you can volunteer in the stock room of a library and not even have to talk!

Click the links above for a few suggestions on volunteer opportunities. You can visit VolunteerMatch.org, GetInvolved.gov,  or Serve.gov to search in your area.

I am always singing the praises of local businesses. On more than one occasion, I’ve written about restaurants and cafes in Decatur, one of my favorite cities outside of Atlanta. Good news: Decatur has made it in the running as being one of the South’s Tastiest Towns. Decatur is acknowledged for its growing restaurant scene and distinct foodie culture.

Bad news: Decatur is lagging behind in the polls by thousands of votes! Your vote is needed to present ATL in the polls. Vote at SouthernLiving.com today and everyday from now to January 31.

What will Decatur win? Bragging rights. What will you win? Maybe a $2,500 trip!

Buy last minute and New Year’s gifts made right here in the South! The Southern Gift Company has plenty of ideas for men and women of all ages. There’s cute stuff for kids and charming stuff for grandma. My favorite part, of course, is that all featured items and vendors support the local economy.

A few of my favorites:

Give the art lover in your life the gift of WOW. I seriously enjoy the bright, bold colors of the acrylic and oil artwork but there are styles to fit every taste. Browse the art gallery, stocked full of work by southern artists.

Southern Gourmet Snack Basket- Everybody’s gotta eat! Nibble on these treats during holiday parties or during cool, rainy winter days. If you want more variety, check out the other gift basket and gift box options.

Few symbols say South like the magnolia flower. The Southern Gift Company has an array of magnolia-themed gifts including home accents and jewelry. (Just looking at them makes me think of the beautiful magnolia trees in Madison, GA. *sigh*)

Got another Southern company that hasn’t been featured on my blog? Let me know!

Eco Modern Flats, Arkansas

Atlanta is trailing behind much of the nation when it comes to eco-friendly housing. Explore a few eco-friendly housing options from around the US.

Heartland: Eco Modern Flats in Fayetteville, Arkansas is showing renters that old buildings can be retrofitted to today’s standards. The 40-year-old apartment complex is being completely renovated to meet LEED Gold certification.  Sustainable features include rainwater collection for landscape irrigation; Energy Star appliances; efficient windows, HVAC systems, and lighting fixtures; and water-blown insulation. Residents can also appreciate no-VOC paints, concrete countertops made right in AR, and a solar powered pool that is heated for the cooler days. On a budget? That’s okay. Get an eco-friendly flat for as little as $725.

Brookwood Terrrace, California

West Coast: San Jose apartment hunters can set their sights on Brookwood Terrace. This brand new community has received LEED Gold certification, and exceeded Title 24 standards by 17%. The buildings are home to 84 units, ranging from 636-1094 sq. ft. in size. Each building is encased with energy efficient insulation, low-E windows (regulate heat transfer), and an ultra-efficient water heater. Apartments include Energy Star appliances, efficient ductwork, low-VOC paints, and eco-friendly carpet. Put your lifestyle into practice with an apartment that reflects your green passions.

East Coast: Portland, ME is welcoming a green champion on Cumberland Avenue. Architects and developers worked together on a project that would avoid the use of fossil fuels and nearly eliminate utility bills. It’s a daunting challenge but it was worthwhile. The rooftop is laced with 30 solar photovoltaic panels and evacuated solar tubes for electricity and warming water. Temperatures are regulated through the use of top-notch insulation techniques, air-source heat pumps, and recovery ventilators. Residents pay about $9 per month in utilities and $140 per square foot for rent. Not bad for a tree-hugger’s paradise.

Source: Jetson Green

Image Source: Fayetteville Flyer,

I recently wrote this article for RentCafe.com.  Learn about one of Atlanta’s coolest conversion loft projects.

Atlanta’s distinct neighborhoods offer renters plenty of creative housing options. Have you ever wanted to live in a school? You would if that school looked like Bass Lofts, one of the quirkiest developments in Little Five Points.

Bass Lofts was built into and around the structure of an existing school that dates back to the 1920s. The long corridors, large windows and—above all—the prime location, made the site a no-brainer for developers. The building is in the midst of Little Five Points, an area that has grown in leaps and bounds within the past decade without losing its singular character and appeal.

The lofts site is officially certified by the National Register of Historic Places, but that doesn’t mean that it lacks modern conveniences. Choose from 35 floor plans to find a loft that is the perfect fit for you. Each unit is unique, with ceiling heights ranging from 12’ to 45’. Rooms are spacious, airy, and full of natural light. Choose between sealed concrete or original hardwood floors.

Outdoors, residents can enjoy the courtyard, complete with a swimming pool and sun deck. Around the perimeter, renters will find a dog walk where four-legged residents can stretch and play. Garden plots are available so that renters can practice develop their green thumbs and reconnect with nature.

Additional features include a controlled access entry system, a business center, and a 24 hour fitness center which is great for rainy days. (Of course, if you live in Little Five, you’d only want to run inside on a rainy day.) Wash your workout gear and laundry at the on-site facilities.

Little Five is a unique neighborhood, home to musicians, artists, professionals and pet lovers. Residents enjoy pedestrian-friendly shopping and entertainment venues in an atmosphere that is vibrant with fun, creativity, and comfort.

Source: Bass Lofts

Balance your alcohol intake with water for multifaceted results.

Congratulations on living in America and making it through Thanksgiving without gaining 30lbs. Wait. You did gain 30lbs? Sorry ’bout that. Here are a few tips for avoiding more end of year weight gain so that you can start the New Year off right.

Pure Iced Tea has always preached the gospel of healthy living and sustainable practices. Loading up on holiday goodies that are high in calories, high in sugar, and low in nutritional value is by no means healthy or sustainable. We’ve found a few fun ideas that will help your enjoy the holidays without eaters’ remorse.

Balance Booze and Water: Alcoholic beverages are loaded with calories. If you have plenty of parties to attend but want to watch your figure, try drinking one glass of water for every beer or cocktail that you consume. The water will 1.) Keep you hydrated and prevent hangovers. 2.) Fill you up faster so you drink less alcohol, eat less, and save money. 3.) Help your body metabolize so you don’t gain weight. Simple, right?

Tell Grandma to Shove It: We’ve all got those grandmothers who want to shove an additional serving of everything down our throats. Don’t be afraid to say no! Use humor to deflect any offense: “No, thanks. What’s on my plate is enough to last me until Valentine’s Day,” or “I blame my chunky hips and thighs on you already. Do you want to be responsible for my whale ass?” If they still don’t get the hint, firmly say, “Seriously. Stop it. I’m done.” There may be a three second silence following but you won’t be coerced into eating more!

Favor Fruity Desserts: You see a dessert table loaded with sweets. Steer towards fruit desserts like a fruit tarte or an apple pie instead of chocolate cakes and cookies. Odds are, the creme and chocolate snacks use ample artificial additives so you aren’t getting the benefit of cocoa and milk. If you can see fruit in the dessert you stand a better chance of getting nutritional value.

Say no to that second helping no matter how sweet the old lady looks!

Walk It Out: After you’ve stuffed your gut, gather a few fellow partiers to take a stroll around the neighborhood. Any sort of physical activity is better than collapsing into a food coma.

Share your holiday health tips with us by commenting below!