Melissa asked:
Q: I have a 3 month old daughter and wanted to know if is there are GMO free soy baby formula? I have been using Simulac Soy for the reflux benefits and cannot find any information on whether or not it is GMO free.
A: First, I wouldn’t recommend you feed your daughter an infant formula at all, especially not one based on soy.   Soy contains xenoestrogens and other compounds that can negatively impact the health of adults let alone young babies.   It is particularly poor for the …

Today I’m veering slightly off topic to answer a reader question.   Remember, if you have a question about health, wellness, cooking or green living please contact me.
Rebekah asked:
Q: Where can I find corn-free, soy-free, GMO-free soaps, shampoos and personal care products?
A: Frankly, I do not use many personal care products at all; however, I was able to dig up some recommendations for you.
Soaps: I have ultra-sensitive skin so don’t often use soap and when we do, we use locally made soaps or castile soaps which are made from olive …

Ricki asked:
Actually … Ricki commented on Fats for Cooking and Fats to Eat Uncooked a few days ago, but I thought it was such an insightful and good question that I wanted to give it greater visibility.
Q: Thanks for the great info re: cooking fats and oils. Just wondering about the source of the info, as I was taught that all animal fats are primarily saturated.
A: Animal fats, like vegetable fats, contain the full spectrum of fats including saturated fats, mono- and polyunsaturated fats; however, lard and poultry fat contain …

Amy asked:
Q: “What do you mean by “strained yogurt”? Just curious. Do you mean you strain out the whey?”
A: Absolutely!   By straining yogurt you can reserve the whey separately for use in soaking grains, flours and legumes and make a super-thick yogurt that is almost pudding-like in its consistency.   I find strained yogurt to be more satiating than regular yogurt – perhaps due to the lower water content.   It also makes a fantastic base for dips.
You can go even further, straining the yogurt of almost all whey …

In a new segment I thought I’d answer some reader questions.   Indeed, if there’s enough interest, I’ll answer reader questions every Wednesday.   If you have a question about food, recipes, traditional foods and nutrition or frugal cooking feel free to contact me.
Can homemade cider make people sick?
Anything food can harbor potential pathogens.   Yet, properly and cleanly prepared foods pose less of a risk in harboring those pathogens than foods that are improperly prepared.   Additionally, the better equipped your immune system is, the easier it will …