Misc

If you are LGBT and/or an ally in Asheville, you are never alone. A local saying goes that, “if you throw a rock in Asheville, you’ll hit a (insert non-normative label here)”. One Google search for LGBT Asheville shows that the stereotype holds true: Asheville is one queer city! Statewide and nationwide groups like Equality NC, HRC, and other well-known LGBT advocates find local chapters to be loud, proud, and diligent. On Facebook and other social networking sites there are several pages for local business listed in the Carolina Purple Pages. There is even an extensive “Gay and Lesbian Travel Guide” section on one of Asheville’s most popular tourist websites. But aside from the internet presence of queer folks in Asheville, there is also a wealth of local organizations here for support. Networks, support groups, and volunteer opportunities vary in scope and cover different niches within the community. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list; it is simply an overview of LGBT Asheville. The best way to get involved is to try one or several of these groups and see which ones best fit your wants and needs. Youth OUTright provides a support system for 14-23-year-olds who might not otherwise have …

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Grains have been a staple in the American Diets for centuries.  In fact, one of the most commonly consumed foods involved in every meal is bread. But if we have been eating it for so long, the question is, why should we stop?  Well, the fact of the matter is, we really haven’t been eating grains for all that long in history.  Even though grain residue has been found on the teeth of our ancestors thousands of years ago (which is notably marked with a decrease in dental health), industrialization of grains is a relatively new concept.  Our ancestors use to soak, sprout, and ferment these grains and seeds before consumption (which activates enzymes to break down toxins – more on this below).  Nowadays, we have machines that separate and refine the grains, stripping important nutrients out and leaving us with individualized pieces of the grain anatomy (bran, endosperm, germ).  The bran and germ contain the highest levels of nutrients and fiber in the grain. This is where it gets tricky, which is better for us whole grain or whole wheat? Well, whole grain (entire grain) has more nutrients (B vitamins and fiber) and has a less dramatic “sugar spike” …

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