The best-tasting veggie burger I’ve ever met is falafel. A product of the Middle East, falafel are deep-fried fritters made from ground chickpeas or fava beans that are tucked into pita pockets and drizzled with tahini. They are delicious, hearty, inexpensive and relatively healthy.

Recently, my family had distant relatives visit from Germany. Over the years there have been many visits between us visiting Germany and them visiting the USA. They are a wonderful family and we thoroughly enjoyed the time together. Upon waking up one morning, my 4-year-old had already asked to visit Germany.

It seems that every culture has a probiotic food that has been made for centuries. The Koreans have Kimchi. The Japanese have Miso Soup and Kombucha. The Africans have Amasi and the list goes on and on. Our history and ancestors have fermented and preserved many types of foods. This actually benefited our health and well being. Meanwhile, in our generation we have gone away from these traditions and have added antibiotics to our bodies. These antibiotics can be found in both our medicine and our food. This has caused a great imbalance in the beneficial bacteria that belongs in our bodies. This imbalance has contributed to a wide variety of diseases. Today, we are seeing a great come back with both probiotic supplements and foods.

We know we should eat better, but let’s face it: When we find ourselves at a fast food drive-thru, we’re probably not going to order a salad — not with all those burgers, fries and shakes on the menu board.

Ryan Dempsey was 7 years old when he first started to draw. Three years, and more than 100 canvases later, he continues to use his talent to paint pictures for himself, for his family and friends, and for a good cause.

Yoasis

Yoasis

Plenty of people surely will disagree, but I firmly believe that underdressed hot dogs simply aren’t worth the calories.

Unlike winter squash, which can be stored in a cool dark place for many months, summer squash have a shorter shelf life and are harvested when their rinds are still tender and edible. Since summer squash varieties such as zucchini, yellow crookneck and patty pan squash must be eaten quickly, it’s essential to have an arsenal of squash recipes at hand.

Unlike winter squash, which can be stored in a cool dark place for many months, summer squash have a shorter shelf life and are harvested when their rinds are still tender and edible. Since summer squash varieties such as zucchini, yellow crookneck and patty pan squash must be eaten quickly, it’s essential to have an arsenal of squash recipes at hand.

Keep your dogs cool this summer by making them homemade doggie ice cream. This treat is very low in lactose and the live cultures are great for their digestive system:

Keep your dogs cool this summer by making them homemade doggie ice cream. This treat is very low in lactose and the live cultures are great for their digestive system:

Depending on how motivated you are during these dog days of summer, the more than 14 hours of daylight on June 20 could either be nice and relaxing or full of different Valley activities.

Depending on how motivated you are during these dog days of summer, the more than 14 hours of daylight on June 20 could either be nice and relaxing or full of different Valley activities.

When soaked in water, chia seeds become plumped and gelatinous, with a texture similar to tapioca. And that makes them an ideal addition to smoothies.

When soaked in water, chia seeds become plumped and gelatinous, with a texture similar to tapioca. And that makes them an ideal addition to smoothies.

It was a time for the kids to be proud of their creativity.

Genetically modified foods are foods derived from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), which is from a process in a lab where genes are taken from one species and inserted into another in an attempt to obtain a desired characteristic or trait.

Genetically modified foods are foods derived from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), which is from a process in a lab where genes are taken from one species and inserted into another in an attempt to obtain a desired characteristic or trait.

Yoasis

After one year in business the owner of Yollipop in Ahwatukee Foothills says it's not just the name of his shop that has brought smiles to the faces of visitors. It's the 16 flavors of self-serve yogurt with multiple non-dairy and sugar-free choices, create-your-own smoothies, Boba drinks and espresso drinks that have kept customers coming back.

This weekend Yoasis Yogurt, the pay by the ounce self-serve frozen yogurt shop, celebrates not only one year in business, but close to $24,000 donated to good causes around Ahwatukee Foothills.

Two years ago, Chloe was just another dog rescued from a Phoenix street.

I have never been one to be heavily involved in politics - running a small business and raising three kids doesn't leave a lot of time to spare. But even when I do engage, I often find myself irritated by the self-serving rhetoric that comes from the candidates.