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Welcome to The HeartStone Homestead

Recipes
Breakfast & Brunch all the way to Dinner & Dessert

Health & Wellness
Discussions About our Mental & Physical Wellbeing

Travel
Travel News & Tips

Pets & Wildlife
Articles to help your beloved household friends live their best lives too! Also information about wildlife.

Food News & History
Fun food history, along with information about food recalls, restaurant & grocery store news.
Heath


Five “Natural” Snacks That Are Just Candy in Disguise
How health-branded snack foods sneak in sugar, refined carbs, and additives that rival a candy bar It’s not hard to spot candy — the...

ER Kent
Oct 7, 20253 min read


Top Five Foods You Didn’t Know Were Ultra-Processed — And Why They’re Not as Healthy as You Think
The everyday “natural” foods that are secretly industrial creations — and what they’re really doing to your health It’s easy to assume...

ER Kent
Aug 17, 20255 min read


The 7 Drinks You Think Are Good for You — But Aren’t
How some of the most popular “healthy” beverages are loaded with sugar, additives, and empty calories When you reach for a drink labeled...

ER Kent
Aug 13, 20253 min read


Uncorking the Secrets: How Red Wine Can Boost Your Health and Wellness
Raise a glass of red wine and toast to longevity and well-being Raise your glass and savor the complex flavors of red wine, but did you...

ER Kent
Aug 9, 20253 min read


What Is Vibrio? The Dangerous Bacteria Lurking in Warm Coastal Waters — And How Travelers Can Stay Safe
If you’re heading to the beach this summer—especially in Florida or the Gulf Coast—there’s more to watch for than just jellyfish or...

ER Kent
Aug 3, 20254 min read


Fermented Foods from Around the World You’ve Never Heard Of—But Should Be Eating
You’ve likely heard of kombucha, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Maybe you’ve even tried miso or kefir. But the world of fermented foods is vast,...

ER Kent
Jul 29, 20254 min read


Are All Honeys Created Equal? Why Some Honeys Might Actually Be Healthier Than Others
So if you’re trying to make healthier choices without giving up your daily drizzle, here’s the breakdown on how different honeys...

ER Kent
Jul 28, 20254 min read


Does Rinsing Your Hair With Vinegar Really Make It Shinier? Here’s What It Does, How It Works, and Who Should Avoid It
It’s one of those old-fashioned beauty hacks that’s still quietly passed around like a family secret: “Just rinse your hair with...

ER Kent
Jul 27, 20254 min read


Is That Grocery Store Olive Oil Actually 100% Olive Oil? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Pour Another Drop
You’re cooking dinner, the pan’s heating up, and you reach for that bottle of olive oil on your counter—maybe it’s labeled “extra...

ER Kent
Jul 27, 20254 min read


From Boomers to Zoomers: A Deep Dive into Generational Differences—And What They Reveal About Us All
They say generational labels are like astrology for sociologists—broad, imperfect, and occasionally spot-on. But when it comes to...

ER Kent
Jul 16, 20256 min read


The Surprising Link Between PTSD and Diabetes
How Chronic Stress Can Influence Blood Sugar and Long-Term Health Many people think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as purely emotional or psychological, but research increasingly shows it can have lasting effects on the body—including a heightened risk for diabetes . For adults living with trauma or caring for someone who does, understanding this connection is essential for proactive, compassionate health care. What the Research Shows Several large studies have foun

ER Kent
Jul 13, 20252 min read


Why Does the U.S. Government Subsidize Sugar? A Look at the History, the Strategy, and Who Reaps the Rewards
By ER Kent, HeartStone Homestead Ever wonder why a five-pound bag of sugar at the store sometimes feels more expensive than it ought to be? Or why candy makers complain about sugar prices while American sugar farmers seem to be doing just fine? Well, there’s a story behind that sweetness—and it’s one that goes all the way back to the Great Depression. Now let me be clear right from the start: I’m not here to take sides in the Farm Bill debates or tell you whether sugar shoul

ER Kent
Jul 12, 20255 min read


9 Often‑Overlooked Symptoms of Pre‑Diabetes
Learn the early signs of pre‑diabetes, why they’re easy to miss, and how recognizing them now can help prevent type 2 diabetes By E.R. Kent Pre‑diabetes is more common than many realize—and often quietly creeping up. Nearly 97 million U.S. adults (around 38% ) have it, yet most don’t know—only about 1 in 5 are even aware. If untreated, roughly 25% will develop type 2 diabetes within 3–5 years . That risk doubles over a decade, and with type 2 comes heart disease, kidney

ER Kent
Jul 5, 20253 min read


Is It Safe to Use Hemorrhoid Cream Around Your Eyes—or Is It a Bad Beauty Hack?
All You Need to Know About Preparation H for Puffiness A viral beauty hack claims that applying hemorrhoid cream—like Preparation H—around your eyes can reduce puffiness. But is it safe? Let’s unpack the medical facts, potential risks, and better alternatives with clarity and care. 💉 How Hemorrhoid Cream Works—and Why It Seems to Help Hemorrhoid creams typically contain vasoconstrictors like phenylephrine, which narrow blood vessels and can reduce swelling temporarily. The f

ER Kent
Jul 2, 20252 min read


What Is CPTSD? How Common It Is, What It Feels Like, and What You Can Actually Do About It
You’ve probably heard of PTSD—Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—but you may not have heard of its lesser-known cousin: CPTSD, or Complex PTSD. And if you have, there’s a good chance you’ve wondered, Wait... is that what I’m dealing with? If trauma, chronic stress, or past emotional wounds have left you feeling exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in patterns you can’t explain, this might be a name for something you’ve felt—but never known how to label. Let’s walk through it togethe

ER Kent
May 2, 20255 min read
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