If you delight in consuming locally-grown produce, the pickings sure aren’t slim in May! This month’s stars include veggies like arugula, mushrooms, radishes, and rhubarb, as well as sweet front-runners like peaches, strawberries, and blueberries. Short on recipe ideas? Try these:

The spices in your kitchen could be giving you more than just a dose of flavor. Check out these everyday super-spices, and how they may help you stay well!

With so many dairy-free substitutes vying for a primo place in your fridge, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and play “eenie, meenie, minie, milk.” Here are a few facts to help you decide which dairy-less varieties are a good match (to make it easier, we’re examining the “original” varieties of each):

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about Angelina Jolie recently. On Tuesday, May 14th, she announced that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy after learning of her high risk of breast cancer. Through gene testing, Jolie had discovered that she carried the defective BRCA1 gene, which, along with other factors such as family medical history, significantly increases the chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Jolie’s decision to share her story serves as a great reminder to encourage everyone to seek out information and act consciously when it comes to health matters. We visited one of our ZocDoc doctors, Dr. Yael Fuchs of Gramercy Gynecological Health, to learn more about the breast cancer gene. Check out our video below! ZocDoc Asks a Doc Angelina Jolie // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ wistiaEmbed = Wistia.embed("k2dsda8u5e", { version: "v1", videoWidth: 540, videoHeight: 304, volumeControl: true, controlsVisibleOnLoad: true, plugin: { "socialbar-v1": { buttons: "embed-twitter-facebook" } } }); // ]]>

Are you a cat person or a dog person? Either way, you’re probably healthier for it. The cuddly companionship of our furry family offers more benefits than you may know.

Attention, shower singers: Now is the time to come out of your shell and release your inner canary! Word on the street (or in the medical journals, rather) is that whether you carol, warble, trill, or yodel, singing offers health benefits that are the real deal:

They say the way to your paramour's heart is through his or her stomach. Could that be the way to their eyes, too? According to recent studies, certain foods can help support your visual health.

Why can't you starve on a beach? Because of the “sand which” is there! Ha! Okay, we’re really sorry about that. Snacking is serious business, and sandwiches are one of the best tools in your arsenal. They’re quick, easy, nutritious, and – as you’ll see below – extremely yummy: Chickpea and Avocado Salad   You will need: 1 can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans 1 large ripe avocado 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro 2 tablespoons chopped onion Lime juice Salt and pepper Bread of your choice Fun sandwich toppings (spinach, tomato, cucumbers, etc.) Directions: 1. Drain chickpeas and remove the outer skin. 2. Using a fork, mash the chickpeas and avocado together. 3. Add cilantro, onion, and lime juice. 4. Add salt and pepper to taste. 5. Spread the resulting paste on your bread of choice and add your favorite toppings!

‘Early to bed and early to rise' ...can help fend off weight gain? According to a new study, it just might be true. Sleep researchers at the University of Colorado have found that even one week of late nights can affect your weight.

Did you know the average person's hair grows about 6 inches per year? It's not the best party trick, but it is an interesting record of your health, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.