Top 10 Green Vegetables by Nutrient Density

Written by Max Goldberg on April 16, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

When you go into the produce section of Whole Foods, you’ll notice signs that say “ANDI Score” with a number associated with that respective food.

Created by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, ANDI stands for “Aggregate Nutrient Density Index” and ranks a food’s nutrient density on a scale from 1 to 1000.

The ANDI scores are calculated by evaluating an extensive range of micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidant capacities, and by dividing the nutrient level of a food by its caloric content (N/C). Read More »

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The Very Important Question You’ll Be Getting Asked at Whole Foods

Written by Max Goldberg on March 20, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

At all Whole Foods stores until the end of the month, you will be asked a very important question when paying for your items.

And I am not referring to “Did you find everything you were looking for today?”

What I am referring to is “Would you like to make a donation to the Whole Planet Foundation?”

During my recent trip to Costa Rica, I was able to see first-hand the amazing work that the Whole Planet Foundation is doing to improve the lives of women entrepreneurs in that country.

And it isn’t just in Costa Rica where they are making a difference but in 50 other nations around the world. Read More »

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Whole Planet Foundation is Transforming Lives in Costa Rica

Written by Max Goldberg on February 27, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

Last week in Costa Rica, I visited with some women entrepreneurs who are receiving microloans from the Whole Planet Foundation, a non-profit organization of Whole Foods.

I have written about the Whole Planet Foundation before and the amazing job that it is doing around the world but meeting the loan recipients in-person gave me a much greater appreciation for the impact that this program is having.

Women entrepreneurs from impoverished communities receive loans, starting at a few hundred dollars, to start businesses – baking, sewing, buying animals, running a small store, etc. With a 98% success rate (only 2% of the loans default), this incremental revenue plays an essential role in improving the well-being and welfare of thousands of families. Read More »

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How Sustainable Bananas are Produced at EARTH University in Costa Rica

Written by Max Goldberg on February 24, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

When I was at EARTH University in Costa Rica, I got a chance to learn everything about sustainable banana production – from how they are grown in the fields to how they are shipped to the U.S.

In this video, I’ll take you onto the banana plantation of EARTH University and show you the issues that they have to deal with when growing bananas in such humid conditions.

What’s important to note is that it took EARTH University many, many years for its sustainable bananas to reach profitability and the school was told by consultants that the program wasn´t going to work. Read More »

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EARTH University in Costa Rica – An Amazing Example of What Education Should Be

Written by Max Goldberg on February 23, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

The reason for my trip to Costa Rica was to come learn about a place called EARTH University.

EARTH University in Costa Rica is a 4-year accredited school where students come from all over the world to learn about sustainability and entrepreneurship. The goal is to have these students take these skills and knowledge back to their home countries after graduation in order to positively impact their communities.

What is important to know about EARTH University is that almost all of the students come from Latin America and Africa, 71% of the students come from rural impoverished areas, and 60% of the students receive full scholarships. Read More »

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