Steak, Liquor, and Bug Flour: Living Well Visits Expo East

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Last week, the team from Living Well busted into the biggest natural health product expo on the East Coast, Expo East. (They were too busy working out to think of a decent name.)

This year’s event featured everything:

Chocolate!

Coconuts!

Steak!

Description: C:\Users\nrifkin\Pictures\Expo\Expo East 2015\20150917_154023.jpg

And… the post office?

 Description: C:\Users\nrifkin\Pictures\Expo\Expo East 2015\20150917_151443.jpg

As Jasmine LeMaster, our chief quality control expert, said, “You know the post office is struggling for business when they start advertising at a health expo.”

Unfortunately, they didn’t have any delicious samples.

And they weren’t even the strangest booth, either. One group showcased their flour made from… well, I’ll let you decipher the secret formula from this photo:

Description: C:\Users\nrifkin\Pictures\Expo\Expo East 2015\20150917_153701.jpg

Mmmm… cricket flour.

And yes, the proprietor’s shirt did read “Crickets are the gateway bug.”

I didn’t hear the story behind his arm cast, but I’m assuming has to do with the fact that it’s dangerous being a “bug bealer.” *Rim shot* (Get it? Drug dealer?… Never mind.)

Actually, cricket flour sounds pretty darn good. Certainly more healthy than the regular stuff. Unfortunately, not everyone featured as nutritious a product as the one presented by the clever folks I photographed. In fact, most were downright lousy.

I had to shake my head every time I saw someone bragging about their gluten-free, organic pastries. As if that somehow forgives them being nothing more than a carbohydrate bomb. After two days of this, my neck started to hurt (from the head-shaking).

One lady roped me and Laissez Faire Today editor Chris Campbell into an endless pitch about the wonders of her book, which started with something sensible (phytonutrients being healthy) and then quickly veered into vegan propaganda. I smelled a rat (a tofu rat, of course) as soon as I flipped through her book and saw the giveaway phrase: plant-based.

“Ah, s***,” I muttered.

After some more page flipping, I saw a reference to the infamous rabbit study that sparked the whole “eating cholesterol is bad for your heart” myth. Here’s the short version: A mad Russian scientist named Nikolaj Nikolajewitsch Anitschkow fed rabbits cholesterol… and the rabbits developed atherosclerosis. Now, a sensible person would glean one takeaway from an experiment like this: Don’t feed cholesterol to your pet rabbit.

But some bozos figured this applied to humans as well.

I couldn’t help but interrupt the lady and say, “Um, I was just looking through your book, and I couldn’t help notice there’s some stuff I disagree with. For instance, this rabbit study on cholesterol. The problem is… rabbits… aren’t… humans.”

She wasn’t swayed, and soon Chris and I moved on.

Speaking of not humans, this expo was also where the now-famous photo of yours truly was taken by Chris. The weirdness later gave him nightmares. I have to admit, it’s pretty easy to see why:

Hey, Chris… How have you been sleeping lately? Eh?!

When the clock stretched into the dark hours of 4 p.m.… the liquor began flowing:

That’s a rapidly emptying bottle of bourbon.

When I mentioned the early happy hour to the editor of our Natural Health Solutions newsletter, Brad Lemley, he remarked, “Nobody drinks like people in the mass-market, shelf-stable “health food” industry. Living a lie takes its toll…”

I’ll wrap things up on that note. Eat some steak. Drink some liquor. Maybe visit the post office. In that order.

Have a good weekend,

Nate Rifkin
Underground Health Researcher

Nate Rifkin

Written By Nate Rifkin

Nate Rifkin is an obsessed health and mind-power researcher and author. To hear more from Nate, sign up to receive Living Well Daily for free, here.

View More Free Articles

The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....

Read This

The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health

I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...

Read This

“Brain Games” Failed You? Try THIS For Better Memory Instead

You know all those brain-training apps, supplements, and “miracle” memory-boosters that promise to keep your brain sharp as you age? Here’s the truth… There IS evidence they support brain health—and that’s why I’ll be the first to recommend them. But they aren’t the most powerful brain-boosting tool available to you. Another surprising solution has earned...

Read This

Mailbag: 5 Powerful Ways to Shield Your Prostate from Cancer

“What are your tips to avoid prostate cancer?” —Keeping Cancer at Bay Hi Keeping, You’re right to be concerned—prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States. Approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. And there were an estimated 268,490 new prostate cancer...

Read This

Popular Drinks Quintuple THIS Deadly Risk

We all know that sugary drinks aren’t good for our teeth. But new research reveals a far more sinister link between sweetened beverages and oral health. Your soda habit could be putting you at risk for something far worse than cavities… Research published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery has uncovered a shocking...

Read This

Depression AGES Your Body 30% Faster—Here's How to Stop It

Recent research highlights the profound connection between the mind and body. The eye-opening new study shows how battling depression could put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve long known that it’s linked to an increased risk of illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes....

Read This

Study Reveals Not All Generic Drugs Are Created Equal

Like most folks, you probably don’t think twice about whether you’re getting a brand-name or generic drug when you pick up a prescription. After all, the FDA insists generics are just as safe and effective as their pricier brand-name counterparts. But what if that’s not always true? A disturbing new study has uncovered evidence that...

Read This

Feed Your Good Gut Bugs with this Produce Aisle Staple

Improving your health doesn’t always have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, it’s as simple—and tasty—as a handful of berries. We’ve long known that blueberries pack a serious nutritional punch. But this latest research takes things by revealing exactly how these berries enhance your gut microbiome—the community of beneficial bacteria living in your digestive system....

Read This

Harness the Forgotten Superpower of Boredom

From the moment we crawl out of bed in the morning until we hit the hay again at night, we’re bombarded with stimulation. With screens everywhere, including in our pockets, we’re surrounded by entertainment. But with constant notifications and endless scrolling, we’ve forgotten how to be bored. In fact, most of us avoid it at...

Read This

The Forgotten Nutrient That May Save Your Memory

Some nutrients, like vitamin D and vitamin C, get all the attention. But almost no one’s talking about vitamin K. However, this overlooked nutrient could be key to preserving your memory as you age. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition suggests vitamin K plays a critical role in keeping your brain sharp well...

Read This