By Vanessa Richins

In this weather, I find my thoughts turning towards soup.

It’s an easy meal that will warm your stomach on a wintry day.

Years ago, I started making taco soup in my slow cooker.

It made life that much better for a working girl - I could just throw everything together in the morning and come home to a piping hot dinner.

Tomatoes were a main star of the dish, as well as beans. You can leave it as a vegetarian soup, or add meats such as ground beef or chicken. The last time I made this, I added buffalo steaks, which are a lean meat.

The amount of ingredients varies by the size of the crockpot. I believe my large one holds 6 quarts. You can easily add another can of tomatoes or beans as needed, or use less if you have a smaller pot. I cook by just throwing things together, and so should you with this recipe!

• 2 large cans tomatoes (buy the kind with peppers and cilantro, if available)
• 3 small cans beans (any variety, drained. I often use black, red and kidney beans)
• 1 large can of hominy (found in the Hispanic section)
• 1-2 packets taco seasoning.
• 1 pound meat, if desired
• Sour cream
• Cheese
• Tortilla chips

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. If using meat, use a fork to break up the meat, which should be very tender at this point. Serve topped with sour cream, cheese and tortilla chips.

By Vanessa Richins

Last summer, headlines everywhere blazed about a salmonella scare that was supposedly connected to tomatoes.

Many stores and restaurants stopped carrying our favorite fruit for a while, severely hurting the tomato industry.

As Michelle Fabio pointed out here last year, ” a report from the University of Georgia estimates that the salmonella scare of this past summer cost Georgia’s economy approximately $25.7 million—and that is just one state.”

Later, the FDA changed their position and said the outbreak was actually caused by jalapeño peppers.

However, this doesn’t mean that Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

Last year was a sad year in the tomato world, wasn’t it?

It felt like every other word I read on gardening sites mentioned “blight.”

Rain, an influx of new gardeners (which meant a larger chance for spreading), infected plants sold at retail chains and other conditions meant many tomato plants fell prey to late blight.

Next year can be better, though, if we all take steps to manage the disease.

The fungus needs a host that is living, so it will die on tomato plants left over the winter. It’s best to clean them all out, though, to help prevent any of the other diseases.

When you’re ready to plant again in the spring, I would suggest Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

Carbon nanotubes are usually discussed in the physical sciences.

However, a new study focused on whether carbon nanotubes could be used as a fertilizer for tomato plants.

As A Carbon Nanotube Page explains, “Carbon nanotubes are molecular-scale tubes of graphitic carbon with outstanding properties. They are among the stiffest and strongest fibres known, and have remarkable electronic properties and many other unique characteristics.”

The researchers began by planting Read the rest of this entry »

Article By Vanessa Richins
Photo By ChiotsRun.com

Yes, tomatoes are spectacular indeed.

In addition to all the other health benefits they provide, a new study suggests that tomatoes could be a weight loss weapon.

It’s no secret that tomatoes should be part of a healthy diet already.

They’re full of vitamins, mineral, fiber and antioxidants. Tomatoes (especially when cooked) are a key source of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been shown to fight a number of health conditions. Tomatoes are also low in calories, a plus for any dieter.

However, the tomato may be poised to become a star in the weight loss world.

In this study, subjects were Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

I think I’ve just played one of the strangest tomato games ever.

My Google Alerts mentioned something about a game called “El Tomato Tornado.”

With a name like that, I knew I had to check it out.

The game offers a concise description : “Tomatoes can’t hurt you, the baddest wrestler in town, el Tornado! Or can they? In this game, dodge all the tomatoes you can, or get K.O.’ed!”

I clicked on “play” for the Flash game and found myself guiding a wrestler with a tomato for a head. It reminded me of Lucha Libre or the WWE. A crowd cheers and boos in the background. The ropes twang when you hit them and the tomatoes make a squishing sound when they hit you.

The game is quite simple to Read the rest of this entry »