Get ready for a great read!

When you think about the word “conscious,” what words come to mind? Aware? Mindful? Awake? What about “capitalism?” Selfish? Greedy? Unethical? Unfortunately there are plenty of people out there who don’t have a very positive perception of business in general. But what happens when you combine the concept of consciousness with capitalism?

Chad Sarno is R&D Chef and Culinary Educator for Whole Foods Market®’s Health Starts Here program.

Hot list: Five books that are firing our imaginations this summer.

It begins with a simple ritual: Every Saturday afternoon, a boy who loves to cook

Here are some fresh ideas for those non-fiction book lovers on your list. From food issues to animal compassion, here are the books we would most like to receive (or gift) this holiday.

Stumped for gift ideas for your favorite cook or foodie? Here are the cookbooks we would most like to unwrap this holiday season.

The New York Times has spent quite a bit of ink lately on how the new administration may affect the way we eat in the U.S. Personally, I find this all very interesting and I wonder what others are thinking about it. With Michael Pollan and Mark Bittman on staff, it seems the NY Times is covering this issue more than others, but I'd love links to other articles that you are seeing out there. Here's what I've read recently:

When I wake up on cold mornings in the middle of winter, it's hard to force myself to get out from underneath the warm blankets. Having a hot breakfast helps make the morning bearable. Did you know that skipping breakfast can contribute to weight gain because you end up snacking and eating larger meals later in the day? Without breakfast, you also may not be at the top of your game. A respected European study showed better performance and cognitive ability in people who ate carbohydrates with protein for breakfast.

So we're nine days into the new year - how are you doing with your resolutions? Still going strong? Excellent.