The German-based site Clean Energy Project recently posted an interview with Yinghui Zhang-Carraro, a “freelance writer and resident of Beijing,” about Beijing’s organic food market.

Catching up on our post-Chunjie reading, we came across this frightening post on the seemingly intractable problem of food safety in China by our favorite food writer and author of Beijing Eats, Eileen Wen Mooney. The post discusses a thesis by Harvard student Leslie Marie Grothaus and a book by Chinese journalist Zhou Qing entitled What Kind of Heaven?, described as an in-depth and unsettling look at food safety problems in China.

Dr Richard has done an interesting post on the differences between practicing medicine in the US and China, which run the gamut from divergent common ailments to wildly varying patient expectations. One worrying phenomenon the good doctor notes is the expectation among local patients that antibiotics will be doled out for any illness.

Beijing native Chuck Zhang first developed an interest in health and fitness in the United States, where he attended high school and university. He has since brought his passion back with him to China, becoming one of the first people to import sport supplements to this country. After treating us to some strawberry-flavored protein powder, he divulged on what motivates him to stay fit and how readers can get results from working out.

Spring is coming, and with it lighter clothing. Time to live up to those New Year’s resolutions – get in shape and shake off that winter flab at the following gyms and fitness clubs.

If flowers and a romantic dinner aren't enough to impress this Valentine's Day, try these special spa deals and packages for two.

First there was melamine in the milk, then allegations of mercury in soft drink. Now China Daily is reporting some plastic tableware sold in Beijing markets and supermarkets, including Carrefour and Auchan, is toxic.

Beijingers are no strangers to tainted food and beverages – we all remember the “melamine in milk” scandal of 2008 which continues to reverberate through China’s dairy industry. Now it seems some supplies of Sprite in the city may be suspect, with two patients hospitalized in recent months with mercury poisoning after consuming the soft drink.

Last week we linked to a Dr Richard post about Seasonal Affective Disorder, more commonly known as the winter blues, and how vitamin D supplements can be a used to treat the condition. Dr Richard has now done another post about additional potential benefits associated with vitamin D supplements, including a reduced risk of several types of cancer.

As Beijing barrels into 2010, the wrecking balls are swinging south of Gulou, plans are afoot to restore the burnt out TVCC Tower in the CBD, and authorities say they want to bring mass biking back to Beijing.