HAILEY - For eight days last month, Ken Stuart of Twin Falls didn't eat a thing. Instead, he drank a concoction of maple syrup, fresh-squeezed lemonade and cayenne pepper, and also a salt-water mixture.

15th of Shevat (tonight and Monday 9 Feb) is designated as "the new year for trees" . The earliest-ripening fruit in Israel is the "shekadiah" the almond tree.On Tu b'Shevat it is customary to eat different fruits, including some listed below, known as the seven species of Israel.It is a land of wheat, barley, grapes, figs and pomegranates - a land of olives and honey-dates. (Devarim 8:8)(Information below from "Nature's Wealth" based on the teachings of the Rambam)Wheat has many therapeutic pro

This New Year's, two traveling buddies traded champagne and partying for a detoxifying retreat with spiritual leader Byron Katie. But would a week of no Starbucks—and no food—leave them cleansed or just cranky?