Vegetables are leafy, crunchy, luscious, colorful little presents the earth gives out to say it loves us. They're packed with the vitamins and nutrients we need to keep from perishing of all manner of dreadful pirate diseases like rickets, scurvy and beriberi.

The least we can do is prepare them as deliciously as possible. Here's our best advice for making the most of the season's bounty.
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Previously:
Clarified: How is genetically modified food labeled?
Clarified: What does "genetically modified" salmon mean?
Farmer: My contract with Monsanto
Fishy, or a taste of the future? Our readers weigh in.
Genetically modified and altered food – can you taste the difference?

While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

It’s five o’clock somewhere. Bottoms up! June 19 is National Dry Martini Day.

Perhaps it’s the long-stemmed, wide-mouthed glass, or maybe it's the uncompromising sting of alcohol, but martinis can be intimidating to a novice cocktail drinker. Not to fear - with a little knowledge and a touch of bravery you’ll be enjoying this classic tipple before anyone has time to make a bad James Bond joke.
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The United States Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Tuesday that 22,737 pounds of ground beef products are being recalled on fears that they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The recall is categorized by the FSIS as "Class I": a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
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Everything was going fine, until the bill came.

But it wasn't the amount on the check that angered Joseph Gibson, who had stopped at a St. Louis sports bar to chow down.

It was a line on the special order section for his young son that set him off.

Under "1 - Wing Sauce" the receipt read: "F-in Needy Kids."
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Ray Isle (@islewine on Twitter) is Food & Wine's executive wine editor. We trust his every cork pop and decant – and the man can sniff out a bargain to boot. Take it away, Ray.

It’s a bit of a mystery to me why International Picnic Day should fall on a Tuesday. After all, Tuesday isn’t exactly the easiest day for a picnic, at least if you’re employed. I’m also a little puzzled as to the difference between National Picnic Day, which falls on April 23, and International Picnic Day, which is today. Perhaps we’re all supposed to go have a picnic in Provence?

Regardless, any excuse for a picnic is a good one, so what the heck.

There are a few useful tips regarding bringing wine to your picnic, which I feel are worth knowing, since any picnic is improved by the presence of wine.
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Or possibly tenderly cradle you to his sculpted chest.

While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

Ditch the great indoors and dine al fresco. June 18 is International Picnic Day!

We’ve given you and do’s and don’t of picnicking, along with some helpful planning tips, and told you what to drink.

Now here are some dishes that are portable and picnic friendly.
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Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson and her children have moved out of their home as her husband denies a report that he attacked her.

In response to a tabloid's photos showing Charles Saatchi reaching his hand across a table and apparently holding her neck, Saatchi told another newspaper Monday that there was no attack.

"About a week ago, we were sitting outside a restaurant having an intense debate about the children, and I held Nigella's neck repeatedly while attempting to emphasize my point," Saatchi, an art dealer and former advertising mogul, told The Evening Standard.
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While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

Vegetables are dirt candy - so dig in. June 17 is National Eat Your Vegetables Day!

It’s one of those things in life that we should just accept: toast will always fall to the floor buttered side down, and mom is usually right - especially when she tells you to eat your vegetables.
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