In my rebellious youth, one of the big symbols of the counterculture movement was Abbie Hoffman’s 1971 manifesto, “Steal This Book.” In many ways, the title was the best part. Inside, the guide for waging protest against the military-industrial complex was both heavy on the impractical and rapidly obsolete.

Last month was hectic. Several key conferences and expos land in March, and they provide material to keep food and beverage industry editors busy all year.

When I was a kid, I briefly raised mice as pets.

A new year brings optimism, and optimism appears abundant as the food industry heads into 2014.

A couple of months ago, the courts ruled against the esteemed Mayor Bloomberg of New York in re: the ban against the sale of soft drinks larger than 16oz. This ignited some interesting debates within the nutrition communication industry (and don’t kid yourself—it is an industry).

Think of this a viewpoint from 30,000 feet. Actually, that's literally the case because I'm writing this on the plane home from the 2012 Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif.