On those days when you are procrastinating by doing things like alphabetizing your spice rack, I’ll bet almost anything that you don’t have (and have probably never heard of, much less used) an herb called, fenugreek. Sometimes known as “Greek hay,” fenugreek is actually a member of the pea family. It’s grown mostly in the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East and India. Its seeds and leaves have been used all around the world for hundreds, if not thousands of years for medicinal purposes. Both are also dried and ground for use as recipe ingredients for cooking. Fenugreek’s flavor is […]
Weight management, acne, fertility, menopause – there are so many reasons to make sure hormones are balanced properly. When they’re not, the body can communicate in strong (and undesirable) ways. Herbal supplements can help and chaste tree berry – also called vitex and vitex agnus-castus – is one that shouldn’t be ignored. A shrub native to Mediterranean regions, it has a long history of medicinal use, especially for hormone abnormalities and gynecological issues in women. Vitex is used for: Menstrual disorders (painful menses, lack of menses, heavy menses) PMS and menopausal symptoms Infertility in women Increasing lactation Acne Migraine and […]
Bone health is an under-appreciated aspect of beauty, longevity and living a vibrant life. Often, adults aren’t tested for bone density until they’re at an older age when the state of our bones should be top of mind early on. Bone loss including osteoporosis affects men and women and leads to fractures and other health problems. Foods that contain certain minerals including calcium, magnesium and vitamins D and K have proven critical for optimizing bone health long-term which is why these foods top the list of 50 foods critical for bone health. This is an important focus starting…now! 1. […]
You may have a nutritional and culinary gift growing in your garden right now; dill weed. Dill (anethum graveolens) can be used beyond flavoring pickles, a common preparation. This herb is used in cuisines around the world and also has some fascinating potential health benefits when used medicinally. Native to the Mediterranean and Russia, dill seeds and leaves are used as a spice to flavor foods. Used in traditional medicine, dill is known for calming the digestive tract and has been used since ancient times. It is especially popular in Ayurvedic medicine of India. Medicinally, dill is used to treat: […]
Did you know that food can actually play a role in your mood and happiness levels? So many people live with restricting many foods or feelings of guilt or shame surrounding eating. Others may not get the nutrition they need to fuel the pleasure centers in the brain (think serotonin production), keeping mood stable. The brain uses a full 20% of the calories you take in so fueling it is absolutely critical. Foods that contain compounds like zinc, selenium, B6 and B12, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants have proven links to brain health and even mood, which is […]
When it comes to age, most everyone desires to hit triple digits — 100 and more. Who wouldn’t want to join the centenarian club? Luckily for seniors living in the 21st century, it’s now easier for you to reach your 100th birthday today than ever before — if you take care of your health and follow experts’ advice. According to Science magazine, with the currently expanding life spans of modern man, all it would take for the average life span to reach 99 years is the elimination of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Dr. Chris Matsko, coauthor of How to Live […]
Did you know there’s a powerful herbal medicine chest in your kitchen? Imagine being prepared for that next cold, scrape, headache, digestive issue, stressful day, or sleepless night with simple ingredients from your cupboard. Instead of pills, reach for: Cinnamon Tea to soothe your throat . . . Garlic Hummus to support your immune system . . . Ginger Lemon Tea for cold and flu symptoms . . . Cayenne Salve to relieve sore muscles . . . Cardamom Chocolate Mousse Cake for heart health . . . A glass of Spiced Cold Brew Coffee as a powerful antioxidant . […]
Traditional spice blends like garam masala contain a variety of health properties in addition to being a seasoning for many dishes. There’s likely a reason beyond the wonderful flavor combination that these blends were created. Garam masala is a blend made of cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and fennel and this is a spice combination that you should include in your diet for health benefits in addition to flavoring recipes. This herb and spice mixture likely originated from northern India and is used around the world today. A masala is a spice blend so garam masala means “hot spice” […]
Korean glass noodles are made from sweet potato starch. Gluten-free and low-calorie, they have a springy texture and a neutral flavor. In Korean BBQ restaurants, this dish is known as Jap Chae or sometimes Chap Chae. In this recipe, I jazz them up with marinated meat, stir-fry vegetables, eggs, and a sesame sauce. By cooking and assembling the noodles, meat, vegetables, and eggs, this becomes a perfect party dish: your guests can toss together exactly what they want. Traditionally, these noodles are served with a scrambled egg on top, but you can omit it. You can use chicken or tofu […]
Knowledge is power when it comes to the leading women’s health issues, such as heart disease, breast cancer and infertility. When you understand the role of your diet and lifestyle and put recommendations into practice, you’re in a much better position to prevent or beat common health issues. Luckily, what’s good for one aspect of health—such as eating plenty of colorful vegetables, berries, healthy fats and high-quality, clean proteins—will likely help other aspects of your health, too. You’ll see that here as you read experts’ diet and lifestyle advice for common health concerns of women. Challenge: Heart Disease and Stroke […]