Peppermint is in the genus Mentha which includes more than one hundred species, and is thought to be a natural hybrid of spearmint and forest mint. Its origin is believed to be in North Africa and the southern Mediterranean basin, and has been used in recipes and as a medicinal herb since 1500 B.C.E. It found its way as far north as Scandinavia and was mentioned in the Icelandic Pharmacopoeias in the mid-13th Century.
While others curse its arrival in spring, I applaud it. The spunky little dandelion is a first flower for nectar-hunting honeybees. It pains me to see homeowners yank it from their yards, not only because they are eradicating an important food source for pollinating insects, but because the little plants can offer so much before their fluffy seeds are scattered to the wind!
Spirulina is a blue-green algae growing in fresh water and is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals and has many health benefits. Spirulina has been used by the Aztec people since before the Conquistadors.
If you haven't yet gotten your pumpkin on this season, this may be the recipe you've been waiting for! Who doesn't like mac and cheese on a chilly fall day – heck, who doesn't like mac and cheese any day of the week?!
Kale is a member of the species Brassica oleracea, which includes cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower and broccoli. It has been cultivated for more than 2000 years and though originally found wild in the Mediterranean region it is a cold climate tolerant plant. The term kale is derived from the Scottish word “kail” and the word was used in the 19th Century, referring to dinner.
Lately, I’ve been really good about going to the gym four times a week. However, when my mom and dad came down with a cold, I couldn’t help but think of the bright side of things—if I caught what was going around, I’d get a few days of rest from the gym. If I could manage to eat anything right now, I’d be eating my words because this sickness is terrible. I’d take the gym over this sore throat that refuses to go away a million times over. Since I always seem to become ill pretty early in the cold and flu season, I decided to look into foods I could eat to help my body fight back.
Drinking juice is a pleasant way to keep your diet packed with nutrients. If you use organic ingredients, you can also avoid absorbing pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals that are unfortunately often found in many contemporary food products. A juicer processes the fruits and vegetables you need into an easily digestible and tasty form.
Need something colorful, warm, healthy, and hearty this fall? Try this scrumptious sweet potato pumpkin soup recipe! Sweet potato is high in vitamins A, C, and E —which is awesome for supporting a healthy immune system. Pumpkin contains a great source of vitamin A for aiding in eye-vision, as well as potassium for helping out the body’s nervous system. This soup is not only good, it’s good for you!
Takes 30-45 minutes
Serves 5-6 bowls
Ingredients:
As far as raw foods are concerned, wheatgrass, or Triticum aestivum, is a potent ingredient that promises you a host of abundant health benefits. The young shoots of wheat are harvested before the stalks form a head with grain and contain no wheat gluten, but are considered by many health professionals and scientists to be naturally healing.
Let's talk sea vegetables. There are many out there who are skeptical when it comes to eating weeds -- let alone weeds out of the ocean. And yet, any sushi lover plops the stuff in their mouth like popcorn, no questions asked. Seaweed may not look appealing to most in its natural form, but the benefits highly outweigh any reservations one may have about consumption.