Nothing says “holidays,” ‘family” and “fall” quite like the spicy, aromatic smell and taste of pumpkin pie. Pumpkin spice, also called pumpkin pie spice, is the blend of ground spices commonly used to flavor pumpkin pie and other dishes, namely: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and sometimes cloves, allspice and/or cardamom. Not only does the pumpkin spice…
Tea is actually the second most consumed beverage worldwide after water, so it's quite likely you may be acquiring black tea benefits already on a regular basis. Is black tea good for you? Loaded with antioxidants called polyphenols that protect human cells from hazardous free radical damage, it definitely makes the list of one of…
Did you know that in Paleolithic times, humans consumed less than one gram of salt per day? Salt wasn't added to foods for flavor the way it is today. Millions of years ago, humans got their salt from meat, which made up about 50 percent of their diets, while the other half was vegetables, some…
Farmers markets are in full swing throughout the fall, making it easy to eat seasonally, as well as to pick up autumn decorations like pumpkins, mums and gourds. You might already know which fall vegetables are most abundant once the weather gets cold, but what fall fruits are in season in the autumn? If you're…
Most people don't mind nutrition-rich green beans, but lots green bean recipes aren't particularly inspiring. Many of us have flashbacks of canned green beans served at Thanksgiving, limp and overcooked string beans that have been steamed out of all flavor, or beans that taste delicious because they've been drowned in butter. It's a shame, because…
As summer winds down and autumn takes over, apple season comes into full swing. Giving pumpkin everything a run for its money, the start of cooler weather means that nutrition-rich apples become ubiquitous, with different varieties gracing farmers markets and supermarkets. With all those gorgeous apples available, one of my favorite things to do is…
By now, most people are well-aware that foods rich in dietary fiber and probiotic foods offer a long list of benefits and are essential to overall health. Nonetheless, prebiotics are still largely underappreciated and often lacking in the typical American diet. Unfortunately, this can result in serious issues like indigestion, inflammation, impaired immunity, weight gain…
Burning dried wood from the “mystical” palo santo tree, and collecting its concentrated oils, have been widely used in folk medicines and by shamans (“medicine men”) for centuries. Reason being: The palo santo tree has long been thought to have special spiritual qualities. For ritual participants who observe the practice and take in palo santo’s…
Trying new diets can be tough: all those things to avoid, to eat more of, new ingredients to buy. It's enough to drive anyone bonkers, but there's one way of eating that's gained notoriety — the ketogenic, or "keto," diet and its keto recipes. The keto diet is one of the most effective that I've…
As summer transitions into fall, September brings a bounty of fresh produce that’s perfect for both refreshing summer salads and hearty autumn dishes. This month offers an abundance of vegetables and fruits at their peak, perfect for creating delicious and nutritious meals. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables not only supports local farmers, but also ensures…
